If any of my regular email buddies have noticed I’ve been quiet of late, it’s because I’m sequestered away at a writing retreat in Oberon, country New South Wales, along with fellow members of FWOR. We are staying on a delightful property called Stone Hedge where, there is, less delightfully, no internet access, except for at the top of a long and winding driveway. That’s where I’m sitting now, sucking up credit on Nicole’s dongle. Mostly we’ve been making occasional trips into Oberon itself to take advantage of the Monkey Bean café’s internet service. Oberon’s so small, it doesn’t even have a Maccas!
Not having internet has been good in terms of allowing me to focus on the spit polishing of the front end of my manuscript. On the downside, no internet is just plain weird. I feel like half my brain is disconnected.
Nicole and I have been walking in the mornings, spotting loads of wildlife along the way. This morning’s jaunt was filled with kangaroos. There’s a paddock filled with deer beside the house, including many babies and a big fat pregnant mamma who’d happily gobble your hand off if you weren’t paying attention.
Russell and I have been playing ping pong. I beat him twice but it’s been all downhill from there. My mojo is a no show and he’s getting one of those permanent looks of smug satisfaction on his face. If I manage to beat him again at any point I’ll be running all the way back up to the top of this driveway to tell y’all about it.
Alan Baxter
me feeding deer
me, Nicole Murphy and Donna Hanson
Russell Kirkpatrick, Kylie Seluka, Alan Baxter, Donna Hanson, Matthew Farrer, Nicole Murphy and Cat Sparks
Russell whupping my arse at ping pong
doing some actual writing
4 Comments
At least having no internet will shield you from some of the WAVES OF ENVY now shooting from this browser!
(Any chance Kate and I could come along for one of these retreats?)
Awesome, awesome location!
/endjealous
Well Oberon is really far away, and very hot, SO THERE 😉
At least now you have such thing as an agent (and even such thing as a contract?) it means I will actually get to read this book you’re writing at some stage. Which I am greatly looking forward to 🙂
Thoraiya
it has been freezing bloody cold in Oberon… all the evidence of Global warming I require…