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Tim Richards

@timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy
722 followers 27 following 6.2K posts

Travel writer living and working on Wurundjeri land in Melbourne, Australia. Rail travel expert, current books on sale include Heading South, Ultimate Train Journeys […] 🌉 bridged from ⁂ aus.social/@timrichards, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact

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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 4h
Here's a new Patreon post that's free for everyone to read – announcing the publication of my new book, Train Europe. In it, I talk about how I wrote the book and what's inside it. The post also includes the video of the complete Q&A session which was held at the […] [Original post on aus.social]
Cover of the book Train Europe.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 4h
Interesting idea from the Greens. The federal government used to own things like banks in order to force competition, so why not a supermarket chain? And food is an essential item. #auspol www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-06/gree…
abc.net.au
Public supermarkets could slash food bills by quarter, Greens think tank says
Taking inspiration from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, "Fair Go Grocers" public supermarkets would offer essential goods at a discount and act as a competitor to drive down prices at Coles and Woolworths.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 5h
This Economy Skycouch idea is good, but I need four seats to stretch out and sleep; three is not enough. I know this from experience. #flying #travel www.smh.com.au/traveller/reviews-an…
smh.com.au
A nearly 17-hour flight in the ‘Skycouch’ economy class bed
Air New Zealand’s Skycouch is less than half the price of a business class seat, but how does this economy class bed really stack up?
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 5h
Great actor, love his work. "In another world, Kyle MacLachlan might have been known for straight up and down leading man roles – the handsome lead of a worthy drama, say, or the dashing love interest in a romantic comedy. He has the looks for it, and the talent. But in this timeline […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026
Now free for all to read... I experienced the new Scenic Plus dining class available aboard New Zealand's long-distance trains, by travelling from Wellington to Auckland aboard the Northern Explorer: #train #trains #food #NewZealand […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Independent Media Australia. @indymediaaus.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026
AI won’t save us if human intelligence keeps declining pearlsandirritations.com/e/daily/20… #Auspol
pearlsandirritations.com
AI won’t save us if human intelligence keeps declining
As investment in artificial intelligence surges, brain health and cognitive skills are deteriorating. The future will depend not only on better machines, but on rebuilding the human intelligence needed to use them.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026
I felt sorry for @NarrelleMHarris, having to get up at 7am (real 6am) this morning on the first Monday of daylight saving time. She's not a morning person at the best of times. :)
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026
This is annoying. We'll have to find another way to pay our quarterly owners corporation fees. #money www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-af…
smh.com.au
Surcharge ban will leave some renters in the lurch
Many tenants could soon be forced into arrears, advocates warn, as a key rental payment platform closes its doors.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026
As much as I like reading, I shudder when I read about people's home collections of thousands of books. It's not hoarding I guess, but it sounds related. "Danny Yee faced a dilemma 15 years ago when he and his partner moved from Sydney to Britain: what to do with all the books he’d amassed over […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026
Melbourne's GPO building on a Saturday night. That LED lighting looks more like rose gold to me, but the iPhone has its own way of interpreting colours and lighting. #Melbourne
A neoclassical building with a clocktower and pinkish LED lighting.
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Reposted by Tim Richards
Independent Media Australia. @indymediaaus.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 02/10/2026
David Shoebridge brings a fighting edge to the Greens independentaustralia.net/politics/p… #Auspol
independentaustralia.net
David Shoebridge brings a fighting edge to the Greens
David Shoebridge’s rise to the Greens leadership offers a chance to challenge Labor from the Left and push for more radical action on inequality, climate change and AI.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026
Good rail news. That's a scenic journey too, rode it in 2022 on board the Empire Builder. #train #trains #usa bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifest…
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026
RE: social.chinwag.org/@guardian_bot/11… It's Sunday morning. Frankly, I'd be happen to stay on standard time year round.
social.chinwag.org
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026
This Georgian restaurant in Bentleigh East looks great. #Georgia #food #Melbourne www.theage.com.au/goodfood/melbourn…
theage.com.au
Review: There isn’t a soul this obscenely cheesy dish wouldn’t soothe
Khachapuri is back in Melbourne in a big way, restored to hot, gooey glory at Tbilisi.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026
'Cat dads' are in, apparently. "... while the feline has long been associated with the feminine, 'cat dads' like Teymouri and Beazely are moving into the limelight as outdated gender stereotypes fall to the wayside. Mark Ruffalo, Dave Franco and Macklemore (alongside the late Sam Neill and […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026
We can but hope. It does feel as if people's eyes are opening re this dangerous clown. #USpol www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/…
smh.com.au
With a month to go, Republicans’ midterm prospects are ‘catastrophically bad’
The same issues that catapulted Donald Trump back to power – the cost of living and a promise of no new foreign wars – are coming back to bite the GOP in 2026, even as the president insists everything is fine.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026
New travel piece in an NZ paper, exploring Melbourne's inner-city. I like the approach here, mixing culture, food and nightlife - Melbourne works best as a visitor if you get out of the CBD into nearby suburbs IMO. #Melbourne #travel […]
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026
New at my Patreon... Last Saturday the AFL Grand Final was contested by the Brisbane Lions and the Fremantle Dockers. And we pottered around Fitzroy eating chicken sandwiches and visiting a pub and a library, keeping an eye on the game […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 02/10/2026
The oddest thing just happened... I had designed online a Christmas card to send to my business contacts (as I do each year), and when I checked the order the front and back images of the card had been swapped. I definitely didn't do that - I'm very careful with my checks, and anyway it was […]
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 02/10/2026
It's darkly amusing to read how many ways Trump has made life harder for his Republican-voting base in Kansas - via tariffs, trade wars, the stupid war with Iran, etc. why anyone would vote for him is baffling. #USpol […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 02/10/2026
Good choices, have been to lots of these. #travel www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiratio…
smh.com.au
The world’s 20 last great free attractions (plus five close to home)
From Niagara Falls to Notre-Dame, here are 20 must-sees that won’t cost a penny to enjoy.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 02/10/2026
Sounds like they've done a great job renovating the State Theatre, I look forward to seeing something there. #Melbourne #arts www.smh.com.au/culture/theatre/subt…
smh.com.au
Subtle but spectacular: Inside the State Theatre’s multimillion-dollar facelift
Not much appears to have changed inside Melbourne’s newly renovated State Theatre. That’s precisely what its designers were aiming for.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 02/10/2026
This Mexican place sounds fantastic, though I do not queue for dining. Might wait till things calm down. #Melbourne #food #mexican www.theage.com.au/goodfood/melbourn…
theage.com.au
Review: This taco joint nails the one per centers, but you’ll have to wait your turn
Melbourne’s Taqueria Sin Nombre has become a darling of the internet. But does it live up to the hype?
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 01/10/2026
Hooray! I ordered a long black from Axil and NO SURCHARGE. They haven't put the price up either. Happy days.
Screenshot of Apple Pay payment of $6.50.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 01/10/2026
This might interest Victorians, if you're looking for some casual work at election time: --- Register for election work www.vec.vic.gov.au/careers/work-at-… #vicpol #Victoria #work
vec.vic.gov.au
Register for election work
Working at elections is a great way to contribute to democracy in Victoria. Election staff enjoy great pay rates, training and a unique working experience.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 01/10/2026
RE: uff.rip/@farben/117362393639713817 Bland sand
uff.rip
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 01/10/2026
RE: social.chinwag.org/@abc_bot/1173624… A long black at this Docklands cafe is just $4. Mind you it's not great coffee, but it's good enough.
social.chinwag.org
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 01/10/2026
I'm kinda glad I grew up in country WA in a era when there were few fast food chains (we didn't even have McDonald's there for years); never got into the fast food chain habit. And in Melbourne there are plenty of better alternatives. #food […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 01/10/2026
Happy No More Credit Card Surcharges Day for those who celebrate. I certainly am. www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-af…
smh.com.au
‘Quite ill-prepared’: Shops scramble to meet new card surcharge ban
Business lobby groups warn that some Australians will encounter card payment surcharges at the checkout despite a ban on the practice coming into effect.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 01/10/2026
Melburnians - there's a TramTRACKER update in the App Store which fixes the current non-loading problem with the app. You just need to update it. #Melbourne #tram #trams
Screenshot from TramTRACKER app.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026
About time! They can do the one in our apartment building next. "Tobacco Licensing Victoria has issued closure orders to 48 stores in the past fortnight following raids in the CBD, inner suburbs and in the city’s west. "More than a dozen stores have been shuttered in the CBD, mainly around […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026
The Victorian state election is only eight weeks away! On Saturday 28 November 2026. At the below link you can check your enrolment is up to date, or enrol to vote - pass it along to any young people or new arrivals you know who might not have enrolled yet. #VicPol #voting […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026
Allegedly it's October. Can this be true?
Desk calendar showing 1 October.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026
Interesting read. #auspol www.theguardian.com/australia-news/…
theguardian.com
The political battle over Australian immigration is really a story of what kind of nation we want to be | Peter Lewis
One Nation may have changed the outlines of the debate, but a majority of Australians still support immigration
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026
I just don’t get how this new world based entirely on video works. It takes AGES longer to derive some info from a video/audio clip than from quickly browsing text. People researching their travel that way must be gluttons for punishment. I've watched YouTubers visiting Melbourne, for example […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026
Today is the publication day of my new book from Hardie Grant, Train Europe, so I dropped by Readings Emporium to see if it's in stock yet. It is! Nicely placed facing outward on the shelves too; I approve. #train #trains #Europe #book #books @bookstodon
Tins holding a copy of his book, Train Europe. Shelves of travel books.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026
RE: mastodon.laurenweinstein.org/@laure… Beginning of the end.
mastodon.laurenweinstein.org
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myrmepropagandist @futurebird.sauropods.win.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026
“Meta” desperately wants to be a company in a more glamorous and profitable business than “reddit and craig’s list” but that’s what they *really* do— and you can sell or buy a couch or plan a baby shower on facebook and in many parts of the world (including the US) it works just fine. It’s ugly […]
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Original post on sauropods.win
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026
Can we just not discuss that idiot's attempts to rename things? It's just cheap attention-seeking behaviour after all, and none of it will stick. #DontFeedTheTroll #USpol
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026
RE: social.chinwag.org/@abc_bot/1173567… Cowards. #auspol
social.chinwag.org
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026
I'm at a Fitzroy cafe which makes galettes, and a young Chinese guy has come in with a photo on his phone of something he wants to order. The visitor's English is not strong but serviceable; it's quite delightful listening to him and the French owner having a conversation about Melbourne and […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026
Sneaky. But a good idea. "Trade Minister Don Farrell will seek greater market access for Australian wines and spirits in Canada at a G20 summit this week, in a push to capitalise on the trade war between US President Donald Trump and his North American neighbour." #auspol #uspol #capol […]
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026
Need to start fining people playing video/audio without headphones on public transport. I suspect it's become normalised for a lot of people, we should try to turn that round. "What are people thinking? What on earth induces them to turn on their phone’s speaker so that their fellow passengers […]
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026
No wonder they call it the dismal science. Requires misery to work. "Australia has benefited enormously from five years of low unemployment, but that could quickly evaporate if rates are lifted too high. "A lot will depend on how consumers and businesses react to the latest interest rate hike […]
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026
Hmm I'm feeling suspicious. Will this be the new version of state governments putting off the airport train, by just building it part of the way? "Construction will begin in 2028 and finish by 2031, with a commitment to have trains taking passengers to and from Keilor East by this time. This […]
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026
It is crazy that dental care isn't covered in Australia by Medicare; since when is the mouth not part of the body? "Dental care is one of those things that most can’t live without. Yet, it’s not covered by Medicare, meaning only some, including children and concession cardholders, can access it […]
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026
New trains starting tomorrow on the Cascades route in the US Pacific Northwest. They look very smooth, great to see the upgrade. #train #trains media.amtrak.com/2026/09/a-new-era-…
media.amtrak.com
A New Era for Amtrak Cascades: Airo Fleet Debuts Sept. 30
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026
Interesting overview. The US is burning all the trust others had in it financially, and that effect is making waves. --- The RBA has no choice but to hike rates as US currency crown slips www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-29/us-d… […]
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Original post on aus.social
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026
Today is the publication day of my new book from Hardie Grant, Train Europe, so I dropped by Readings Emporium to see if it's in stock yet. It is! Nicely placed facing outward on the shelves too; I approve. #train #trains #Europe #book #books @bookstodon
Tins holding a copy of his book, Train Europe. Shelves of travel books.
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Tim Richards @timrichards.aus.social.ap.brid.gy · 29/09/2026
New at my Patreon... My big Eurail trip in 2023 started well in Lisbon, Portugal, at a rooftop bar serving a modernised version of a classic local dish called bacalhau à brás: #Lisbon #food #travel #fish www.patreon.com/timrichards/posts/f…
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