Back to the Mainland

Population:  Minus one

I’m back in Brisbane for a few weeks to go shopping and replace all my ragged clothes.  The bore water used for washing really takes a toll on your laundry.  It is such a great feeling to be wearing clothes that I haven’t worn into rags.

We didn't have any guests on my last night, so the staff had a bonfire on the beach.  It was beautiful.  The housekeeper tried to make damper (camp bread) but it didn't work which was a shame because I hadn't had much dinner.  She tried to wrap the dough around a stick and wave it over the fire, but the dough was too runny and fell into the flames.  The mix of beer and wine and an empty stomach nearly killed me.  I didn't drink that much!!!  I dragged my sick head out of bed around 7am to get coffee.  It was then that I found out that I wasn't going to be flying off the island at midday as originally planned.  I needed to get on the boat in 10 minutes.  I had to pull myself together in a big hurry and hope I didn't make a scene and spew into the sea in front of three generations of the family.  Not very dignified for a governess.

It doesn’t feel weird to be back in the city.  The island seems very far away

Salty Sea Dog

Population 35 (and one puppy)

Yesterday the new puppy arrived.  It’s a floopy little golden retriever who is about six weeks old.  There is nothing more adorable than seeing a seven year old boy get a new puppy.  The puppy is a bit confused.  The boy is grinning ear to ear.  They have named him Salty.

We finally have a compliment of staff who fell in love with the island and are planning on NOT running away for the next few months.  It’s good to have some jolly company.  Two housekeepers, a fisherman and an au pair.

Crossing over the abyss

Population 20-ish



The lights of the channel markers are just visible flashing in the bay between the island and the mainland.  It’s a very pleasant place where people I wouldn’t normally meet just turn up and sit at my table over looking the calm blue ocean.  Money doesn’t exist.  I romp around in a fog of surreal blue water and white beaches where the waters are infested with sharks that come into ankle deep water and  come jogging with me along the beach in the morning.

I head back to Brisbane next week for the school holidays.  I have this strange fear that the channel markers I see from my bedroom window could be hospital monitors blinking in my subconscious. Maybe crossing the water to the mainland is crossing back into reality.  Maybe this is all going on in my head.

Tonight a fisherman is having his 37th birthday with four of his mates.  Lots of booze and a chocolate cake.  They are taking the barge off the island in the morning.  Maybe they are crossing over the abyss.

Do they play Red Hot Chilli Peppers in limbo?

Maybe I should cut down on the booze.