it’s only a good thing when you step aboard a boat and minutes later a chipper crew member is offering you a cup of tea and a bit of apple cake. little do you know, at this stage, that just hours later you will also be offered, amongst other tasties, crayfish and soft rolls and salad, with which you can make a proficient crayfish and capsicum sandwich, to be eaten in a sunny spot on deck, where you will still be trying desperately to become warm after a short paddle in the icy waters off rottnest island.

yes, a whirlwind trip to perth can surprise you, with a boat of guys, who if not exactly “great” are definitely good; with your father willingly accompanying you to the art gallery; with your sixth aeroplane flight since christmas not being that one that kills you by plummeting out of the sky…

early on in the game, your host says approvingly, in the presence of your father, “your dad is really laid back, isn’t he?”. this is the most surprising of all, and you can only stutter, after a pause, eyes darting, “um, well, i guess he has his moments.”