Bertie's going to love it
My favourite show is back on the telly. ‘East of Everything’ series two is now showing on the ABC. The writing was so good in series one that I was actually nervous about watching the new series in case it disappointed. But it didn’t. Writers Deb Cox and Roger Monk have hit the same beautiful note, that perfect blend of comedy, romance and drama that made the show so wonderful the first time around. I just can’t get over how good the writing is on this show. You will rarely hear conversation so well done as it is here. I haven’t enjoyed Australian TV so much since ‘The Games’ aired (so long ago!) If you like intelligent, witty writing with strong characters you really get to know, you should probably take a look. The production is good too and the casting is truly inspired.
The series is set in the fictional township of Broken Bay which is a thinly-disguised Byron Bay, and episode one of series two has a plot line in which one of the characters is launching a book at the Broken Bay Writers Festival. By a strange coincidence, I’m heading to the real thing next week. The Byron Bay Writers Festival looks like it will be a great event and I’ll be spending some of my time there trying to spot the characters (bookshop owners, event organisers, writers, etc.) who have turned up in ‘East of Everything’. You know, it’s a very small world here in Oz.
I’ll be there for the week before the main events, attending a couple of workshops but also spending some time at the beach. I love the whole area, from Brunswick Heads to Byron, down to the beaches of Lennox Head and the second-hand book shop in Ballina. In fact, my whole family is going – including the dog – and I expect to have a great time, as usual. It’s the dog’s first time ever at the beach and I’m really looking forward to seeing his reaction to it.
Anyone reading this who is going to the BBWF and wants to hook up for a coffee or a beer, should let me know (through my contact page or through the comments) and we’ll arrange something.
I love that picture!
Have fun!
Can’t talk….envy taking control…brain must explode!!!!
terry
Hello, Graham: what a delightful blog! Come and say hello to me at the Festival site: I’m the Festival Director and will be the person with a phone clamped to one ear and a writer to the other. And spookily, like my counterpart in East of Everything, I am smallish with long red hair. Highly suspicious.
Jeni Caffin
Jeni, Sorry it took all this time for your comment to appear – an administrative stuff-up, I’m afraid.
Needless to say, I’ll be looking out for you as you flit between venues like a stressed-out Olympic torch. Should be easy to spot you. I’ll be the tallish, greying fella being arrested for walking up to every red-head in town saying, “Oh come on! One of you’s got to be Jeni!”