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| Christmas in Cobram, Victoria Cobram, we thank you for hosting us on Christmas day 2010. Your characters are eccentric, friendly and enjoy nothing more than a good laugh. We had the privilege of watching the day drift by in your fly-blown, sleepy town. |
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| Santa This man was the best Santa ever. He genuinely loved his work and brought a lot of joy and laughter to the local kids. He was also known as 'The Cowboy'. I didn't ask why. |
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| Funny lol Chris and Ian set out to paddle on Christmas day. The temperature was hot and the humidity stifling. They certainly have the dedication required to see this trip to the end. If it was me, I'd assure everyone we'd be leaving at 8am sharp before sleeping into 9am and getting on the water at 10. But then again, I'm not the one paddling. And the blazing morning heat is enough to prevent anybody sleeping in past 8. We had a celebratory meal on Christmas eve at the local pizza joint. The boys were a little upset over the fact that they wouldn't be spending Christmas day with us, but at least we got to toast to the trip so far. |
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| Ian |
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| Cam |
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| Luke |
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Chris Claire's sign writing skills come to the fore Our fundraising barbeques so far have been a great success. For us they are a great way to meet people, spread awareness of our cause and raise a bit of money for Lifehouse too. Many locals take a keen interest in the paddle, and many are interested in the organisation and its' aims. We have encountered only the most friendly, laid-back and genuine people on the Murray. As our good friend 'Damage' from Cobram Apex Caravan Park says, 'the Murray is Gods Country'. Im sure the folks from up Sutherland Shire way would have a word or two to say about that. |
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| Christmas at the 'Bottom Pub' We sat at the bar, ate Tasty Toobs and played a little Buckhunter on the arcade machine. It was great. The day wound up with an extended frisbee session and I sat down to attempt to capture Cobram in a few stanzas. The result is at the bottom of this post. Thanks must go to Ted Hughes for that. |
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| Frizzzzbee |
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| Throw |
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| Happy frizzzbee |
Christmas in Cobram, VIC
Where the pack-huntin' mosquitoes
Feast on the tyres of muddy four wheel drives
Scanning the area for delightful flesh
Coordinating an attack
Scaffolding cloaks the pubs like Christmas wrapping
Inside they stack kegs up ten high
And wait for the revelers - bite fingernails
'Coz they're nervous
Half the town will be there
The floor will be a marriage
Of sweat, drink and bodies
Ants will wait excitedly outside
Squinting in the consideration of tinsel
On Christmas eve;
The liquor store sold out of bourbon,
The supermarket sold out of 2kg sausage packs,
The petrol station sold out of ice,
And the line at Maccas' snaked outside the door
Oh! the heat is electric
Unflaggingly, It cocoons our bodies
In a strict embrace
Holding us ransom to idle chit chat
Keeping us from motion
Maintaining its authority
Over us, for the whole of Christmas day
Where the pack-huntin' mosquitoes
Feast on the tyres of muddy four wheel drives
Scanning the area for delightful flesh
Coordinating an attack
Scaffolding cloaks the pubs like Christmas wrapping
Inside they stack kegs up ten high
And wait for the revelers - bite fingernails
'Coz they're nervous
Half the town will be there
The floor will be a marriage
Of sweat, drink and bodies
Ants will wait excitedly outside
Squinting in the consideration of tinsel
On Christmas eve;
The liquor store sold out of bourbon,
The supermarket sold out of 2kg sausage packs,
The petrol station sold out of ice,
And the line at Maccas' snaked outside the door
Oh! the heat is electric
Unflaggingly, It cocoons our bodies
In a strict embrace
Holding us ransom to idle chit chat
Keeping us from motion
Maintaining its authority
Over us, for the whole of Christmas day
Merry Christmas!
The thunder rolls, but you gotta make it roll
The thunder rolls, but you gotta make it roll
Peace
Cameron Whipp, Luke Stanley, Claire Watts
