An afternoon alone in a pub – but not too alone with you and the others – as we all hold ourselves together, holding in our soft middles to hide our soft feelings.
CECILIA AT THE KITCHENS GARDEN
AUG 02, 2026
This was posted across the way in my substack pages. Pop over for more!
So I lost my Myki card. On the train. Topped up, nearly forty dollars on it, gone. The Myki is the card that gets you on the buses and trains and stuff. It must have fallen out when I pulled my phone from my coat pocket; a little gift for whoever finds it. You’re welcome. I felt like a right twit, losing that much travel money.
But once you arrive at a station, State Library station in this case, you need to scan the card to get back out, so I had to confess to the guard that I’d lost mine, stupidly, en route and she raised her eyebrows ever so slightly, huffing under her breath like I was obviously lying through my teeth, and lifting the barrier, waved me through against her better judgement.
So that was a good start to the day right?
I am taking it well because I am on my city day. I’m not sure why a day in the city is so fortifying for me: as though I have reached back to a more evolved version of myself and held hands.
Earlier I went to the library to write for a few hours until it got too cold in there then I walked briskly through the Melbourne winter crowds down to this inner city pub to do the edits. It is an odd little sequence – library to pub – but I like it. I feel all grown up writing with a glass of wine in the pub. Alone again but that’s ok. I was never much good in groups.
The Kitchen's Garden 
20 responses to “never point in a pub”
I’m sitting on the patio, morning coffee, eyeing my dead and drying borders — drought here — thinking ‘If that girl wrote a book, I’d bloody well buy it.’
I hate that you are in a drought. It is kind of counter-intuitive for me – drought in the UK.
and yes! If I could go and live in a pub for a few months I bet I could write a book. Whether anyone would read it might be another thing! 🤣😂
You know we all would 🙂
Well I do have a few plans for when I get back to the farm – I will literally have more uninterrupted time there. No decent pubs to write in though! 🤣
You already have written a book, just have to go back i the archives and collect the pieces, put them together and I’d bet you’ve got more than one book when you’re done. I know there are at least several children’s books with the stories about the animals on the Farmy and there is also likely a cookbook too.
The animal stories are ones I visit myself just for the smile! Which one was your favorite? Can you remember.
The one where Tima and Tane were walking around talking to each other like an old married couple. The photos on that post were a story in themselves of thos two characters.
I laughed at the Mills & Boon confession because I did the same thing as a teenager. I used to hide from my mom and read them. 😂
My teenage brain needed a rest from being in turmoil all the time.
This is why I love your writing. You take a lost Myki card, a pub lunch, and a handful of strangers and somehow make it about all of us.
Yes! Here you are! I had no idea you were here too! How did I not know that!?
A couple of my friends are here. For now, I am a reader. I had a blog back in 2014/2015, but that seems like a lifetime ago.
Sadz about your Myki card but you’re right, someone else will appreciate the windfall. The rest of your day had me there along with you.
So did your travels / that I read the other day! What a wonderful trip. And gorgeous photos!
I love your snippets of life and your keen observations. I hope you are doing well!
thank you Darlene. All well here – life goes on right? How about you?
Indeed it does. I’m doing OK. Off to The Isle of Arran, Scotland for a writers retreat on Friday. Will be glad of cooler temps and hanging with like minded folks. Sending hugs. xo
a writers retreat. Oh, that sounds lovely.
Ah Melbourne winters I know them well. How are you Miss? Hope all is good for you and yours 😊
I am good! Still nannying here for another few months and definitely ready to get back to my farm! How’s your garden? Getting lots of rain?
The garden is doing famously … must be the rain we have been having. We have had several frosts too .. first time for us in years! Bet you are looking forward to getting back to the farm 😊
I am presently planning my Melbourne summer garden and my Illinois spring garden. So much wishing and hoping!!