South

Rather than hit the sack at dawn last Wednesday I boarded a CountyLink train for a four hour journey south to Queanbeyan. I was off to see an old work colleague from thirty years ago who has retired to a nursing village in his home district.

It was only at the last minute I decided to go and found the town pretty much booked out. So the only option was a nights accomodation in a classic country hotel which had clearly seen better days.

This provided many memories from the years working with the old mate throughout New South Wales, often staying in local pubs like this one. There was nothing better to cure (or compound) homesickness than to get smashed at the bar, then stagger upstairs to collapse into a welcome coma, ahead of another hard day trudging through the bush. It had been 25 years since we last saw each other so a few old photos helped jog the fading memory banks. Whilst dementia is a cruel disease the pain affects the connections as much as the patients, who often appear oblivious to their condition.

Besides the distinct hotel odours of beer, smoke and industrial cleaning agents, other senses were jogged such as music recollections. Whilst having a monster country hamburger for lunch the juke box played, When Tomorrow Comes which I recalled from that time but now learn it was released a few years later in 1986. That 'ol memory again...no matter, the tune contains one of the best opening minutes in rock history. Have a nice weekend.   

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Comments

[Kim]

You're a good man, Adrian.

Whatever level your mate is on, he appreciated your visit.

[Rainer the cabbie]

I agree with Kim, dementia is a cruel disease, more so for the friends and relatives than the patient. Mind you, sometimes it does come in handy, especially when the patient was a tyrant in real life and the family finally gets some rest.
Oh, the 80's, don't get me started on that decade. There even was some good music around, such as the Hunters and Collectors, at the Trade Union Club in Surry Hills, or classics like Andy Preboys "Tomorrow Wendy". That was 20 years ago. God, I feel old.

[Dianne]

Hi, not sure if this is the right forum to ask this question, but following your posting about etiquite, I have a question. I get a couple of cabs a week, mainly CBD to North Sydney. I always pay by credit card and never give a cash tip. Is this poor form or acceptable behavour?

[Rainer the cabbie]

Dianne
Poor behavior if the service was good. And don't forget Punters, it is not the amount but the gesture that counts.
I also just discovered that "Tomorrow Wendy" was released in 1990, which proves that the 80's were a bit like the 60's to some; if you remember them you weren't there. Arriba! ¡Arriba!"

[adrian]

Dianne, generally one only tips for good service but, even so, it's not expected. Paying by plastic ? I fully understand the reluctance to tip after Cabcharge rips a 10% service fee from you but don't worry about it, we don't.

Yeah, Rainer, the old Tradies. A mate was a booking agent for the joint so we never had any trouble getting in, at any time.

Thanks for the reminder of a classic song, Tomorrow Wendy though didn't know Prieboy's was the original version. Love that soaring 'Grace Slick' vocalist, too. Here's another classic of the genre I recently found on YouTube, Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson from 1990.

But hey, if we're going to get all emo on a Friday afternoon, how about young Bobby Smith ? Alighting the train yesterday I spotted a girl's T-shirt emblazoned with the logo: Friday, I'm in love. Now that feels much better.

[Brian]

Very nice gesture there cobber.
Spent many a night in that town years ago after a day at the races.