Snails Virgins Tomatoes

Gaius, Professor Xu Xing, Baby Pierre and Margaret are at the Blanche Point Formation.

I shall point out the various layers, says Margaret, pointing to the layers.

The top layer is the Tuit Member, thin and snail rich.

The next layer, Perkana, is soft and sponge spicule rich.

Below that is the Gull Rock layer, hard, banded and also snail rich.

And down here, the Turketja layer, thin green and glauconitic.

Professor Xu Xing looks for a snail in one of the snail rich layers

Not so very snail rich, says Professor Xu Xing.

We may have better luck round the corner, at Chinaman Gully, says Margaret.

Chinaman Gully? says Professor Xu Xing. Can you tell me the history?

No, says Margaret. But I suppose a Chinaman once lived there.

Is that what they called us? says Professor Xu Xing. Chinamen?

A lot worse, says Margaret. Chinamen would have been the least offensive.

Australia-men, says Professor Xu Xing, trying out the equivalent. That sounds funny.

A sponge spicule! says Gaius, who has been carefully examining a layer.

Let's see! says Margaret. Well spotted! It's a simple monaxon.

Let me see too! says Baby Pierre. Oh woo! Look, there are millions! All different!

Baby Pierre has small eyes and can see very small things.

He loves the sponge spicules. Some have pointed ends, some have round ones, some have spines, some have knobs on.

He takes out his green pencil and starts sketching.

.........

While the geological party is poking around Maslin Bay and the various formations, finding sponge spicules (but as yet no snails), there are other things happening.

David and Vello have completed their Willy Hill ride.

They are now in Willunga, looking for a cafe in the High Street.

David: Let's try this one.

Vello: Three Monkeys Fine Foods. Okay.

They enter, sit down and look at the menu.

David: Lemon curd crepes!

Vello: Oh! oh!  My favourites.

David: Shall we both have them?

Vello: Yes. And a cold drip coffee.

David: I'll have a flat white.

Vello: Shall we sit out in the courtyard, under the passionfruit vines, among the chilli and mint plants?

David: Yes. It looks just like paradise. Except for the virgins.

Vello: Even virgins, you never quite know.

David: You old devil.

......

And even more things are happening concurrently.

Arthur has finally got through to Pablo Neruda.

Pablo! How's it going? asks Arthur.

How's what going? says Pablo Neruda.

The Giro, says Arthur. I heard it was raining.

Yes, it was pissing down, says Pablo. I'm doing all right though. Pretty average. At least I haven't dislocated a shoulder or had a flat tyre, or lost points because someone helped me.

That's good, says Arthur. How's Richie?

Not too happy, says Pablo, he lost some more time.

You should cheer him up, says Arthur.

I did, says Pablo. I read him my poem Ode to Tomatoes. He liked it. He's going to try writing an Ode to Tomatoes when the Giro is over.

He's good at writing, says Arthur.

That's what he said, says Pablo. Well, I'd better get going. It's bed time.

Okay, says Arthur. Sleep well.

Click.

Did you ask him? asks Sweezus.

Sorry, forgot, says Arthur. I'll ask him next time.

Air head, says Sweezus.