Three years ago, we had a month in Australia, and drove through the SA wine regions and then the coast road to Melbourne. Some time after crossing the border, we stopped at a town Lorne which was much like the previous coastal town, except instead of gulls there were cockatoos everywhere. One flew in close to show interest at chips on my plate, turning its head to size me up - would it be worth making an attempt? I turned towards it, it sidled away awkwardly.