Monday, January 17, 2005
Monday December 20 1971.
The first good thing that happened today was waking up and knowing we weren't going anywhere at all.
The second good thing was getting out of bed, throwing on some clothes, crossing the road and walking into the Indian Ocean for a swim before breakfast.
The third good thing ...
*
After seeing Perth in the distance yesterday - which was like discovering Atlantis or something - it took another hour and a half to approach the city and then find our way to the place, just across the road from the beach, at which we were to stay for a week or two.
Sorrento Caravan Park was right there on the Great Northern Highway, Sorrento, Perth, nestled into a coastal curve with a craggy backdrop that rose and rose away to the north and east. This protective backdrop, which was actually ancient sandhills, wore a shawl of coastal shrubs, ti-tree and the like.
We checked in to the park and found our berth right at the northern end, just before the hills rose away, right at the edge of the ti-tree.
'Well, we're here!' said Uncle, pleasantly and somewhat obviously. 'We sure are!' added Aunt, equally pleasantly and obviously, lighting up a cigarette. (Cousin and I didn't say a lot, we were teenagers. We probably just said, 'We're going to the beach, seeya.')
Uncle spent the rest of the afternoon unloading the car and setting up the canvas annexe attachment to the caravan which was to be our extended living room for the next week or two.
Danny and I ran to the ocean. It took all of a minute to get there.
I looked at it rising and swelling and roaring and receding. Then we crossed the hot sand and plunged in.
*
What was the third good thing?
I don't know. We spent the day in and out of the sea, back and forth from the caravan for lunch, snacks, drinks ... enjoying not driving anywhere, falling asleep in the sun on the sand, dreaming of nothing in particular.
*
On the radio in the caravan some time Monday afternoon when the sun seemed to stop in the sky and time seemed to stand still:
no, I can´t forget this evening
or your face as you were leaving
but I guess that´s just the way the story goes
you always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows
yes, it shows
is it time for a nap yet? i think so
The second good thing was getting out of bed, throwing on some clothes, crossing the road and walking into the Indian Ocean for a swim before breakfast.
The third good thing ...
*
After seeing Perth in the distance yesterday - which was like discovering Atlantis or something - it took another hour and a half to approach the city and then find our way to the place, just across the road from the beach, at which we were to stay for a week or two.
Sorrento Caravan Park was right there on the Great Northern Highway, Sorrento, Perth, nestled into a coastal curve with a craggy backdrop that rose and rose away to the north and east. This protective backdrop, which was actually ancient sandhills, wore a shawl of coastal shrubs, ti-tree and the like.
We checked in to the park and found our berth right at the northern end, just before the hills rose away, right at the edge of the ti-tree.
'Well, we're here!' said Uncle, pleasantly and somewhat obviously. 'We sure are!' added Aunt, equally pleasantly and obviously, lighting up a cigarette. (Cousin and I didn't say a lot, we were teenagers. We probably just said, 'We're going to the beach, seeya.')
Uncle spent the rest of the afternoon unloading the car and setting up the canvas annexe attachment to the caravan which was to be our extended living room for the next week or two.
Danny and I ran to the ocean. It took all of a minute to get there.
I looked at it rising and swelling and roaring and receding. Then we crossed the hot sand and plunged in.
*
What was the third good thing?
I don't know. We spent the day in and out of the sea, back and forth from the caravan for lunch, snacks, drinks ... enjoying not driving anywhere, falling asleep in the sun on the sand, dreaming of nothing in particular.
*
On the radio in the caravan some time Monday afternoon when the sun seemed to stop in the sky and time seemed to stand still:
no, I can´t forget this evening
or your face as you were leaving
but I guess that´s just the way the story goes
you always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows
yes, it shows
is it time for a nap yet? i think so
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