Wow Lexi, that does explain a lot.

We thought we were pretty adventurous moving from "the shire" to out west of Bankstown, back in the early 60s, but hell, we still took on a shotgun guard, & an outrider if we were going much west of Parramatta, & a full troupe of cavalry as escort if getting out to Blacktown.

The bush rangers were pretty thick out there back then.

Come to think of it, they are still pretty thick, just they have moved into real estate offices, & law practices, the better to rip you off.

In fact those now middle suburbs are now, probably, much more dangerous & deadly than Redfern.

If I were still a young bloke, I'd probably build an elevated walkway, [like those in the rainforest these days], through Redfern, so tourists could wonder at both the roughies, & the Latte set in close proximity.

Dear Houellebecq,

I guess that's the norm now for inner-city suburbs.
They all tend to go the way of Paddington, Abbotsford,
(here in Melbourne)et cetera. Even St. Kilda has changed
greatly from what it was a decade ago.

Dear Hasbeen,

I remember when we first moved to Melbourne - I hated it
I thought they were all a bunch of snobs.
And I actually pined for Sydney. I haven't been to
Parramatta for years let alone Wenty (Wentworthville).
It would be interesting to go back and see what my
reaction today would be.

Lexi try Google earth.

My first house in Sydney in 1960 was an old workers cottage in Fairfield Heights. Evidently it was a cottage on a vineyard in the early days. It was the same as a couple of my neighbours homes in that little dirt street, only 100 yards from the bush covering most of the area.

It was only 4 rooms, including the bathroom/laundry. It cost the huge sum of 2000 pounds, so you can imagine it was not too luxurious. I had a regular problem with the Kikuyu grass blocking the rubble drain.

I recently took a tour of the area by Google earth, & was surprised but not amazed to find that my little house, with it's little out house down the back, which occupied just a quarter of the block is gone.

However I was not expecting a 2 story Mcmansion in its place, covering 95% of the space, surrounded by similar palaces for miles.

I'm afraid our old outer areas of Sydney are now inner suburbs, holding no attraction for me. I do wonder if any of my English Scottish & Maltese neighbours are still around there, or if like me, are long gone.

Dear Hasbeen,

My brother suggested Google Earth to me some time ago.
However I keep putting it off because I've heard from
other people that our street has gone a bit - "up market,"
ever since the Westmead Children's Hospital opened up
and doctors and other medical staff have been buying up
big in the area.

Ours was just a three bedroom fibro
cottage, separate lounge, dining room, kitchen, laundry
bathroom and toilet, and a large front porch and back verandah.
The yard was generous - and dad loved his front and back gardens.

It was modest. But it was home - and I have the best childhood
memories. Our neighbours were mostly Irish, Scots, and English.

One day - I shall re-visit my street in person. I would love
it if there would be at least one neighbour still around who
would remember either me or my family. Dad was quite popular.
Everyone loved "Andy."

'Chardonnay' I thought I heard you calling.

I have to confess I get such a rush of joy from a Houlley cut-through-the-bull post.

It is one of the reasons I keep coming back. A Houlley post is like waiting for your favourite reality TV show (but so much better) to come on, popcorn at the ready, caramelised of course. The little teasing and tantalising chardonnay baits put out to lure and tempt just that little bit - also part of OLO life's rich tapestry.

Heh heh, love the bean shoot eating, wholegrain basket weaving, sandal wearing stereotypes too.

C'mon Houlley aren't you doing the same thing in reverse. :P

Dear Pelly,

I've got to confess that Houellebecq used to get
up my nose - something chronic with many of his
posts. Then he'd go and post something absolutely
brilliant. He's still someone who's rather difficult
to fathom at times - but perhaps that's part of the
enigma that he is. He is unique. I used to think he had
a big ego - but I now realise that he's too cool for
that.