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In: Freedom, On the Road

We, Australians, are a bunch of tall-tale tellers. Our country lacks water, so its not  entirely our fault. Our humour is drier, arid even. When we recount with a perfectly straight face that time we caught a giant barramundi out of a row boat, which was then taken by a crocodile and then by a great white shark etc., we find travellers, particularly Americans, will be booking flights to some place else before we even get to the red-back spider we overlooked when packing the fishing equipment. We just know if we drill you with an intense and serious gaze, you will believe we regularly wrestle crocodiles (a past-time of theRead More →

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In: Human Nature, On the Road

I have come to an abrupt halt while my internal organs are still in motion. It is in this small window before the adjustment occurs, this lag in the time it takes to jump from one comfort zone to another, where I rediscover something surprising.  I say rediscover because I think I’ve known it before.  Returning home after a trip is strange.  Everything is known and yet unfamiliar. Why is it that I can look at old things with new eyes?  I see my street, my front paddock, my house, the contents of its rooms as a someone else might do before familiarity floods back.Read More →

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In: On the Road, Uncategorized

I have no doubt getting out and about clears the stale ideas and makes way for new ones.  Travel is such a tonic, don’t you think?  Particularly for writers.  It’s not only about different places, it’s about different rhythms.  My days are not going to plan.  Things happen that cure me of excessive planning.  Not only do I not get my cup of coffee at ten o’clock as I am accustomed, I have not managed this once since my journey began.  Not once, and while this would throw me into a rage at home, I’m not much bothered.  Strangely, it doesn’t stop me in myRead More →