Easter is a fun time of the year especially for us mere mortals who like to partake in few, it’s a good time to get away from it all as I am finding out at Yarrawonga, people everywhere. You can’t even get a park in the main street and at times the traffic jam can stretch right back across the bridge.

I did however get to the Stawell race (hoof not foot) on Sunday and caught up with quite a few natives and ex natives. “The Know All” (Sandy McGregor) and his lovely wife Eliza made the big trip from their Paleaceous Toorak pad to join us at the sponsors lunch. Once again “Fergie” (Don Murphy) and his crew put on an event that has grown in massive proportion.

Speaking of former natives, I caught up with everyones mate “Old Maaaaaate” (Graeme McNolty), the former one paced barman is now a three day a week taxi driver/owner. It was just by luck that I caught a glimps of his unforgetable features, I tooted the horn, he saw me a pulled over, we both jumped out and before I could say “How yu goin Maaaaaate” he had a cigarette lit and was on his second puff. We spoke for about 20 minutes and indicated that things are going well but he does miss the little village somewhat. He also mentioned that he has found his new hobby, gardening, “I’ve been helping out mother in the garden believe it or not”. He says hi to everyone.

Andy Healy would say “Shiiidt that would be bloody right” about the story I found in last weeks Herald Sun. I read a story about the hot new e-game “Second Life” where people can design the way they look and act on the computer and live how they want with 5 million others. The people are called “Avatars” and they have their own virtual world currency and you wouldn’t guess what it’s called. They trade in Linden dollars, so “Guru Norm” is not only the richest bloke in the district but they are now naming currency after him. Shiiidt!!

Speaking of Healy’s Marnoo East no tiller “Farmer Healy” (Brian Healy) I’m told has lost a few kg’s since he has taken up the peddle. I’m told that he religiously jumps on the bike every morning and heads in a western direction, returns then tends to the horses and puts in a hard days work on the farm. He’s a goer The Farmer.

Did you know that I worked out that over the last 128 years that 37% of our rainfall fell in the months between November and April, quite a surprising statistic I thought.

Man about town “Smacka” (Stewart MacPherson) was seeeeeeet(ing) himself for a big Easter as the Christmas deadline is getting closer, He mentioned that he has been copping a bit lately from a few at “The Royal” but is serious about he latest pursuit. All I can say is “all the very breast”

When's “Big Herbie” going to give us and update, I have been asking around but he hasn’t reported in to anyone. It’s frustrating for this struggling backyard reporter as he provides plenty of journalistic fodder.

I caught up with an old footballing mate “The Beckstar” (Tony Beck) at the races, he is now a croweater and doesn’t mind reminiscing on an old story or two. He said “Remember the day SL when I got you, myself and three other team mates into the footy FOC”. I said in front of the expanding crowd “ Yes Beckstar I remember the day, the only reason you could get yourself and four others in is because you won five Toohey medals and you get instant free entry to any Wimmera league game when you win a Toohey”. That’s exactly the reply the modest Beckstar wanted.

That will do for this week.