the solace of the arid lands

last week i took some time away from the whirled 

and headed northward to the Observatory

where a most satisfactory collection is slowly on the increase

 encompassing contributions from the UK, the USA, Denmark and Spain

as well as from across the length and breadth of the wide brown land

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there's still time to join in the solace project 

or

if you prefer, create your own. i'm happy to share the idea.

grateful to those who have sent pieces, thank you.

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people have been enquiring whether they may come and assist with the installation. 

the short answer is simply, no. 

the Observatory can only accommodate two persons, 

has no electricity or running water (meaning no showers or food cooling either)

cooking is done with an old wood stove

sparingly burning twigs to heat the kettle for tea

and while there is a pit toilet, it is not available to the public as 

when it fills i shall have to dig a fresh one and 

that's not a thought that fills me with delight. 

solace will be installed at the southern mid-winter solstice 

and (i hope) be available for viewing from June 23

it will remain in place indefinitely. 

i will document it photographically through various weathers and as promised, collate the images (together with the poem formed from all of your words) into a book.

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the sunrises and sunsets here are equally beautiful

the view of the stars at night is unequalled 

(and nigh on impossible to capture with a batfone)

the arid lands are a perfect place for clearing thoughts

(the Dog decided that my clearing needed further intervention)

it's good to travel with a friend.

on the way home we stopped at the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens

to see how 'elegy' was faring

after which certain wee dog washed the dust of the desert off

with a swim at the top end of Spencer Gulf