February 2012

It's already mid-February and I've not written this since November.

Summer has been a bit of a non-event so far, but the good summery days have been spectacular, and it's good not to be worried about the fire danger. I feel sorry for all the businesses here, which are so weather reliant, but the ever-smiling proprietors have kept their spirits up and all of us should make an effort to support them.

A couple of Saturdays ago we went to a party in Brooklyn.  A delightful afternoon, when we were able to reconnect with friends, and meet some new and most interesting people, each with fascinating stories to tell about their past and recent experiences and all of whom are still actively pursuing exciting lives, projects and careers.  The oldest member of the gathering, aged 90, a Brooklyn resident, told us stories about her travels in France as a teenager, and subsequently as a young mother, with husband and young children.  She enunciated most clearly her likes and dislikes of Brooklyn.  Some other guests, also Brooklyn people, had just returned from sailing the Atlantic, and have very exciting plans in store for Kangaroo Point.  The youngest guest was our hosts' daughter - henna hair, tattoos and a talent for fine art, drawing in particular - which is astounding.  Their son, a recent resident in Brooklyn, is a fine chef and has a wonderful way with animals, both domesticated and wild.

So, what does all this have to do with The Current at Brooklyn, I hear you ask.  I have written about our delightful Saturday experience because all of this rubs off on Brooklyn.  If people who are not locals enjoy hospitality here, they are going to think fondly of us and want to return.  Brooklyn is a hamlet in a fabulous location and has always welcomed visitors.

Trish's wonderful Broken Spines bookshop provides such a good venue for people to relax and meet (while hopefully buying books so that the shop continues).  Right in the heart of Brooklyn, "Where everything is normal" (according to their blackboard), I have recently bought three books which belonged to our aforementioned hosts!  All four of us think it's wonderful that this exchange gives so much pleasure to all involved, and helps the bookshop at the same time.

Having referred to the "heart of Brooklyn", each day I wonder if this railway end, with the PO, ex police station and PO buildings, pub, marina, etc., should be re-named Hawkesbury River, to match the railway station.  Brooklyn seems to me to be part of The Gut.  What does my blog follower think?

The dear little Banksia seems close to completion - it will be so lovely to see it plying the river.  Rick Stockley ,of  Marine Cabs, must also have felt the effects of the weather, as have so many other businesses, so let's hope they all enjoy a busy end to summer and a great autumn and winter.

August 2011

On July 24, the Sun (Brooklyn speak for ferry), and the sun that provides light and warmth, both returned to Brooklyn, after, for the former, a short time on the slips, and for the latter, a spell of true winter weather.
John, at the popular King Tide Cafe, says this winter has been much better for them than the last, as there have been so many brilliant days interspersed with the dull ones.

The Sun appears to be watertight below the rub rail now, but above, on the port side, two thirds is clad only in plywood, presumably temporarily, while some work is being carried out on the frame.

The girls at River Dreams at Hawkesbury River Marina have the name up above the shop entrance, which looks splendid.  Their end of July sale was successful and has enabled them to display their new stock to great advantage.

Trish's wonderful "Broken Spines" bookshop is such an asset to Brooklyn and she stocks secondhand books, including children's, fiction and non-fiction, on a wide range of subjects.

Last week we had a visitor from Point Lonsdale in Victoria.  Rick Stockley, of Marine Cabs, was waiting  for his son to return by train from school, and we asked him to take us on a little river cruise.  We started by dropping his son on Dangar Island, where Rick and his family live, then to Little Wobby, round Dangar Island, then under the rail bridge where he showed us the Aboriginal birthing rock.  Then back under the railway bridge, where Rick pointed out the holes drilled in the pylons of the original railway bridge, into which explosives were to be packed if the Japanese had taken Sydney.  Rick is very knowledgable about the river and has a larger cab for groups.

At Little Wobby there's a racing yacht hull which is attracting attention and comment.  It is being prepared for the summer racing season and is an entrant in this year's Sydney Hobart.

Q Rex, the bow-return clinging dinosaur is back, having spent a week or two in the hull of the tinny it is usually enhancing.