Racelette in Galong

Much to my surprise I was introduced today to the Racelette, 8-person party grill. I never knew such a device existed; never knew about Racelette, which is, apparently, a Swiss cheese.

Anyway, we drove to Wagga Wagga today via Penrith (to sign legal documents) and Galong, a tiny settlement of about 150 people, an unsellable pub that's been closed for four years and a school that closed down last year because it lost its final pupil. The village may not have a long-term future. (You can buy a three-bedroom home plus shop in Galong for $130,000, so what might that tell us?)

It is, however, where Lori Grovenor and her husband have lived together for 40 years; he for all his life since the age of one. We arrived later than I'd planned because it truly was a long way for a short cut. Lori greeted us warmly, enthusiastically (it's been five months at least because of my ridiculous exile to the Department's head office). Lori had prepared lunch that required the use of her Racelette grill. There were cheeses, cold meat, pickles, raw vegetables, anchovies and prawns all waiting to be grilled. It was quite an experience but, to be honest, there is a limit to the amount of melted cheese even I can consume.

Whatever: it was a pleasure to see Lori, her overt-affectionate and insistent former guide dog Crosby and to meet her husband. They are good people.
.