Clinging to the Fringes Cafe - Oz Drop In Centre.

Vewy, vewy close - it was at Tarcoola on the Trans-Australian Railway. I won't give you the whole yarn because it can be a bit long but it involved a dance, lots of alcohol, a jackaroo from a sheep station, a woman (yes, there's always a woman), the bloke who came out to be Santa to the kids on the TAR line, a giant German fettler and me. This is a summary:

Jackaroo on the turps at the dance.
"Santa" on the turps at the dance.
Giant German fettler on the turps at the dance.
Female on the turps at the dance.
Me on the soft drink at the dance.

Jackaroo shoots his mouth off at the female. "Santa" objects. Punchup.

Me getting inolved. Me getting a smacked a bit by the jackaroo. Giant German fettler helping me out in the punch-up. Me and my new special best friend march the two combatants across the road to the station. Me thanks my new special best friend profusely and lets him go back to the dance.

Me starts booking the combatants.

Me finds out that I've locked up "Santa". He tells me he is the bloke that comes from Port Augusta to be Santa on the Tea and Sugar train for all the kids on the line.

Me has a vision of hundreds of kids along the line from Tarcoola to the Western Australia border commandeering the next train from Perth to Port Augusta to get to Tarcoola to do a Lord of the Flies lynching job on the local copper who stuffed up their Christmas by locking up Santa.

Me gets a bad case of the frights and releases both from custody with a warning to both (the railways would have sacked Santa on the spot if they found out about it so it was a secret between me and the whole town).

And without a word of exaggeration that's what happened.

Whole new meaning to "secret santa"!



I be ok, Msolga - tell you what sparked me little exclamation later....

OK

OK

Damn these posting glitches. I meant to say OK but once!

Sounds like a scene from Wake In Fright!

"Secret Santa"

"Wake in Fright"????? I couldn't get anywhere near that Chips Rafferty character msolga, not me at all. I'm a big softie:)

I don't actually get homesick when I'm away (but then I've never headed off permanently). I'm awfully glad to get back, though. Life just seems easier here, somehow. But then, also, I was born here - right here in Sydney, (well - not right here at beautiful downtown working Burwood, but at the Royal Hospital for Women, Paddo!) so have limited experience of living anywhere else. I lived in the country for 6 months when I was 2 - but don't seem to recall much detail!

I've travelled a fair bit though - and, although I love mooching around, especially in Europe, I'm glad to be back here.

I recall, after my first European trip, of 2 months, I got on to the Qantas flight from Rome - and just burst into tears at the sound of an Aussie accent. Mind you, I found I was sitting next to Rev. Alan Walker, well known Methodist preacher, radio spruiker, do-gooder and, horror of horrors, teetotaller. Boy - did he give me a filthy look when I started on the booze! A boring (and boring voiced) seat companion! Not even any good stories

and this is my 5000th post - sheeesh!!!

Congratulations Margo!!!!!


How are you, BTW?

Hey - I am having hollies between me two jobs - mebbe a wee interstate jaunt? If I can afford it?

Melbs? Anyone fancy meeting a wabbit?

Does the wabbit fancy catching a killer virus in Melbs? Coz that is the very, very real danger if anywhere near the proximity of moi. Over 2 weeks now & still going strong. Home for 2 days after an extremely wobbly start this morning ... so it's chicken soup, the Vicks steam experience under a towel, malaise ... <sob>

But "If I can afford it?" has that familiar, sinister ring to it, Deb! :wink:

First, the good bit ... next, the bad bit!
You had the pleasure of the good reverend's company ALL the way to Oz?
I'm curious, margo ... tell me about the conversation. If you can remember, you soak!

Gawd you'd have to have a big drink wouldn't ya?

OK, margo, top up that glass & join me in this sing-song!. Your very best maudlin, homesick, heart-felt interpretation, OK?

I and a 2, 3, 4...! :

I've been to cities that never close down
From New York to Rio and old London town
But no matter how far
Or how wide I roam
I still call Australia home

I'm always travelin'
And I love bein' free
So I keep leavin' the sun and the sea
But my heart lies waiting over the foam
I still call Australia home

All the sons and daughters spinning 'round the world
Away from their families and friends
Ah, but as the world gets older and colder
It's good to know where your journey ends

And someday we'll all be together once more
When all the ships come back to the shore
Then I realize something I've always known
I still call Australia home

No matter how far
Or how wide I roam
I still call Australia home

<sniff>

That was SO moving!

Yes, a few even! Which would have made the conversation even more fascinating I'm sure.

awwwwwwwwwwww.

When I went to India first time after moving to London (12 months), the moment the plane landed in Delhi, I had tears streaming from my eyes (it was soooooooooooooooooo embarrasing) I still get a lump in my throat even now, the moment I hit Indian soil

No place like home I say !

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

When I was a kid I was forced (in English lit class) to read a poem called something like |The Return of the Exile| (or similar). I always wondered about it. Since then I have found out what it meant.

It's good how life tutors us. Prince that was a wonderful moment for you, I suspect it may never be replicated again due to perhaps your ability to return whenever you wish. You should treasure that moment.

I remember flying to the UK many years ago and, ahead of us in the plane, occupying a whole row was an Italian family. They cracked us up when they did their duty free shopping in Singapore (which in those days was a bargain) because they came back on board loaded up with electronic gear and what have you. They were good fun on the long flight, enjoying themselves even when we hit turbulence. But when we flew over Italy low enough to be able to make out towns and cities they were completely ecstatic. There must have been three generations of family, I suspect the youngest had never been to Italy. But to watch their happiness was a happiness in itself.

Awwwwwwwwwww!

I felt exactly the same when I returned from my first O/S trip, to Europe. The first sight of Melbourne on the horizon was total ecstacy! SO uncool, such a good feeling!

when's da wabbit thinkin of hitting Melbourne?