Listen to the Ra.d.io (love to Robbie Williams!)

Sixteen days until we open the Expansion Exhibition. We are flying by the seats of our pants. Michael is as happy as I'm ever seen him. He is so proud of the East End Gallery, so humbled by the extraordinary artists displaying their works with his. His sculptures tell a story, but they have become so much more than that. They have an aura all of their own and they offer a window into Michael's soul as an artist and as a man.

Yesterday was another step towards the exhibition. We drove off in a shower of sparks from the House that Rocks at about a quarter to ten. A two hour drive through the Wheatbelt to Merredin. A date with Anthony Tilli on Radio West to promote the Gallery. We grabbed a bite of lunch from the Hot French Bread Bakery on Barrack Street before the interview and we were both still munching as we were ushered into Anthony's inner sanctum.

Stage fright hit us. Anthony was lovely. He asked questions first then recorded the interview in two halves. I loathe listening to my own voice...I am sure I sound like a chook with sinusitis. He soothed our shattered nerves by assuring us that the interview would sound fine after editing. He took photos of us and a couple of Michael's spiders. Apparently he will play the interview on Radio West tomorrow...

And after that whirlwind, we were back on the street. A browse through Happenings on Barrack and great coffee, tea and cake at Cafe56 restored our equilibrium. I fell in love with the brightest armchair I had ever seen in the gift shop. Unfortunately, its price tag was just a touch outside our price range. If I ever win Lotto, I am buying that chair.

A walk up the main drag. I popped into Atkinsons of Merredin, a proper clothes emporium. Some of my Gallery frocks are looking slightly the worse for wear after a hot summer. Atkinsons were having a sale. Skye, the young, hip and very attentive sales assistant looked me up and down and disappeared on a quest to find me a dress or two that didn't make me look like a small barn.
I walked out an hour later with two frocks and two tops. Michael walked out with his first ever black Akubra. Talk about a Man in Black. Skye and her colleague took our cards, promising to pass them on to artists in Merredin.

We drove home through the afternoon. Next stop was Cunderdin at their Shire Office. Meredith Lee-Curtis, who produces exquisite bags from indigenous print material, works full time at the Shire. She was about to finish work, so we spent a satisfying half-hour networking with Tanya and Kayla at the Merredin CRC.

Afternoon tea and coffee at Meredith's cottage in the grounds of the Cunderdin Agricultural College. Kim, her partner, is the manager there. A genial man with a terrific work ethic and the love of Meredith's life was not present. We laughed nonstop for half an hour.

We headed towards Beverley for a date at our local CRC. A business sundowner with emphasis on marketing was in full swing when we arrived. Sam, Amor and Ashley hosted a fantastic presentation with wine and nibbles. We were so pleased that we attended. We both learnt a great deal and networked with a surprising variety of other locals.

We pulled into the driveway in the dark. The dogs were ecstatic. We were shattered. Michael fed the canine fools, I worked on the computer until the bloody device froze. I gave up in disgust and retired gratefully into bed. Michael wasn't far behind me.

And today promises to be similarly busy. Fortunately, the Photographic club has dinner at the bottom pub. I'm off to Brookton and Narrogin.

More art to collect, more networking. Woo hoo.

Yesterday's itinerary.

Merredin streetscape

the multi-talented Meredith Lee-Curtis