The first Prelim final is tonight. I hope the bounce favours the GWS and I can finally be rid of Collingwood for the year. Can't see it happening though. A GWS victory would mean probably a Brisbane/ GWS Grand Final, given that Brisbane are strong favourites in the 2nd prelim. That seems a preposterous idea/eventuality.
It's been a while since I last posted on 15 Aug. Lib and I did a trip to the Yorke Peninsula for a week or so. Loved it. Broad acre cropping. Wheat, barley, lentils, canola, all looking like a good year, paddocks stretching to the horizon. A lot of small towns on the coast, obviously it's popular for summer holidays. In late August it was peaceful and uncrowded everywhere we went. I hadn't been there before. Most impressed. 3 nights at Moonta Bay, 2 at Edinburgh, and 2 at Balaklava on the way back.
Jimmy Buffet died as September kicked off, aged 76, after a three-year battle with cancer I think. I liked Jimmy. I became a fan of his music in the 70's after enjoying Come Monday and buying an LP at Disclocation (record shop) ran by Des Sheridan and his wife Carol in Wangaratta. I wonder if Des and Carol are still alive.
The Demons sealed a spot in the top 4 while we were in Balaklava, beating Sydney in Sydney. Not that it did them any good, as they lost the next week to Collingwood. An agonizing game for a Melbourne supporter to endure after Brayshaw being poleaxed in the first 10 minutes taking no further part, and several easy shots for goal missing in the last quarter giving C'wood victory by 7 pts. Then Carlton the next week getting up in the last minute, again after several easy shots at goal missed, and dreadful field kicking. If the C'wood one was agonizing, the Carlton one twisted the knife.
Then that night or next day, Ron Barassi died, aged 87. For what seems like all my life, at least in the conscious memory, RDB has been such a prominent figure, a revered figure, a tangible link to the glory years of my childhood when Melbourne won 6 premierships in 10 years from 1955-1964, four of them beating C'wood in the Grand Final. He went on to coach 4 premierships, resurrecting Carlton first then Nth Melbourne.
Then this last week Roger Whittaker died. Aged 87, he died of a stroke. I was a fan of Roger Whittaker back in the 70's after he shot to fame with Mexican Whistler and Durham Town. I had several albums over the years and his voice somehow conveyed optimism and love of life. He was like a good friend I turned to when Music and song could give me what people couldn't. Gordon Lightfoot died last May 1. He was 84. He wrote some brilliant songs, probably The Canadian Railway Trilogy ranks at the top of my all-time favourite songs.
It's a strange thing, being this age. It's like a progression, waiting to hear who's next. I wonder how Bobby Skilton's travelling. Maybe I'll hear something of him on Brownlow night next Monday, if I can bear to watch it. Kris Kristofferson is in his eighties, Paul Simon? All these larger-than-life figures make wonder. Lib and I were talking. Carly Simon? Anne Murray?
On a bright note, the sun is shining on this glorious spring day and the veggie garden is jumping for joy.
Go GWS tonight.
