A Rare, Passionate Embrace: Friday, 9th September, 1977

Tiki was driving along Ringroad 3, en route to the Lane Cove River Park, when we noticed that a huge hot-air balloon was about to be launched from a playing field, near a canal, at Wiley Park. Tiki chose to remain in the car while I walked across to witness its launch at close quarters. Unfortunately, the wind was too strong and in spite of the balloon having extended its tether to its full length at one stage, the flight had to be aborted.

The balloon was red, blue and a dirty shade of beige in colour and possessed many patches in addition to a few tears. Its job had been to advertise on behalf of Frisco’s stores, in Hurstville and Punchbowl. The pilot’s wife mingled with the crowd and handed the middle-aged man to whom I had been talking, and myself a small balloon each. Mine was blue, and when Tiki used a pin to burst it a slip of paper informed us that we were in receipt of two free tickets to the icerink in Canterbury.

Tiki drove on to our intended destination, where we paid just sixty cents to enter the park. She continued on, up a dirt track behind the boat-shed and kiosk. As she had forgotten to bring our plates and cutlery, we ate the steak, bananas, tomatoes, onion and potatoes she had brought, with the utilisation of our hands. After lunch we walked across the causeway and kept pace with the paddleboat, “Turraburra”, until the trail along the river’s bank came to an abrupt end.

The street directory was produced and, having not been there previously, I chose to visit Centennial Park. We walked around the enclosure which harboured horses, emus and kangaroos. At a tiny forest of pine trees, Tiki decided to chase me. Once I had allowed her to catch me, we kissed passionately before remarking on just how seldom we embrace in such a manner.

We continued to walk around the lakes and admire the park’s statues. I drove home by twenty to five. Paul Makin interviewed guitarist, singer and songwriter, Jose Feliciano, on “Willesee”. Jose, who is blind, was born in Puerto Rico. “The Muppet Show” was followed, at eight o’clock, by “And Mother Makes Five”.

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