Might have been walking along this bridge again in Laos, but not under current circumstances, so we have started to catch up with friends around the State.
We have been complaining that we must 'get the band back together, to raise some money to pay the penquin's land tax' [Blues Bros] - but in reality, get the Licensing Board team back together for a little exploring, dining, and wining.
So it was, I was fortunate to ask myself to stay at Peter and Cathy O'Sullivan's beautiful home - nice and warm and cosy, a great productive garden, and a quiet cul-de-sac
After a savage lunch at the Sporty's Peter and I walked the high street up and over the top to Carnarvon Street, and refreshed ourselves before dinner.
Next morning - a walk into town, through the park (image below)
They have some lovely monuments in Launceston - to what exactly I couldn't quite tell. A border around to hinder vandals and visigoths also repelled me
Thus white Buell motorcycle caught my eye at the morning fruit, vegetable, coffee and produce market
Peter commented that some of the architecturally significant buildings in Launceston have marvellous work above eye level. See for example:
Intriguing cafe named after the notorious diarist of the 17th century, Samuel Pepys. At the lunch on Friday those assembled were all quoting from Pepys's diary in regard to his observations on the plague of London in around 1652. Not much has changed since then in regard to human conduct in the face of a plague.
The Morris Dancers building, housing homewares shop "Minimax" - a fine establishment
And this elegant establishment, from the first story of which Louise Finney used to give occasional addresses to the assembled public. The original manuscripts are now housed in the Queen Victoria Museum
Contemporary fashion dictates a well stocked bar, and courteous guests to help move methodically through the range - and we did. Our hosts for day 2 are seen here resting up before the onslaught of thirsty gannets
O'Sullivan beside the Coil of Rope or Wire artwork. Depicting the endless tedium of human wrestling with the intangible, the piece was particularly poignant for the Saturday luncheon
Same man, but now unafraid of portraying himself un-emotively, with candour and clarity
For the very short and small amongst us, there were miniatures. Some people think of everything and everyone
Just before the chops hit the BBQ: Peter, Cathy and John with champagne
Bev: "I'm so lucky with Bill. It has taken me a good while to train him, but he knows his place now"
Racing from BBQ to seats: 6 seats and 7 punters: there was no time to dilly dally
The infamous Bill - strong, healthy, and alert. Nothing went past him. "Life is a cricket game" - Bill said - cryptically alluding to the significance of the bat and ball allusion.
John: "but what do you really mean, Bill?"
O'Sullivan: "Let it go past 2nd slip into the outfield
Kimber: Put the ball into the front row, and let the fowards thrash it out: face to face - head on. Now, that is life!
What a marvellous view (south) from the back steps above the river. Tranquil, peaceful, pacific, serpentine
Magnificent eucalypts (thank god for spell check - that one was right outside my capacity)
Said back steps: "rest on me, take in the view, and be grateful for the hard labour John and Louise put in making the gardens amenable
Image: John cutting the lawn with scythe
Louise with her first born
At table, with marvellous range, quality and quantity.
This Queenslander harkens one back to the heat of the summer, the ramshackle days of the 1890s
Is this a Launceston scene? In the winter or rains of spring?
And then the sun went down on our time, and rest before return to hard labour -
I don't know what to make of this piece. Is it again about our individual insignificance and the humility we should feel, given a shrunken head, and absent people having written all over our clothes with indelible ink? You be the judge.
Thanks Lou, John, Peter, Cathy, Bill and Bev. Best of people, good friends, generous hosts, and great company.
PK
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