Overrated

Overrated:

1) Dyson vacuum cleaners
For that price, I don't expect to have to get down on hands and knees and scrape up the hair and lint the Dyson can't handle (poor little thing).

2) Murdoch University Vet Hospital
Apparently the "teaching hospital" concept is different in the veterinary world.

3) Marzipan
Bleagh!

4) Birkenstocks
They're only comfy until the cork gets flat, and that happens surprisingly quickly with the endless stair climbing of long anaesthetic shifts. And if you wear them barefoot, they go smelly.

Things I used to think were overrated, but now quite like:

1) Panasonic Lumix FZ30
Reading the manual really makes a difference!

2) Border Collies
No, they aren't kelpies, but I can't hold that against them. Some of them are really cool dogs.

3) Milk
Cheap, tasty, nutritious.

Things that deserve every bit of good press- they're great:

1) Motherhood

2) Pea straw
It really is the best mulch, it makes great compost, it does wonders for clay soil and if that isn't enough, it sprouts vigorous and tasty peas.

3) This groovy tool:

designed to get pet hair off carpets and carseats, it's unreal at picking up all the lint the Dyson can't. It's the best pet hair remover I've ever used (and I've used a few). I picked it up from a stand at the Royal Show a few years ago and immediately chucked the packaging, and it doesn't have a brand name on it (just "Made in Australia"). Pity, I'd like to recommend them to everyone.

4) Breastfeeding
I was always a fan of the concept, but in practice it's even better. Healthy for child and mother, portable, no-fuss, instant comfort. And after the first 6 weeks, I've found it really enjoyable. Which is a good thing, because he probably won't quit before he's four.

5) Mangoes
Mangoes... Mmmm.