The Nullarbor Plain (Latin: nulla feminine of nullus, “no”, and arbor, “tree”) is part of the area of flat, almost treeless, arid or semi-arid country of southern Australia, located on the Great Australian Bight coast with the Great Victoria Desert to its north. At its widest point, it stretches about 1,100 kilometres (684 mi) from east to west across the border between South Australia and Western Australia. – Wikipedia
On the 13th of January 2023, my brother Jonathan wrote the following to me about his road trip across the Nullarbor Plain in Australia:
Well, I write to you from a little town in WA (Western Australia) called Norseman which is about 800Kms out of Perth. I just came from Border village which essentially is a ‘roadhouse’ with a small pub and accommodation (shacks) in SA. So, I can tick off the Nullarbor drive now which I can clearly say is no mean feat. I managed to download the Kasey Chambers song and listen to a couple of times on the cross. There is a line in the song which I can relate to which was reference to dingos. Earlier this morning as I was having a coffee and watching the sun rise I could hear a very strange crying noise which startled me at first until I realised it was a pack of dingoes howling – quite an incredible sound and I assume noting Kasey Chambers’ line is a common occurrence.
Nullarbor Song is my Desert Island Kasey Chambers song. It is one of the first songs I learnt on guitar. It’s one of the only songs I learnt on guitar.
When the fire burns out here
It’s brighter than the city lights
Warmer than a heart of gold
And dingoes howl just to break the silence
The sun comes up just to break the cold
Last night I woke with the stars looking back at me
Swallowing the sky
I felt no anger, I felt no shame
I felt no reason to cry
If I’m not here in the morning
I’ll cry a river of tears
I’ll learn to live in a new town
But my heart is staying here
When it’s quiet out here a hundred miles away
You can hear the train on the line
The whistle blows just to break the silence
I wave just to break the time
I close my eyes, I think of runnin’ water
I think of runnin’ away
But the fire’s burned to ashes and it’s darker than before
But I can see as clear as day
If I’m not here in the morning
I’ll cry a river of tears
I’ll learn to live in a new town
But my heart is staying here
I’ll learn to live in a new town
But my heart is staying here
Kasey Chambers music has already featured here 6 times…. and expect more to come. Kasey Chambers (born 4 June 1976) is an Australian country singer-songwriter and musician born in Mount Gambier. From July 1976 the Chambers family travelled around the Nullarbor Plain, where the parents hunted foxes and rabbits for pelts during seven or eight months a year, spanning nine years.
In another Kasey song about the Nullarbor called Nullarbor (The Biggest Backyard), she sang:
When I was a little girl
I had the biggest backyard in the world
It went on for miles and miles, was wide as it was high
Down to the horizon, all the way up to the sky
And every now and then
I heard a vile tree cry my name
When I was a little girl
I had the biggest backyard in the world
Covered up with red dirt as far as I could see
I shared it with the railway and the Aborigines
Southwest of Adelaide
More information: At home with country superstar Kasey Chambers | 60 Minutes Australia
I’ll conclude this post with the rest of my brother’s message about his road-trip across the Nullabor Plain:
As I said the trip especially in a small car is quite a challenge and you have to have your situational awareness on high alert. I had a road train pull off the road around one KM in front and the dust it produced put me in complete brown out where I had a car in front of me and could not see for a few seconds. This morning I got smashed by a locus swarm. I now have 100’s of dead locus all over my radiator and front car which I will have to deal with once I get to Rockingham. The 1000s of Km across from Brissy to Perth for a huge amount had no phone reception which was quite worrying as a car fault could really put you in a bad situation. I did have plenty of water and food but when it is 40 degrees outside it doesn’t take much to get in a bad way.
Below, I have presented Kasey performing Nullarbor Song live and as usual playing guitar beside her is her father, Bill Chambers. I hope you enjoy it.
References:
1. Kasey Chambers – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Really cool. About your Brother. The song is beautiful. Going to check her out.
Yeh, my brother did well to get across the Nullarbor plain in one piece and share it with me. I feel grateful he did that.
Kasey is the ants-pants haha I’m glad you like the song.
If you get a moment, check out her song ‘The Captain’:
Was with one of my brothers yesterday. Was nice. That song is great, I even sent it to Her lol. I actually watched this one already on YouTube while looking up the first. I love her voice.
You sent Nullarbor Song (or the Captain?) to the ex yesterday? There’s also a really neat story about how Kasey wrote that song ‘The Captain’. She was holidaying with her family at Norfolk Island. The bus driver / tourist guide was showing the family about but had such a presence which inspired her to refer to him as The Captain. This guy was the original Captain haha. ‘You be the Captain and I’ll be noone’. Later the song was used in The Sopranos which Kasey had not not even heard of before until someone said to her- ‘Hey, your song just came on the US’ No1 show’ hahahaha
I really like her. Sent the ex nullarbor song. We still somewhat communicate. I new she would like it. The Captain is great. The Sopranos was popular while I was still young and working. Not much time back then for TV lol. That is a great story.
You know, I’ve never seen the Sopranos, but I’ve heard such good things. I always wanted to see this series and The Wire. Why didn’t you have much time for TV back then?
Back then I was working many hours a day. My little bit of free time was spent partying and chasing loose women lol kinda aimlessly roaming…
Can’t blame you to be honest. Been there done that haha.
I ran wild when I was young. Still am running I suppose. Had my share of fun. In retrospect I wouldn’t change very much lol
Sweet man. I would change a great deal if I had it all over again. But I can’t do that.
I have regrets. But everything made me who I am now….I accept that..
I have no regrets before I started drinking and smoking. In the 31 years I drunk and smoke I have too many regrets. I wasted what should have been the most productive years of my life.
But I’m not looking back now. It doesn’t help.
I have virtually no fear about anything. I might have just $20 to see me through to next week and I’m not afraid of that at all, in fact I see it as a blessing. It’s what made me go cold turkey and stick to it.
He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt’.
Now I get it. It’s only taken 49 years to work out what JC was on about.
I don’t really care how others perceive me. I don’t suffer anxiety..I like to wander / free-float which I never really did in those 31 years. I have no urgent need to be anywhere. No desires, no resentment.
I don’t know who this new person is, but I like him and his puppeteer.
That is great. I think I feel like that also. I’ve lived through good and bad. Survived somehow. Every streak, every incarnation. Now I am old lol not to old, I am using all I learned. What I’m going through now would have set me off on a drunken escapade 20 years ago. Finally, I am thinking first before reacting. Am I finally growing up lol. I am more at peace with myself than I’ve ever been. Even while going through this relationship thing. Just enough money to pay the bills is fine with me. Other people get the rest anyways. You are doing great Matt!…
I spoke of this regret theme and your input during my AA reflection last night. I said that you ‘Tom’ were kind of my virtual guide of sorts (helping indirectly to make me accountable). I forget the AA name for someone who does that..anyhows:
I’m glad you feel like that as well in terms of where you find yourself at this stage in your life.
I want to know how long ‘the honeymoon period’ of abstinence will last. Surely my ‘Id’ traits will manifest themselves again?? Dunno. As you alluded – Thinking first before reacting is new at least for me. I had a clairvoyant friend 20 years ago who told me I would finally grow up perhaps in my 40’s, I hope that’s finally happening like it is to you too.
Perhaps this will be part of my next topic at AA. I like this new group, although its challenging. I have been timed-out twice from three talks. I have found that many Colombians don’t cope well here listening to Spanish spoken as a second language. Do you know why? Apart fromXenaphobia which runs rampant here, few Caucasians live here because they are not f$%king insane like I am. My point is Colombians are not accustomed to hearing Spanish spoken as a second language like you and I are accustomed to hearing English spoken as a second language. It’s a long story man.
Since I had kids here I realised my life isn’t my own. Like you alluded to..I’d rather be penniless knowing my kids and their mother are cared for economically.
Thanks for your encouragement, Tom. It looks like you’re not doing too bad yourself.
Thank you for the high compliment Matt! I am happy to help. I consider you as a confident also. I think those meetings are good for you. Letting it out is best. In my younger days I kept everything bottled up until I snapped lol. Learning to let it out has helped me so much. I always was judging myself. Took years but I finally realized only God will judge me. I am far from perfect but I believe. That is very interesting about the Colombians. That makes sense about the second language thing. The xenophobic aspect is sad. Same here. Intolerant ignorance. It’s getting worse it seems. But I’ve got 20 dollars and smile on my face, I’m alright lol. I am so happy you are doing well. The honeymoon period can lead to permanent change! Have a fantastic day Matt…
I gather our conversations over the coming days, weeks, months, & perhaps years will seep into my testimonials. I find the themes and topics of the battle and our recuperation inspiring and worthy of discussing at group level. So, I have you to thank for that. ‘Confident’ is a good way of putting it.
Yeh, I like this new AA group much more than the previous which wore me down.
I like these words you wrote:
‘I always was judging myself. Took years but I finally realized only God will judge me.’
I’m happy you too are ‘locked and loaded’ to fight the demons head on. Cheers.
It’s great you found a good group. After that last one! I had a group that was really great, they helped me. I am honored that you would think of my words. You remind me of myself at your age. I was kinda lost and searching, then something clicked. I started to look at things a little different. Long story short, I feel the most comfortable in my own skin than I ever have. Could be I’m just getting senile lol I still have to fight it. You help me to remember to stay vigilant! Have a great one…..
Yes Tom. I can’t explain what clicked except that I had no money or material worth and something came in and filled the void >>>The puppeteer. I don’t feel I deserved it to be honest. I know people who pray, are poor and would give there last penny to people even poorer and yet they never got such blessings or felt such peace. I’m so greatful yet undeserving.
I’m happy to read that you feel most comfortable. I feel something akin to that. I truly feel like another person / identity who no longer seeks to answer with the ‘old self’. I let the Puppeteer take care of things now. This entity knows best.
I hope you have had a good weekend so far. Mine has been busy with the kids, but very enjoyable. Cheers.
Hey now Matt, I’m glad something “clicked”. Something did in me not too many years ago. And it has really with me the last year. I like Puppeteer…I just kinda accept that it is my choice. I have a certain understanding I’ve never had. Can’t explain, but it’s there and I feel it lol I feel a certain inner peace. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Ive been holed up still a little under the weather…kinda nice to have a reason to ignore reality…Have a great one!
Hi Tom. I like Puppeteer also. I still have former-self desires to take control which isn’t good. We went over the 10th step last night at AA. ‘I’m still a baby’ I told them when it comes to abstinence. 10th step ‘Personal inventory’ is ‘To infinity and beyond.’ ie not happening anytime soon.
I hope you are on the mend. Have a great day.
The personal inventory thing is rough. Always got me. At least being sick curbs my taste for Scotch lol ….been having troubles letting her go. I can’t explain the control she has over me. I can’t help myself. I say I won’t respond….but I do. Have a great day Matt. Everything is going to be alright. Somehow….
I have to take off to AA in a few minutes. There’s these few guys there who just like to say how good they are (fanatical) with the traditions and steps. They are full of self-pride and it pisses me off. But apart from that it’s all going swimming even though there’s good days and bad days at the meetings.
I’m sorry to read you are still having problems letting the lady go.
Do you remember I was telling you that I saw someone and it didn’t work out, but I had another lady close by in mind. Well, that date went pretty well and we are off to the movies and dinner tomorrow night. Because she works shifts so closeby I invited her to stay over if she wished (since I have two beds P-) and she said ‘yes’. Woohoo. Wish me luck.
Take it easy with that lass you’re still longing over. What’s that quote about the bird and if it comes back it was yours to begin with?
There’s always those types aren’t there lol know everything about everything! That’s cool about your date. And offering for her to stay over! I hope it goes great. My problem is she still isn’t letting completely go and I can’t just say no. 🙃 I am weak I guess. But the demons can go hang, I am stubborn……
There are always those types in every walk of life. btw I wish these messages had an audio option.
Any-hows…. It was funny the other night….There is this Nazi like AA fanatic talking about how fastidious he is with the steps etc. So dedicated is he, that he almost always leaves halfway through the sessions as do the other fanatics and / or they cant sit still long enough before they feel inclined to eat all the snacks supplied. So, this young girl replied to this guy’s rant and said, ‘Well I don’t do anything like that and I hope I never will’. It becomes a religion for many and that’s not good.
Do you think it’s healthy for you to keep your ex hanging on or vice versa? If it is, then stay at it. If it isn’t then I would consider breaking ties completely. Don’t be her lap dog. I’m no Dr Phil, but that’s how I’d look at it from a purely rationalist / behaviourist perspective.
I like that girls reply. It’s like they get so into the steps they miss the whole point. There was so many where I worked it became a game. My friends and I would say things to set them of. Then sit back laugh. I also remember the snack thing. My, I am so unable to completely shut it down. Most unhealthy situation ever. For her and I. I try to but I always fold. I am getting better a little at a time I think. I rely on Dylan’s ” Most of the Time “..For inspiration. It does get a little easier everyday. But I can see myself breaking away cleanly soon. I have to. I was actually getting on with a lady at the Credit Union today. I am somewhat intrigued 🤔 have a great one Matt!
I laughed my arse off when she said that in the meeting about the AA fanatic’s devoutness to the steps.
I like what your friends did to set them off. Haha. I’ll have to keep that in mind.
You can do worse than relying on Most of the Time. Gawd I love that song. My fav off the album, but if Series of Dreams was included it would have come down to the wire.
I hope whatever decision you make; it will be the right one. Go to the Puppeteer 😉
Sometimes you just have to cruel to be kind – to others and yourself.
Re. the lady at the credit union..I hope you get the chance to see her again. I had a similar encounter with a young lass at the Chicken shop..I told her she had an amazing smile – which she did. I must buy more chicken soon.
Anyways Tom, have a great day and I hope you are already feeling better.
Series of Dreams…that song puts me into a trance lol..it is so very real. Been feeling a lot better. Been working through troubles. Remembering that I am in charge. Sometimes I slip. I am making a point of visiting the credit union tomorrow lol. Sometimes I just think to much. Most things never happen anyways. I’ve heard Dylan put that so many ways..Matt, have a fantastic day! Visit the Chicken shop…
I don’t have enough superlatives to write about how impactful ‘Series..’ is. Akin to ‘Most of the Time’, to me it’s one of his most atmospheric and ‘stream-of consciousness’ outputs.
‘Credit Unions and Chicken Shops’ – that could be a title of a love song.
Mesmerizing…I like Credit Unions and Chicken shops. Great idea Matt! I’m sitting in the auto dealership getting my oil changed. Tires rotated. People watching is the best lol Heading to the Credit Union afterwards lol….
How did you go at the Credit Union now that you had your oil changed and tyres rotated? lol
Lol I got to the Credit Union and she wasn’t working 🙃
That’s always the way 😉
Lol always 😄
I like her voice alot. I can’t remember if I found her on your blog or a New Zealand blogger I follow. This is so much better than what Nashville releases most of the time.
Unless I’m mistaken you found her on my blog when I presented her song (the first of Kasey’s to appear here) – ‘Am I Not Pretty Enough’ back in 2019.
In the message exchanges you introduced me to NZ artist Aly Cook. Aly Cook chimed in a little while later lol. I love her ‘Western Line’ song.
Oh yea that is right Matt! I thought it was probably you but wasn’t sure.