I got up early this morning to join a 3 km fun run. Part of the traditional Australia Day celebration here in Alice Springs. And, also a fund raiser for the folks affected by the flooding in Queensland.
So, at 6:30 am, I’m on the trail with my daughter Franchesca. Jogging – very slowly – along the Todd River. Before you could say “Whew, it’s hot!” I could see the finish line. Well, let’s see, it took a little longer than that; we crossed the line in 19 minutes and 50 seconds. Not a world record setting pace!
Then it was off to the Town Council sponsored breakie. Another Australia Day Alice Springs tradition. Or so I’m told; this was the first time I attended. The motivation this year was the fund raising aspect.
Once inside the council chambers, I was overtaking with the beautiful smell of toast and vegemite. It permeated the air. It was glorious.
Was I just extra hungry? Was my sense of smell just working overtime? I’m not really sure. But, the smell was awesome. And, I just had to get my hands on the source of that beautiful smell – toast, butter and vegemite.
And, then I saw her. A young lady standing at the end of a table holding a butter knife with a big glob of vegemite tacked onto the end. She just stood there holding the knife and vegemite clump.
So, I gravitated over to her and greeted her happily. After all, I found what I was looking for!
“So, you’ve got the vegemite!” I exclaimed.
She looked up and appeared surprised probably thinking, “Who’s this guy?”
After her momentary pause, she gave me instructions as follows, “The vegemite and toast are on the serving table!”
The penny dropped. I had arrived at the preparation table. This is where the delicious morsels were created. Then they were transported over to the serving table.
But, as usual, I couldn’t resist, so I responded to her command to leave as follows:
“I don’t want any toast, I just want vegemite!” And, then I gave her a big smile.
Again, she was a bit surprised but quickly figured out I was having a bit of fun. She then started to smile and replied, “Oh come on, I’ve been up since 5 o’clock this morning! I’m just trying to stay awake.”
I proceeded to the serving table and there they were; neatly cut in halves, toast with butter and vegemite. I started to devour them. They were just as delicious as I imagined. I could taste the butter. Just the right amount. How do they know exactly how much butter to put on it to make it perfect? And, the vegemite – spot on. Just the right amount. The butter/vegemite combination on a perfectly toasted piece of bread – doesn’t get any better than that – does it?
I became a big vegemite fan a long time ago. But, that’s another story.
Anyway, today’s toast, butter and vegemite was the best I’ve ever had. Why’s that? I’m not really sure. Could it have something to do with Australia Day? Maybe there’s just something about vegemite on toast and Australia Day? Maybe they just go together.
What do you reckon?