Pequena coisas 4: summer

Summer has crept up and suddenly it's 37 in the afternoon. A more reliable thermometer is the old man who owns the lambs changing from wearing a shirt and trousers with no fly (sheepskin jacket on cold mornings) to a white singlet and some classy boardshorts. Flat cap still in place of course. In the last couple of days the humidity has decided to come to the party as well making the afternoon that much longer, reminding me of the Pilbara wet as the clouds gather and darken.

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The GNR have solved the problem of non-payment of fines very easily - pay on the spot, or we keep your license. Don't have money - well get some. But we do accept all major cards. The sight of a cop with an mobile EFTPOS/ Multibanco/Interac/electronic payment machine by the side of a country machine is a little surreal, in fact the whole transaction is. There's an element of "Thank you, come again" as if you'd just popped out for tremocos, chips and a speeding fine.

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storks stand tall / on nest perched high
while clouds gather / and drivers speed by
vigil constant / like watchers of old
no tower now / simply these poles
sentries unfailing / despite world changing