An unnecessary coincidence is about to occur.
Arthur, passing the Westbury post office, remembers his Sea Horse post card.
He texts Sweezus.
Did U get the postcard?
Then Arthur rides on, a little faster.
He catches up with Schopenhauer.
His phone rings. It's Sweezus.
And so it is that Schopenhauer obtains an answer to his question.
But not right away. Arthur is talking to Sweezus.
If you think sea horses are funny, wait till you hear about barnacles, says Arthur.
Deadline! hisses Schopenhauer.
Deadline? says Arthur.
Oh yeah, says Sweezus. Tell Schopenhauer he's got an extension.
You've got an extension, says Arthur to Schopenhauer.
Schopenhauer looks joyful.
Goose raises an eyebrow at Wally. ( A barnacle eyebrow, who knew?)
He's got an extension, says Goose.
Just like us, says Wally.
I didn't notice it when we were in his pocket, says Goose.
It must be a short one, says Wally.
..........
Gaius and Unni are in Deloraine, waiting.
Arthur and Schopenhauer rock up.
Where've you been? says Unni.
Talking to Sweezus, says Arthur. He told me how cold it would be on Cradle Mountain.
How cold? asks Gaius.
Snowing, says Arthur.
A shiver passes through everyone.
It's so lovely here, says Unni. The yellow wattle trees, the River Meander. The ducks. And it's not snowing. Let's camp here tonight.
We'll get a cabin, says Schopenhauer.
..........
A cabin! With a log fire. Enough beds for four people. It's two degrees outside.
A conference is in progress......
Schopenhauer: It was you who wanted to go to Cradle Mountain.
Gaius: I thought it was you.
Unni: It was the barnacle, remember. She was going to have babies.
Gaius: Jupiter! Where are those barnacles?
Arthur: In my Seahorse World Bag.
Gaius: Without water!
Captain Louttit: We are bearing up well in the dry.
Wally and Goose (coughing raspily) : So are we.
Gaius: Which one of you is the clever one?
Wally: She went to the place called beyond.
Goose: Like she wanted.
Gaius: So you are?
Goose: Goose and Wally.
Gaius: Goose? You're a Surf Barnacle, not a Goose Barnacle. Who gave you that name?
Goose: Wally.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
Don't Be Too Optimistic
Gaius is too optimistic. They will not be reaching Cradle Mountain tonight.
They set out from Launceston on the road to Westbury and Deloraine.
It is already quite chilly.
Squeak squeak. The Platonic Ideal is squeaking. What can this mean?
Schopenhauer is obliged to slow right down. He regrets eating the Poached Pear Financier.
Arthur too is riding slowly. Not for any reason.
Unni is fed up.
Come on! says Unni.
Yes, come on! Full steam ahead! says Captain Louttit, sticking his head up from the jug in front of Schopenhauer's face.
This is too much for Schopenhauer.
He stops and places the jug containing Captain Louttit on the roadside. He rides on slowly.
Squeak squeak.
Captain Louttit looks around to see where he has landed. It looks like farmland country. Poppies, herbs, onions and potatoes. Charming!
There are two distinct ways of saying Charming! and Captain Louttit's is the second.
What's up? says Arthur who has been riding slowly for no particular reason, and has now caught up with Captain Louttit.
We have been dumped, says Captain Louttit. A mutiny has occurred.
What do you want me to do about it? says Arthur.
It's not ideal, says Captain Louttit, but you could fit us inside your blue Seahorse World bag.
No, says Arthur. I couldn't.
Then he says, What about the water?
Perhaps he is about to change his mind.
.........
But let's catch up with Gaius and Unni, who are riding faster.
They have already reached the pretty town of Westbury, the most English village in Australia. Westbury contains an excess of delights, superb buildings and lovely bays. It appears to have been preserved in aspic. The Post Office opened in 1832.
They pass a camping ground, without stopping.
At this rate they will soon be in Deloraine.
........
Schopenhauer is in between two parties, and he doesn't like it.
Why don't the ones in front of him slow down? Why doesn't Arthur speed up a little?
Where might he find a toilet?
What is the matter with his bicycle?
So many existential questions.
He stops to relieve himself behind a tree.
Scheise!
Shopenhauer remembers something.
He is supposed to be writing a philosophical article for Velosophy magazine. When is the deadline?
Here comes Arthur. No doubt he will know.
They set out from Launceston on the road to Westbury and Deloraine.
It is already quite chilly.
Squeak squeak. The Platonic Ideal is squeaking. What can this mean?
Schopenhauer is obliged to slow right down. He regrets eating the Poached Pear Financier.
Arthur too is riding slowly. Not for any reason.
Unni is fed up.
Come on! says Unni.
Yes, come on! Full steam ahead! says Captain Louttit, sticking his head up from the jug in front of Schopenhauer's face.
This is too much for Schopenhauer.
He stops and places the jug containing Captain Louttit on the roadside. He rides on slowly.
Squeak squeak.
Captain Louttit looks around to see where he has landed. It looks like farmland country. Poppies, herbs, onions and potatoes. Charming!
There are two distinct ways of saying Charming! and Captain Louttit's is the second.
What's up? says Arthur who has been riding slowly for no particular reason, and has now caught up with Captain Louttit.
We have been dumped, says Captain Louttit. A mutiny has occurred.
What do you want me to do about it? says Arthur.
It's not ideal, says Captain Louttit, but you could fit us inside your blue Seahorse World bag.
No, says Arthur. I couldn't.
Then he says, What about the water?
Perhaps he is about to change his mind.
.........
But let's catch up with Gaius and Unni, who are riding faster.
They have already reached the pretty town of Westbury, the most English village in Australia. Westbury contains an excess of delights, superb buildings and lovely bays. It appears to have been preserved in aspic. The Post Office opened in 1832.
They pass a camping ground, without stopping.
At this rate they will soon be in Deloraine.
........
Schopenhauer is in between two parties, and he doesn't like it.
Why don't the ones in front of him slow down? Why doesn't Arthur speed up a little?
Where might he find a toilet?
What is the matter with his bicycle?
So many existential questions.
He stops to relieve himself behind a tree.
Scheise!
Shopenhauer remembers something.
He is supposed to be writing a philosophical article for Velosophy magazine. When is the deadline?
Here comes Arthur. No doubt he will know.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Something To Do With Saint Augustine
While Arthur is wondering if there might be jellyfish on Cradle Mountain, Unni is finding out.
No jellyfish, she says. But there are these things called Mountain Shrimps. Considered living fossils. Good thinking, Arthur! That should tempt Gaius to change his mind.
Arthur really doesn't want to go to Cradle Mountain, even if there are Mountain Shrimps there. It's a mountain. It will be freezing.
Inside the Gorge Restaurant, Shopenhauer has finished his Poached Pear Financier.
Excellent, says Schopenhauer, patting his stomach. I wonder why it's called Financier?
Gaius can't remember what the Poached Pear Financier looked like. He only remembers that it had a translucent pear on top.
Perhaps, says Gaius, it is something to do with Saint Augustine.
I doubt it, says Schopenhauer. More likely it's something to do with the cake.
Cake! says Gaius. Now I remember.
Do tell, says Schopenhauer. I am all ears.
I remember the cake, says Gaius lamely. It was rectangular.
And yellow, says Schopenhauer. Yes, perhaps we are getting to the nub of it. A gold bar reference.
Of course! says Gaius. Now I begin to wonder why mine was called Chocolate Ripple.
Don't be a fool, says Schopenhauer. Shall we order coffee? Where are those youngsters?
Arthur and Unni are just coming in the door.
Gaius, says Unni. You'll never guess what's at Cradle Mountain. Living fossils!
That should suit you, Gaius, says Schopenhauer.
Gaius looks up from the hot drinks menu sharply.
And it's not that far from here to Cradle Mountain, says Unni. About five hours ride. AND the living fossils are found in St Clair Lake, kind of south-eastish.....
Dear girl, says Gaius. What are these living fossils that you speak of?
Mountain Shrimps, says Unni. You only find them in Tasmania, above three hundred metres. And they're shrimpy, but they don't have shells......
Arthur, says Gaius. When did you tell Lisa-Ann Gershwin we would be arriving?
Arthur can see where this is heading.
Tomorrow, says Arthur. She's expecting us tomorrow.
Call her and say we'll be there the day after tomorrow, says Gaius.
Wonderful! says Schopenhauer. I look forward to visiting Cradle Mountain.
I, too, look forward to it, says Captain Louttit. As do my crew.
Wally and Goose remain their normal surf barnacle shade of grey-white with greenish tinge. But on the inside they have turned pink with pride. My crew, he called them!
So, says Gaius, after coffee, we ride to Cradle Mountain. We should arrive by early evening. No doubt there is a campsite.
A campsite? He has no idea.
No jellyfish, she says. But there are these things called Mountain Shrimps. Considered living fossils. Good thinking, Arthur! That should tempt Gaius to change his mind.
Arthur really doesn't want to go to Cradle Mountain, even if there are Mountain Shrimps there. It's a mountain. It will be freezing.
Inside the Gorge Restaurant, Shopenhauer has finished his Poached Pear Financier.
Excellent, says Schopenhauer, patting his stomach. I wonder why it's called Financier?
Gaius can't remember what the Poached Pear Financier looked like. He only remembers that it had a translucent pear on top.
Perhaps, says Gaius, it is something to do with Saint Augustine.
I doubt it, says Schopenhauer. More likely it's something to do with the cake.
Cake! says Gaius. Now I remember.
Do tell, says Schopenhauer. I am all ears.
I remember the cake, says Gaius lamely. It was rectangular.
And yellow, says Schopenhauer. Yes, perhaps we are getting to the nub of it. A gold bar reference.
Of course! says Gaius. Now I begin to wonder why mine was called Chocolate Ripple.
Don't be a fool, says Schopenhauer. Shall we order coffee? Where are those youngsters?
Arthur and Unni are just coming in the door.
Gaius, says Unni. You'll never guess what's at Cradle Mountain. Living fossils!
That should suit you, Gaius, says Schopenhauer.
Gaius looks up from the hot drinks menu sharply.
And it's not that far from here to Cradle Mountain, says Unni. About five hours ride. AND the living fossils are found in St Clair Lake, kind of south-eastish.....
Dear girl, says Gaius. What are these living fossils that you speak of?
Mountain Shrimps, says Unni. You only find them in Tasmania, above three hundred metres. And they're shrimpy, but they don't have shells......
Arthur, says Gaius. When did you tell Lisa-Ann Gershwin we would be arriving?
Arthur can see where this is heading.
Tomorrow, says Arthur. She's expecting us tomorrow.
Call her and say we'll be there the day after tomorrow, says Gaius.
Wonderful! says Schopenhauer. I look forward to visiting Cradle Mountain.
I, too, look forward to it, says Captain Louttit. As do my crew.
Wally and Goose remain their normal surf barnacle shade of grey-white with greenish tinge. But on the inside they have turned pink with pride. My crew, he called them!
So, says Gaius, after coffee, we ride to Cradle Mountain. We should arrive by early evening. No doubt there is a campsite.
A campsite? He has no idea.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Are There Jellyfish On Cradle Mountain?
Lunch is over. Arthur and Unni have both had Seafood Steak Eye Fillet Pocketed with an Oyster.
A choice that has not escaped the barnacles, and Captain Louttit.
Eating an oyster! says Goose. That's what I call grossness.
Erk! says Wally. Catch me eating an oyster.
If I did, says Captain Louttit, you would be sorry.
Eat one? says Wally.
Catch you, says Captain Louttit.
Who? says Goose.
Hypotheticals, says Captain Louttit.
It is mildly interesting to follow the intellectual progress of the barnacles, and to note that their relationship with Captain Louttit is improving.
Dessert? says Schopenhauer. Go on, why not? I shall have Poached Pear Financier.
Gaius decides on Chocolate Ripple Vacherin on Kahlua cream.
Pass, says Unni.
I pass too, says Arthur. I've got some apples.
He takes from one of the four pockets of his new military jacket a couple of Coxes Orange Pippins.
Sorry, sir, says the waiter. I must ask you to eat those outside.
Arthur goes outside, followed by Unni.
This is crunch time, says Unni.
They're not crunchy, says Arthur. They're only crunchy when you eat them straight off the tree.
Like you would know, says Unni. But I 'm not talking about apples. We're in Launceston. This is where we head west to Cradle Mountain.
If we're going, says Arthur. Gaius doesn't want to.
I know, says Unni. You have to make him want to.
Arthur thinks about how he might make Gaius want to go to Cradle Mountain.
He wonders if there might be jellyfish there.
A choice that has not escaped the barnacles, and Captain Louttit.
Eating an oyster! says Goose. That's what I call grossness.
Erk! says Wally. Catch me eating an oyster.
If I did, says Captain Louttit, you would be sorry.
Eat one? says Wally.
Catch you, says Captain Louttit.
Who? says Goose.
Hypotheticals, says Captain Louttit.
It is mildly interesting to follow the intellectual progress of the barnacles, and to note that their relationship with Captain Louttit is improving.
Dessert? says Schopenhauer. Go on, why not? I shall have Poached Pear Financier.
Gaius decides on Chocolate Ripple Vacherin on Kahlua cream.
Pass, says Unni.
I pass too, says Arthur. I've got some apples.
He takes from one of the four pockets of his new military jacket a couple of Coxes Orange Pippins.
Sorry, sir, says the waiter. I must ask you to eat those outside.
Arthur goes outside, followed by Unni.
This is crunch time, says Unni.
They're not crunchy, says Arthur. They're only crunchy when you eat them straight off the tree.
Like you would know, says Unni. But I 'm not talking about apples. We're in Launceston. This is where we head west to Cradle Mountain.
If we're going, says Arthur. Gaius doesn't want to.
I know, says Unni. You have to make him want to.
Arthur thinks about how he might make Gaius want to go to Cradle Mountain.
He wonders if there might be jellyfish there.
Sometimes Good Things Just Fall Into Your Lap
Unni waits for Arthur at the top of the steps beside the Inclinator.
Arthur appears at last, in a cool black jacket.
Nice jacket, says Unni. Where'd you get it? And how did you pay for it?
Modelling, says Arthur.
A disbelieving bubble arises from the sangria jug.
Modelling! says Unni.
Yes, says Arthur. I went into Neil Pitt's, in Launceston. They were waiting for a model to come in for a photo shoot. They must have thought it was me.
Unni looks appraisingly at Arthur. Yes, at a stretch, he could be a model. He has the tousled hair, the piercing blue eyes. But how could they have thought......
You told them, says Unni. You said you were the model.
Yes, says Arthur. And they made me put this jacket on.
It's wicked, says Unni. Kind of military looking.
It's evolved menswear, says Arthur. A Bossini button-through double-pocket jacket with a Johnny collar. Based on early twentieth century conflicts.
Did they give you any pants? asks Unni. It looks weird with purple paisley board shorts.
I had to take them off, says Arthur, regretfully.
Unni decides not to probe him any more.
.........
From the bottom of the Inclinator, Schopenhauer spots Unni and Arthur.
Come on down! he cries. Lunch is on me!
Really! says Unni. That's all very well but what am I do about his bicycle?
I'll take it down, says Arthur. Then I'll come back up for mine. You wait here.
( Arthur now feels like a man used to military conflicts and logistics).
He thumps the Platonic Ideal down the steps, spilling saline solution, ( thump, thump, thump), annoying Captain Louttit.
Wally and Goose watch Captain Louttit's face.
You can learn a lot from watching someone's face, says Wally.
If they have a face, says Goose.
He has and we haven't, says Wally. What does that mean?
The barnacles are beginning to question their place in the scheme of things.
......
At last the members of the cycling party are sitting at a table with a view in the Gorge Restaurant.
Not the Kiosk. Schopenhauer is in a generous mood.
Have whatever you like from the menu, says Schopenhauer. I shall have the Mushroom and Caramelised Leek Parcel, with sweet potato and chilli jam.
Gaius chooses Eye Fillet Steak with Red Onion Marmalade.
It's that sort of menu. Brilliant. Awesome. Wow.
Arthur appears at last, in a cool black jacket.
Nice jacket, says Unni. Where'd you get it? And how did you pay for it?
Modelling, says Arthur.
A disbelieving bubble arises from the sangria jug.
Modelling! says Unni.
Yes, says Arthur. I went into Neil Pitt's, in Launceston. They were waiting for a model to come in for a photo shoot. They must have thought it was me.
Unni looks appraisingly at Arthur. Yes, at a stretch, he could be a model. He has the tousled hair, the piercing blue eyes. But how could they have thought......
You told them, says Unni. You said you were the model.
Yes, says Arthur. And they made me put this jacket on.
It's wicked, says Unni. Kind of military looking.
It's evolved menswear, says Arthur. A Bossini button-through double-pocket jacket with a Johnny collar. Based on early twentieth century conflicts.
Did they give you any pants? asks Unni. It looks weird with purple paisley board shorts.
I had to take them off, says Arthur, regretfully.
Unni decides not to probe him any more.
.........
From the bottom of the Inclinator, Schopenhauer spots Unni and Arthur.
Come on down! he cries. Lunch is on me!
Really! says Unni. That's all very well but what am I do about his bicycle?
I'll take it down, says Arthur. Then I'll come back up for mine. You wait here.
( Arthur now feels like a man used to military conflicts and logistics).
He thumps the Platonic Ideal down the steps, spilling saline solution, ( thump, thump, thump), annoying Captain Louttit.
Wally and Goose watch Captain Louttit's face.
You can learn a lot from watching someone's face, says Wally.
If they have a face, says Goose.
He has and we haven't, says Wally. What does that mean?
The barnacles are beginning to question their place in the scheme of things.
......
At last the members of the cycling party are sitting at a table with a view in the Gorge Restaurant.
Not the Kiosk. Schopenhauer is in a generous mood.
Have whatever you like from the menu, says Schopenhauer. I shall have the Mushroom and Caramelised Leek Parcel, with sweet potato and chilli jam.
Gaius chooses Eye Fillet Steak with Red Onion Marmalade.
It's that sort of menu. Brilliant. Awesome. Wow.
Friday, May 2, 2014
We Are The Smart Ones Now
The two rescued barnacles are once again in the sangria jug, under Captain Louttit.
Where's whats-er-name? asks one barnacle, of the other.
Gone, says the other barnacle. Looks like WE might be the smart ones now.
You know what? says the first one. She weren't all that smart though. If she were smart she would've had a name.
Yer? says the other one. Let's get names then. Let's ask Captain Louttit.
Shut up, down there! roars Captain Louttit.
Noo! says the first one. Let's not. That won't do.
Goose! says the other.
Wally! says the first.
And so it is decided. The first step on the road to being smarter is to have a name.......
..........
It is cold in Tasmania. We all know that. Today will be a maximum of fourteen. Hello autumn.
.........
Unni and Arthur are riding side by side.
You look cold says Unni. You need a jacket.
I'll get one in Launceston, says Arthur.
......
They arrive in Launceston. Unni has decided they will all have lunch at Cataract Gorge. They follow Basin Road to the Inclinator.
The Inclinator is a people mover, a glass-walled compartment on rails. You can travel in it from the entrance at the top of the cataract down to the grassed area and Basin at the bottom. There you will see the First Basin with the South Esk running through it, a swimming pool, a kiosk, a suspension bridge, a restaurant and peacocks.
What an excellent contraption, says Gaius. Pity.
........
Schopenhauer travels down on the Inclinator, because he has the inclination.
Gaius wheels his bicycle down the steps.
Unni waits at the top with her bike and the Platonic Ideal, with Captain Louttit, Goose and Wally in the basket.
She is waiting for Arthur, who has gone to Launceston to acquire a jacket.
Time ticks by. What is holding Arthur up?
..........
Gaius and Schopenhauer are admiring Cataract Gorge and First Basin from the bottom. They try to see it as it was first seen by William Collins on the Lady Nelson, in 1804.
(They have been to the Interpretation Centre).
"The Beauty of the Scene is probably not surpassed in the World". (One may agree with William Collins)
.....
But where is Unni? Where is Arthur? When is lunch?
Why are there peacocks?
Where's whats-er-name? asks one barnacle, of the other.
Gone, says the other barnacle. Looks like WE might be the smart ones now.
You know what? says the first one. She weren't all that smart though. If she were smart she would've had a name.
Yer? says the other one. Let's get names then. Let's ask Captain Louttit.
Shut up, down there! roars Captain Louttit.
Noo! says the first one. Let's not. That won't do.
Goose! says the other.
Wally! says the first.
And so it is decided. The first step on the road to being smarter is to have a name.......
..........
It is cold in Tasmania. We all know that. Today will be a maximum of fourteen. Hello autumn.
.........
Unni and Arthur are riding side by side.
You look cold says Unni. You need a jacket.
I'll get one in Launceston, says Arthur.
......
They arrive in Launceston. Unni has decided they will all have lunch at Cataract Gorge. They follow Basin Road to the Inclinator.
The Inclinator is a people mover, a glass-walled compartment on rails. You can travel in it from the entrance at the top of the cataract down to the grassed area and Basin at the bottom. There you will see the First Basin with the South Esk running through it, a swimming pool, a kiosk, a suspension bridge, a restaurant and peacocks.
What an excellent contraption, says Gaius. Pity.
........
Schopenhauer travels down on the Inclinator, because he has the inclination.
Gaius wheels his bicycle down the steps.
Unni waits at the top with her bike and the Platonic Ideal, with Captain Louttit, Goose and Wally in the basket.
She is waiting for Arthur, who has gone to Launceston to acquire a jacket.
Time ticks by. What is holding Arthur up?
..........
Gaius and Schopenhauer are admiring Cataract Gorge and First Basin from the bottom. They try to see it as it was first seen by William Collins on the Lady Nelson, in 1804.
(They have been to the Interpretation Centre).
"The Beauty of the Scene is probably not surpassed in the World". (One may agree with William Collins)
.....
But where is Unni? Where is Arthur? When is lunch?
Why are there peacocks?
Thursday, May 1, 2014
I Miss My Habitat
Helen might trip over a particularly stringy patch of calystegio sepium. But she doesn't.
She walks away, with the pregnant educated surf barnacle in her pocket.
She walks along the river path and meets up with Angela, another disjunct naturalist..
It is nearly lunch time. They sit down to eat some snacks.
Helen pulls her snack pack out of her pocket, with the pregnant educated surf barnacle attached.
Look at this, says Helen.
Angela looks.
A surf barnacle! says Angela. What a turn up for the books. Where exactly did you find it?
Right beside that patch of calystegio sepium near the boardwalk, says Helen. I'll go back later when those people have gone. There may be more of them.
There are more! squeaks the pregnant educated surf barnacle.
This time Helen hears her.
How many more? asks Helen.
Two, says the pregnant educated surf barnacle. I'm the smart one.
You must miss your friends says Angela, a sentimentalist.
I miss my HABITAT! cries the pregnant educated surf barnacle. I like heavy wave action! I am normally found on rocky sea ledges just above the tube worm zone.
Well, we all know that, says Helen. What are you doing here then?
I was brought here against my will in a sangria jug on the orders of Captain Louttit, says the pregnant educated surf barnacle, unwittingly getting it wrong and sealing her fate at the same time.
Helen looks at Angela. Angela smiles sweetly and looks sympathetic.
Bad luck, Helen. It's not a strictly a disjunct population.
Helen shrugs, and chucks the pregnant educated surf barnacle into the Tamar.
Calamity!
But it may not be all bad though. The Tamar is saline and tidal.
It will be a tame life for her 2000-odd surf barnacle larvae, but not impossible.
..........
Come on, says Unni. Lunch in Launceston!
Good, says Gaius. We're moving on. Arthur, have you got that barnacle?
Yes, says Arthur, although he hasn't.
He suspects that Helen has made off with it.
In the grass he spots two barnacles, half hidden.
He picks them up and drops them in the jug.
She walks away, with the pregnant educated surf barnacle in her pocket.
She walks along the river path and meets up with Angela, another disjunct naturalist..
It is nearly lunch time. They sit down to eat some snacks.
Helen pulls her snack pack out of her pocket, with the pregnant educated surf barnacle attached.
Look at this, says Helen.
Angela looks.
A surf barnacle! says Angela. What a turn up for the books. Where exactly did you find it?
Right beside that patch of calystegio sepium near the boardwalk, says Helen. I'll go back later when those people have gone. There may be more of them.
There are more! squeaks the pregnant educated surf barnacle.
This time Helen hears her.
How many more? asks Helen.
Two, says the pregnant educated surf barnacle. I'm the smart one.
You must miss your friends says Angela, a sentimentalist.
I miss my HABITAT! cries the pregnant educated surf barnacle. I like heavy wave action! I am normally found on rocky sea ledges just above the tube worm zone.
Well, we all know that, says Helen. What are you doing here then?
I was brought here against my will in a sangria jug on the orders of Captain Louttit, says the pregnant educated surf barnacle, unwittingly getting it wrong and sealing her fate at the same time.
Helen looks at Angela. Angela smiles sweetly and looks sympathetic.
Bad luck, Helen. It's not a strictly a disjunct population.
Helen shrugs, and chucks the pregnant educated surf barnacle into the Tamar.
Calamity!
But it may not be all bad though. The Tamar is saline and tidal.
It will be a tame life for her 2000-odd surf barnacle larvae, but not impossible.
..........
Come on, says Unni. Lunch in Launceston!
Good, says Gaius. We're moving on. Arthur, have you got that barnacle?
Yes, says Arthur, although he hasn't.
He suspects that Helen has made off with it.
In the grass he spots two barnacles, half hidden.
He picks them up and drops them in the jug.
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