haunted house.

I was wearing high heeled sandals (because I didn't have anything more appropriate and not because I didn't know from past experience that D.Land should be approached in jeans and sneakers) and a straight skirt. But even the aches and pains were more than compen- sated for by the joy of being, for the first time in my life, accepted by all and sundry as the female part of a small family group. My pleasure was further increased by an invita- tion to go and stay with my "husband and daughter" on my way through San Francisco. Thus I was able to extend my ex- perience as a "wife and mother.” I must admit it was an experi- ence I would repeat at any time. No matter what the militant feminists may say, there is a great deal to be said for being part of a loving family unit.

My return to Australia has meant further creative fan- tasies, including two weekends afloat in small fleets of hired pleasure craft. In 1981 a group of us went away for a three day weekend in four cabin-cruisers, celebrating the naval battle of Trafalgar, with a gala banquet afloat and an evening of fire- works with the four launches rafted together. Out of some thirty guests, there were three crossdressers. We shared a boat intended for five people, but by the time that we had our wardrobes spread out, there was no spare room! Last year I was invited away again, this time to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day and this time we finished up with three cabin cruisers and three mobile houseboats.

Again we had three cross- dressers present and we three shared a six-barth houseboat.

Houseboats are ideal for en tertaining and the "crossdressed boat" threw a party for all and sundry on the first night, with canapes and champagne, stream- ers and dancing on the flat cabin roof. Great fun! On the

following night there was a progressive dinner, with each boat providing a different course and a Shakespearian Entertain- ment inbetween courses. I landed the part of Cleopatra (quite right) as well as one of the three witches (boo). And during the hot, sunny days we sun- baked or swam and Fiona improved her tan.

I know that many of you will have read the cover story of my friend Paula who graced issue No. 105. Paula and I have a friendship which goes back about fifteen years or so. I am very fond of that remarkable lady and we have often taken part in public occasions together, We had often spoke of "Doing Something" such as hiring a caravan or boat together, but last year we finally managed to organize ourselves into an "Event."

It turned out that we were both to be in Adelaide at the same time (Paula on a visit I at a conference) so we arranged to travel together. This involved me flying as Fiona for the first time, as I had to join

Paula in Melbourne and there would not be time to change on arrival, and, anyway, flying as Fiona was a challenge. Of course, having been delivered to the airport by a good friend, the first thing I managed to do was break a stilt heel on the escalator. My friend took a a photo of me cursing my heel and left chuckling. I had to hobble through the security system, so pre-occupied with my broken heel that I took no notice of the magnetic security screen and handed over my hand- bag for searching without moments concern. I guess that the breaking of the heel was a blessing in disguise as I might otherwise have been worrying about being detected and arres- ted as some form of hijacker!

On the flight down I did a rough repair on the heel with a pair of scissors (using them as pliers to straighten the remaining

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nails...very feminine!) and was met by Paula at the airport luggage collection point. We then spent a charming three days driving in leisurely fashion from Melbourne to Adelaide along the coast road, stopping overnight in motels and pausing from time to time to take photos for the album. Our stay in Adelaide was also more pleasant, as we stayed in the home of a charming English crossdresser. I spent as much time as possible in skirts (or, since his home is virtually a beach, in my swimsuit).

on

On our last night, we wemt to the opening of a Kandinsky exhibition at the State Art Gallery and then went to dinner. I felt very glamorous in a deeply plunging white moire taffeta blouse and full black moiré taf- fetta skirt with patent sandals. Paula always dresses exquisitely in the very best of taste and fre- quently wins prizes for elegance at race-meetings and fashion pa- rades, where she often uses her flair for wearing Edwardian gra- ious gowns to great effect.

This account has been ra- ther rushed and fragmentary, but it is hard to compress twenty years into a few pages. I know that twenty years ago I was physically more attractive than I am now, but I think I enjoy life more now that I have the experience and maturity to enjoy life without guilt. I know who I am and that I am successful on anyone's terms, both in my career and in my reconciliation of the two parts of my life. There are times when I ache to live more fully as a woman, but I accept my responsibilities as husband and father and would never do anything to endanger the family that I love. Austra- lia has been very good to me, too, as it is a wonderful country to live in, both socially and from the point of view of a clement climate. Society's rules are also relaxing greatly so there is no longer any fear of being arres- ted simply for crossdressing. Many of the catch-all laws