My parents did it in Deni*

The last couple of days haven't been quite so hot. It's been pleasantly warm with a nice sea breeze when I've left work to walk home. Tonight as I neared home, the sun had that really nice warm, hazy summery glow about it.

As I walked home along the river, it reminded me of lying on my towel on the sandy beach of the Edward River when I was a kid, with the sun glinting off the water as it sank behind the gum trees on the other side of the river....which makes me think of the town where I was born - Deniliquin, in southern NSW.

Here's some photos (not all my own). Just because.

Me (when I had long hair - November 2007, this was) sitting in the Simpson Band Rotunda in the Waring Gardens. It's named after my mother's family, particularly my grandfather, who was a fixture in the Deniliquin Town Band for most of his life.

Deni is the self-proclaimed Ute Capital of the World and home to the Ute on the Pole (ute = utility vehicle). Every year it hosts the Deni Ute Muster at which they attempt to break the world record for the most utes in one place. Yes, it's a bogan's paradise.

The Edward River, I think in better times. It was badly affected by the drought when I last visited in November 2007.


The lagoon in the Waring Gardens, a pretty park right opposite the main street.

It's been just over two years since I visited. I'm feeling the urge to go back. I only lived in Deni for five years (although I've visited family many times since) but it will always have a place in my heart. My family has history there. My grandparents are all buried there. Anyone up for a road trip?

Oh - the asterisk in my heading refers to the town's former slogan "Do it in Deni". Yes, really. I think it's a shame they abandoned it. *shakes fist* Curse you political correctness! Oh well. I'll always have this fridge magnet.