Oaklands Crossing

There not only has been increasingly hideous congestion at the Oaklands Crossing , there have been attacks and deaths. It is just an awful place to be when the boom gates go down. Marion Shopping Centre and increasing housing development and now the beautiful, new swimming centre have put the crossing on overload. I have used the crossing forever in my north south commutes or , now , my south north ones. My daughter and her husband live near the crossing. Sometimes it would be quicker to get out of the car and walk to her place than to sit there on Morphett Road waiting to turn left. Coming out of Murray Terrace relies mostly on the goodwill of the drivers letting you in so you can get into the right lane and I need to be in the outside lane. If I don't get into that then I am driving around Marion Shopping Centre to get myself back on the right track.I just do it. It makes people very annoyed but I don't see that as helpful so I keep listening to my music and podcasts and hope it will all pass quickly. Living in the area would be worse. I have to do it about once or twice a week, maybe. If you have someone sick it really puts the pressure on. I have to say that Adelaide drivers have mostly shown patience. tolerance and common sense with this crossing. It really does need to be changed right now. It blocks a free flow of traffic and that is never good. Adelaide always had traffic which flowed smoothly and it is something we should aim for in our relaxed city. 

Lost and Found in India

Braja Sorensen was born on Bombay Street near the Warradale Army Barracks and  she now lives in West Bengal. She is a well respected author , poet, editor and then there are all the other things Braja Sorensen is. A woman of talent and creativity who loves India because it has brought out all the aspects of her personality, character and creativity. Lost and Found in India is from her blog and so there is a certain stream of consciousness about it which I really like. It is fresh, well written, makes interesting observations and then allows you , as someone who does not really understand the culture, some real understanding as to how India puts together its vast culture wealth on a daily basis. Her writing style is animated and well thought out. She draws you in because the tone is conversational but as she reflects on different aspects of our culture and the Indian way of life then you feel like you belong in that conversation with her. It contextualises her in that culture and looks at how the Indian culture has impacted on her and she on it. It's a book which does a lot for intercultural understanding but also a book which is just a very good read.