The other side of life

As we experience an interesting week weather-wise, with the wussy remains of Yasi knocking the clothes line about and threatening to push Eleanor off her feet, it's been an interesting week in other ways.

For a start, Fred and I seem to be having an unannounced bake-off. I made Almond Meringue Torte with Lemon Curd and Mango (backed up by an impromptu trifle with fresh custard from the leftover egg yolks), while he responded with Sour Cream French Pastry Tart with Plums. Both excellent, if I do say so myself... based on tasting very very small slices, since I am (as already announced) in 'Week 1' of the fitness blitz. One of the things I've noticed about myself since living remote is that the opportunity and motivation to make something a bit different tends to arise more than normal. After all, there's no cake shop down the road to step up to the plate. The only limitation is finding a recipe that is both interesting and comprised of ingredients that are actually available. Or can be left out. So to answer the question of whether it's possible to make meringue without cream of tartar: yes.

Second, I have had two experiences of a relaxed, social nature with community members. Noteworthy in and of itself for not occurring very often. Interestingly, in such small communities, you would imagine that there are lots of opportunities to meet up with local community members and participate in the same event on equal terms. This just does not seem to happen very much. Normally, interactions are loaded in some way with work elements. Even trips to the shop take on a work quality as the opportunity to talk to a client or relative appears. The main community events that tend to happen are a barbeque, but these are nearly always organised with an ulterior motive (usually, to draw a crowd for a meeting about some new policy or program).

Last night, however, the coppers decided to put on a movie night in the courthouse (outside being too windy, refer to earlier Yasi note). We decided Eleanor could have a big night out at the movies, and kept her up way past her bedtime. Packed into the courthouse, surrounded by kids demolishing small bags of $1 mixed lollies (prices almost like my school days) and copious cans of 'cool drink', we strained to hear the dialogue above the din. It didn't matter much for Shrek is just as enjoyable without the sound. Eleanor fluctuated between wanting to sit on my lap during the scary parts, and wanting to ensure no other little kids sat on her camp chair. A hard decision. It was, however, a lovely evening with community kids and a few adults - all of us enjoying the same thing together.

Just as enjoyable was the Warburton Aqua Aerobics that I did on Thursday night. This is the second time that I've managed to get to the aerobics, which is apparently now happening every weeknight at 5.30pm (for those of you who can make it). The sky above the open air pool was threatening, with a few calls among the women of 'kapi pitangu' (rain coming). The instructor pointedly replied that we were wet anyway, so why were we worried! Point taken. As serendipity would have it, the partner of one of the nurses is a qualified fitness instructor, and she has taken it on herself to run these evening classes. Both times, there have been as many, if not more, community members doing the class as staff. The women go in their clothes (swimmers being too revealing) so my covered up SunSmart swimmers fit right in. Swimming together, laughing at our ineptitude, sharing names and some language, it is a lovely relaxed atmosphere. No work, no ulterior motives, no attempts to build relationships. Just relationship building in a genuine way.

The new word I learned on Thursday - munkarra - the other side (shouted at the kids trying to move past the divider of the wading pool into the deep end, where they were not allowed during the class). A fitting word for this week, where I had a taste of how sweet the other side of community life can be.