Richard the Snake Catcher

As far as snakes are concerned, Richard Malpass is their protector. He offers a free service to the people of Mitchell and surrounds -- 24 hours/7 days -- to capture troublesome snakes and then release them in bushland. Richard the Snake Catcher is also Richard the Warrior; a young man with a mass of curly black hair and a hearty laugh who's been responsible for stopping the burning off at the local dump, and also the burning of pine offcuts and sawdust at the Mitchell cypress mill. Prior to Richard's action, Mitchell was frequently shrouded in smoke. Committed to eliminating the damaging effects of smoke pollution in Mitchell, Richard set out on a campaign. He's the sort of person who notices a problem, researches it and then jumps into action. Never afraid to stick his neck out, forever persistent and with a wide variety of tactics up his sleeve, Richard gets things done.

Passionate about animal welfare, recycling and sculpture, Richard the Snake Catcher is also known for his controversial sculpture displayed at the Maranoa Gallery in Mitchell. A large charred cross provides a platform for a very in-your -face statement about man's inhumane treatment of animals. Thanks to Richard -- our neighbour and friend -- the people of Mitchell breathe clean air and need have no fear of venomous snakes.

Morse code faster than texting

Just as I'm getting my mind around blogs, facebook and twitter, I'm whizzed backwards -- or is it forwards? While eating lunch yesterday at the Major Mitchell Campsite, the distinctive "Dit, dah" (short dots and long dashes) of a message carried across the clearing, a distance of about 50 m. Instantly we were taken back to the days of girl guides and scouts when we learnt the international Morse code for transmitting messages. As we wandered over to say, "G'day", an elderly man (ex-N Z Air Force) appeared and greeted us warmly. A simple canvas awning (attached to a camper trailer and Land Rover) protected his Morse code key, with an aerial wire strung up into a nearby eucalypt. "Under competition rules," he informed us, "Morse code is twice the speed of the fastest texting."
Here we were -- in 2010 -- listening to an incoming code invented by the American Samuel Morse, in 1835. This message connected this amateur radio operator to fellow Ham enthusiasts all over the world. This man was alone yet not alone. Amazed by the simplicity of a code that links outback Australia to the world, I think of that other technology, the Internet. Both beam across the airways, connecting people. Each, in its own way is extraordinary. At this present time, however, I have to lean towards the simplicity of Morse code, invented 165 years ago, 11 years before Major Mitchell camped here on his epic journey up the Maranoa River.

Major Mitchell Campsite

Today was my birthday. Unwrapping birthday presents provided Major (12-month-old German shepherd) with great excitement. Tissue paper, corrugated cardboard and envelopes were ripped and carried around proudly. Not my presents though: a book containing 250 watercolour paintings of eucalypts by Stan Kelly; and ooline platter, created locally from an ooline burl: and two framed photographs, of galahs and boab trees. In the late morning we drove 40 km north of Mitchell to where the famous explorer Major Mitchell set up a base camp in 1846. On the banks of the Maranoa River we lit a small fire, made billy tea and ate a picnic lunch. There were no flies, no mosquitoes and no sand flies! After lunch we strolled up the sandy riverbed, past pools of water containing small fish and over rocky parts where pieces of petrified wood lay studded amongst other colourful stones. With the temperature a balmy 24°C, and the sandy bed of the Maranoa soft and clean, a siesta seemed an excellent idea. Cradled in the arms of this mighty river I slipped into a state of well-being. Who could ask for more? Yet I had more. An armful of golden acacia blooms gathered from bushland growing in rusty red sand, and then a late afternoon birthday cake and pot of tea shared with our friends Rod and Angie. Today was the best birthday ever!

Camels back in Mitchell

Wearing saddle rugs-- a patchwork of gold, red and purple -- the five camels allowed themselves to be mounted and then raced the short course, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of around 700 people. One of the riders, a 71-year-old, gained particular applause. The smell of crushed green grasses and medics rose from the pounding hooves of the camels as they passed us by. It looked a bumpy ride, the jockeys clinging to anything and everything they could hang on to. Yet all reached the finishing line. Fast food and drinks added to the swirl of smells hanging in the balmy air that settled over this small town in outback Queensland. A Fashion on the Field competition brought forth many glamorous young women strutting around in high stiletto heels, slinky dresses and exotic hats -- mostly in colour combinations of black and red. Mostly though, the crowd (of all ages) dressed for comfort and the occasion wearing the more usual jeans, shirts and hats.

Prize money for the various camel races, animated bidding, a Ute Show, novelty events, dog jumping and live entertainment kept the crowd happy throughout the afternoon and evening.

An event around books and reading - outback style

Visitors to Mitchell thought the town was celebrating a win by the local footy team. In fact, this small outback town had come together to 'Paint the Town Read'. Everyone wore a red; the main street was decorated with red balloons, streamers and shopfront displays; and stories were read throughout town, by shop owners keen to participate in a day designed to encourage everyone to read books. The Maranoa Art Gallery and Library was the meeting place for the final event, a shadow puppet play of the story Jack and the Beanstalk. A Dreamtime story -- created and read by Aunty Irene, an Aboriginal Elder -- concluded the storytelling.

Since this event marks the birthday of Mitchell's Reading Bug (a colourfully dressed 'bug' who arrived in style at the library in the town's fire truck), there was, of course, a birthday cake, followed by the giving out of reading show bags for the children. The community of Mitchell comes together every year to celebrate reading and books. 'Paint the Town Read' is outback Australia at its very best.

Bimble box

It's been unusually windy today. On my walk along the river this afternoon I passed through a patch of bimble box trees. These eucalypts have shiny round leaves. The breeze in the bimble box bounces off the foliage in a particular way: a shiny, round, leathery sound. It's as if the leaves are talking to one another, an animated conversation that I would love to join in with.

Ebooks

I'm trying to get my mind around the different format required for an ebook. There are no pages, size 12 and 14 font only and a very particular layout. I plan to do 'Travelling with Pets' and a children's story to begin with. It's still raining here!