lifestyle
The nightly fireworks are a Royal Show highlight.
Roll up, roll up. It’s showtime!
When you’re a kid – or a kid at heart – a trip to the Royal Adelaide Show is as good as it gets. The showbags, rides, exhibitions and smells (especially the hot chips and cinnamon doughnuts) all create a sensory overload like no other. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that about a third of the state’s population visits the Show each year.
We all know the cost of living is biting, so if you’re footing the bill for this year’s trip to the Show, don’t worry, because there are plenty of things to see and do for little to no cost.
Whether you love them furry, feathered or scaly, you’ll find lots of adorable animals at the Show. Watch clever dogs jump, sit, and play flyball or see which cat wins the ‘best personality’ award. If you love animals up close and personal, take the kids to the Farmyard Nursery with its array of cuddly creatures like chicks, rabbits and alpacas.
The Royal Adelaide Show is known for its competitions, and this year you’ll find some of our best artisans vying for the top prize in arts and crafts, horticulture, cooking and more.
Don’t forget the crowd-favourite woodchopping competition, which combines strength, agility, and hand-eye coordination. This group of competitors will chop and saw their way through a bevy of timber opponents.
You’ll also find the best produce our state has to offer, including coffee, honey, olive oil, chocolate, beer, wine and spirits. Peruse the stalls and stop at the Taste SA Pavilion, which has plenty of samples and products to buy or try.
If that isn’t enough excitement, stay until the sun goes down and crane your neck skywards to take in the fireworks show – a nightly highlight and a fun way to cap off your day at the Show.
Whether you want to stick to your budget or splash out, don’t miss your chance to enjoy everything the Royal Adelaide Show has to offer from 31 August until 8 September.
RAA members get five per cent off tickets for this year’s Royal Adelaide Show. Visit raa.com.au/royal-show for details.
How do I know if my solar panels are working efficiently?
The benefits of using the sun to power your home are substantial and long-lasting, but a solar system is not set-and-forget. For maximum return on your investment, you need to check your panels are performing at their optimum. But how do you know if they are? RAA Solar Senior Manager of Market Development Ben Lovell has some advice.
It can be difficult to tell if you’re getting the best output from your solar panels. They’ll never run at 100 per cent efficiency but there are some DIY checks you can do to solve any issues early.
Many people rely on their electricity bill to find faults in their system, but we advise against that as they’re infrequent and lack the right details. Instead, use your monitoring app to find any error codes or check the lights on the inverter on a sunny day. If you find any problems, call the installer immediately.
Now, head outside and do a visual inspection of your solar panels. Are they shiny or dull? Although rain will help wash away dust, over time solar panels can collect bird droppings, tree sap and lichen, which reduces their efficiency. While you’re looking, make sure there aren’t any tree branches or other objects shading your panels. If your panels are looking grubby, don’t risk injury by climbing on the roof. Instead, leave it to the experts at RAA Trade Assist to give your panels a good clean.
Spring is a perfect time to check your panels haven’t suffered at the hands of winter. Strong winds, tree branches and other debris can damage your panels and affect their output. While you’re checking if your panels are still in one piece, consider whether your home insurance policy covers you for damage to solar and battery systems.
If you’re worried your solar system isn’t churning out the energy it’s supposed to, RAA can help with a solar health check. Our solar experts will come to your house and give the solar system a thorough inspection to see if anything needs attention. We can check if it’s performing optimally and even identify if it’s time for an upgrade or a battery installation.
To arrange an RAA solar health check or for more information about RAA’s solar and battery systems, visit raa.com.au/solar-battery
Don’t let hay fever take the spring out of your step
Aaaaachoo! Unfortunately, for one in five Australians, the onset of warmer weather and spring blooms means coping with a bout of hay fever. The dreaded sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and itchy throat are enough to make any adult or child feel tired and run down.
Stacey Gardiakos, Pharmacist Manager from Star Discount Chemist Collinswood, says recognising and avoiding common triggers can help keep hay fever at bay.
“Inhaling airborne pollen from trees, plants and grasses is one of the main causes of hay fever, so stay inside on high pollen days if you can,” Stacey says.
“It’s also a good idea to clean your home regularly to remove mould and dust from around the house. Keep animals outside and use a vacuum cleaner instead of a broom.”
If you’re doing all you can but you’re still being knocked around by symptoms, certain non-prescription medicines may help. Non-drowsy antihistamines reduce allergic reactions in your body and can relieve sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses.
“Targeted over-the-counter treatments including nasal sprays and eye drops can help provide fast relief for specific symptoms,” Stacey says.
“Many people with hay fever also experience asthma or allergic skin conditions such as eczema. It’s important to treat hay fever as this may help prevent flare-ups of these other conditions too. Speak to your pharmacist or health care practitioner if you have questions about hay fever or associated conditions.”
RAA members save five per cent on eligible retail products (excluding prescriptions) at Star Discount Chemist. Visit raa.com.au/star-discount-chemist for details.
IMAGES: Getty, RAA.
