I’ve lived in a lot of places, but I can’t think of anywhere friendlier upon arrival than Kalgoorlie. I think the transient nature of the population means that everyone has empathy for newcomers. They’ve been there and done that themselves, so they know what it’s like. Rural towns are sometimes wary of new residents. Tourist [...]
Jeeves by PG Wodehouse
I’m reading my Jeeves books by PG Wodehouse again after an absence of more than 15 years. I can say it’s an absolute pleasure to read these whimsical, happy stories. There’s nothing sad, hurtful or serious about Jeeves and Bertie Wooster. The books are just pure fun. The language and social customs are old fashioned [...]
Good news on weeds
Weeds are a major menace throughout Australia. In this area we’re plagued with blackberries along stream banks, also black knapweed and broom. The problem sometimes appears so big that you wonder if it can ever be fixed. I was involved today with a positive effort to do something substantial at the local level. A number [...]
The Twins alpine walk, Victoria
I walked from Mt St Bernard near Mt Hotham to The Twins today. I had Tyrone Thomas’ book, 70 Walks in Victoria’s Bright and Falls Creek Districts, for reference, and it was pretty accurate. It’s a good time of year to go walking, before the tracks are opened to 4WDs and trail bikes. I had [...]
Snakes are out
I saw my second snake of the season this week. The first was a small brown snake, observed while cycling on the rail trail near the entrance to Porepunkah about a fortnight ago. On Wednesday I encountered a medium-size red-bellied black snake stretched out across the track through the pines near Quins Gap. Black snakes [...]
