The Journal of Paul O'Leary: From the City to the Outback

by Michael Mardel

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  It’s time for me to say goodbye to Broome. Our flights are booked, including Lassie’s, and our boxes are gone. One suitcase is dedicated to dirty washing and our sheets and pillowcases. One of Mum’s work friends is taking all the food in our fridge and cupboard and she’s coming round this morning.

  We took Lassie to the airport an hour ago and she has her frozen water bottle in her cage to lick to keep hydrated. The station wagon has been sold and the new owner said we could use it and leave it at the airport. He’ll get a mate to drop him off and collect it.

  We are all rather sad to be leaving our tropical paradise but it is too expensive to live here without a job. The whole house is now empty and looking forlorn without us in it. No more TV. That went last week and we’ll take the Foxtel set top box with us. Even the TV table went with the TV. Lots of time again to read my books on Kindle.