Mount Zero

Set in the mid-1970s in the Wimmera, Lake Brambruck is the love story of

Richard McPherson and Max Clark.

It tells of their first two years together and their private and public lives.

Chapter 1

Lake Brambruck

Richard was totally alone and knew as he waded naked into the water now flowing into Lake Brambruck that he would probably never do this again in his lifetime. During recent years there had been heavy rains across the Wimmera River catchment, flooding enough to send the overflow on from Lake Hindmarsh to Lake Albacutya and then on to a third lake near the farthest extremity of the Wimmera River, Lake Brambruck. The last time water had coursed into the final lake of this curious Australian river system had been about fifty-six years earlier. For Richard, he considered the opportunity to wallow in the lake a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and he wanted to do it.

The water was murky with soil and debris and had only started flowing into Lake Brambruck the day before. As Richard splashed around in the turbid water he could not see anything below the murky surface, but on the surface there was plenty—sticks, gum nuts, pieces of bark, spiders, ants, a centipede—all being washed along in the rush of the water. Richard loved getting this close to nature, and enjoyed immersing himself in the water, no matter how roiled it was. He was near the lake’s inlet and had a view upstream along the in-flowing creek for a short distance. He glanced that way again, and thought he saw some movement on the bank of the creek. As he kept looking he realised there was a man walking toward him, and that he was not far away. He was carrying a camera.

‘Shit,’ Richard thought, ‘I’m out here in the lake totally nude, and he’s closer to my clothes than I am. I’m trapped!’

The man approached at a steady pace and seemed amazed to discover someone wallowing in the lake. Hi, he called out and waved to Richard.

Richard acknowledged the greeting with a small wave back and remained in the water as he tried to figure out a strategy for discretely getting to his clothes. He realised that there wasn’t one. As the man sat down on one of the logs right beside his clothes Richard resigned himself to having to get out of the lake naked in front of a stranger.

The man watched Richard with some degree of interest as he stepped from the lake and walked toward him, and his clothes.

I guess you are getting what is called ‘information overload’ at the moment, Richard said, smiling a small embarrassed smile.

That’s okay, the man said. I’ve seen the occasional naked man before. It doesn’t bother me, and I hope it doesn’t bother you either. As you are plainly wet, and I don’t see a towel anywhere, why don’t you just sit down on the log and dry off in this magnificent sunshine?

Richard sat, still feeling self conscious of his nakedness.

I should introduce myself, the man said, smiling broadly. I’m Max.

Hello Max, I’m Richard, and he stood to take Max’s outstretched hand, aware that Max had just taken a quick look at his wet cock and balls.

As I hadn’t heard or seen any car I thought I was totally alone here, Richard said. That is, assuming you have a car, where is it?

I’ve left my ute about two miles upstream. I decided I’d walk along with my camera to the lake by way of the creek. I’m a nature photographer, and amongst other things, I love the shapes, colours and textures of trees, and there are plenty of photographic beauties here.

Do you live in this neighbourhood? Richard asked.

Not quite; I come from Horsham. I moved there eight months ago from Queensland. I’m a shearer and I couldn’t stand the heat and humidity of outback Queensland, so I took a punt regarding ongoing work and moved south to this cooler, drier climate.

I had to drive through Horsham myself, to get here today, Richard said. I live about half an hour east of there. So, is it this water flowing into the lake that brings you here on this very day?

"Yes, it is. I read in the local paper, The Wimmera Mail-Times, of the river being about to flow into Lake Brambruck for the first time in a long while, so I thought I’d grab my camera and come and have a look for myself. Evidently I’ve scored a visual bonus, with you in front of me like this. I won’t take your photo like that, though!" Max smiled warmly.

Richard caught the quick sweep of Max’s light brown eyes across his body again and smiled too, partly at the quip.

Yeah, for months I’ve known this was likely to happen and hoped for a long while to come and see this phenomenon too, Richard said. It’s a rare occasion. I’ve learned that the last time this happened was in nineteen twenty-one. I just wanted to celebrate by being part of the whole event, so I stripped off and got right in. Then you came along and caught me naked!

Think nothing of it, please, Max said. There was a moment of quietness, then Max continued: It’s entered my mind, I might do what you’ve just done. How would you feel if I strip off too, and join you for a return splash in the water—a return celebration of the event, so to speak?

Sure, having now dried off, I don’t mind getting wet again. A cheeky grin crossed Richard’s face.

With that, Max leaned forward to get his boots and socks off, then stood to take off his shirt, unbuckle his belt and drop his shorts. Expecting to see jocks, Richard saw a worthy, uncut cock and a good set of balls instead—Max was wearing no jocks. While he gathered his thoughts about what he was seeing, Richard registered with appreciation Max’s tall muscular body and dark brown skin.

Come on, Max said, glancing down at Richard, let’s get in the water. It might settle that swelling you are getting! He smiled again.

Max and Richard headed for the water and were soon splashing about in it.

They spent about fifteen minutes wading, paddling, trying to swim in the shallow water, and generally gambolling together in the water. Richard was beginning to like this man who had simply walked into his day.

Back on the logs again, sitting in such a way that they faced each other as they dried, a smile now crossed Richard’s face as he watched Max’s cock rise, and thoroughly stiffen.

Max noticed where Richard was looking. It happens, he said without embarrassment, and now it’s your turn for information overload.

Not quite knowing what to do or say next Richard asked, Are you married?

Nar, not the marrying type. I had a girl friend once, when I was in Queensland. We shacked up together for a while, but it didn’t work out, and I have never felt the need to go back that way again. I’ve just stuck to myself a fair bit. Gotta say that now and again I wouldn’t mind a bit of company, though. What about you?

Oh, the same, not married, that is. I’ve never had a girl friend. I’ve had a few approaches from that direction, but my interest lies in the other direction, if you get my drift. Not that I’ve ever done anything serious about that, except when I lived in Melbourne. I mucked about with other guys a bit while I was in the city, but here in the conservative, religious, straight-laced country it’s absolutely different. In a rural community like this, every young man is expected to have a girl friend, to marry her, and to ultimately have kids. Richard suddenly realised that he had just told a stranger something that he had never expressed before, and wondered if he should have.

Just so that I get this right, and I hope you don’t mind the bluntness of my question, are you saying that you are a poofter?

Yes, and here in the bush I stay closeted.

Max was silent in thought for a while, then he said, So, when you saw me with a stiff dick a few minutes ago, did that give your heart a little flutter? I did notice that you started to stiffen a bit at the same time.

"Yes, watching your cock rising in visible steps to the pulse of your heart beat was a bit of a turn on for me."

Max adjusted his sitting position and went quiet again, thinking. After a while he looked to Richard and said, You know, something about you makes me feel kinda comfortable, and I’ve often wondered if I’m queer too. I know that I prefer to look at a well built, good looking man rather than any woman. Further, if the man isn’t wearing much, I like it all the more—and you’ve really made my day! Perhaps I should talk this whole topic through with you. Would you mind?

Not at all, Richard replied, smiling warmly toward Max.

They talked at length, and sometimes very frankly, about where their thoughts lay, what they liked and didn’t like, and came to realise that they had much in common. After what became a long time immersed in conversation, Richard said, Hey, the day’s moving on. How about I drive you back to your ute? We can travel in a two-ute convoy back to Horsham and say our farewells there.

Sure, Max agreed.

They got dressed again, having spent the entire time in conversation naked in the sunshine, and becoming aroused occasionally with what they had talked about, to the obvious and comfortable satisfaction of each other.

Richard drove Max to his ute, and the two vehicles left Wyperfield National Park for the hour and a half drive back to Horsham.

On the outskirts of Horsham Richard pulled over to the edge of the Western Highway, which links Melbourne and Adelaide, and Max pulled up behind him. They thanked each other for the way the day had turned out, exchanged phone numbers, and drove on to their respective homes.

When Richard rattled over the bridge to get to his home and property, known as Golton Island, he thought back over the day. His once-in-a-life-time day had ended up with more than he had anticipated by way of the prospect of a lovely friendship, or more.

Chapter 2

Golton Island

The park-like environment on Golton Island concealed arriving vehicles. However, it was usually easy to hear a vehicle as it approached, crunching along the gravel road and then clattering over the slightly loose wooden decking on the bridge. Such sounds had just alerted Richard, and he watched as Max drove into the broad, gravelled parking area between his house and the sheds in his Toyota ute.

"Hi Max, welcome to what I call my place, otherwise known as Golton Island." They shook hands and smiled.

"Wow! I was wondering where your instructions were leading me when I turned off the main road a mile and a half back at Three Bridges, then flanked the creek and the bushland all the way to your bridge. Again, I say wow! This is like driving in to some hidden botanical garden."

Well, in a way it is, Richard said, smiling at the tall, good looking man standing in front of him. My parents were big on conservation, and added much more to what was naturally here by planting additional Australian native trees and shrubs. As I said on the phone the other night, my parents are now dead so I’ve taken it upon myself to carry on their work, and I love doing that—and whenever I can, I plant even more trees and shrubs.

Straight away, I’m very envious of you, Max said, looking in every direction. This is some sort of paradise. Like Adam and Eve, you could walk around here naked all the time and nobody would see you.

Want to know something? Richard asked, smiling, I do. Well, in the warmer months anyway. It gets a bit too chilly to do that in the cooler times of the year.

That accounts for you having no tan lines when I cast my eyes over your naked body more than once at Lake Brambruck the other day.

Spot on! Richard said, beaming at Max, then tilted his head in the direction of the residence. Come with me, and I’ll show you my house.

The weather board house was painted in a fairly dark green, which blended with the surrounding bush; it was probably about fifty or sixty years old. The roof was of corrugated iron. There was a wide verandah on all sides, and on the eastern side, where it seemed most of the ‘living’ happened, a part of the verandah was partitioned off with fly screen walls.

What’s the fly screened area for? Max asked.

Oh, that’s a place to sleep if it’s too hot inside and you don’t want to be eaten alive by mosquitoes. I don’t use it a lot, but my parents used to, even in the winter; they didn’t mind truly fresh air.

Slightly separated from the house there was another small building which was the laundry. Its roof extended out over a pavilion which had a floor of wooden decking. There was an abundant supply of water tanks around the house and sheds.

Come in, Richard said as he stepped ahead of Max into the combined kitchen and living area. When Max looked around, to the right was the kitchen table, a slow combustion wood stove, a sink and bench under the window, which faced north, and kitchen cabinetry. To the left was a large living space with a couch and two lounge chairs, two full book cases, a television set and a sideboard with a record player and a stack of LPs on it. There were mats on the wooden floor. In what was once an open fire place there was a modern steel wood-burning heater with a glass door.

Through an internal door, a hallway led toward the west-facing front door. As Richard piloted Max in that direction he pointed out the bathroom and toilet on the right, then his own bedroom with its double bed. On the other side of the hall, there were two smaller bedrooms.

I want to have a closer look at that bathroom, Max said.

Sure, go ahead, Richard replied.

The entire outer wall was a clear glass window facing north. The view was across the garden and out into the forest. On the left was a large, tiled open shower with no glass or shower screens, or anything other than taps on the wall for the two shower roses coming directly out of the ceiling. On the right hand wall, straight in from the door, there was a hand basin with cupboards under it, and a large mirror. There was no bath, and the toilet bowl was behind the door and open to the rest of the bathroom. The towel rails were between the hand basin and the door.

Yet again, I say, wow! This is fabulous, Max exclaimed.

After my parents died, this was one thing I wanted to do, to have a big, open shower. My parents wouldn’t have approved, but I’m glad that you like it. Oops, have you had any lunch? I forgot to ask when you arrived.

Yes, thanks, I grabbed a bite before I left Horsham.

Okay, then let’s have a drink, and then I’ll take you for a walk around outside. What should it be, beer?

Sounds good to me, Max said.

I’ve got some home-brewed beer that has been given to me by a farmer friend from over there on Saint Helen’s Plains, Richard said, waving his arm in a westerly direction, toward the flat, fertile farming land across the creek. It’s rather good, and he’s bottled this lot in small bottles. Do you want to neck it?

Of course! That’s the most direct, Max replied, flashing a wide smile at Richard.

Richard took two bottles from the refrigerator, opened them and handed one to Max.

Cheers! they each said as they chinked their bottles together and sat down at the kitchen table.

Now, before we go any further, Max said, I don’t understand the behaviour of the Wimmera River. Did you say on the phone the other night that the river flows inland and goes nowhere except that it just seeps away into sand or evaporates?

It sure does just that. Max, to make sense of it all, have a look at the bigger picture of Australia. You said you were a kid in Brisbane, and then when you were old enough you headed west into the outback to go and work in the wool sheds.

Yes, and when I got that little bit older I took up shearing, and the rest is history, as they say.

Well, Richard continued, "to go west, you would have crossed the Great Divide soon after you left Brisbane. That range, that geological feature of Australia, stretches the entire way down the eastern side of Australia, then when it gets down to Victoria it sweeps westward toward South Australia and tapers away—it sort of looks like a big letter J with a longish straight foot. On the eastern and southern sides of that range the rivers all flow fairly quickly to the sea. On the other side of the Divide, most of the rivers all come together to form the Murray-Darling system which enters the sea as the Murray River near Goolwa in South Australia. The Wimmera River doesn’t link up with that system, though—even though it should. It rises about a hundred miles south-east of here—we’ll go for a walk and see it soon—then flows about another hundred and fifty miles heading north-west from here, and heading away from the sea, and ultimately to Lake Brambruck if there has been enough rain, but there’s more to the story; other streams also join it, of course, mainly from the Grampians, that mountain range that you could see on the southern horizon as you were driving here from Horsham. The whole topography of the Wimmera region is otherwise quite flat. Just here, say five miles each way along the river, there is a real network of anabranches, and then throw in a couple of effluent streams that leave the Wimmera and never come back, and there you have the Wimmera River system. So the flat, fertile Wimmera farming land, with Horsham as its main town, is traversed by the Wimmera River from the south-east to the north-west. Oh, and I forgot to mention, it’s also an ephemeral stream—it doesn’t flow all the time. Here, we are no different from much of the rest of Australia as droughts and dry periods are common in this location too."

Hmmm, seems as though you’ve done your homework, Max said.

I guess, in a way, it’s become a part of me, Richard replied, just touching Max’s fingers as he reached for his empty bottle. Another?

Yes, thanks. I reckon that’s very good beer; it tastes great. Your neighbour has done a very good job of brewing it.

Richard cracked two more bottles open and smiled as he handed Max’s to him. Come on, let’s go outside with our beer bottles and we’ll go for a walk around.

They meandered a crooked path past some sheds and between trees and shrubs and eventually arrived at the river bank where Richard said, Here, less than a hundred yards from the house, you are looking down on the Wimmera River. The creek that you crossed at the bridge as you came in is the Mount William Creek, which comes out of the Grampians. The creek and the river come together just a little bit downstream, but in floods they join together upstream of here and that’s when this is truly an island. That water hole below us is our main water supply for the garden and orchard. There’s a water pump for the garden watering system in that little shed over there.

Do you ever go swimming in this water hole?

Yes, I often do. The water is quite deep just here, and good quality.

What’s it like when the river is in full flow? Max asked.

Oh, quite something to see, Richard said. When all the streams are flowing, this place, as I said, becomes a real island. To an extent it always is by way of access, or lack of. I live at the end of a mile and a half dead end road, and that makes this place perfect for me. I like it a lot.

I’m beginning to like it too, Max said, sweeping his gaze around.

I see you have finished your second beer, Richard said. Make yourself at home under the shade of that big tree over there and I’ll go back for more drink and something to munch on. We’ll sit out here for a while.

Richard gathered up a good supply of beer, which he put into an Esky, some cracker biscuits and nuts to nibble, and a picnic rug.

Max saw him arriving with his arms full, and got up to help him arrange things before they settled down on the rug.

This is the life, Max commented as he leaned back on his elbows. Out in the bush, perfectly quiet except for the bird calls and the slight sound of the wind in the leaves, and rather pleasant company.

Richard smiled and looked at Max, who was already looking at him. A frisson of excitement passed between them as they held each other’s gaze.

Richard, this is truly rural here, and I’m beginning to wonder how you make a living out of the place. I’m not seeing any sheep or cattle, and it’s obviously not possible to have crops here.

To answer that, Richard said, "I’m not a farmer, and anyway this place isn’t big enough for that sort of activity. I’m an only child and my parents left me a fair bit of money, which I appreciate, but I do need to be doing something. The reality is that I do two things. You may have seen a whole lot of small trees on trays as we were walking around earlier. That’s my nursery where I propagate Australian native trees and shrubs for the nursery trade, and anybody else for that matter. The other thing I do is work on an ad hoc basis for a Horsham funeral director—I arrange and conduct funerals. Of course, there’s no schedule for when people die, but if the funeral director in Horsham needs a hand with a funeral appointment, and I’m able to do it, I do."

How did you gain the skill to do funerals? Max asked.

I haven’t told you this bit yet. Straight after I left school I went to Melbourne and worked in a department store for about four years, window dressing. Then I joined a funeral company that had branches in many suburbs, and I liked the work. I was with them for six years. Then my mother died, and I left Melbourne to come back here to look after Dad because he wasn’t very well. In less than eighteen months Dad was dead too. The funeral director who did both of their funerals in Horsham learned of my experience, took a liking to me, and asked me if I would help him out from time to time.

I’m sure you can tell me some stories then, Max said, and reached across to place his hand on Richard’s. Richard did not move his hand away.

They sat looking into each other’s eyes for a moment, then Richard said, breaking the hand contact and reaching up to touch Max on the upper arm, Now tell me a bit more about yourself. You have mentioned being a kid in Brisbane, then going west. I’m curious to know about your family background. I hope you don’t mind me saying, but you look a bit ‘Pacific Islander-ish’ with your dark brown complexion, short curly hair, light brown eyes and broad, good looking face. How come you are so tall, though?

Ha, that’s easy, and no, I don’t mind at all. Most people just presume that I’m Tongan or something like that, but you were sort of close. I’m quarter Maori. My father’s mother was a full-blood Maori. My height comes from my mother’s side. I was born in New Zealand, but when I was about five the family—my parents, two sisters and three brothers—all moved to Brisbane. My father worked on the docks, and my mother worked as a ward help in a hospital when she wasn’t looking after us kids, the tribe! It was tough at home and I didn’t want to stay around. I don’t have much contact with them these days.

Richard looked hesitantly at Max for a while, then said, Max you possess something that I have always wanted, and this may sound odd, but I’ve always wished that I had a really dark skin like yours, and he touched Max’s forearm, leaving his hand rest there.

Never heard anyone say that sort of thing before, Max murmured warmly, placing his hand over Richard’s. I know there’s plenty of people wanting the opposite. What are you worrying about though? You’re beautifully tanned, and all over at that! Just for the record, I think you are a good looking, well built man.

Richard leaned over to Max and lightly kissed him on the lips. Thank you, he responded.

After a moment of silence, and holding his gaze upon Richard, Max continued, "And what you did just then hasn’t changed my mind. However, I think I’m still addressing that little something inside of me though. Do you mind if I take this slowly?"

Of course not. It might be all the more pleasant. Oh, by the way, the day has moved on, and I’m starting to feel a bit hungry. Let’s go back up to the house and we’ll put together something for a barbie. They gathered up everything and went back to the house.

A brick barbecue was set up inside the pavilion, with a small chimney going up through the roof. For eating under the same roof, there was a crude wooden table with bench seats. Richard lit the barbecue and stoked it with plenty of wood to burn down into hot coals. When it was ready he produced some sausages and asked Max if he would cook them. I’ll just go in and put a bit of a salad together, Richard added.

They sat down at the table near the barbecue and ate the sausages along with the torn lettuce, tomato and tasty cheese salad, accompanied by another round of beer.

Those sausages were well cooked, Richard said, patting his lips. You have talent.

Thanks, and you have talent in the salad department, Max added, but I’m not sure about these mosquitoes you have out here.

I’m not so sure either, let’s go inside.

Soon, they sat together on the couch and talked some more, at ease in each other’s company. After a while the conversation turned to hiking and camping.

In my school days, Richard said, Lester and I used to spend much time in the Grampians at weekends and school holidays.

Who’s Lester?

Oh, he’s the guy who made this beer; his farm’s about four miles away. He’s got a wife and three kids now. When we were growing up we spent a lot of time together. Now and again his parents, or my parents, would take us to places in the Grampians and we’d camp out together for a night or two, then usually the other parents would pick us up.

Sounds great. That sort of thing never happened to me in my childhood, Max said.

We spent heaps of time together one way or another, school bus, that camping out together, families visiting each other. Then I moved to Melbourne and he got married. He has always been my best friend.

Max said, I wouldn’t mind doing a bit of hiking in the bush, camping out overnight too. I haven’t any gear though. It could give me a few more photo opportunities as well.

How about we go camping together then? Richard asked. There’s a place in the middle of the Grampians called Castle Rock that I’ve wanted to go to for a long while. It’s quite remote and not many people go there because there’s no roads or tracks to it. I’ve got some equipment, two-man tent, cooking gear. You may need to get a sleeping bag and a few other things. We can talk more about this.

Yeah, Max said. In the meantime, I guess I’d better go home, and he went to stand, but stumbled toward Richard.

I have another suggestion, Richard said, standing to support Max with his arms. Maybe it would be a better idea if you were to stay here tonight. I think we’ve both had too much to drink, and with Lester’s beer, who knows what the alcohol content is. I knew someone once who killed himself in a car accident because he was drunk when he was driving, and right now I don’t want to see you dead. Tomorrow’s Sunday anyway, and you don’t have to go to work.

Max looked at Richard and smiled. Sounds good to me.

Another suggestion—how about you sleep with me?

There was a look of surprise on Max’s face, and he thought for a while. Now, that really would be a first for me, sleeping with another man, and he thought some more, but, hell, who’s going to know? Will it be a first for you too?

No, it won’t. Why do you think I escaped to Melbourne?

Oh, of course, you told me about that.

They openly watched each other as they undressed, each a little bit unstable from the beer. Richard got into bed first and held the doona up for Max to get under it beside him. With little hesitation, they embraced, their naked bodies up against each other. Richard could feel Max’s cock stiffening; his own was already erect.

Thank you for such a great day, Max murmured.

Mmmm, and likewise, Richard murmured back, tightening his embrace on Max.

They stayed cuddled together for a long while, and then Richard realised that Max had fallen sleep. Soon after, he was asleep too.

When Max woke in the morning Richard was not in the bed. Then he heard the toilet flushing, and soon after Richard came back into the bedroom, his dick flopping from side to side as he walked. Richard got into bed again and snuggled up to Max.

I think I might have had a bit too much to drink last night, Max said.

We both did, really.

I feel as though I could have gone off to sleep quite quickly. Did I?

Yes, you did.

Then, you would have had an opportunity to take advantage of me, Max said with a smile. Did you?

I must say, it crossed my mind, Richard replied, grinning. In fact, I think I did grab a lovely hand full of your cock and balls, but then I must have gone off to sleep too.

Max’s face dimpled. I didn’t feel a thing—that could have been a missed moment of pleasure. Damn! Hey, I’ve gotta go to the loo.

Okay, and when you are finished there we can have a shower together.

We? Together? Max asked, his head tilted to one side.

Why not? Richard asked. We’ve already swum naked in the lake together, and we’ve just slept together all night, also naked. Can this be any different?

S’pose you’re right, Max said and he got out of the bed.

A few minutes later the two men were under the twin showers. Here, let me scrub your back, Richard said, turning Max around and taking the soap from his hand. He worked across Max’s broad shoulders, then down his firm, muscular back to his hips and buttocks, down each powerful thigh and lower leg and then back up to Max’s groin.

Ohhh, that feels good, Max moaned. Now, let me do your back.

Max took the soap. It wasn’t long before Richard became aware of Max’s erection brushing against his buttocks and lower back from time to time. He reached back and grasped it with a squeeze.

The back scrubbing soon ceased and Richard, having turned around, went down on his knees to take Max’s cock into his mouth. Max close his eyes and moaned softly as he felt the warm, moist stimulating sensation of Richard’s mouth sucking backwards and forwards along his cock.

Urgh, urgh, I’m getting close, Max whispered, pressing Richard’s shoulders away with his fingers. Richard stood up and faced Max, his own penis now well and truly erect too, and let Max bring himself to climax. Richard looked down and watched Max’s hand pumping along his cock, his foreskin rolling back and forth over his knob. Suddenly, Max shuddered, and he shot his load, three, four, five times straight onto Richard’s belly.

Richard’s mouth fell open in astonishment and he exclaimed, "Now it’s my turn to say wow! I can’t believe how much force you’ve just shot your load with, and you’ve turned me on so much." He started masturbating himself and quickly climaxed as well.

The two men looked at each other, burst out laughing, and gave each other a huge hug. Max whispered into Richard’s ear, That was more than great. Thanks.

I’ve got a feeling that the two of us may be doing more things like this—if it’s okay with you that is, Richard said, his eyebrows raised quizzically.

Yes, it is.

After Richard and Max finished in the bathroom they had a light breakfast and Max made preparations to leave.

Give me a call during the week, Richard said, holding Max’s hand as they stood beside his ute. We’ve got a lot to talk about, including our hike in the Grampians.

Richard wrapped his arms around Max’s neck and gave him a lingering, tender kiss.

They released their hold on each other. Max got into the driver’s seat, started the engine and slowly drove off, waving as he flashed a big smile deep into Richard’s heart.

Chapter 3

Castle Rock

Three days later Max phoned Richard and thanked him for not letting him drive home in a drunken state at the weekend. "I have thought about how you could have saved my life. Better still though, because I was still at your place, that then led to other nice things happening between us that neither of us would have done had I driven home."

Do you mean like sleeping together, and showering together, and me sucking on your cock, and then us both wanking?

Yes, and the more I think about it the more it all feels so natural that a couple of guys can do that. I’ve now got a whole new perspective on relationships.

"Well, I enjoyed having you stay over. You mentioned once that you get a bit lonely sometimes—actually, so do I, and it was nice to have you here, and even better when you got into bed with me, but we both went off to sleep too quickly, didn’t we?

Max, the next morning, however, you were the first person I have ever shared the double shower with. It turned into that intimate encounter, and I hope I haven’t scared you off, Richard said.

On the contrary, I want more. I’ve come to realise that there is more to life than living singly.

That makes two of us then, but Max, from what you are saying, are you now identifying as a poofter too?

If I was to be honest with myself, yes, Max responded, but I am not keen on that label though.

"Well, there is a new term out there for homosexuals, and it’s the word, gay."

That sounds a whole lot more positive. I don’t mind that.

All right, my gay friend, when are we going to meet at the camping supplies shop and get some gear for our Castle Rock hike? Richard asked.

***

The following Saturday morning Max and Richard went into the outdoors recreational store in Horsham together. They wandered around for a while, looking at the vast range of stock, and were ultimately approached by a shop assistant.

Hello, Peter, Richard said, recognising the salesman. I didn’t know you work here.

I’ve worked for this business for about eighteen months now. You can’t have been shopping here in that time, Peter replied.

No, I haven’t. Oh, Peter, this is my friend, Max. Max, this is Peter. He’s another one I went to school with here in Horsham.

Hello, Peter said, but did not offer his hand.

Now, Richard, how can I help you? Peter asked, turning away from Max.

Max and I are planning on doing a hike to Castle Rock in the Grampians soon and Max is in need of a sleeping bag and a rucksack.

That’s a fair hike. I did it once myself. You will need to camp out over night. Have you got tents? Peter asked.

I’ve got a two-man tent that we’ll use, Richard said. There is no point in lugging a second tent in with us.

Oh! said Peter, looking at them both dubiously. Okay, let’s go to the sleeping bags then.

Peter showed them a large range of bags and explained the virtues of each design. In the end, Max settled on a mid-range model, and Richard smiled to himself. Next, they looked at rucksacks and Max chose one that promised a fair bit of comfort for the wearer.

Now, Peter, have you any maps of the Grampians that include Castle Rock? Richard asked.

Yes, over here, and he led them to a large display table. He took a folded map off a shelf and opened it to spread out on the table. You will need to park here, Peter said, pointing with his finger on the map, and then it’s probably best to hike this way. When you get to here, he pointed with his finger again, you will encounter a fairly steep descent, but just over there you will see Castle Rock, quite close by.

Okay, Richard said, we’ll take that map, and the only other things we need are two aluminium water bottles. We’ll get any food that we’ll need nearer to the time.

Once they had completed their selection they paid separately and left.

***

Three weeks later Max arrived at Golton Island early on the Saturday morning and greeted Richard with a kiss. They did a final pack of their rucksacks, sharing the weight of the food and other gear between them, then loaded the packs into Richard’s Holden ute, with its canvas covered stock crate, and set off. Max also had his camera with him.

They crossed the Western Highway at Dadswell’s Bridge to enter the Grampians bushland, and travelled lesser roads, and even lesser roads to get to their destination.

Hefting their rucksacks onto their backs, they stepped on stones to cross a small creek and started tramping uphill immediately. Richard led the way and they walked for about an hour before they stopped for a drink of water and something to nibble.

How are you going? Richard asked Max.

Quite well, thanks. I thought I was going to float away when I took the pack off my back just now, though.

Yeah, it’s a strange feeling isn’t it?

Having rested for a while, they then set off again. After about twenty minutes Richard gave a hand signal for Max to stop, and pointed up ahead.

What’s that grey thing up there? Max whispered near Richard’s ear.

It’s a koala, Richard said quietly.

What’s it doing on the ground, then? They live up in trees.

I don’t know. It looks as though something must be wrong with it.

They approached the koala quietly and slowly. It watched every move that the two men made and, as they got nearer, it aggressively swung a front leg at them, only one front leg—its opposite was injured and hung limply by its side.

It’s got a broken leg, Richard said. It must have fallen out of a tree, and I see that it’s a mature male.

What can we do? Max asked. Can we take it to a vet?

If we were to do that we’d have to abort our hike. But I don’t think we could anyway; we are simply not equipped to handle an injured and hostile male koala that still has three good legs—he’d tear us to shreds with his big, sharp claws.

What then?

Richard was silent for a while, let out a heavy sigh and said with a furrowed brow, "Sadly, I think we have to leave him here. The chance of anyone coming past right here and seeing this is almost nil. The sad thing is that we have seen it. Max, you probably feel as bad about this as I do, but I think we just have to let nature take its course."

Yeah, I guess you’re right. Let me take some photos of it, though. I’ll get you standing in the background.

After Max had taken several photographs they put their rucksacks on again and resumed their journey, looking back to the koala one last time. They walked for another half hour before reaching the point where Peter had told them about the steep descent.

Fuck! Richard exclaimed, stopping abruptly. Steep descent? This is a sheer, two hundred foot cliff we are standing on top of. They both looked down at the tree tops a long way below them, and there in the mid-distance, out amongst the trees, was Castle Rock, just as Peter had said.

I bet Peter knew about this when he told us about it. Wait till I see him again, Richard said with a wry expression, and looked to Max. We’ll have to bash our way through the bush away out that way, he continued, waving his arm to the right, so that we can get down to that level below us, but while we are here, do you want to take some pictures of Castle Rock from this vantage point? Max took the opportunity for more photographs, and they started their detour.

Almost two hours later, and some serious bushwhacking, the two hikers arrived at the western side of Castle Rock. They both looked up. This is some piece of rock, isn’t it? Max observed, And it sure is aptly named.

Richard said, Yeah, and we are now part of a very small group who have ever seen it up this close, but let’s tramp on around to the other side. I see on the map that there is a creek there and I figure that’s where we’ll be able to camp.

A short while later they came to a sparsely treed area on the eastern side of the rock and shrugged their weighty rucksacks off. Feeling lighter again, Richard went up beside Max to put his arm around his waist. This is where we’ll stay tonight, he said, waving his other arm around grandly and looking up at the light brown sandstone face of Castle Rock.

Max looked up too and asked, Does anybody ever climb this rock?

If they did, they’d run the risk of falling and being very hard to rescue, and I’m not about to give you rock climbing instructions. I don’t want you to be like that koala.

Max shivered and said, Nor do I.

Come on, let’s get our camp set up while we still have daylight, Richard urged.

They erected Richard’s tent and arranged the cooking and food items nearby, then they collected some fallen wood to light a fire inside a small circle of stones which previous campers had constructed close to the rock face. Aware of the bush fire danger, Richard mentioned, We must keep this fire low; we don’t want to light up the Grampians. It will be fairly safe because there’s very little undergrowth just here, and it’s not windy.

While Max lit the fire, Richard went down to the creek to get a billy full of water. He set it above the flames to heat up and Max suggested, How about we unroll our sleeping bags while that’s coming to the boil?

Good idea, before it gets dark.

As the pair unpacked the sleeping bags, Max noticed a similarity and said, Hey, my bag is the same as yours!

Yes, I know, and I didn’t say anything in the shop when you bought it, but I realised something right then. Being the same brand, they will lock together with their zippers and we can sleep in a double sleeping bag.

Are you kidding?

Not at all; here I’ll show you. Richard zipped the two bags together, looked at Max, tilted his head sideways and smiled.

And here was me thinking of the two of us in the tent right beside each other, but in separate bags. I was imagining that to be rather frustrating for both of us.

Just watch me, I’m full of tricks! Richard joked. Come on, that billy’s boiling. Let’s make some tea for a hot drink, then we can go about cooking our evening meal.

After they had eaten and wandered down to the creek together in the falling light, they came back to put a few small sticks on the fire and sat beside each other in front of it. They talked of the day’s walk, the koala, Peter’s ‘steep descent’ and having to do extra bushwhacking to get to the camp. They were glad that they had worn jeans rather than shorts because some of the scrub they had bashed through was quite prickly.

We talked about Peter in the camping shop a while ago, Max said. Was he a bit off hand when we were dealing with him? I just felt that he was a bit uncomfortable with us.

Yes, I did too, and I couldn’t work it out, other than that he may have been a bit homophobic, or xenophobic because of your Pacific islander appearance. Maybe it was both, but in either case, that’s his problem.

Richard leaned toward Max, put his arm around his neck, gave him a small kiss on the cheek and said, I, on the other hand, have no problem with us being gay, or you being you. Hey, this fire has burned down enough to not be a danger any more. Shall we go off to bed?

Max turned his head toward Richard in the flickering fire light, returned the kiss, but on the lips, and said, I like you being you too, and I like the idea of getting into our jumbo sleeping bag with you.

They undressed in the tent with the help of a small torch then climbed into the double sleeping bag and snuggled their naked bodies up against each other. It was not long before their hands were busy feeling, caressing, stroking. They kissed and hugged and took hold of each other’s cocks.

I’m going to pull you off, Richard whispered into Max’s ear.

Writhing at Richard’s touch, Max whispered back, And I’m going to do the same to you. He started stroking Richard’s up-curved cock. Twisting their bodies about, they masturbated each other. Richard came first, then Max soon afterwards.

That was a pleasant end to a pleasant day, Max murmured as they then snuggled together, pressing his moist dick up against Richard’s, and wrapping his arm over Richard’s shoulder.

We might have messed up our sleeping bags a bit, Richard muttered back.

I don’t care.

Nor do I, really. It’s just great to be cuddled up here in the middle of nowhere with you in my arms and our dampness down there. At least we didn’t both drop off to sleep in precedence to our urges like that drunken night at my place.

I must remember to not get drunk any more, Max chuckled. The alternative is much more fun.

They were soon asleep, and the next thing they were aware of was the chorus of a multitude of bird calls in the morning. The sun was shining straight on to their camp when they crawled out of the tent and stretched their muscles. Walking around naked in the warm morning air they lit the fire again and put the billy on to boil.

Before I cook us some porridge for breakfast, we’d better go down to the creek and have a bit of a wash, Richard said. We not only need to give our faces a splash, but our bellies too. I can see that you’ve got dried cum flakes matting your hair down there, and on looking down at myself and feeling the dry crustiness, I’m no better.

Max studied his lower abdomen, and looked up to see Richard now bending down into the tent, with bare buttocks and swinging balls, as he reached in for their towels and a wash cloth.

Come on, down to the creek, Richard encouraged, this isn’t going to be very warm, but we’d better do it.

They stepped on to a rock platform in the centre of the creek. Richard wet the wash cloth in the creek and without warning quickly splashed it straight on to Max’s pubic region.

Hoo! Hoo! he exclaimed as he doubled over with shock. That’s cold!

But I didn’t get all the mess, Richard declared, and slopped the wet cloth on again as he laughed.

Max grabbed the cloth from Richard, swiftly swept it through the creek and splashed it right on to Richard’s lower belly. Richard’s immediate reaction was to call out and step backwards, and he fell straight into the creek. He was now completely wet.

If you’re going to do that, Max said, laughing loudly, then I’m coming in too, and he jumped into the creek beside Richard. With the cloth still in his hand he rubbed it all over Richard’s genitals and pubic hair, saying, You did mention that we needed to give our bellies a wash. They both fell about in the water, laughing, then turned it into a proper wash time.

Back at the fire, Richard cooked some oatmeal porridge with sultanas mixed in, which they then ate with condensed milk drizzled over it. Hey, I like this, it tastes great, Max declared.

Thanks. It’s easy to do, and it’s easy to carry the dry ingredients in the rucksack as well, Richard replied. I particularly like porridge in the winter, but with real milk, and honey.

After breakfast they packed up their camp site, doused the fire to extinction with water from the creek, hefted their rucksacks on to their backs and took a different route back to where the ute was parked.

It was late afternoon when the pair arrived back at Golton Island. As they unloaded their gear, Richard asked, Max, are you shearing tomorrow?

No, but from Tuesday I will have the rest of the week in a shearing shed at Natimuk.

Well, how about staying over again tonight?

I’d love to, Max said, and put his arm across Richard’s shoulder as they approached the door.

They had not been inside more than ten minutes when the phone rang. Hello, Richard speaking.

Hi Richard, this is Tony Wilson here. I’ve tried several times during the day to get you. Have you been away?

Yes, a friend and I have been hiking down in the Grampians, and we’ve only just returned home. Do you have a job for me?

Yes, I do. A lady called Nellie Connor has died, and I think she might have been a friend of your mother’s, so I thought it appropriate for you to do her funeral arrangement if you can, otherwise I’ll do it.

I am free tomorrow.

Ah, that sounds like good news then. I’ve already set up a ten-thirty appointment for you to meet with her two daughters at Nellie’s home in Fechler Avenue.

Okay. Yes, I do remember her. She was in a book club with my mother. She was a nice woman, always cheerful.

Thanks, Richard. I’ll see you about ten o’clock then.

Richard explained the situation to Max and they worked out that they would both be leaving Golton Island at about the same time in the morning.

After dinner, Richard got out an LP of light classical music and put it on the record player. The two men settled on to the couch and Max turned to Richard and placed his hand across Richard’s thigh. Thanks for suggesting that hike in the Grampians. There’s a magnificent grandeur to the sandstone rocks, the surrounding native forest, the creeks. I think I’ve got some good photos too.

Do you develop your own photos? Richard asked.

I only develop the black and white ones. The colour ones I get processed at the photo shop in Firebrace Street in Horsham, but I might attempt doing some colour processing myself someday.

You need a dark room, don’t you?

Yes, and where I’m living at the moment, I black out the bathroom. It’s a bit crude, but it works.

Max’s hand was still on Richard’s thigh and Richard placed his own hand over it. He turned slightly and looked into Max’s eyes. So, what do you think about your first camping experience? he asked, smiling.

I loved it. I want to do more of that. It was just great to be away from everything, to be right there with nature and, importantly, to be there with you.

"Well, thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I didn’t doubt that you would be able enough, because being a shearer demands that you are athletically fit, and I know you are—and when I look at your physique I think to myself, I’m thrilled that I met this man!"

You flatter me.

That was intended, and you really do thrill me. Max, come here. Richard leaned over and met Max with a warm kiss.

Moving closer, Richard murmured, Can I encourage you to come to bed with me?

Mmmm, no encouragement needed. After last night, I want more of you too.

Then, you can have me. Come on. Leaving the record player to turn itself off, they headed for the bedroom hand in hand.

Let’s undress each other alternating one piece at a time, Richard suggested.

Then sit on the bed and I’ll start with one of your socks, Max urged.

They smiled and chuckled as each garment came off. Max was the first to be fully naked and it seemed that Richard may have had two more garments to go. Max undid the front of Richard’s jeans and slid them down his legs, causing his stiff dick to snap upwards in freedom. No jocks? Max asked in jest, smiling.

No, I met this cute guy in the bush a few weeks ago and when he undressed in front of me I saw that he wasn’t wearing anything under his shorts. It occurred to me that it might be a nice thing to do, to not wear jocks, to free-ball. Since then I’ve been free-balling most of the time.

And who would this cute guy have been? Max inquired.

Smiling with a twinkle in his eyes, Richard said, The same guy whose balls I am about to fondle right now, and he cupped Max’s scrotum with his left hand, reached the other hand behind Max’s head and kissed him. They were soon locked in a firm hug and kissed, eyes closed.

Relaxing slightly, Richard opened his eyes and said, Max, something wonderful just happened then. With my eyes shut, my inner brain saw blue light.

So did I! What shade of blue did you see? Max asked.

It was a royal blue.

Richard, that’s what I saw too, Max concurred.

"Max, I’ve got this deep feeling that we are meant to be. I love you, and I want you."

I love you too.

Continuing to touch and hug each other, they soon found themselves locked in an embrace on the bed. Following more passionate fondling and kissing, Richard said, I want you to fuck me.

With a concerned look on his face Max said, as he stroked a hand across the side of Richard’s face, I would love to do that, and you’ve certainly got me turned on, but I don’t want to hurt you.

With you, my dear, it could never hurt, big cock or not.

Richard reached across to the side cupboard and brought out some KY gel. Here, we’ll use this as a lubricant. He poured some on to Max’s erect cock and smeared it around, then, lying on his back, spread some more in his own arse crack. He lay back, holding his knees and feet in the air.

Max, on his own knees, approached Richard’s elevated arse, grasped his legs behind the knees and lifted Richard’s pelvis slightly. Their eyes met, then Richard lay his head back as he felt Max’s stiff cock touch against his anus. After some gentle little pushes, Richard winced slightly as Max entered him and eased his cock back and forth, back and forth, sliding in slightly deeper with each push.

Richard moaned with pleasure as Max reached his full depth and began rhythmic thrusts which intensified. They were both carried away in the rapture of their union.

Soon Max began to shudder slightly and he whispered, I’m getting close.

Lifting his head, Richard reached his hands to Max’s wrists and whispered back, Keep going, as Max thrust more firmly. The next thing, Max was muttering, urgh! urgh! urgh! as he ejaculated inside Richard.

Looking down at Richard, Max slowly withdrew his cock and leaned in between Richard’s legs to kiss him, resting right on top of Richard’s still-throbbing dick.

That was wonderful, Richard; I’ve never experienced anything like that before. Are you okay?

Oh, yes, I am, he said, smiling warmly up to Max, but I’ll be more okay if you give me some room. I really need to jerk myself off.

Max rolled off Richard and placed his hand into Richard’s inner thigh. Richard took hold of his cock and pumped it, raising his pelvis as he did so. It took only a short while before he was spurting thick strands of semen along his belly. Relaxing down on to the bed again, he opened his eyes to look at Max, reached across to touch him and said, Come here, my dear.

Max cuddled up to Richard and murmured, "That was the nicest encounter I’ve ever had, Richard. The warm, wet sensations that coursed through my body while I was inside you were amazing. Thank you, thank you. I love you dearly."

Richard smiled, drew Max nearer and kissed him. And thank you. It felt mighty good for me too, Richard whispered.

Max went on: After that wonderfully intimate experience with you, I think I’m now truly identifying as gay. He kissed Richard again.

When they released, Richard said with a smile, Welcome to fagdom.

They were soon sound asleep in each other’s arms.

Chapter 4

Meeting Lester

After breakfast Max offered to do the dishes while Richard got himself dressed for the funeral arrangement. When Max saw Richard coming in to the room wearing his suit he said, Oh, my God, look at you! The gorgeous hunk who I slept with last night looks even more gorgeous. Richard smiled and bowed his head a little.

Max went