Rigby Taylor

A healthy, understandable reaction. Remind me never to annoy you.

Don't you think the neighbour deserved his fate? I expected, and am pleased by, your sensitive reaction to Violet's sudden awareness of her life. Exactly! All those 'English Country Houses" Australians try to emulate with their acres of mown grass, were kept low by sheep. They fertilised and provided wool and meat. Mowers provide carbon dioxide, endless noise pollution and their owners get fat. As for Jarek and Seb.... time will tell.

Sebastian lived on a vast and virtually unmapped property previously owned by his dead mother’s boss. The land varied from gently sloping rough grassland dotted with ancient eucalypts, to low hills and increasingly dense rainforest. Further to the west the land became very steep, well watered by streams and waterfalls that over the centuries had scoured out excellent pools. As a sixteen year-old he’d worked for the previous owner, taking young men for hikes in the forest, having no idea of their

I'm pleased you like Chloe. Don't tell me you're starting to feel sorry for Irma and Violet?

You're not wrong there. They sure are outmatched.

Zeno was dreaming away as the car hummed along through vast fields of sugar cane, thinking about his grandmother and Sebastian. It was only eight months since he’d seen them, but it seemed like years. Would everything be the same? The first thing he’d do was dive into the pool. It wasn’t large but it was deep and overhung by a large eucalyptus from which Sebastian had hung a rope. Zeno was seven the first time he managed to climb the three metres to the top, let go and fall shouting with terrifi

Thanks Jeffrey - I'm glad you enjoy and are amused by the 'crazy adventures' - that's exactly the response I hope for.

These poor women are simple souls intent on cleaning up the world that males have made so unpleasant for females. They are brave - you must give them that. Foolish, yes. Insane - that too... but dumb cunts? I have always been led to believe that cunts were useful and highly prized by most men. I learn something new every day. I'm not good at remembering acronyms, but at least now I know what Washington DC - means

Ah yes Miss Jean Brodie in her Prime. Into fascism and women's equality. Fancied Mussolini... She was a pussy compared to these two. Her rational brain wasn't yet moribund - just misinformed. How can I tell you if our heroes are safe if I don't know yet? It is now midday - four hours since I posted, therefore in four hours time the solution to your concerns will pop out of my computer. Please ring a friend or hold your boyfriend's hand until then and don't do anything silly. I could never forgive myself. A bit of "thinking" might also help.

You'll find out next chapter. I'm pleased you are faithful to him, Wesley - it does you credit. And here I thought you'd be worried about Jarek.

‘You’re looking glum, Chloe. I thought you’d be more cheerful with Zeno and his friends arriving tomorrow.’ ‘Have you never heard of multitasking, Sebastian? Women can be simultaneously ecstatically happy and inconsolably sad. The thought of my grandson having to forge a future for himself in a world in which manhood is dead, breaks my heart. ‘Goodness, I didn’t realise my manhood has passed away.’ ‘That’s because you’re a man,’ Chloe snapped. ‘Those most involved never realise what’

I'm slow witted... DC????

The Police! Canuk? Mmmmm... Not too much bicarb, now - it causes your stomach to raise acid levels and that leads to all sorts of nasties.

Yes, they are, Wesley - take pity on them - they can't help it. We live in a caring society that takes care of everyone because everyone is of equal worth and ability... except for....

Weekends with Leon were exactly as Jarek had hoped. Neither spoke unless necessary, each seemed to know intuitively when to offer assistance and when not, and neither man complained, even when hungry, dirty and exhausted. Both exhaled sighs of pleasure when they returned to base and could relax, knowing they’d pushed themselves to the limit. On the second weekend they made the perilous, three hundred and fifty metre ascent up the escarpment to the tablelands where they spent two days and a n

Australia has a vile history of racism from the first white settlement/invasion, and little has changed in some places and hearts. Indigenous people were not even considered to be citizens until 1967! They had zero rights. Here's an excerpt from a letter I wrote to the Premier of Queensland last year suggesting her government did something about it. · Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are locked up at 24 times the rate of other Australian kids · The rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s incarceration increased by 77% between 2000 and 2015 · Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women comprise 34% of women behind bars but only 2% of adult female population. · An Aboriginal Child is currently more likely to go to jail than to finish high school. · Indigenous people account for 3.6% (155,824 Indigenous persons) of the Queensland population but Indigenous women make up 27.1% of prison population, and Indigenous men make up 30% of prison populations. · Indigenous Australians also account for a significant portion of victims of crimes, including 12% of all victims of assault and 11% of all victims of sexual assault One could be forgiven for concluding that the police and ‘Justice’ departments are riddled with deep-seated racism. [The events mentioned in this chapter are fictional, but drawn from a true News bulletin that was aired during the days I was writing it.]

Yeah - I reckon. Friends forever. As Jarek said earlier, sex gets in the way of friendship, and Leon is jail bait and Jarek isn't a fool. I'm certain he is not even slightly interested in the lad sexually.

After waving goodbye to the last of the boys, Jarek filed his report with Stephen and arranged to meet him back at Edgar’s. Waiting for him beside the minibus was a lean, dark man in late middle age. With a grin of pleasure Jarek extended his hand. ‘Leon’s father, I presume?’ The man laughed. ‘Leon’s grandfather. How did you guess?’ ‘A stab in the dark—certainly nothing to do with the fact that you’re fit, lean and handsome with a permanent tan as dark as Leon’s.’ ‘No wonder Leon lik

Thanks for your usual thoughtful comment, Jeffrey. While it was tempting to write about the other boys - and there would be loads of good stories there, Jarek is the hero, and he is the fellow I am 'forced' to follow. It is a relief to learn that the summary justice dished out to Annie is approved of by readers. While a society of laws and impartial justice is the ideal - and essential if we want to avoid endless vendettas - sometimes we have to accept that the system is not perfect and natural justice is essential to avoid further injustice.

Are you sure you're not a writer, Canuk? You pen such delicious praise. Make sure you break the ice on the swimming hole before diving in.

She did indeed!

Not long to wait now. Let's hope it's what you want.

Saturday dawned warm and wind free; a day for cleaning and preparing the cabin and bedrooms, completing school assignments and tramping in the forest. Zeno enjoyed himself initiating Cador into the ways of nature, albeit in a somewhat self-conscious tribute to Jarek. That evening, being too hot to stay inside, they took a mattress out onto the verandah and lay in the moonlight, chatting quietly. ‘Do you often think of your parents, Cador?’ ‘Of course I do.’ ‘Miss them?’ ‘Difficul

You are a fortunate man. Perhaps that explains why you have the intelligence, wit and wisdom to read my stories...

Annie's pretty butch, so why wouldn't you like the boys to butcher her, Chris? Do you think that she's butcher than them?