BACK FROM KATI B’s 30 BIRTHDAY

Following a Christmas which was surprisingly pleasant – I took off South to Kati B for her 30th and for Xmas with The Kids. I live on the ‘glorious’ Gold Coast/Tweed. Gateway to the Tourist Destination of Australia. Foto to the right is said Gateway. The Portal. A few years back, the astounding decision to close the railway line from Murwillumbah to Casino was taken and now we all hop onto assorted petrol consuming coaches and hurtle through the countryside, in an out of wee villages and along narrow roads to meet at Casino Railway Station and take the XPT to destinations South.  I have a curious addiction to Public Transport. I have even been known to willingly purchase and consume the Railway Hot Meal option.  The last one I had was labelled – BEST USE BEFORE 2011. Now, there’s a comfort.	WAITING FOR THE  COUNTRYLINK COACH AT TWEED CENTRO. SALUBRIOUS INDEED.
	Once on board the Coach, the economic sanity of the coach use is evident. Wedged in,we were. They didn’t even show us a video this time. In fact they didn’t do any of the usual friendly greetings. Ah well ! Casino saw me on the train and in the Day Sitter. First Class on my pensioner voucher. The Gentleman at Murwillumbah Railway Station has specially booked me into the DaySitter. He is truly a GentleMan, the Countrylink Man at Murbah. I like to get my tickets there. The entire station sits there immaculate and unused except for his small booking office. Be that as it may, he takes time to make sure the seating suits me and is without fail courteous . I do not however think I will take the Day Sitter again.

 

 

Quote of the Day:
Houses should be more like ovens. Self-insulating and self-cleaning!
–rdude
(while cleaning room)

KATE’S BIRTHDAY

Today Kate is 30 years old.  he celebrated in Kalang and Izzy and I took lunch here fresj from our garden to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE.
	Izzy picked the Lebanese cucumbers and chives and chillis from the garden and I practised my banana chair skills whilst reading one of the books Mad O’Brian has lent me. We had planned this  for yesterday but the invite to lunch at Panorama Drive caused us to postpone it for one day. Both days were equally delightful.
Tomorrow I take the coach and train South to Urunga to be picked up by the Kids and then we all gather to celebrate Christmas AND Kati B’s 30th.

AN UNEXPECTED PLEASURE

The weather has cooled. The dog next door is barking and the day has passed in happiness and mascara running giggles. That was a pleasure – that lunch was.

PINK BANANA CHAIRS

I am now proudly in possession of a pink banana chair. Also of cowrie earrings and Age of Empires III. Now we go to lunch at Lorraine’s.

MORNING IT IS

Xmas in the North. With storms and rain and mists in the Valley. Darrel Lea Xmas pudding, cowrie shell earrings, Age of Empires III and a tree from my own pine lined driveway. Its a fine thing it is.

SEETHING AND SIMMERING

The leadup to Xmas Day is going well. I am ill affected by it and less than amused.

XMAS IMAGES

Sometimes I wish I were back in the middle of the online Ignatian retreat. I am however not in the middle of it. I am in the middle of a Christmas unlike any I have experienced before. VERY quiet without a single family member about and within a relationship. None of these is an ingredient of Christmas which I have previously known in combination with any of the others.
Its like the first year in Rehab at Bondi. The sun is shining. All is well. But I wish I were on the Moree Coach to Glen Innes. Or “something”. Been a long year in many ways. Waiting for the call to move on to the next thing and hearing only siren whispers of false calls that leave me sitting still on the Hill in the Cottage- aimless.
One member of the family says its the process we are to experience rather than ” enjoy’. That tallies pretty well with the Ignatian Retreat and Buddhist Witness Mode so I shall endeavour to disengage somewhat and Observe and wait for a retrospective Understanding of this Xmas season. The baby magpies come for feeding. I sweep wasp nests away from under the eaves and one very large spider lurks amongst the objects on the back porch. There is a swimming pool to be scooped later today. Sometimes there are cane toads in the filter basket.
I have been ‘ disappointed’ a lot in 2008. Not because things have been disappointed but because I have not been easily pleased. Easily pleased is a wise place to locate -sometimes. I seem to be carrying the morbid grief of my newly discovered ancestors who were Scottish Highlanders cleared from the Sutherland Shire in the 1800s and driven to emigrate. We are told that one of the women was asked to be chief of the clan but she chose to come to Australia with her family. I cannot recall whether it was Janet Mackay or her daughter Wilhemina Mcleod. I think it is the former. Whichever it was, I don’t imagine that all their Christmases were joy and delight.

INANITY

What nationality is Santa Claus?
North Polish.

BREAKING TRADITIONS

While my Mum was alive, Christmas was based in Urunga with paper crowns and lunch at ANCHORS WHARF. WE gathered en masse. After her death, the traditions began to shimmer apart and re-form. For several years, Christmas has been based at the House where the small children dwell. The Kids. ON was in Kingscliff and two in Armidale under the Apple Trees. Year before last, Hail hit Armidale 1 couple of days before Xmas and added a White Christmas to our experiences. This year we are all in separate locations. Kalang – Bilambil -Armidale. We will gather in Kalang on December 28th to celebrate with Kati B for her 30th Birthday.

WEAK BEFORE IN THE WEEK BEFORE

The weather up here on the Border remains atypical. Becoming tropically typical. Cool. Clouded and Calm. I am growing accustomed to it after two summers of this nature. Having done our shopping online from DEALS DIRECT, we have only a few odds and ends to do. I am completing the HomeMade gifts ready for Iz to Laminate and ring bind. He has been playing till 1 am in the morning and we are both a little disorientated – timewise. Xmas Day we are spending chez nous. The Two of us before I go south to Kati B for her birthday and meet up with The Kids while Iz takes on ILNAM WINERY and BYRON RAILS and then the AUSTRALIAN JAZZ CONVENTION at LISMORE. In the meantime, its Weak Before.

SPIRITUALLY HYPERVENTILATING

 

THE YEAR OF 2008 heads into the Christmas Furlong and an unfamiliar panic rises within the Soul. The Loo blocked up and re-fed unpleasant substances up through the drain holes in the bathroom. It has happened before but was no more pleasant than previously. We stuck the hose up the pipes and flushed Caustic Soda down the Pipes and after a bit the Clog of Unpleasant Substances broke free and sailed merrily down to the Septic Tank and all smells disinfected in the Bathroom. The Nerves are however RAGGED. Partially because the STAR WAGON is also clogged up. Down In Murwillmbah at Mr Whittle’s. It does not look like a hose of strong flowing water is going to have the same effect on the STAR WAGON. A Sense of Impending Doom is upon me and this time it is upon Izzy too which is rather disturbing. He has gone off to YESTERBEATS Rehearsal to regain his wits and I am not even attempting to regain mine. They are lost and far gone. Next we have the Partial Dos coming without prior notice to show “Prospects” over pre-sale of Property. No more naked swimming in the pool for me, I guess.  I did obtain the $1000 Centrelink Gift which I did not expect to get. I paid the $82 fine for Dipping headlights at Oncoming Vehicles. Now the brief period of Wealth  looks like dissolving into Automobile repairs and Relocation of HomeBase. Unemployment endures and is not restricted to just this PhD Candidate. Now an acquaintance Doctor is about to train as casual bus driver. I shall look for Meaningful Quotes and Associated Images to stay Calm and Serene. Breathe deeply 3 times and put a smile in your mind – they told me years ago in Sydney when affairs were messier by FAR.

THE SPIRITUAL BROWN PAPER BAG.

QUOTES AND IMAGES TO EASE THE HYPERVENTILATION.

“Laugh at yourself and at life. Not in the spirit of derision or whining self-pity, but as a remedy, a miracle drug, that will ease your pain, cure your depression, and help you to put in perspective that seemingly terrible defeat and worry with laughter at your predicaments, thus freeing your mind to think clearly toward the solution that is certain to come. Never take yourself too seriously.” Og Mandino

MORE 2008 the YEAR THAT WOZ

We were to attend a party at Jiggi this year so we did a reconnaissance run. That’s how we found WADEVILLE on the Murwilllumbah-Kyogle Road. Wadeville Woolies they called it. General store and accommodation. Very impressed by Wadeville we were. Reminded me of FRIED GREEN TOMATOES or the former RALEIGH TRUCK STOP. Wadeville Woolies had its own recording studio in a Nissan Hut  down the back.
2008 meant a lot of cemeteries for us. Then again, our first date was to a Cemetery. The NORTH TUMBULGUM HISTORICAL CEMETERY. We didn’t know at the time (2007) that it was the burial ground of quite a number of my Bell connections. The Mcleods and Dinseys and others. 2008 saw us in the South Grafton historical Cemetery. I don’t at this time know of any relatives interred there but ….	SOUTH GRAFTON.
We ate  a lot of bagels as well. Izzy baked some as well. The home baked were quite definitely better than the Bagel House which are better than the other brands. Simple plain bagels. I didn’t even know what a bagel was till recently.
We have also been to CHILLINGHAM. Due to Izzy not knowing the area and my not having explored for ages we have done a goodly bit of exploring during this year of being based in Bilambil. Chillingham we went to en route to Natural Arch out on Numimbah.
And when I come home in the afternoons, I have before me, the pine lined driveway. Its beautiful. Its home despite my not feeling home here anymore, the driveway always soothes my soul.
2008 saw Izzy  finish his 2 year contract at AUSTLIT as a research assistant on the ST LUCIA Campus of UQ. He still maintains that the sandstone is fake.  I rather like the Campus of UQ but he at not time took a fancy to it.

SUMMER – POSSIBLY

Could be SUMMER. I haven’t seen Summer substantially for over a year despite living here on the Queensland News South Wales Border. Sunday is here with the symptoms of SUMMER. Izzy is away playing RIVERVIEW HOTEL in MURWILLUMBAH after a 1.30am at LENNOX HEAD last night. Its tough getting old.
I am sitting at home wondering about caravans and trains and all the dimensions of the Holiday Season. I booked the train down to Kati B’s Birthday and back again. I thought they might be booked out but they were not. First Class was which is a bummer because as a Pensioner I can travel first class but I did get window seats. Caravans from RODELLA’s in BURRINGBAR are $300 a week plus $100 towing for them to bring the van here and back. Summer – possibly.

Last year we were in Auchenflower during the week and Iz was working at AUSTLIT at UQ in St Lucia. This year – The Cottage on the Hill and music and thesis and my own enrolment in OPEN UNIVERSITIES of AUSTRALIA. SUMMER – POSSIBLY.

PRE XMAS

A classic summersday has arrived with sun and cicadas. The grand cross in the sky has caused its disruptions and the pulse is quickened. The DOS is in hospital. The fine for DIPPING HIGHBEAM AT ONCOMING VEHICLES is ready to be paid tomorrow. The Bass Player is playing 3 gigs this weekend and we didn’t get to bed till 3.3am after his Lennox Head performance. There are train tickets to book to Urunga for Kati B’s 30th birthday.The Kids are coming for a whole week’s holiday – sometime in January. The Son and Daughter in Laura and granchillens are coming as well. There are caravans to investigate and tents to erect. Deals Direct has sent 2 of our major gifts. I have Kati B’s birthday present as requested and have made her xmas present and have another couple to make. All is well.

2008 THE YEAR THAT WOZ – CONTINUING

	Young Poppy took to the camera with the same enthusiasm and expertise as she did when a baby living in Kingscliff and is well trained by her NANA. Mind you, her ability is inherited and natural. On the left she shows us the interior of the Canambe Street Refrigerator.
	Equally evocative is Poppy’s Interior of the Armidale Cupboard. Mad O’Brian often builds the cupboards for the Canambe Kitchen. In 2008 he turned out a fine Kitchen Table, created in the Back Shed down past the apple trees and blackberries.
	The year didn’t pass without strife and Regrets- we had a few – including  the end of the JAMIESON’S Restaurant  era for Izzy and most of his friends. End of Bilambil Blues Club as well for Him and Scrubby. New Worlds DID however open up for both of them.
	2008 led me into complex and labyrinthine paths of Family History and the 19th Century on the North Coast of NSW. I had known of Granny Bell and the Invalid Mr Bell for years. She is buried with the LEGEND IN HER LIFETIME on the headstone. Rather fancied that so I did. I knew, too, that her name was MARY ANN MCNEILL. Now I know a great deal more !

2008 THE YEAR THAT WOZ

	Well its not over yet but its heading towards OVER. It woz a year when Izzy learned a good deal about the critters of the North Country. North for us New South Welshmen anyways. He was educated in the DOS technique of snake elimination. That doesn’t come naturally to a Buddhist and hasn’t as yet been necessary but the Spade is here. Purchased it in Murwillumbah for $9 from the Op Shop near the Old Pool.
	One of said snakes passes through once each year and we don’t raise a shovel to him at all. he tries to climb the palm and we face each other off. He ( or she) drops into the long grasses and the annual acquaintance is done. The first year I was here I took fright , due to being a little traumatised at that time by other matters. I rang the Former Husband who is an expert and he told me the snake was most likely just passing through. Turned out to be true.
	Iz planted the Vegie Garden in 2008 despite the tenuous nature of our tenancy and our stated intention to move to the CLARENCE. He has had gardens before on the ILLAWARRA but the sub tropical experience is new to him.
	I visited more hotels than I have visited in my entire life. This one is BRUNSWICK HEADS HOTEL. I like this one. Izzy plays there with the HILLBILLY BLUES BANDITZ. I still have hours to fill in there while they play music but its not as tough as some of the others and so far I have managed to jag other people I know and can talk with. We were there for the opening of the OLYMPICS this year. Big Screens came on as the Banditz wrapped up and we sat down for the OPENING CEREMONY.
	Due to the limitations of my camera setup – I MAKE DO in these night time situations. At Brunswick, I rest said camera on an empty schooner glass which once held coca cola and change the settings so  I achieve rather odd effects of motion and lighting on a dark night. Much like the Pentax once took at the ROLLING STONES CONCERT at Randwick Racecourse in 1973 or thereabouts.
	2008 saw Big Changes for the 30 Year Olds. Cassi Pom and Kati B – the cousinly twins – threw their lives into the whirlwinds. Cassi Pom left Sydney and took off for LONDON. Kati B left Sydney and took off for Kalang via Bellingen. The Uncles took them out for a Birthday and Fare Thee Well at a fine restaurant in the City.
	The KNOX girls came north for a visit. New Territory for all of us. The Round Table came from one of the shops on LaTrobe Terrace in Paddington where we lived in 2007. It lives outside at The Cottage and we eat bagels and drink white tea there fro breakfast.

CLAY DJUBAL and PETER KNOX

One enormous project that has been underway at UQ and several other Halls of Academia is one by the name of AUSTLIT. The site tells us this: AustLit is a non-profit collaboration between twelve Australian Universities and the National Library of Australia providing authoritative information on hundreds of thousands of creative and critical Australian literature works relating to more than 100,000 Australian authors and literary organisations. Its coverage spans 1780 to the present day.

I am not actually writing about AUSTLIT. I am writing about 2 of the researchers involved in the Project.  Peter Knox and Dr Clay Djubal.

I am not actually writing about them either. Not in any Intellectual manner. I am inclined to honour them instead for their baking abilities.  Dr Djubal arrived at The Cottage on The Hill one fine day all the way from Brisbane and supposedly for a hard day’s work with Peter.  He was, in fact, bringing SCONES. With cream and jam. The lads did appear to deal with some degree of business activity but the highlight was MORNING TEA. Peter is a BAGEL baker but failed to produce any on this occasion. BRAINY, BEAUTIFUL and gifted BAKERS. 

DON’T DIP YOUR HIGH BEAM AT ONCOMING VEHICLES

It will cost you $82 – at least.