Awake among the Sleeping

This is a new book by a Byron Bay resident that charts the fictional journey of a man through a cult, then becoming a leader and then seeing right through the trap. It is very funny, poignant and intelligent on the subject. Recomended reading for followers of such cliques, even followers of Prem Pal Singh Rawat nee Maharaj Ji.

The monthly fair at Bellingen was largely held as a fundraiser for tsunamai relief. It was held on what was a large oval patch of land surrounded by mature trees. We could have been at an English garden fete, apart from the 30 degree heat. Endless stalls groaned under new age medicaments, fruit, bric a brac, clothes fit for Godesses (a lot of Godesses around here) and tents where you could have your fortune read or your aura massaged (or your back). On the main stage a large jazz band serenaded us with standards. The great thing was that the musicians ranged from about 10 to 80 in years.

On a CD stall we found a CD by the 3 Irish Tenors with a picture of Ballydonegan Strand, Allihies on the cover!

Bellingen has many beautiful shops and coffee houses. One of these also sells crafts and at the entrance it has an enterprising sign that reads "Your husband just rang and said you can buy what you want".

Elsewhere I saw a sign that read "I saw my mother-in-law today. Thank God she didn't see me".