Trees and more trees

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Saturday 14 April. Canberra Balloon Fiesta. Up early. Good flagging. Chilly. Crowd rushed in. When announcer said too blustery to fly, crowd rushed out. Went to folk festival for another go. Gave girl at entrance a sticker this time when I walked in. Republic flag in demand. Held sleeve over arm to hide lack of armband. Hourand a half later, girl guard volunteers asked to look. Oops. Escorted to exit. Heard one say, 'how does he get in?' Went bushwalking. Big grey spiders with long dark legs manning hightech webs.
Sunday 15 April. Early morning balloon scene. -3 degrees. Conditions perfect. Milling crowds as balloons rose. Republicans among them. Big challenge was trifecta at folk festival. No one at entrance. Headed for jam session building where I thought no volunteers would patrol. Huge response. Then five guards appeared. I fled but they tracked me down. Escorted to exit - third time. Flagged out front. Was doing as well as inside. Half an hour later guards order me to other side of road. Left. It shows they are just like all the rest. Top of Mt. Ainslie. Flag flying. Couple from Newcastle get sticker for car. Sunset in the mountains. Six o'clock. My mind drifted to festival. I had a wrist band from departing festival-goer earlier in the day. Thought food and music good idea. Went in. No flag but pocket of stickers. Low profile. Different hat and shoes. Then I was like a gambler in a casino. All these republicans and I had the stickers. Went around surreptitiously spruiking. Love those folkies devotion to the cause. Last sticker got careless. Editor of "The Word" newspaper appeared. So do security. I hand him a sticker and head for exit. Getting unpleasant. Outside police cars. Bolted for car park. Hid under ute on the dry grass. It was surprisingly warm. Heard guard say can't find him. Police car went by. Heart pounding. Accusation and interrogation no fun. Not to mention court and fine. Waited a while and drove out. The most significant event of the day was a woman who said the dots were,"song lines". Someone said it months ago and I had forgotten. Top contender for explanation. Guy from Newcastle said they were 12 lifeguards. Cute.

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