The eucalyptus link

There are some branching reminders of home in Chandigarh. Every so often there is a eucalyptus tree poking up and out along the streets. In Australia they are everywhere: in my backyard, the bush, children’s parks and cricket grounds. Their shade protects, the smell of the crushed leaves is uplifting and they are great for climbing, although that won’t be happening here.

In Murray Bail’s book Eucalyptus the owner of a big block of rural land plants as many varieties of the tree he can find and sets a challenge. Whoever can name them all can marry his beautiful daughter. I guess then at least he’d have something to talk to the stranger about at those awkward early family dinners.

My little girl shouldn’t worry. I promise that in 20 or so years I won’t make her special friend name the 1989 and 1993 Ashes squads to be allowed to go on a date with her. To young boys out there who face this problem, the tricky ones are Greg Campbell and Wayne Holdsworth.

Bail’s book was about to be turned into a movie until Russell Crowe, who was due to star in it, called things off shortly before filming started. I’m not sure which varieties they have in Chandigarh, but it’s nice to spot something familiar.