We need to find that cafe, says Vello. There's no food in our cabin.
You got a cabin? says Sweezus.
Mayor Clements arranged it, says Vello. For the famous ecologists
Coolissimo! says Sweezus.
Arthur was right.
We've got snacks and beer, says Sweezus, opening his back pack.
Then you must join us for supper, says Vello. Come up after the nocturnal tour that Shu and I are going on.
Must we? asks Ssü-K'ung Shu.
It's included, says Vello. What snacks have you got boys?
Sweezus rifles through several packets.
Barbecue Shapes, Kettle Chips, Corn Chips, Chilli Popcorn and.... whatever these are.
Dried eels, says Arthur.
Why'd you get these? asks Sweezus.
Because I thought they wouldn't go off, says Arthur.
Everyone peers at the clear packet of pinkish grey Sea Fortune dried eels.
Wonderful, says Shu. I shall make us eel broth for supper. All I need is hot water. Secondly, an eel is very useful for diverting a snake, and thirdly eels are generally lucky.
And make good bait, if all else fails, says Vello. Well done, Arthur.
Arthur had not anticipated such serendipity, when he made the eel acquisition.
........
Meanwhile on the northern side of the island, the two paleontologists, and Gaius, Louisa and Terence have reached the fossil dig site.
Dr Yu Liu and Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido are bending over a hole.
Yes, says Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido. Consistent with anomalocaradids being closely related to arthropods.
As had been expected, says Dr Yu Liu.
As I understand it, says Gaius, coming up behind them, some scientists believe animal life didn't take off until the Cambrian explosion, but you have different views?
Look here, says Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido, pointing at an unearthed Redlichiidan trilobite.
Gaius looks. Yes, he would very much like to draw that. Where is his cake tin of half-pencils?
Louisa? says Gaius. Did Arthur give you a tin before he hived off to go surfing?
No, says Louisa. But if you need a pencil I have one, and a new notebook.
How lucky, says Gaius. May I borrow them?
Sure, says Louisa, but it's not lucky. It's because school's started.
And SHE didn't go, says Terence. She'll get in trouble.
No one takes any notice of Terence.
He wanders off into the grass, and lies down a few metres away. He searches the sky, for a parrot.
Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido is comparing dragonflies' eyes to those of a trilobite.
Dr Yu Liu is saying something about grasshopper brains, and patterns of gliogenesis.
Louisa is giving Gaius a pencil.
Gaius thinks she's the bee's knees.
How is THAT fair?
There is a rustling in the grass above Terence, and a vibration underneath him.
Yikes! A Cambrian explosion?
Terence rolls over on his tummy and looks behind him.
Fierce black eyes, a sharp beak, blue crowned head, blue neck and long green and blue iridescent feathers. A radio collar.
Hurrah! IT'S A PARROT!
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Saturday, February 6, 2016
The Ecologist And The Onion
Mayor Clements has brought Vello and Shu to a Hanson Bay holiday cabin, without any food.
It's self catering, says Mayor Clements. Sorry about that. But there's a Cafe and Visitor Centre. And now I must love you and leave you. Council business. I'll send someone tomorrow to give you a lift back to Kingston. Well, as we say on Kangaroo Island, enjoy!
He drives off rather quickly.
Enjoy! says Vello. Remind me not to. Now, I wonder if Sweezus and Arthur are here yet.
Let's walk down to the bay, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. It looks beautiful in the soft afternoon light. The pristine waters, the sparkling beaches.....we can wait for them there.
Yes it does look quite nice, says Vello. If I were Jacques Cousteau I might dip my toes in.
And if I were Su-zu-ki, what would I do? says Ssü-K'ung Shu.
Invent something, says Vello.
I thought he was an ecologist? says Ssü-K'ung Shu.
I meant invent something to do, says Vello. Come on Shu! I thought you were a words man.
A Middle Tang poet, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. I evoke moods and images.
The two imposters walk down to the bay, and sit down on the sand.
I am a words man, says Vello. I used to write plays. But the language is changing. Why only the other day I learned that the French Academy has done away with the circumflex.
Is that important? asks Ssü-K'ung Shu, gazing out over the deceptive waters.
Is the evidence that an S has been omitted from a word at some point in time important? asks Vello.
Ssü-K'ung Shu is too polite to say no, it doesn't seem that important.
And furthermore, says Vello, flattening an area of sand with his fingers, they have decided, in their wisdom, to change the spelling of onion! Outrageous!
Onion? says Ssü-K'ung Shu. He feels out of his depth here. Thank goodness for Chinese characters.
The French onion, says Vello. We are no longer to spell it as 'oignon'.
How are we to spell it? asks Ssü-k'ung Shu.
Ognon! spits Vello, stabbing the letters spitefully into the flat rectangle of sand.
Og-non, says Ssü-k'ung Shu. That sounds ugly.
And looks ugly, says Vello.
Ssü-K'ung Shu sighs.
He stares at the ocean. He spots a reef just outside the protected bay. Huge waves, breaking on it.
That will be where .....
Suddenly the sounds of the ocean are replaced by the sounds of bicycle wheels, footsteps and artificial dialogue.
So you are a German?
Yes, your reverence.
What part of Germany do you come from?
From the dirty province of Westphalia. I was born at Castle Thunder-ten-Tronckh.
Good gracious me! You don't say so?
How extraordinary!
Can this really be you?
This is beyond the bounds of possibility!
And then we....
Sadly they don't get to (embrace each other and burst into tears).
There you are, you excellent boys! roars Vello. Spot on! My humble apologies. You have your lines down word perfect.
Arthur! cries Shu. He jumps up, embraces Arthur and bursts into...... (no!). But he swallows a great deal of spittle.
Fuck, says Sweezus. I mean..... woah! What are you guys doing here?
Just passing, says Vello. You'll never believe this, but the good people of Penneshaw have got it into their heads that I'm Jacques Cousteau.
Massive! says Sweezus. What did they play when you arrived?
'Under the Sea', says Vello.
From the Little Mermaid, says Sweezus. I know that one. Calypso-style music. Yeah, and that was the name of Jacques Cousteau's boat. Someone was clever.
Arthur, Vello, and Suü-K'ung Shu have to agree that someone on Kangaroo Island was clever.
It's self catering, says Mayor Clements. Sorry about that. But there's a Cafe and Visitor Centre. And now I must love you and leave you. Council business. I'll send someone tomorrow to give you a lift back to Kingston. Well, as we say on Kangaroo Island, enjoy!
He drives off rather quickly.
Enjoy! says Vello. Remind me not to. Now, I wonder if Sweezus and Arthur are here yet.
Let's walk down to the bay, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. It looks beautiful in the soft afternoon light. The pristine waters, the sparkling beaches.....we can wait for them there.
Yes it does look quite nice, says Vello. If I were Jacques Cousteau I might dip my toes in.
And if I were Su-zu-ki, what would I do? says Ssü-K'ung Shu.
Invent something, says Vello.
I thought he was an ecologist? says Ssü-K'ung Shu.
I meant invent something to do, says Vello. Come on Shu! I thought you were a words man.
A Middle Tang poet, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. I evoke moods and images.
The two imposters walk down to the bay, and sit down on the sand.
I am a words man, says Vello. I used to write plays. But the language is changing. Why only the other day I learned that the French Academy has done away with the circumflex.
Is that important? asks Ssü-K'ung Shu, gazing out over the deceptive waters.
Is the evidence that an S has been omitted from a word at some point in time important? asks Vello.
Ssü-K'ung Shu is too polite to say no, it doesn't seem that important.
And furthermore, says Vello, flattening an area of sand with his fingers, they have decided, in their wisdom, to change the spelling of onion! Outrageous!
Onion? says Ssü-K'ung Shu. He feels out of his depth here. Thank goodness for Chinese characters.
The French onion, says Vello. We are no longer to spell it as 'oignon'.
How are we to spell it? asks Ssü-k'ung Shu.
Ognon! spits Vello, stabbing the letters spitefully into the flat rectangle of sand.
Og-non, says Ssü-k'ung Shu. That sounds ugly.
And looks ugly, says Vello.
Ssü-K'ung Shu sighs.
He stares at the ocean. He spots a reef just outside the protected bay. Huge waves, breaking on it.
That will be where .....
Suddenly the sounds of the ocean are replaced by the sounds of bicycle wheels, footsteps and artificial dialogue.
So you are a German?
Yes, your reverence.
What part of Germany do you come from?
From the dirty province of Westphalia. I was born at Castle Thunder-ten-Tronckh.
Good gracious me! You don't say so?
How extraordinary!
Can this really be you?
This is beyond the bounds of possibility!
And then we....
Sadly they don't get to (embrace each other and burst into tears).
There you are, you excellent boys! roars Vello. Spot on! My humble apologies. You have your lines down word perfect.
Arthur! cries Shu. He jumps up, embraces Arthur and bursts into...... (no!). But he swallows a great deal of spittle.
Fuck, says Sweezus. I mean..... woah! What are you guys doing here?
Just passing, says Vello. You'll never believe this, but the good people of Penneshaw have got it into their heads that I'm Jacques Cousteau.
Massive! says Sweezus. What did they play when you arrived?
'Under the Sea', says Vello.
From the Little Mermaid, says Sweezus. I know that one. Calypso-style music. Yeah, and that was the name of Jacques Cousteau's boat. Someone was clever.
Arthur, Vello, and Suü-K'ung Shu have to agree that someone on Kangaroo Island was clever.
Friday, February 5, 2016
Cool Spy
This is it, says Louisa. The Emu Bay shale.
FINALLY, says Terence. Can I have a milkshake?
Have an Up and Go, says Louisa.
She hands Terence a carton.
Is it a red one? asks Terence.
It's strawberry, says Louisa. A pink one.
Terence screws up his little cement nose. Only a pink one!
Where's Shu? asks Gaius, scanning the rocky landscape.
He'll be here in a minute, says Louisa. Let's sit down and wait.
They sit down on the uncomfortable rocky structures, drinking Up and Gos.
A man is picking his way over the rocks, from a westerly direction.
Hello there! shouts the man, waving. Yu Liu?
Gaius Plinius Secundus, says Gaius.
Of course, says Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido. I should have recognised you. I am Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido, but you must call me Diego. Are you here to observe us?
Us? says Gaius. I can only see one of you.
I'm expecting Dr.Yu Liu, any minute, says Diego. Ah, here he comes now!
The Chinese government agent rides up on his Flying Pigeon.
This is Dr Yu Liu, says Diego. This is Gaius Plinius Secundus, come to observe us.
Pleased to meet you, says Dr Yu Liu.
Wow, says Louisa. I've heard of you, Dr Yu Liu. I read your paper.
Which paper? asks Dr Yu Liu.
"When a 520 million year old Chengjiang biota meets a modern micro-CT", says Louisa.
Ah, says Gaius, as the penny drops. The Chengjiang biota!
Ah-ha, says Terence. That's even older than me! But not older than grandpa.
Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido glances down at Terence, who now sports a little pink moustache.
An infant! Why bring an infant to a fossil dig site? And its mouth needs wiping.
Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido is about to take a dust brush out of his tool bag.
But Louisa produces a wipe.
Yuck! protests Terence.
Shall we get on? says Dr Yu Liu. I am keen to see the seven isolated compound eye fossils, and the well-preserved visual surfaces of the eyes of Anomalocaris.
The inland quarry site is this way, says Diego, pointing inland. Who's coming?
We ought to wait for Shu, says Gaius. My right hand man. He seems to be lagging.
That will be the person I passed on the way, says Dr Yu Liu. Shortly after which, he turned back towards Penneshaw.
From which observations we know:
1. Dr Yu Liu is observant
2. If he is a government spy, he is a cool one.
FINALLY, says Terence. Can I have a milkshake?
Have an Up and Go, says Louisa.
She hands Terence a carton.
Is it a red one? asks Terence.
It's strawberry, says Louisa. A pink one.
Terence screws up his little cement nose. Only a pink one!
Where's Shu? asks Gaius, scanning the rocky landscape.
He'll be here in a minute, says Louisa. Let's sit down and wait.
They sit down on the uncomfortable rocky structures, drinking Up and Gos.
Hello there! shouts the man, waving. Yu Liu?
Gaius Plinius Secundus, says Gaius.
Of course, says Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido. I should have recognised you. I am Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido, but you must call me Diego. Are you here to observe us?
Us? says Gaius. I can only see one of you.
I'm expecting Dr.Yu Liu, any minute, says Diego. Ah, here he comes now!
The Chinese government agent rides up on his Flying Pigeon.
This is Dr Yu Liu, says Diego. This is Gaius Plinius Secundus, come to observe us.
Pleased to meet you, says Dr Yu Liu.
Wow, says Louisa. I've heard of you, Dr Yu Liu. I read your paper.
Which paper? asks Dr Yu Liu.
"When a 520 million year old Chengjiang biota meets a modern micro-CT", says Louisa.
Ah, says Gaius, as the penny drops. The Chengjiang biota!
Ah-ha, says Terence. That's even older than me! But not older than grandpa.
Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido glances down at Terence, who now sports a little pink moustache.
An infant! Why bring an infant to a fossil dig site? And its mouth needs wiping.
Dr Diego Garcia-Bellido is about to take a dust brush out of his tool bag.
But Louisa produces a wipe.
Yuck! protests Terence.
Shall we get on? says Dr Yu Liu. I am keen to see the seven isolated compound eye fossils, and the well-preserved visual surfaces of the eyes of Anomalocaris.
The inland quarry site is this way, says Diego, pointing inland. Who's coming?
We ought to wait for Shu, says Gaius. My right hand man. He seems to be lagging.
That will be the person I passed on the way, says Dr Yu Liu. Shortly after which, he turned back towards Penneshaw.
From which observations we know:
1. Dr Yu Liu is observant
2. If he is a government spy, he is a cool one.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Rips, Reef And Quite Sharky
Hop in, gentlemen, says Mayor Clements, opening the door of a Ford Escape SUV.
Very kind of you, Mayor Clements, says Vello.
Anything for the cause of Kangaroo Island ecology, says Mayor Clements.
Yes, yes, says Vello. Of course these days I don't do much fieldwork. This will be a treat.
Do you wish to hire any underwater equipment, before we set off, Jacques? asks Mayor Clements.
Not I, says Vello. Do you, Suzuki?
No, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. I prefer to stay out of the water.
Yes, it can be quite chilly, says Mayor Clements.
The Ford Escape rolls out of Penneshaw, Mayor Clements driving.
......
They drive through Birchmore, and turn left on to Hanson Bay Road.
I'll take you to the Wildlife Sanctuary, says Mayor Clements. You might like to stay overnight. Very nice cabins, overlooking the bay. Nocturnal tour included. Of course you won't have to pay. Council will fix it.
Very kind, says Vello. And what's the surf like?
Not suited to beginners, says Mayor Clements. Rips, a reef and quite sharky.
Good heavens! says Vello.
Ssü-K'ung Shu imagines a shark eating Arthur. He shivers.
Those two will be heading there, says Mayor Clements, pointing at two cyclists with backpacks and surfboards.
Brave lads, says Vello.
The Ford Escape SUV passes the cyclists.
........
Did you see that? says Arthur.
See what? says Sweezus.
In that Ford. Vello and Shu. With Mayor Clements, says Arthur.
Bugger, says Sweezus. Are you sure? Where do you reckon they're going?
Hanson Bay, says Arthur. Since this is the Hanson Bay Road.
Shit, says Sweezus. Maybe it wasn't them, though.
No, it was them, says Arthur.
I haven't even brought ...... you don't have a copy? asks Sweezus.
Of what? says Arthur.
Candide, says Sweezus. I'm supposed to be learning my lines. The boss'll kill me.
He won't, says Arthur. We'll just make something up.
But he WROTE it, says Sweezus. How does it go again? We did it last year.....
Calm down, says Arthur. I remember some of the good bits.
Yeah, says Sweezus. What good bits? It was just one shit thing after another.
There were recognition scenes, says Arthur. Like when you recognise Cunegonde's brother.
Oh yeah, says Sweezus. And we cry and hug, and drink wine and eat an excellent dinner. Arthur, you're a legend!
Arthur is happy. Sweezus thinks he's a legend.
When they get to the beach they can practise the scene.
And he can play Cunegonde's brother.
Very kind of you, Mayor Clements, says Vello.
Anything for the cause of Kangaroo Island ecology, says Mayor Clements.
Yes, yes, says Vello. Of course these days I don't do much fieldwork. This will be a treat.
Do you wish to hire any underwater equipment, before we set off, Jacques? asks Mayor Clements.
Not I, says Vello. Do you, Suzuki?
No, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. I prefer to stay out of the water.
Yes, it can be quite chilly, says Mayor Clements.
The Ford Escape rolls out of Penneshaw, Mayor Clements driving.
......
They drive through Birchmore, and turn left on to Hanson Bay Road.
I'll take you to the Wildlife Sanctuary, says Mayor Clements. You might like to stay overnight. Very nice cabins, overlooking the bay. Nocturnal tour included. Of course you won't have to pay. Council will fix it.
Very kind, says Vello. And what's the surf like?
Not suited to beginners, says Mayor Clements. Rips, a reef and quite sharky.
Good heavens! says Vello.
Ssü-K'ung Shu imagines a shark eating Arthur. He shivers.
Those two will be heading there, says Mayor Clements, pointing at two cyclists with backpacks and surfboards.
Brave lads, says Vello.
The Ford Escape SUV passes the cyclists.
........
Did you see that? says Arthur.
See what? says Sweezus.
In that Ford. Vello and Shu. With Mayor Clements, says Arthur.
Bugger, says Sweezus. Are you sure? Where do you reckon they're going?
Hanson Bay, says Arthur. Since this is the Hanson Bay Road.
Shit, says Sweezus. Maybe it wasn't them, though.
No, it was them, says Arthur.
I haven't even brought ...... you don't have a copy? asks Sweezus.
Of what? says Arthur.
Candide, says Sweezus. I'm supposed to be learning my lines. The boss'll kill me.
He won't, says Arthur. We'll just make something up.
But he WROTE it, says Sweezus. How does it go again? We did it last year.....
Calm down, says Arthur. I remember some of the good bits.
Yeah, says Sweezus. What good bits? It was just one shit thing after another.
There were recognition scenes, says Arthur. Like when you recognise Cunegonde's brother.
Oh yeah, says Sweezus. And we cry and hug, and drink wine and eat an excellent dinner. Arthur, you're a legend!
Arthur is happy. Sweezus thinks he's a legend.
When they get to the beach they can practise the scene.
And he can play Cunegonde's brother.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Under The Sea With No Trumpet
Excuse me! says the mysterious rider.
Ssü-K'ung Shu slows down.
Has his past caught up with him?
Is this the way to Emu Bay? asks the rider.
Is it a ruse? thinks Ssü-K'ung Shu. Is he a government agent?
You must ask my colleague, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. He's the one up ahead there. I'm his assistant.
It's been hard enough for me to catch up to you, says the stranger. These Flying Pigeon bikes are extremely heavy.
I know, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. Forty four kilos. Did you ship it over from China?
I did, says the rider.
Are you on holiday? asks Ssü-K'ung Shu.
No, says the rider. Working. Always working. Ah! A signpost!
The signpost reads: KINGSCOTE 5K. EMU BAY 22K.
Ssü-K'ung Shu hopes that now the government agent will drop back or speed up.
He speeds up.
Ssü-K'ung Shu stops, pretends to adjust his handlebars, then turns and cycles back towards Penneshaw.
No way is he going to be extradited to China.
......
Terence is standing up in Louisa's bicycle basket, trying to balance.
He can see over Louisa's shoulder.
Shu's stopped! says Terence. Shu's turned around! Shu's going!
Louisa risks a quick look.
No he isn't, says Louisa. He's just a long way behind us.
Everything all right? asks Gaius, drawing level with Louisa.
No, says Terence. I can see....
Sit down, Terence, says Gaius. You'll cause an accident.
Terence sits down heavily. Louisa's bike wobbles.
See? says Terence. That's what happens when no one believes me.
........
When Ssü-K'ung Shu arrives back in Penneshaw he is surprised to see Vello.
Shu! says Vello. Am I glad to see you! This place is a hotbed of insanity!
My thoughts exactly, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. But what makes you think so?
You won't believe it! says Vello. The Sealink ferry docks. I walk down the gang plank. The local school band is playing that Calypso tune from The Little Mermaid, called "Under the Sea".
Who was on trumpet? asks Ssü-K'ung Shu.
No trumpet, says Vello. Why are you asking? The point is, the Mayor greeted me as.....you won't believe this! Jacques Cousteau!
They got my name wrong too, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. Have you told them?
Of course not! says Vello. I rejoice in the role of Jacques Cousteau! I'm making a speech in the Kingscote Town Hall on Friday. I'll give them fireworks! Now, where is everyone?
Gaius and Terence are on their way to the Emu Bay Shale, says Ssü-K'ung Shu.
And where is Sweezus? asks Vello.
Surfing with Arthur at Hanson Bay. It's extremely dangerous.
Then that's where I'm going, says Vello. I'll give him dangerous. I bet he's not learning his lines.
I'll come with you, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. I need to lie low for a while. This is lucky.
Very lucky.
Mayor Clements emerges from a cafe and sees the two famous ecologists, talking.
Good afternoon! calls the mayor. Making plans? Tell you what, I have nothing to do this afternoon. Can I offer you a lift anywhere?
Hanson Bay would be perfect, says Vello.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Failing To Smell His Divinity
Gaius, Shu and Louisa ride their bikes along Hog Bay Road towards Kingscote.
Louisa is leading.
Can I have lesson three now? asks Terence, who is bored with the scenery.
(trees and grass, trees and grass, road, trees, grass, sky)
Okay, says Louisa. Pick up the trumpet and inhale fully.
What's fully? says Terence.
As much as you can, says Louisa. NO! you silly. AIR, not the trumpet.
You're a bad teacher, says Terence. And I hate lesson three.
Lets just talk, says Louisa. Where's your mother?
In Barcelona, sitting over a doorway, says Terence. Where's yours?
At home, says Louisa. Extracting lavender oil. It's her business.
Yuck, says Terence. That's disgusting.
It's lovely, says Louisa. We sell it to tourists. It smells divine.
Like me, says Terence.
Louisa sniffs, but the air moves too fast for her to smell (or fail to smell) Terence's divinity.
Have you got any pets? asks Louisa.
Yes, says Terence. I have a parrot.
Where is it? asks Louisa.
Kidnapped, says Terence.
Holy moly! says Louisa. Who by?
Dries, says Terence. He's a drama counsellor.
TRAUMA counsellor, says Gaius, who has been following, and is also bored by the trees.
Why would he kidnap a parrot? asks Louisa.
It's not a parrot, it's a baby bristlebird, says Gaius.
I SAID that, says Terence.
So......he's endangered, says Louisa.
YES! says Terence. Dries wants to FORCE him to learn Twenty Names, and he can only say eighteen.
He refuses to say the other two, says Gaius. It's a battle of wills.
Wow, says Louisa. You guys live interesting lives. It's pretty boring on Kangaroo Island. We make honey, and grow lavender, and ...yeah well, I suppose we have pests.
Such as feral pigs, I suppose? ventures Gaius.
Oh way more than just feral pigs, says Louisa. Feral cats, feral deer, feral ferrets, feral goats, feral peacocks......
Peacocks! says Terence, peering into a passing stand of boring bushes. But he doesn't see one single feather.
Ssu-K'ung Shu is pedalling some way behind the others, not joining in.
He is amusing himself by recalling a Middle Tang poem by his friend Liu Zongyuan.
Dwelling By A Stream.
I had so long been troubled by an official hat and robe
That I am glad to be an exile here in this wild south land....
At this point, a heavy breathing sound makes him turn round.
The Flying Pigeon draws level. The rider throws back his dark hood........
Louisa is leading.
Can I have lesson three now? asks Terence, who is bored with the scenery.
(trees and grass, trees and grass, road, trees, grass, sky)
Okay, says Louisa. Pick up the trumpet and inhale fully.
What's fully? says Terence.
As much as you can, says Louisa. NO! you silly. AIR, not the trumpet.
You're a bad teacher, says Terence. And I hate lesson three.
Lets just talk, says Louisa. Where's your mother?
In Barcelona, sitting over a doorway, says Terence. Where's yours?
At home, says Louisa. Extracting lavender oil. It's her business.
Yuck, says Terence. That's disgusting.
It's lovely, says Louisa. We sell it to tourists. It smells divine.
Like me, says Terence.
Louisa sniffs, but the air moves too fast for her to smell (or fail to smell) Terence's divinity.
Have you got any pets? asks Louisa.
Yes, says Terence. I have a parrot.
Where is it? asks Louisa.
Kidnapped, says Terence.
Holy moly! says Louisa. Who by?
Dries, says Terence. He's a drama counsellor.
TRAUMA counsellor, says Gaius, who has been following, and is also bored by the trees.
Why would he kidnap a parrot? asks Louisa.
It's not a parrot, it's a baby bristlebird, says Gaius.
I SAID that, says Terence.
So......he's endangered, says Louisa.
YES! says Terence. Dries wants to FORCE him to learn Twenty Names, and he can only say eighteen.
He refuses to say the other two, says Gaius. It's a battle of wills.
Wow, says Louisa. You guys live interesting lives. It's pretty boring on Kangaroo Island. We make honey, and grow lavender, and ...yeah well, I suppose we have pests.
Such as feral pigs, I suppose? ventures Gaius.
Oh way more than just feral pigs, says Louisa. Feral cats, feral deer, feral ferrets, feral goats, feral peacocks......
Peacocks! says Terence, peering into a passing stand of boring bushes. But he doesn't see one single feather.
Ssu-K'ung Shu is pedalling some way behind the others, not joining in.
He is amusing himself by recalling a Middle Tang poem by his friend Liu Zongyuan.
Dwelling By A Stream.
I had so long been troubled by an official hat and robe
That I am glad to be an exile here in this wild south land....
At this point, a heavy breathing sound makes him turn round.
The Flying Pigeon draws level. The rider throws back his dark hood........
Monday, February 1, 2016
It Was Me I Must Be Ready
Now, says Gaius. In which direction do we find Emu Bay?
Ssü-K'ung Shu realises that Gaius is looking at him expectantly.
I have no idea, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. Should we perhaps ask an emu?
You're funny, says Louisa. It's that way.
She points to the west.
Come on, Shu, says Gaius.
No, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. Not without a map, water and snacks.
I have water and snacks, says Gaius. I doubt we'll need a map.
I'll come with you, says Louisa. I know the way.
Then I don't need to go, says Ssü-K'ung Shu.
You will learn a great deal, says Gaius. You will be helping science. You will add to the debate.
These things do not concern me, says Ssü-K'ung Shu.
You could write a nice poem about it, says Louisa.
Me too, says Terence. I already have. It's about an EMU.
Emu emu hey!
buzz and blow and play
the golden trumpet
emu emu hey!
Who likes it?
I like it, says Sweezus. But it's not much about an emu.
It's so cute, though, says Louisa. Tell you what, Terence:
On the way
To Emu Bay
I will teach you
How to play
Emu emu hey!
How inventive! says Gaius. Our journey will be made more pleasant with the addition of trumpet lessons and occasional snatches of poetry.
Ssü-K'ung Shu can't believe Gaius really thinks that.
He wonders what Arthur thinks. Arthur, a true poet, like himself.
Arthur is scratching at a knee scab, with the Swiss Army knife.
Come on Arthur, says Sweezus. We'd better get going. Which way to Hanson Bay?
That way, says Louisa. It's on the other side of the island at the western end. It'll take you hours and hours.
Cool, says Sweezus. See you in a couple of days, guys.
He and Arthur ride off with their surfboards and their backpacks full of beer and snacks.
I'll just go home and get my bike, says Louisa. Wait here. Terence, hold my trumpet.
Terence has one more go at blowing. Pzzzzzzz!
Hey-fantastico! A buzzing sound comes out!
Was that you? asks Louisa, when she comes back on her bicycle.
Yes, says Terence proudly:
It was me
I must be ready
For lesson three.
Ssü-K'ung Shu groans. This trip is going to be very tedious.
Gaius, Ssü-K'ung Shu, Louisa and Terence (who is in Louisa's basket, with the trumpet ) pedal out of Penneshaw in the direction of Emu Bay.
Followed by a mysterious hooded figure on a heavy bicycle, which looks like.....could it be?....... a retro Chinese Flying Pigeon?
Ssü-K'ung Shu realises that Gaius is looking at him expectantly.
I have no idea, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. Should we perhaps ask an emu?
You're funny, says Louisa. It's that way.
She points to the west.
Come on, Shu, says Gaius.
No, says Ssü-K'ung Shu. Not without a map, water and snacks.
I have water and snacks, says Gaius. I doubt we'll need a map.
I'll come with you, says Louisa. I know the way.
Then I don't need to go, says Ssü-K'ung Shu.
You will learn a great deal, says Gaius. You will be helping science. You will add to the debate.
These things do not concern me, says Ssü-K'ung Shu.
You could write a nice poem about it, says Louisa.
Me too, says Terence. I already have. It's about an EMU.
Emu emu hey!
buzz and blow and play
the golden trumpet
emu emu hey!
Who likes it?
I like it, says Sweezus. But it's not much about an emu.
It's so cute, though, says Louisa. Tell you what, Terence:
On the way
To Emu Bay
I will teach you
How to play
Emu emu hey!
How inventive! says Gaius. Our journey will be made more pleasant with the addition of trumpet lessons and occasional snatches of poetry.
Ssü-K'ung Shu can't believe Gaius really thinks that.
He wonders what Arthur thinks. Arthur, a true poet, like himself.
Arthur is scratching at a knee scab, with the Swiss Army knife.
Come on Arthur, says Sweezus. We'd better get going. Which way to Hanson Bay?
That way, says Louisa. It's on the other side of the island at the western end. It'll take you hours and hours.
Cool, says Sweezus. See you in a couple of days, guys.
He and Arthur ride off with their surfboards and their backpacks full of beer and snacks.
I'll just go home and get my bike, says Louisa. Wait here. Terence, hold my trumpet.
Terence has one more go at blowing. Pzzzzzzz!
Hey-fantastico! A buzzing sound comes out!
Was that you? asks Louisa, when she comes back on her bicycle.
Yes, says Terence proudly:
It was me
I must be ready
For lesson three.
Ssü-K'ung Shu groans. This trip is going to be very tedious.
Gaius, Ssü-K'ung Shu, Louisa and Terence (who is in Louisa's basket, with the trumpet ) pedal out of Penneshaw in the direction of Emu Bay.
Followed by a mysterious hooded figure on a heavy bicycle, which looks like.....could it be?....... a retro Chinese Flying Pigeon?
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