the shopping trip, page 1

posted on Oct, 1 2012 @ 08:16 AM

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On the farm, I always felt safe; I don't know if it was the country vibe or if it was that sense of being off the grid entirely. The afternoon sun shared its orange hue with everything. The red dirt, white bark and green leaves of the trees, all colors contrast against a bright blue cloudless sky.

Another pot hole snaps me out of the day dream as the dusty old Ute charges along the highway, only 657kms until I hit the front gate of the property, then its another two days drive to the house, it wasn't just a farm but a country in its self. Australia is good for that, remoteness, the undisturbed bliss of being off the grid to continue my research.

Ten years had passed in the blink of an eye, back then I didn't even know how to use a multimeter, now I'm knee deep in quantum physics and nanotechnology, just for kicks. Don't get me wrong, I'm not some hermit genius or new age wiz kid, I'm just a guy who lives out in the bush, nothing special here, moving right along.

My dog Jed sleeps next to me on the passenger seat, I'm sure he knows we are going back home. Our trip down to Brisbane for supplies was long and taxing. All the noise the hustle and bustle, I just can't do it anymore, to much insanity all in one place I think it does both of our heads in.

The radio plays a fading tune familiar but broken by a failing reception. The crackling static wins again, I smile switching off the radio knowing that familiar sound was an indication of the remoteness. "nothing out here but pig's n roo's now Jed".

Muzz

edit on 1/10/2012 by Ormuz because: (no reason given)

JustMike

posted on Oct, 1 2012 @ 08:38 AM

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The following is my opinion as a member participating in this discussion.

Thanks for the story.

I especially enjoy stories with the personal, human touch. And yours reminds me of my own travels on the Outback over the thirty-odd years I lived in Oz. (I grew up in the country in S.A.)

Back in the 1970s I knew someone who'd worked as a governess at one of the big stations "up north" (as we put it), on the way between Oodnadatta and Marla. The property was over 700,000 hectares and it was 80 km from the front gate to the homestead. She told me that they had a few fuel and food & water "dumps" set up along their private road, because if anyone had their car breakdown on the way in (or they got a punctured fuel tank or whatever), they could be stuck there for quite a while.

Of course, this was back in the days before any mobile phones -- let alone the satellite phones we can use these days if we're going off the beaten track. Even in my own trips into the bush I always carried two spare wheels in my van, along with a big tool kit and common spares -- and enough food and water to last me a few days.

So yeah, your story takes me back.

Mike

As an ATS Staff Member, I will not moderate in threads such as this where I have participated as a member.

Ormuz

posted on Oct, 1 2012 @ 08:54 AM

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reply to post by JustMike

Hi JustMike,

Thanks for your reply, glad you enjoyed the story.

Muzz

JustMike

posted on Oct, 1 2012 @ 09:16 AM

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The following is my opinion as a member participating in this discussion.

reply to post by Ormuz

No worries.

If you decide to add to this one or you write another one, then feel free to drop me a line. I'd enjoy the chance to have a read of it.

Mike

As an ATS Staff Member, I will not moderate in threads such as this where I have participated as a member.