A selection of snap stories from my file.

Strawberries

The smell was to die for.

A heavenly aroma rose from the crystal bowl of strawberries which had been placed in the middle of the table. Coral set to dunk them in brandy before dipping them in warm, melted chocolate. She stored them on a tray to place in the fridge to set. She had planned to make more the next day. But. The rest of the strawberries didn't last that long.

Randy arrived home with a bottle of champagne to celebrate his promotion. The smell of the strawberries assailed his nose when he walked in through the front door. He dropped his briefcase near the door to his study. He followed the scent to the bowl of sweet nectar. Randy went to the cupboard to grab a couple of champagne flutes. He handed them to his wife. And the bowl of strawberries. He led her to the bedroom.

Coral looked puzzled when the berries, the flutes, and champagne, were placed on the bedside table. Her husband began to strip away her clothes. Then he did his own. He pulled back the covers on the bed then sat her in the middle of the bed. He crawled on to the bed beside her. Placed the bowel of strawberries on her lap. Opened the bottle of champagne and filled the flutes. He handed one to her. She waited to see what happened next. Taking a strawberry from the bowl he dunked the fruit into the liquid and held it to her mouth. She took a small bite. He ate the rest.

Becoming more adventurous with the drinking of the champagne. Randy moved Coral down the bed. He poured some of his drink into her navel. Dunked the fruit . Placed it near her mouth for her to eat. He drank, at licked, what liquid was left on her body. When the bowl of strawberries was finished Randy ventured out to the fridge to retrieve a few of the chocolate strawberries. He dragged them across her hot skin leaving behind a trail of chocolate. He followed the trail with his hot tongue until there wasn't any chocolate coating left. Taking a small bite he placed the rest in her mouth. Once the last fruit was devoured. The both of them completely sated. They went to sleep. The fruit of life did bring forth a life of another kind. A baby.

                                                 Snowed In.

“When did you find time to read a book,” Martha asked. She hadn't known her husband to read a newspaper. Let alone read a book. 'Where did you find this book? I haven't found any new books around the cabin.”

“You don't know, everything, my love. I have a few secrets of my own. Over long, cold winters when the ground is covered with frozen snow, I have to keep, occupied. We can't spend the whole winter in bed. Even though. I could come up with a few interesting ways to keep us happy.” Caleb patted his Martha on her padded behind. “We can go to bed while we wait,” he suggested, wriggling his bushy eyebrows at her.

Martha slowly turned to face him with suspicion in her eyes. Caleb didn't act like he was worried about the loss of their cabin. In the past few weeks he'd cursed sire threats at the upstart who had taken over the mountain. Revenge. That was what this takeover was. Caleb, and Martha, had refused to vacate the cabin. The new owner of the mountain was on his way to make sure they were tossed from their home of many years,

They had moved into the cabin hours after they had recited their vows to love each other until their life had come to an end. Had moved on to a place of peaceful existence. Their lives had been long, healthy, and happy. No trouble had entered their lovely, snow covered mountain. Not even a pint of blood had been spilled to mar the white wonder land. Now. Battle stations were at the ready. Swords, literally, had been drawn. Their home was being taken away from them. No longer will they be able to commune with nature.

“Mind telling me why you are certain Garth won't be here to take away our home? What do you know that I don't?”

“You aren't interested in my proposition.” Caleb grabbed his fur coat from the peg near the back door. Pulled his cap low on his head. “I'm going for a walk.” He opened the door. He stepped out into the freezing wind which blew across the snow covered scenery.

Martha worried while she made a rabbit stew to warm Caleb when he returned. If he returned. Dread settled heavy on her heart. She had a feeling the mountain wasn't happy. She could feel the mountain spirits waited for some dangerous happening. A happening which will explode the peace, and tranquillity of the whole area.

An hour, or so, after Caleb had departed from the cabin enormous explosions erupted to split the quiet serenity of the whole valley. The china in the cupboards rattled. Other china on the shelves rattled before crashing to the floor. Martha grabbed the pot of stew from the stove to shove into the sink to stop it falling to the floor. She raced to the front door of the cabin to look out over the pass. Martha cursed. She prayed. She watched frozen snow blasted skyward then rain down on the valley floor closing the pass.

“Oh. Caleb. What have you done?” Martha prayed for the safe return of her husband.

“I didn't do anything,” Caleb spoke from behind Martha. He had a broad smile on his face. “How would I know what caused such a disaster? Have you found any incriminating evidence to the fact?”

Martha threw herself into his open arms. She was pleased he'd returned all in one piece. Once the snow settles, they'd be able to live in their beloved cabin until the pass opened.

Martha, and Caleb, went to bed early, pleased they'd be safe for a few months. But Martha had not counted on how spiteful, and dogmatic, Garth was once he'd been thwarted. Caleb smiled a secret smile when he went off to sleep. The last laugh was his. A helicopter came flying over the closed pass around midnight with Garth on board. He smiled. He'd finally won. The cabin would be in his hands once the helicopter landed. So he thought. But he didn't foresee who he had as an adversary. When the helicopter crossed the pass. The echo from the engine set off the rest of explosions which had been set for such an occurrence. The whole side of the mountain erupted like a war zone sending snow spewing into the air. The cabin no longer stood where it had for centuries. Garth, and the pilot, watched in horror while waiting for the noise to subside. There was a giant black hole where once the cabin had stood on the side of the mountain surrounded by snow. The mountain scared forever more.

                                                  Over Sexed

Baby faced, over sexed, slime ball, Randy, set out from his home to sow his wild oats. Harvest destruction on the lives of unsuspecting women. Not one of them knew his plan to over populate. Sponge. Connive his way into their life. When he'd had his fun he'd move on to leave shattered lives behind. The mothers faced the facts. Each had to rare the children on their own. Caught with his trousers down. He is now being hounded by the media. Government departments. His own mother Randy caught to face up to what he has done. The hurt he has caused. He case aside his fatherly duty to raise his children. Now. Cornered. He has been forced to take DNA tests to prove he is. Or is not. The father of a line of children. His spate of fun had cost the government hundreds of thousands a year. The children are literally being raised by the government because he's not paying any money towards their keep.

                                Unpleasant Surprises.

The gravity of the situation reached the captain on the bridge. The hull had collided with some hidden rocks in the water. Blood-orange sun no longer shone down on the sea. Thunderous dark clouds stormed over head.

Guests hastily packed their picnic baskets to scramble for cover. Rain followed the clouds over the mountain toward the coastal town.

Sidelong winds finally moved the ship from the rocks into the channel of the small creek. Seagulls struggled in the wind while they searched for food. A not quiet eeriness surround the ancient inn moments before an explosion of noise, and lightning. A wall of water washed away an old part of the inn. An old gazebo situated a short distance away exposed a dark secret. There was no longer a place to rest for the weary traveller from the sun. Police dresses in all weather gear faced the grizzly task of discovering who had been buried in the simple coffin under the old gazebo.

                                                      Secret Life of a Fridge

Don't dare open your fridge door after dark. The gremlins come out to play with the germs. You take your life in your hands when you dare to open the door during one of their battles.

Jack, and his Germs, creep out to search the shelves for food. The gather the food left unattended on the table in the heat. Food the flies laid their eggs in the meat to germinate. Each germ spreads quickly to contaminate the rest of the surrounding food.

Sam, and his Gremlins, fight fierce battles to stop the germs from escaping from one section of the fridge to another. But sadly. The Germs reached the cheese to turn the outer surface to mould. The surface of the tomato paste became black sludge. Milk curdled before the Gremlins were able to drink it all.

I warn you. When you open the door of the fridge. Stand behind the door so you won't be splattered with the contents of a rotten egg.

So don't raid the fridge during the hours of darkness. You might be sucked into the inner sanction to be covered with Germs. Have mould cover you entirely. Your hair turned blood red with tomato paste streaked with black streaks. You'll smell awful. Pong. You'll be thrown back at the end of the long, fierce battle.

Beware of what you keep too long in your fridge. You invite the Gremlins. Germs. To enter to fight to see who can do the most damage to your system.

                                                 Promises

“Promises are worth. Nothing,” grumbled Jasmine, from where she sat perched high up in her favourite tree. She knew she wasn't suppose to be up there. “No one keeps their promises to me. I'm only a little kid. They always find excuses. I want to see the Wiggles. I'm going to see them. No one is going to stop me.” Jasmine stayed in her hideout so no one had a chance to break their promise. This time.

“Where have you been,” yelled her Mother, when she entered the kitchen. “We have been searching everywhere. We have to go to the hospital. Susan has had her baby. We're going to visit them,” announced the happy Grandmother.

“Who is taking me to see the Wiggles?”

“You'll have to miss the Wiggles. You can go next time,” promised her Mother.

“I'm going to the Wiggles. No one is going to stop me. No one cares what I want.” Tears streamed down her rosy cheeks. “I don't want to see Susan's yucky baby. She could have waited until tomorrow. She just wanted to spoil. My day. I hate Susan.” Jasmine stamped her feet.

“You can see the Wiggles, any day. Not every day you become an aunt.”

“I don't want to be an aunt. I want to see the Wiggles. I'm going to the, Wiggles concert. No one is going to stop me. She turned to stomp away.

“Come back, here, Jasmine. We have to leave, now.”

“Craig will take me. He won't want to visit the hospital.”

“Craig is going to the beach. The surf is up this morning. He won't take you.”

Jasmine stopped. Wiped the tears from her flushed cheeks. The sun shone from her to dry up the tears. He attitude became positive. “Yes. He will. I know a secret. I know what he and...”

“I'm ready to leave.” Craig came into the kitchen with his towel wrapped around his shoulders.

“Craig.” Jasmine cast him her sucker smile. “I want you to take me to the Wiggles concert. Mum has to go to the hospital.

“I can't. The waves won't be there, tomorrow.”

“Remember the last time you were suppose to go surfing. The day you and...”

“Come along, Jasmine. I'm sure I'll enjoy the Wiggles. I might even buy you an ice cream.”

“Can we go to McDonald's for the ice cream?”

“Sure,” Craig promised, shoving his sister out of the kitchen.

Snap Stories With Photos

Chef Dahl

Chef Dahl, with meat cleaver in hand, chopped the piece of meat on the bench, There came knocking on the back door to the kitchen. Being the only one in the kitchen he went to the door.

“How dare you interrupt my cooking?” Chef Dahl stood with meat cleaver in hand.

“Shh. Are you mad. You never who might be listening.” The man looked over his left shoulder.

“Don't shush me. I am thee, Chef. I can bellow whenever I feel the need. Why are you here. I don't give handouts.”

“I don't want a handout. I have very fresh trout. You like to buy my trout.” The man turned his head to look over his shoulder again.

“Do you have a neck problem? Or do you have the Devil seated on your shoulder.”

“Devil. Where is he. I don't see him. I tried to ditch...”

“Ditch who. Ah. So the fish has been cooked.”

“No. Fresh from the stream. Not been near no fire.” He opened the bag on the ground to show his wares. Sniffs. “Fresh. You cook for your customers. Going at a very cheap price. One hundred dollars.”

Chef Dahl took a closer look at the fish in the bag. A recipe running through his mind. He shook his head. “Sorry. Too high. I give you twenty dollars. Take it, or leave it. That's my final offer.”

“Seventy-five. Fifty. I have seven children to feed. Have a heart.”

“You don't spend too much time fishing, do you. Twenty-five.” He moved back like he intended to shut the door.

“Okay. I take twenty-five.” He looked over his shoulder. His jerky body movements showed his nervousness. Picked up the bag to hand over to Chef Dahl when he was paid. Before money changed hands a shot rang out. The bargainer slumped to the ground shot in the back. With automatic reflex action Chef Dahl threw the meat cleaver to hit the shooter in the chest toppling him to the ground. He cursed. There were two dead men at the back door and a bag of stolen fish.

Table Mystery

Talismar dressed early.

She wanted to be at the auction house early.

She pulled her long grey hair severely back into a bun on her neck. Caked lots of powder on her narrow, angular face. Powdered rouge on her cheeks. Plastered red lipstick on her pouting lips. Talismar drew black slashes above her eyes to cover her blond eyebrows. She held open her eyes to place in the faded blue contact lenses to cover her green coloured irises.

Standing from the stool in front of the mirror, she lifted the old fashioned dress from the bed to step into the dress. She dragged it up over her slender hips. Slipped her arms into the sleeves. She reached around to the back to pull up the zip. Slipped her feet into the pair of flat leather, lace-up shoes. Tied the laced. Slung a bag strap over her arm then picked up a walking stick to limp her way out of the bedroom with a secret smile on her face. Hope in every step she took toward the auction house.

Every day there was action at the auction house. Talismar made the slow walk around to survey all the items in the catalogue list for a table to put in the empty corner of the study.

“Five dollars,” she bid for each table no matter the shape. Size. Wood grain. Varnished or polished. Even the most valuable of the tables she placed the same bid.

The crowd chuckled each time her excited bid of five dollars came, knowing someone would bid higher to buy the table.

Coming to the end of the long catalogue list there remained one table to be sold. The table had eight legs. Four on the edges. Four a little further beneath the table. To everyone looking at the picture it seemed like there was two tables. One on top of the other. There was a draw on one side. Paint peeled from the legs. Years of gouges on the surface of the table.

Customers gasped, and shuddered, at the sight of such an ugly table. How was it allowed to be placed in the auction with the more expensive, antique tables.

The auctioneer banged the gavel to begin the auction. “What am I bid for this unusual table. One of a kind. Spider. Table. The talking point in any home. Who will start the bidding?”

Everyone turned to look at Talismar. Waited for her enthusiastic bid for the table.

The art dealer in the chair next to her gave her arm a bump with his elbow to wake her. “The auctioneer is waiting for your bid, Madam,” he told her when she lifted her head.

“I thought the auction was over. What table is left,” she pretended she didn't know.

“The one with the eight legs.”

She opened her purse to search around among the collection of rubbish. She found a lovely two dollar coin from the bottom of the purse. She pulled out the coin. Held it up in the hope everyone showed sympathy for her plight of being poor.

“The lady bids two dollars,” everyone chanted, wanting to pay her back for all her false bids.

“Sold.” The gavel sounded to end the suction.

“How am I suppose to take it home. I don't have any money left to pay for cartage?”

“I'll have it delivered to you,” the art dealer told her, thinking she was poor.

She walked out of the auction house with a smile on her face.

“Did you deliver that weird table for the nice old lady,” Duncan asked, thinking he'd be rid of the pesky old woman who sat beside him at every auction.

“Did you look at the address the old girl gave you?”

“No. Why? Should I have wanted to know where she lived. I thought I was doing a good deed because she didn't have enough money.”

Jasper spluttered into a full blown gale of laughter. Tears trickled down his rugged cheeks. His boss had been taken for a ride.

Duncan stared at Jasper in disbelief. Not once. Before today. Had he watched such merriment from his long time employee. Jasper hardly smiled. Today. He was making up for all those years. Duncan stood staring when Jasper collapsed to the floor still laughing.

“What's so funny. Have you been drinking,” Duncan growled, wondering what was so funny. “Did the old dear spike your tea?”

Jasper laughed more. He rolled around the floor.

Duncan stomped to the bar to grab the jug of cold water from the fridge. He marched back to where Jasper lay. He up ended the jug of water over Jasper.

The shock of the cold water stopped Jasper laughing. He sat up to look accusingly at Duncan. “I think there is something wrong with your eyes. I would advise you to go have your eyes checked.”

“There isn't anything wrong with my eyesight. I have good vision,” he snapped, peeved his vision had come under attack.

“Well. You must have been in a dark room at the auction house then.”

“No. Why. Tell me so I can laugh,” demanded Duncan.

“The house where we delivered the ugly table. You should be ashamed of yourself. We arrived at the address to find a very expensive, mansion. Thought we had the wrong address. I knocked on the door. A beautiful young lady opened the door.”

“We came to deliver your table,” I told her.

“She was so excited to have her shabby table. We took the table into her study. Then left. She rubbed her hands over the table like it was a prized antique.”

He been had. The bothersome old lady had tricked him. Duncan wasn't pleased to have been outsmarted.

“Take me to this house.” Duncan stormed toward the front door with a drenched Jasper trailing in his wake.

Jasper parked the car close to the house. He crept toward the house to search for a way to have a closer look at the table. To Jasper's surprise the table no longer looked the same.

Duncan watched the beauty from the house step into a Rolls Royce. He sounded the car horn for Jasper to return.

“Well. What did you find?”

“Two tables,” puffed Jasper, reaching to start the car. “The spider table has become two different sized tables. Didn't have time to investigate.”

There had to be something hidden in the table, thought Duncan.

Slowly. They followed the Rolls Royce to where it parked in front of the bank. Jasper found a park. Duncan, and Jasper, dived from the car to race toward the bank. They watched their prey step from the car. The driver collected a case from the boot of the Rolls Royce to carry into the bank. They watched. Rushed into the bank. Standing at the back of all the customers Duncan, and Jasper, watched. The driver stood beside their prey. He placed a case up on the counter. The woman flicked open the locks. Opened the lid.

A loud groan coupled with a laugh echoed above the noise in the bank. Everyone turned to look at Duncan, and Jasper. The woman smiled at them. Gave them a dainty wave.

What had looked worthless had possessed a gold mine, ran through the mind of Duncan. He stalked from the bank with the sight of all those gold bars glittering from the lights. Sparkling to remind him he'd been had. Jasper followed still laughing.

“Oh. Shut up,” snapped Duncan. “Take me home. I need a whiskey.”

“Sure, Boss. No wonder the table was. So. Heavy.”

Buying a Car

I stood at the sink drying some dishes.

My son rushed in calling, “Mum. Mum. I bought a car.” He waited for me to place the plate on the table. He snatched the tea towel from my hands. Grabbed me by the arm to drag me out of the kitchen door.

I prayed the car was safe to drive on the road. Or cause an accident. My heart stopped beating for a minute the moment I saw the piece of junk on wheels. I sighed. How to release the words to say I like my sons new baby. Words. Lies. To express my real thoughts about his car.

“Isn't she a beaut,” he announced with pride. Staring with love. His face alight with joy. His chest puffed out. My heart fell all the way to my toes.

“Do they have white ants where you bought this car?” I tried to hide my loathing for the choice without telling him I hated the car.

“White ants. What have they got to do with my car?” He was probably thinking I'd lost my marbles.

“Well. You should have asked.” I moved closer to the car. “Look here. The white ants have been munching away at the metal.” I reached out to touch the spot with my finger. The metal crumbled to the ground.

Not to be deterred. I was told, “That's only a bit of rust. I'll patch it over before I do a paint job.”

Patch it. The hole was bigger than my fist. He'd need to go to a wrecker for a replacement. Or try to weld in a large piece of metal. Maybe use a carton of bog to fill in the holes.

I strolled around the car to find more places where the metal was eaten away with rust.

“What do you think? I have my own wheels at last.”

My eyes shifted to the wheels looking for a sign of tread in the rubber. I was shocked to find how little tread there was. I wondered how the police hadn't pulled him over on the way home.

“How does the engine run, dear?” I hoped it worked better than the rest of the car. I hadn't heard any rumbling, or spluttering, when the car arrived. “Can you start the engine?” I prayed extra hard the engine wouldn't spring to life.

The door sagged on the rusted hinges when it was opened. Age, and sun, had cracked the seat covering. Some of the stitches had rotted, and broken.

He pumped the accelerator a few times before he turned the key. The engine coughed. Spluttered to life. Chocking, black smoke poured from the exhaust. I placed a hand over my mouth. And my nose. I needed clean air to breathe. I moved back away from the car in case it exploded.

“Turn it off.” I tried to yell above the noise. The pollution fouling the air. I looked around. At least no one had called the fire brigade. Finally. The noise stopped. My son climbed out of the car with a large smile on his face.

“What do you think, now? Isn't she a beaut?”

How did I tell him he had bought a lemon. I couldn't believe I hadn't heard the car arrive.

“Its. How did you drive this. Your car home.”

“Fred brought it home on his trailer. Once I find the parts I'll be able to fix it up.”

“I hope you have enough enough money left to pay for all you'll need.”

“I still have all of my money. Fred gave me the car. He has to get rid of some of his cars.”

Wait until I find this Fred, I mumbled. I'll tell him what I think of him passing his junk on to a young kid.

With many months of work. Searching for parts. The car finally looked like a car ready to be driven on the road. The moth eaten metal had been fixed. Or replaced. Then painted. Now. When the engine was revved there wasn't any pollution. Instead of a rust bucket on wheels. He had a racing car to roar down the highway. A real killing machine.

Squeaky

Squeaky patrolled through the castle. Day and night.

He searched out the stash of cheese the master had hidden. The lovely bouquet of the Swiss cheese teased his wet, pink nose, each time the master came to sit in his wing back chair to puff on his foul smelling chimney. He seemed to be sending smoke signals to the local Indian tribe. Squeaky had checked out the chief, and his tribe, in the games room. No signals were returned. The tribe never complained when he scuttled past them. Never even blinked an eye. Or screamed.

His mates came during the day to help him search for the cheese. The maids screamed when one of his friends raced across the floor. Each had painstakingly cleaned every speck of dust from the rooms. Some of the maids screamed. Jumped up on the furniture. Other swung their brooms to kill the rats.

A cheese smell had been found in the kitchen. Not the lust after Swiss cheese the master snacked on each evening. This other cheese was stale. Mildewed. This was used as bait to trap Squeaky, and his friends. They were too smart for the iron cats. Even the over stuffed monsters with a little energy didn't have a chance to catch them. The half starved skeletons that prowled on the outside of the castle were more fun to tease. His friends laughed at the strays with saliva dripping from their mouth at the thought of a fresh, hot meal.

One stormy night. Lightning flashed through the window lighting the usually dark room. Reached to the corners where light had never been. The cavernous room sparkled like a cache of brilliant gems. The force of the strike sent the master, and his chair, backward across the room. The bolt reached the unusual table. The table which took pride of place beside the chair. Everything, which had stood on the table was tossed in different directions. The wood of the table splintered into chips. The blackened cheese bubbled where it had melted on the carpet. No longer the taste to die for. From that night on. The wonderful cheese never tickled the nose of Squeaky. Or his friends.

Natso's Room

Natso entered the house by the side door closest to his room.

He stopped before he opened the door to his bedroom. A sly smile began to show. He took a closer look at the door. “Yep.” Someone had been in the room, he knew. Gently. He pushed the door back so not to disturb the evidence. His nose twitched to identify the newer smells. He looked around to find what had been moved. He stomped his way to the kitchen.

“How was your day, Natso. Didn't go well,” sympathised Sophie. “Today has been so hot.” She fanned her face with her hand. “Gary thinks we might have a storm.” She turned to look at Gary seated at the table.

“Didn't you, Gary?”

“There has been this strange smell.” He looked out the kitchen window. “Storm clouds brewing. Don't you reckon a storm has a certain smell?” Natso knew there weren't any clouds when he came home.

“So does a stinking cheat.” Natso cast a nasty look at Sophie. Gary. “What were you two doing in my room?”

“I wasn't in your room,” snapped Sophie.

“Neither, was I,” said Gary. “Why would I be. The smell coming out of there would anaesthetise a blow fly. How can you live with those germs?”

“Maybe he has a maggot farm in there,” suggested Sophie. “We should report you to the health department. They may find a new germ strain.”

“Nothing is wrong in my room. I know where to find things.” He stared at Sophie. “Like your, perfume, Sophie. Lovely. Isn't it. Has a fresh. Feminine. Modern smell. “

“Yes. A new one out. Do you like it?”

“It's called. Lovely. Don't you read the bottle?” Natso watched Sophie's face pale. “More gentle on the nose than, Musk. You should tell Gary to blend his aftershave with your scent. Musk. And Lovely. Don't gel.”

“I don't wear, Musk. You have to be wrong. How can you tell one smell from the other,” Gary challenged.

“A very sensitive nose. I noticed you didn't find what you were looking for. Do more study. Then you won't have to cheat.”

“I don't cheat,” both Sophie, and Carl, complained.

“You were both in my dump. Didn't take ant CD's. Did you enjoy the porno book? You should buy your own,” challenged Natso.

“I don't read such thrash,” Sophie bit out. “Especially not the...”

“Sophie,” warned Gary. “I hear the library, calling. Let's go,” Gary growled, before he shoved her toward the front doorway. “The storm is about to break. Run.”

Natso laughed at their hasty escape. He strolled back to his room. He retrieved his assignment from the smell pair of jeans on the floor. He bagged up the smell articles he'd used ready to use another day. Natso sprayed the room with air freshener to wipe out the smell of the dirty clothes. He hid the bag of smelly items. Opened the window to let in the fresh air.

When it used to Rain

In the days of long ago, you knew you could depend on the rain to fall. The rain came on time to help those in need, like the farmers. Floods kept the rivers clean, and flowing. The grass green to feed the animals. The trees were all different shades of green to show their good health. People didn't moan everyday about the weather. The wind didn't blow the fertile top soil away into the ocean to leave the ground barren, a waste land. You only had to pee at the head waters of some of the rivers and they did flood for days. The storm didn't need to fall in your area to flood the creeks. The creeks would be running a banker but the sun shone in the bright blue sky above your head.

One such week we had rain bucketing down. No sing of stopping. The rivers were rising fast making life impossible for people to move through the area. Food supplies were low. The trains were the only available transport moving to bring in fresh supplies, if you had someone able to send them in for you. Or you had to catch the rail-motor to the closest town which was fifty miles away. Going on the early morning rail-motor, the returning home late at night lugging your bags of food. You never knew when the water would subside enough for the cars to cross all the low crossings. You had to have an extra supple to carry you over in time of flood. Wait for the floods to leave. Hope no one became ill when the rivers were impassable..

Sometimes, you were prepared for the floods. The storm came without much warning. Sneak in during the cover of darkness soaking the ground, making it mud by morning. On one such occasion, the rain fell heavy during the night. The river rose quickly causing trouble for the men working on the bridge. The wooden pile of the train were being replaced with cement ones. All the workers were pulled from their beds to rescue the tools stopping them being washed away. All tools had to be moved to higher ground.

As the men struggled in the rain, mud and water, to move them, the roar of a wall of water rushed down the river to reach the ocean. The wheels of the cement mixers bogged in the mud making the job ten times longer to move them to the shed.

Everything was wet.

No sign of the rain stopping.

We were surrounded by flood water.

Food was becoming very scarce.

People were trying to make their food go further. Not waste any.

Opening tins of food because no fresh stuff was available.

No sign of when the men would be able to leave work to go to town for fresh supplies.

Our tent was wet through. Our clothes smelt musty. Felt damp.

Washing to hang in the sun wasn't an option. Small loads of clothes were boiled on the wood stove in a kerosene tine. They were hung over the backs of chairs near the fire recess to dry. Some were hung over a wire stretched across the recess. We had to duck around the clothes while cooking, and working. Had to watch we weren't strangled by the hanging clothes.

The tent consisted of tarp hung over poles buried in the ground. There were smaller poles around the side to make the walls to keep out most of the weather. Protect our clothes, bedding, and kitchen wares. Wooden pallets were placed together to for a floor to keep us from the wet ground. Corrugated iron was used to build the recess to house the wood stove. There was a chimney to take away the smoke.

During the wet weather a metal tub was used to bathe in front of the fire. We couldn't use the outside shower because it consisted of walls of corrugated iron. Pallet floor. No roof. A bucket hung from a piece of timber at the top. When filled with water, you pulled a rope to let the water fall when needed. Summers were great to shower beneath the starry sky. Winter, the showers were very quick before we turned blue from the cold once the warm water ran off our body. Our teeth chattered.

The latest bout of wet weather, the kerosene to run our fridges, was running out. The wick was turned down lower to save on kerosene.

Tins of meat were opened. The meat was left in the tin when the men had to rush back to work to watch the flood didn't wash away the railway bridge. The open tin was left, forgotten, on the table. The owner of the meat ate it for his evening meal. He thought it was safe to eat because the weather wasn't hot. Jack Clarke decided to eat the bully beef for his next meal.

His mistake.

In the early hours of the morning Jack began moaning from pain in his stomach. He began vomiting. Gastric started. His body weakened. Jack was wet from rushing out of his tent to reach the outhouse. His legs grew weak.

The man sharing his tent, Fred Williams, didn't have much sleep from Jack moaning. Fred crawled from his bed to check on Jack. He placed his hand on Jack's forehead. He was running a fever. Perspiration wet his forehead.

Putting on his raincoat, Fred headed out to find the boss to tell him about Jack. He found the boss standing on the bridge watching the rubbish floating in the water to make sure it didn't build up around the pylons . If the bridge went the mail railway line out of the town would be cut.

Fred explained Jack's condition to Colin Speil. Colin followed Fred to the tent to see Jack. He couldn’t afford to have any of his men being sick. There wasn't any way to transport them to the hospital. But he didn't have an option. He had to go to the railway station to ring the hospital.

Fred explained about Jack and the problem they faced in getting him to the hospital.

“What do you think may be wrong with Jack,” Colin asked the doctor.

“From what you have explained I'd have a guess at the problem being his appendix. You need to bring him in to the hospital.”

“I'll see what we can do. We are flooded. All roads are cut.” Colin left the station to go talk to the men about a way to have Jack shipped out.

The men, who were watching the rising water, waited to hear the doctors report. Other men were at the hut trying to keep Jack comfortable. Some sponged his face to lower the temperature.. Jack was drenched from perspiration, and rain.

He was becoming sicker by the passing of time.

His moaning grew louder.

His stomach was empty he was dry reaching.

The men in the tent listen to Colin to hear what had to be done.

Colin raked his fingers through his wet hair. He hedged while trying to find a way to tell them what had to be found to have Jack transported.

The stress, and the wet weather, were starting to frazzle his nerves. He had to find a way to move Jack to hospital but nothing came to the fore.

“Well. What did the doctor suggest,” asked one of the men.

“There isn't much they can do,” replied Colin, hunching his shoulders. “Most of the rivers, creeks and gullies, are flooded between here, and the hospital. The ambulance can't come out any further than Smith's Crossing.”

“What did they suggest we do to make Jack feel better,” asked another.

“Told me to ship him out. He has to go to the hospital. The doctor believes the problem may be his appendix. He'll need to be operated on.” Colin sighed. “I have no idea how we are going to get Jack there.”

“Maybe Bert can help. Why don't you ask him if there is a way to get Jack out of here,” said another man. “He has local knowledge.”

Colin went down to the bridge to find Bert.

“Do you happen to know a way for us to get away from here. Jack has to be taken to the hospital. The ambulance can only come to Smith's Crossing. Is it possible to make it that far.”

“With a little help we should be able to reach there. Depending on the roads. And the level of the water. My car is parked on the other side of the creek.”

“How long do you think the trip will take. I have to let the hospital know to send the ambulance out.”

“Depends how many times we have to stop to clear the road. And how many gullies are passable.”

Bert went home to tell his wife, Elsa.

“We have to take Jack to the hospital.”

“Who is taking him. How can anyone make here,” she asked.

“I'm taking him.” Elsa wasn't pleased. She knew they were headed on a fools mission.

“We'll never make out of here. How far do we have to go?”

“The ambulance will be waiting at Smith's Crossing.”

A few clothes were shoved in a bag. Together, Bert, Elsa and Ruth, made they way to the tent. Jack had been bundled up for travelling. Everyone loaded on to the four man hand pumper with a flattop behind to go across the bridge. While the men carried Jack from the bridge down to the road, Bert walked up to the farm to collect his car from where he'd stored it, before the water rose cutting the road.

The men loaded Jack into the back seat of the car. One of the men travelled in the car to help with any problems they might face. The rest of the men followed on the pumper to make sure there was any trouble. They were only allowed to travel their section of the line. The next gang came out to watch along the next section.

The dirt road up the first hill was slippery. The clay showing. Most of the surface gravel had been washed away. Bert struggled to keep the car from slewing off the road, and dodge washouts. Once over the hill the road was full of ruts from the flowing flood water. Bert drove with caution through the water which backed up on sections of the road.

The next tough section was a nightmare. The cement causeway had eighteen inches of water flowing over. On the other side was a steep hill with red soil. Once out of the water you had to climb the hill.

Bert stopped short of the water. He stepped from the car to walk through the water checking the crossing for a washout, rocks, or any other stuff to hamper the way, to cause damage. He walked up the hill stamping his feet to find where the ground was soft, or sound.

The workmen arrived on the pumper. They pulled off of the line to sit on the siding out of the way of an approaching train. They slid their way down the steep embankment to reach the road.

There were a few minutes discussion of the best way to approach the crossing. How to reach the top of the hill. A couple of workmen searched for rocks, and lengths of wood, to place behind the wheels of the car to stop it slipping back down the hill into the water. They made their way to the other side to wait part way up the rise ready with the chocks. The water had to be traversed at a slow rate so the water didn't wet the spark plugs, and electrical wires.

On reaching the edge of the water, Bert planted his foot on the accelerator to get some speed to reach as far as possible before the wheels began to spin. The men were ready each side of the car to place the chocks. Bert had to hold tight to the steering wheel to keep control of the car to stop it swinging in different directions.

Some of the men tried to stop the car skidding backward until the chocks were in place. Others pushed to move the car a short distance then chocked once again. After many stops, and struggling, the car finally made the rise. The men were covered in mud.. They returned to their home while the car continued on its journey. On passing the small town, they were on their own.

Elsa, and Ruth, had been made to step from the car at the crossing, to walk through the water, to then make their way to the top of the hill. They weren't allowed to stay in the car while the men battled to get the car up the hill. Bert didn't want them in the car in the event there was an accident while fighting against nature. No one was hurt in the struggle to win.

Everyone piled into the car to continue on the journey. Same Conway sat in the back seat with the patient. The rest of the workmen took the pumper back to Berajondo to wait for news. The next gang watch the progress until the car passed Rosedale. The road snaked away from the rail line so they couldn't watch the progress. A message was sent through to Waltagan to watch for the car to pass the line crossing.

Bottle Creek, and some other gullies, were flowing across the road. Bert checked each crossing before driving the car through, to make sure there wasn't any danger. During the drive there were showers. Rubbish had to be removed from the road.

Most of the trip went well. The big worry was Smith's Crossing. It was a spooky place in the sunny weather but more frightening in the dark. A place where a criminal, or someone wishing a good place for murder, and hide the body. The scrub was right up close to the side of the road.

Everyone was of the opinion the ambulance would be there waiting on the other side with a boat to transport Jack across the large body of flowing, brown water. On reaching the bottom of the hill, there was only a few feet of space between the stationary car, and the savage body of brown flood water. There wasn't any sign of the ambulance men, or anyone with a boat to help Jack across the water to be taken to the hospital.

After half an hour wait, two ambulance men walked down the small hill on the other side of the river, then over the small wooden bridge over a gully full of back water. The water lapping beneath the decking. They made their way to the edge of the water.

Bert yelled to them.

They yelled back.

No one understood what the other one said.

Bert started to make his way through the water to go to the other side. He kept to the top side of the causeway so he wouldn't be swept off the edge without any hope of being saved. He watched there were no logs, branches, or rubbish, floating down with the water. Bert reached dry ground. After much discussion, Bert was on his way back through the water to reach his car.

“What are they going to do,” Elsa asked Bert, worry etched her face. She watched the ambulance men shaking their head. “You're not going to try to cross, that. Tell me you're not,” she raised her voice. They'd all be drowned. The car washed down the with the river of water. She didn't see them making the trip, alive.

“That's the only way to go. There's no other help coming.” Bert took the key out of the ignition. He went to the boot to pull out a thick piece of tarp. The workmen used it to sit under to have their lunch. Today, it was being used to protect the engine. A couple of spanners were collected from the tool box. Opening the bonnet, he began working to remove the fan-belt, so it wouldn't churn up the water to wet the electrical parts, or the spark plugs, or any other parts which would stall the engine. All parts covered with old oil rags for as long as possible. The piece of tarp was placed over the front of the car to keep out more water. It was tied in place. The driver's side headlight was left out to show where to steer. Sam sat on the mudguard as guide. The ambulance men stood either side of the width of the causeway to show where it started, and ended.

Jack was propped up against the car door. There was packing to hold him in place. Water was sure to enter the car. Everyone praying nothing went wrong in the middle because no one was likely to survive. Most of them didn't swim.

Bert started the engine. He edged the front of the car into the water. On the first little bridge, the guide posts showed the edge. The water began to seep into the interior. Bert had to struggle to keep the car moving straight. The car began to edge sideways.

“Open your bloody door to let the water out,” yelled Bert.

Elsa opened her door. The car settled on a straight path. The water was deeper on the cement section but not rushing so fast. The water toughed the bottom of the steering wheel. Six feet from from making their way to safety. The engine spluttered. Died.

“Get out of the bloody car to push,” Bert yelled, while he forced his door open to be able to get out to push, and steer the car out of the water.

Sam jumped off the mudguard to moved to the back of the car.

Both ambulance men plunged into the water to help push.

They won.

The car was pushed up the slight rise to safety.

Elsa collapsed on the seat in the car. Her shaking legs gave away.

Ruth hung on tight to the back of the front seat to stop being washed out the car with the flood water.

The ambulance men checked out Jack. Jack unaware of what had just happened. He was transferred to the ambulance to go to the hospital.

“You aren't going back across the water,” asked one ambulance man.

“No,” replied Bert. “Once I have the engine dried out, and going, we will continue on to Bundaberg.”

“Did you want us to send out a mechanic?”

“No. We'll be fine,” replied Bert, going to the boot for his tools.

When they arrived at their destination, put on dry clothes, Bert rang the hospital to find out news on Jack. He was told Jack was feeling a little better. Jack was suffering from food poisoning. He'd have to stay in hospital.

The return trip home was a lot safer. The journey was made by rail motor. Sunshine shone, once again.

Surprises I Find

Love-

green eyes

flash fire

so hot

voice of silk

trickles over body

melting honey

of passion flows

scorches body

his finger stroke

feather light caresses

stoke roaring sensations

we breathe as one

tangled in sheets

legs twined together

we reach the pinnacle

misty clouds surrounded

heights of passion escalate

balloon explodes

holding tight we free fall

return with a thud

passion spent

lust or love-

River of blood flows-

bodies lay mangled

families morn

sirens shrill

planes drone

bombs explode

earth craters scar

levels buildings destroy

smoke plumes

fires of hell burn

lives torn apart

like flesh from bone

fear darkens

souls weep wail

moon fades

sun extinguished

world is dormant

river of blood congeals-

World spins-

day turns to night

night to day

oceans ebb

and flow

volcanoes erupt

earth quakes shatter

crumbles and destroys

rain falls

wind gusts

gentle and fierce

lightning strikes

flashes and burns

babies are young

soon to grow old

we are born

live and die

we sleep

we work

friends today

enemies tomorrow

life goes on

world spins-

These photos I took in 1992 on a visit to Amsterdam, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.

Poems i have retrieved from files.

Advice

You may be hounded, but you'll find a way,

search your heart, clear your mind,

pray to the Universal forces, angels won't mind,

they're here to help when you fall behind.

Protect yourself, whether it be friend or foe,

the clothing may be wool but may not be sheep,

look beyond what your eyes can see

search your soul for what she seeks,

Power comes to the pure of soul,

the unselfish will win every time,

patience is a virtue you will see,

she won't win if you stay strong.

White Knight

Stand in the forest at midnight

like the jay bird, surrounded by lone,

pray from the heart to the angels,

a pure heart has no fear,

shut out the power of darkness,

don't let it enter your circle of light.

Changes may come in the dead of night,

keep your aura shining bright

until the coming of the bright sunlight,

darkness will fade my white night.

Stand straight and tall,

don't wither, let no leaf fall,

the wolf will come if you call,

disaster will fade, become very small.

Signs

Oh. Ye reap but sorrow sow,

ears of wheat doth tales stow,

winds carry information far and wide,

sun does tan the hide,

birds do whistle a merry tune

at the sign of trouble females swoon,

clouds do burst, tears do fall,

when no date for the summer ball.

 With all my heart

for the most wonderful experience

best I have ever known

I travelled to the land of dreams

during our hours spent together those nights.

Storm clouds have passed

sun shines down

love sparkles from eyes

bright with hope

wedding day promises of happiness, joy.

I can't believe it

such a brilliant beautiful body

it's all mine

what a wonderful moulded body to touch

I dream of all the interesting places we'll go.

What is peace?

When people live together

in a state of harmony.