BOOK HAVEN HEAVEN….

 

                                          

A scene from the 1954 movie..."Elephant Walk"

                                                       

 

With the rapidly passing years I’m not as agile as I once, or twice, was.  Over the past couple of months I became sick to death hearing and seeing the word “Matilda”.  It was pushed down our throats left, right and centre, every which way, every day. Something I never dreamt, nor thought would happen, happened. I never watched a single match of the football competition, and I shut down my brain every time mention was of it was made on television…or tried to do so.

The superfluous use of the word made me give up waltzing with Matilda by the billabong. I used to jive with Clive, the jolly swagman, but I gave that up, too.  To escape the inundation, I grabbed my billie (not William), from the campsite under the shade of the Coolibah tree, and fled.  If the over-abundant Matilda usage continues, I’ll never again dance by the billabong, which will be such a shame.  I’ll be tearing my hair out. Actually, I’m doing that at the moment, just from typing the word.

After hanging up my swag and dancing boots I’ve decided I’m going to set up camp Under the Greenwood Tree. Instead of waltzing and singing I’m going to trade stories with Janene. the bookstore’s owner.

In spirit, Thomas Hardy, the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, George Eliot, Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, D.H. Lawrence, Bradbury, Salinger, Rowling, Atwood, along with a host of others, are there to keep us company while spinning a few yarns.  Perhaps, having turned over a new leaf, the ghost of the swagman is there, too.

What a terrific name for a bookstore, “Under the Greenwood Tree” is. Inside awaits a wonderful, massive array of books.  One could easily become lost in a world not unlike Wonderland.  If I fell down a rabbit hole, and the hole was Under the Greenwood Tree, I’d not complain.  Surrounded by the books and art, a perfect wonderland it would be.  While visiting the bookstore it’s impossible to ignore the presence of, and not be charmed by, Finn and Pippi Longstocking, the most well-read dogs on the mountain, if not in the whole of Australia, dare I suggest?  I dared!

My first introduction to books was when I was a very young child. Similar applied to my now late brother, Graham.  Before we both could read the written word stories were read to us by our mother and grandmother.  Once we mastered the art of reading, books played important roles in our lives.  Previously I’ve mentioned our Christmas stockings and birthday presents always included books…no less than four…more often than not, five each, for each memorable celebration.  Graham and I cherished our growing library. We also loved hearing the tales our Nana told us about the golden “olden days”; adventurous, interesting stories about her younger years growing up in the history-laden Gympie area.

To my delight, a couple of weeks ago I heard somewhere or the other (wherever the “other” might be) that paper books are coming back into favour, shoving digital off to the sidelines.  Very much I hope this to be the case.  There is nothing quite like the feeling of holding a book in your hands. The unique, un-matchable aroma of a new book, a fragrance beyond compare, should be bottled by Chanel or Dior! 

I was 15 when I first watched, and fell in love with the movie “Elephant Walk”, which starred the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor and the handsome Peter Finch. Their characters first laid eyes upon each other in a bookstore.  It was love at first sight…for them, and for me.

With a pressing desire to work in a bookshop or library, I wanted to leave school there and then.  In youthful exuberance, without haste, off to the local library I raced. However, upon discovering, during my interview, at the time, in those years of yore, one’s longevity of employment at the library wasn’t lengthy, I left, disappointed and downhearted.  Peter Finch, Mr. Darcy, and others would have to wait. 

It’d be a number of years before I learned about the fun in store for Lady Chatterley, and her gamekeeper, Oliver Mellors.  And then…no way….down along the track waltzed Christian Grey!          

 

Campfire Beans & Bacon: In cast iron skillet with lid or a Dutch oven, cook 5 or 6 bacon rashers until crisp; remove from pan; retain drippings in pan; add 2/3c chopped onion ad 1/2c chopped green capsicum; cook until browned, about 4mins. Add 1 drained, rinsed 425g can each of pinto beans, red kidney beans and navy beans; add 2c barbecue sauce; stir. Break bacon in half; add to pan. Gently stir bacon into mix until covered. Bring to low boil; cover; move to low heat area of campfire.  Simmer 45mins; add a little water if looking too dry.

Campside Honey Chicken: In bowl, combine 3tbs melted butter, 2tbs x-virgin olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1tbs minced ginger, 2tbs honey and zest of 1 lime. Using 30cm sheets of foil, build 4 packets. Place a 170g chicken breast in centre of each packet; season with cumin and smoked paprika. Divide 1 bunch of asparagus among the packets. Brush chicken and asparagus with honey-ginger sauce; season. Fold foil over the food; crimp several times to seal.  Preheat grill or grill pan over med-high heat. Grill packets until chicken is cooked through, 10-12mins. About 5mins before chicken is finished, add 2 halved corn cobs to grill. Cook, brushing with butter, until browned on all sides, about 5mins. Garnish chicken with chopped fresh coriander and chopped shallots; serve.