as I once wrote. An electronic mail arrives informing me that a blog carnival of this name exists, and issue 105 is available for all to read.
It features posts by Cath Ennis (of this parish) and the hosts quote approvingly of my prose, especially in the first edition of the Origin of Species.
I appreciate it especially since a scabrous use for my book was suggested by Dr Grant in comments on my previous post. Although I can imagine Professor Owen and Bishop Wilberforce thought of that use for it long before Dr Grant’s humorous ripost.
I see that you are on good form today, sir. Scabrous indeed, that Mr. Grant! Perhaps no better use for books can be found in that southern penal colony, but I assure you those of us in more civilised parts of the world would never dream of using your inspired tome as mere loo roll.
One feels one must duck at the thought of the incoming Antipodal salvo.
I tell you, it’s hell down here.
Are we supposed to feel sympathetic?
Between the poms in Australia and the Australians
running the UKover here for work reasons who doesn’t deserve sympathy? It does rather raise the issue of why no-one seems to end up at home though.My dear Maxine,
I am beset by savages. Surrounded by dangerous marsupials. Under siege by spiders. Drowning in the wettest drought on record.
I don’t want your sympathy, I just need some decent beer.
I understand Australia is short of water, too. I remember plenty when I was there in the 1830’s what have you done with it all? The shortage of water could have horrendous consequences – I have just been regaling myself with a glass of Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz. It would be impious were a small thing like drought to impede the production of such liquid ambrosia: Australians should forgo washing rather than allow viticulture to suffer.
Richard, on Thursday night I am being entertained at the local inn, and shall sink a pint of Black Sheep (brewed by dissident Theakston’s) on your behalf.
Thank you, Charles, for your consideration. I appreciate it.
I have no idea what the
convictsAustralians do with the water. They pray for rain — and it rains, but they let it all run out to the sea. They refuse to recycle (you should see the things we can do by reverse osmosis these days), and grow rice and cotton .I think the mistake was deporting the convicts stupid enough to get caught. I’m sure your elegant theory might shed some light on the situation.
Richard—the spiders. Try putting their leg muscles in your instrument (or kit, as you call it). They have the most wonderful diffraction patterns. The species over here are far too small for the purpose, but the Australian variety are presumably larger than life. Truly beautiful crystal (well, fibre) diffraction patterns, sufficient to take your mind off the privations of life in your regions I am sure.
(Or failing that, a barbie on the beach, perhaps?)
Bloody good idea Maxine. I shall don heavy gloves and a large stick forthwith.