When brains were dished out, Joe was last in the queue,
a strawberry short of a punnet, a dumpling less than a stew.
But having said that, he were such a grand lad,
so loving and giving, the best son mother had.

One day he rushed home, his face red and glowing,
with news of a venture, the excitement was showing
as he poured out his tale to his work weary mum,
about the allotment he was to share with Percival Plumb.

Well they manured and they dug, and they raked and they hoed
new plants then were planted and seeds duly sowed.
They watered and fed them, and weeded the soil,
'till the day finally came to make gain from their toil.

As they dug up the 'taties, it was Percival's plan
to split fifty fifty each plant man for man.
But when Joe brought his share home his mother went mad,
"You've only brought green bits, my lad, you've been had."

"You've split fifty fifty, that's certainly true,
Percy's taken all t'spuds and left top half for you".
"Don't fret yourself ma, there's more veggies to come
and I'll wreak my revenge on Percival Plumb."

So Joe thought and Joe thought and Joe dreamed up a plan
to get his own back. Then Joe said to his mam,
"When we harvest the cabbage, a real bumper crop,
this time I'll have t'roots and leave him with the top."

A Trip Down Under ©

Cold winter's night,
long haul flight,
half round the earth
touch down in Perth.

No more grey dawns
or foggy morns.
No frosted panes
no snowy lanes,
just sun-filled days
with time to laze
on sparkling beaches.

Warm fresh peaches
and barbecues.
Spectacular views,
exciting places,
sun-blocked faces.

Boab trees
Aborigines
Koalas, 'Roos,
bright cockatoos,

and Christmas night
by candlelight.
Carol singing
King's Park ringing
with joyful sound.

Memories abound.

Too soon the day
and time to say
to W.A.,
it was great.
...............G'day.