Still completely jealous of your descriptive prowess. Feel like I've just gotten soaked in culture. I've got to know--is this research? Are you a local? Have you visited? Because damn. Perhaps I lack a ruler by which to measure your authenticity, but this feels accurate. Dinkum, to echo a term. The Sniper's wariness of the water is a lovely touch. Something to be neurotic about, especially if one hates ye olde Australium. By the way--now I know what a brumby is. All my brain had to say about that is "Horses are for ridin', not eatin', Nick." Meme theory at its finest.