2022-02-16 -38 145

Location

On an abandoned bath farm near Warragul.

Participants

Expedition

Until this hash, had anyone asked me where bathtubs come from (as well they might, though they hadn't so far), I would've reached for a logical-sounding supposition: I suppose they come from a bath factory?

But approaching the coordinates of this hash, I realised I was venturing on what could only be described as a bath farm, with a quiet herd (or flock?) of bathtubs grazing sedately in the paddock. Yet another urban misapprehension that country life has disabused me of.

The bath farm seemed abandoned. A rusty padlock secured the front gate and weeds encroached upon the drive. A group of alpacas were grazing there, apparently having pushed through some of the losely-strung fence. I assumed they were headed to the hash, but as they were not obviously in posession of a GPS, I didn't fancy their chances. The drive led to a house, by all appearances in some state of disrepair or renovation - but either way definitely abandoned. Having satisfied myself that no resident would be chasing after me with a big stick, I struck out across the paddock and reached the hash.

Heading back to the road and to my bike, I could see the shape of a person from the neighbours window. They had been there when I pulled up too - had they been watching my entire visit? I gave a wave, but they didn't move - was it even a person, or were my eyes playing tricks on me? It was a long way distant, could've been a lampshade or a plant or something I guess. I kept glancing over as I neared the end of the drive - it had not moved from the spot the whole time I was there, a lampshade for sure.

I'd taken the train to Warragul, but for variety I'd ride on to Drouin and return on the next train from there. As I saddled up and pushed off on my way, I cast one last glance in the direction of the disconcerting lampshade in the distant window, but it had gone.