Mid-afternoon start again. Contemplating walking over in the direction of Broker’s Nose. It’s a long trip that involves heading most of the way up Mt Keira, then north to the freeway and across into a marshy expanse of bush that holds, as far as I can recall, a bogged and abandoned 4wd vehicle. But after walking for a little while and noticing that there are only a couple of hours left in the day, decide to work with the first dumped car that I encounter.
I’m expecting that’ll be up at the “Jumpers” – a top section of the Mt Keira circuit that seems to have been named precisely in terms of the suicidal trajectory of the various wrecked cars. Before I even get there, however, I see a set of green car panels down in the bush beside the path.
I decide upon an appropriate panel, this time a bit more scratched and rusted than the first one, and take a set of photographs of its original state. Then I cut out a square section with the grinder. I notice the burning smell of the cutting and the hot sparks against my legs. Even though I am close to the path and road this time, I have no sense of being observed. Once again it is something about the ear muffs and the neatly defined procedure that lends the process a curious sense of inexorability.
The process reminds me of tattooing. Both activities involve piercing skin and are similarly methodical. It is reassuring and addictive to cut out the shape of the square and neatly lift it free of the framing panel.
I take some more photographs, gather up my gear and the square, and head back in the direction of home. For some reason the edge of the square is more ragged this time, with occasional shards of steel sticking out. I need to hold it carefully, shifting it from hand to hand.
Halfway back, I realise that I am enjoying the walking portion of the event more today. It feels more just like normal walking. I am less concerned to hurry things up.
Just off the track
Green skin
Cut out
Square piece