What do you think?

It's been languishing on my desktop for a few weeks, but I've finally posted my piece about roadside memorials over at Sarsaparilla. It's quite speculative - I'd love to know what other people think about these sites.

Worlds Overhead

Driving home late last week, with Sailor, I stopped at this little park in the Marrickville suburb of Sydenham to give her a poo-run. It was a humid, still night. The cicadas trilled, a couple of other people wandered about while their dogs went all doggy, and it was rather peaceful in the twilight. Then the sky was filled, just filled, with an aeroplane. Its wing span touched the horizons, its landing gear nearly bumped my head, its roar was just unbelievable. Its lights lit up the park & it smelled strongly of fuel.

But it passed quickly, and then there we all were again, as we had been, sniffing & strolling. It was a bit like having seen a pterodactyl, a leviathan and alien creature, and I loved it. I thought of all the people in that little overhead world. No doubt I'd be less enthusiastic if I lived right under the flight path.

I went back in the daytime to try to get some photos, but in the hour I was there no plane flew over. The park's furniture is fascinating though, witty and on-topic. The main area is set out like a giant loungeroom:

Here are Richard and Sailor on the sofa, to give you an idea of perspective:

There are mosaics done by local primary children, featuring planes and homes, with Italian, English and Vietnamese writing:



There's a humongous teapot:



And my favourite, the giant mantelpiece (the "fireplace" is a kiosk) complete with doily, Deco mirror and ornaments.

Just some dandy-lions

There are so many lions in Marrickville, you'd think it was the African Savanna.

They guard grand homes

and not-so-grand homes, without prejudice.

Some appear stern,

others thoughtful...

They bask in the Summer sun

and enjoy shady gardens.

Some even frolic with the frogs and the fairies.

One of these things is not like the others

A copy of Marrickville Backyards to the first person to spot what's wrong with this bit of Fedeterranea.

Fedeterranea and Global Warming

It's struck me lately that fedeterranean homes are very sensible when it comes to global warming. Their Mediterranean elements add a number of features that help to keep them cool, like pale paint colours and internal glazed tiling. The characteristics they retain from their Federation roots have some good anti-heat features too: verandahs, double-brick walls and high ceilings.

Lots of Marrickville people who live in fedeterranean homes cook in their yards, on barbeques and in small wood fired ovens. On my evening walks with Sailor I smell lamb marinated in oregano and garlic, being cooked over coals, and sometimes smoky wafts of fresh fish being grilled in one of these. We do have dining rooms in Marrickville, but they're rarely used, remaining preserved as pristine altars to crystal cabinets and polished wood veneer. People like to eat on their decks, in their yards, and often in their garages, roller doors open to the back lanes.

Fedeterranean gardens are often very water-wise, with dry loving trees like citrus, olives and figs.

My friend George Morgan has generously sent me a box of Marrickville Backyards. These are really lovely books, very close to Marrickvillia's heart. I intend on giving them away to anyone who pleases me, and taking a pile next time I go to Hackney. If you want one, let me know.

This very old lemon tree has its trunk painted bright white-blue every year.

A tree heavy with olives.

A fig tree, draped like a new bride to keep the birds away from the ripening fruit.