Richmond/Woorilla

Hello
Just home from the so-called 'haunted' Richmond Bridge. It’s such a beautiful little town. It claims to have the oldest everything: Australia’s oldest prison, bridge, Catholic church… even the first recorded shark attack happened there apparently.

Feel totally exhausted today but I have put a couple of pics in the gallery for you to check out.
The reading at Castlemaine went really well. Just a small crowd but it was a good chance to try out a few of my new ghost-poems and nice to see my friends Francesca and Ross.

I also read the poem which picked up the 2007 Woorilla Poetry Prize. Feel really encouraged by that… it was exciting news. Still pinching myself.

Richmond Bridge/Castlemaine Reading

My sixth stop on the Ghost Poetry project is Richmond Bridge in Tasmania. Spanning the Coal river it is the oldest bridge in Australia, built by convicts who were worked hard by their cruel overseer, George Grover. In March 1832 two convicts surprised Grover from the fog, bashed him with manacled fists and dumped his body over the side. Now when a thick fog sets in they say Grover can be seen climbing back up the pylons.

The second ghost of Richmond Bridge is a friendly ghost-dog and the third is an elderly man who wears a straw boater and walks with a cane. I am staying in the Richmond Arms hotel this coming Friday the 13th in a room which is also said to be haunted. I plan to cross the bridge at midnight, 2 am and 4am. Wish me a foggy night.

Now if you want to hear some Ghost Poetry come to Castlemaine this Sunday 15th. The Castlemaine Readings are becoming legendary and I will be featuring with my friend Francesca Haig. This is my first chance to unleash Ghost Poetry on a live audience, so if you’re in town or need a day-trip up from Melbourne come and say hello. 3pm at The Albion Hotel (on the left as you drive into town from the Calder). There will be music, fine wine and good coffee.