on the train

We caught the train to the country. It reminded me of this quote from 'The Great Railway Bazaar' written by Paul Theroux in 1975, which I just finished reading...
At my lowest point, when things were at their most desperate and uncomfortable, I always found myself in the company of Australians, who were like a reminder that I'd touched bottom.

HA. I loved the train trip, It's all tough grey green trees, dusty brown paddocks and black cattle. I was kept amused by the antics of teenage Crystal and Coral bickering with there UDL drinking mother, constantly texting for the hour and a half trip, jumping off at each stop for a quick ciggie. It's like tv (equally appalling) when sat face to face with strangers for the duration.

Adam's uncle lives in a beautiful lush valley at the bottom of a pile of giant boulders in the mountains. There are spring blossoms and fresh baby LAMBS, a horse and koalas, grape vines and giant gum trees rustling in the breeze. Also a verandah and hammock to lay about on listening to the birds. Talk about a racket. Cockatoos, Kookaburras, Galahs, Eagles, Currawongs etc.

We sampled far too much of this years vintage and slept through a rainy morning. It's so beautiful it makes me more than a little melancholy. Then we came home. On an empty train through fields full of grazing and lazing kangaroos. I think I feel better now.

I get around

We had a roadtrip to bunnings and NORTHLAND to confirm Simon's theory that there are more fat people in shopping centres...
It would seem it's true.
While we were there we ate hot chips and cookies and bacon & egg rolls. CAREFUL PEOPLE.

Is it that easy? SIMON?

Sunday I visited the Camberwell market for the first time in years. The last time Brookie and I sold her old clothes from the boot of the car. It rained & rained. I made chocolate fudge and cowboy chews and sold them undercover as we found out it was illegal... I also scored 50 bucks for an old toy i found in a skip the night before... I was RICH, baby...

The best thing I saw was a 12 year old girl playing nirvana covers on her electric guitar. The saddest was a lost, blind, old dog looking for her family in the heat and crowds...

The train was so full coming back to the city, my new bromeliads nearly died.

That's why train travel can make you angry.
It isn't the New York SUBWAY.
These travelers could be coming to get you...
I'd watch out Bill Sullivan... Trains make people angry. I found these photos yesterday afternoon when i got home, after my Sandringham train had been delayed both ways, waiting an extra hour in that filthy heat...

Grrrrrr...