Writing on the North Coast

I have been out of touch as I am up here in Brunswick Heads in Northern NSW( thankyou Mary Maher for lending me your wonderful house here), starting the looong process of writing up my circus research. I drove up here in the trusty campervan about 5 weeks ago, and have another few weeks to go.

The aim is to have a thesis (and hopefully a book) by later next year. Then I will become Dr Lemon of Circus - still makes me laugh.

Here is my trusty research assistant Daisy McPhee (pedigreed scruffy mutt, seen here in her 'hard-drive under computer' position).

I am spending my days writing, reading, walking on the beach discussing ideas with my research assistant, writing, throwing balls to inspire the research assistant, reading, surfing (much to the consternation of research assistant who waits on the beach with phone to take important calls), reading, writing... tough life.

Oh.. and I have almost completely missed Melbourne winter, in return for 23 degree days, sunshine and bird life. Even tougher...

The only tricky bit is the lack of access to internet and email (how dependent
have we become?). I have to drive 10 - 15 minutes to Mullumbimby to Lulu's wonderful cafe (Andi makes the best coffee) where they have free wireless access - a wonderful gift to those of us passing through town. Or I pay my 10c per min at the local video store or the library. Gets me out of the house every few days at least!

Cal lives nearby, and we are heading to Murwillumbah on Sunday for the Olive Cotton National Portrait Award. Cal's portrait of Lorraine Maynard from Perry Bros Circus is featured in the exhibition (maybe it will win??).

Have also been hanging out with wonderful photographer Sue Ford www.wattersgallery.com.au and multimedia artist Chris Knowles, screenwriters Paul Davies and Frank Chalmers.