Travel Archives - Page 46 of 53

JUMP START THE SPRITE

October 26, 2011 No Comments

An Austin-Healey Sprite has been holidaying at our house, but with deliveries of sand and stone on their way it had to roll on out. Purely for our own amusement we convinced our tallest housemate to take the wheel of this stylish sardine can.

Much to the glee of the RACV man visiting our neighbour initial attempts to roll start this “death trap” ended in a cough and splutter at the bottom of the hill. On closer inspection we discovered its owner had disconnected the engine, the boys made sure to thank him for remembering after we had run out of slope.

After an hour of jumper leads and noncommittal rumbles the engine jumped to life purring like a 500kg tiger with a bee in its bonnet. Taking a turn around the block, I had the unnerving feeling my bottom was just about to skim the asphalt, but anything as cute as this can be forgiven for being a tiny bit impractical.

Travel

SUN THROUGH STAINED GLASS

October 8, 2011 3 Comments

The introduction between our housemates and their first Australian snake was an anti-climax, an eagle had removed its head, leaving it as aggressive as a piece of hose pipe. The cockatoos put on a better show, their harsh voices flying through the air and piercing our ear drums, but the kangaroos, suddenly alert as one, bolt upright and staring us down as our car idled past made each passenger question their worth and right to be there. Strong emotions at first encounters are always much more amusing.

Travel

ALL IN THE BLUE UNCLOUDED WEATHER

October 6, 2011 No Comments

Following an old bush track we came upon a metal gate which opened onto a cloudless sky. Our thrill at scaling the locked barrier only slightly dampened by the friendly sign suggesting the gate not be left open.

The sun glittered off rooftops in miniature below, I never realised that sight was uniquely Australian until our housemates remarked on it, I think they found the naked metal vaguely appalling and crude. But there is something lovely about a corrugated roof hugged by silver gums, and the bedtime sound of rain pattering on its ripples is a memory that gently drifts me back to childhood snug under the covers.

Travel

SWIMMING FOR STICKS

October 5, 2011 No Comments

Papery seed casings in the Botanical Gardens, in Mamsbury

We spent a lazy weekend showing our new housemates the Australian countryside. We thought we’d ease them in gently by setting off from the Malmsbury Botanical Gardens which is very British before taking them down the bumpy dusty dirt track into the bush filled with all our lovely venomous slitherers. I do love a town with character, and when people have old retro buses in their backyards you know you’re somewhere special.