Yesterday starts very well. I receive a letter from the Department of Transport. ‘You can retain your existing licence. No further action is required. Your cooperation in this matter has been appreciated.’ Wow, this could be my lucky day. I have an ophthalmology appointment with Dr Abdemalchamer in Dulwich that day. The name’s quite aContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: The Eye Test”
Category Archives: Robert Schmidt
Robert Schmidt: Alternative Reality
I was 15 in 1968 and in Intermediate at Concordia College in Malvern. My eldest brother, Peter, who was almost 11 years older than me, came to teach at the school. First, he taught mathematics, then music. He also coached me in football. I could not get away from him. He was music master untilContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: Alternative Reality”
Robert Schmidt: Brian
When I was young, I went to St John’s Primary School where I had a black-haired friend, Brian. We were inseparable. He lived in Fisher Street, two or three streets away. One day I am sent on an errand by my older brother, David, to get a pack of cigs at the local deli. IContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: Brian”
Robert Schmidt: Moon Landing – Truth or Myth
My father, Johannes Carl Schmidt—yes, that was his full name—was head patent attorney at Collison and Co in the 1960s and 1970s. With his scientific background it seemed only natural that he would become focussed on the television and saw all the moon landings between1969 and 1971. He was particularly riveted watching Neil ArmstrongContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: Moon Landing – Truth or Myth”
Robert Schmidt: Is That a Blueberry Flan?
Is that a blueberry flan? After an appointment, my wife and I decided to have a light lunch at Utzi Café at the Burnside Village. We both ordered rolls. Jane also ordered a skinny mugachino. I ordered a pot of English Breakfast tea. You are given a number for the food; and a buzzer forContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: Is That a Blueberry Flan?”
Robert Schmidt: Poor Robert
I rang the Fullarton Lutheran Homes for a visit with my sister Pauline. ‘That will be fine,’ the secretary said. ‘No RAT test or appointment?’ ‘Just put on a mask and head visor when you get here.’ Half an hour later, I cheerfully arrive at the front door. There is a certain amount of redContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: Poor Robert”
Robert Schmidt: What Happened to The Kia
I had agreed with Allianz to return my free Commodore car to Budget Car Rentals on Marion Road by 10am. After this date, I would pay for my own rental. On Wednesday afternoon, I contacted Alliance. They were going to contact Budget to get a cheap rental. “No worries” they say. Within minutes Budget ringsContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: What Happened to The Kia”
Robert Schmidt: UFO’s Humbug
Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have fascinated me all my life. We often would talk about them around the dinner table. We talked about life on billions of planets, numerous sightings through to the 1947 Roswell, New Mexico, ‘flying saucer’ claims and conspiracy theories.My Dad was a brilliant patent attorney with the full name Johannes CarlContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: UFO’s Humbug”
Robert Schmitt: The Guest of Honour
My birthday on the 24th March 2022 was planned to be low key. It was to be in the Honeypot Café at Fullarton Lutheran Homes. Only my two elderly aunties, Wilma and Lotte, cousin, Karen, sister Pauline and my wife Jane were invited. The party was set for 2.30pm. It’s only a few minute driveContinue reading “Robert Schmitt: The Guest of Honour”
Robert Schmidt: Poor Robert
I rang the Fullarton Lutheran Homes for a follow-up visit with my sister Pauline. ‘That will be fine,’ the secretary says to me over the phone. ‘No RATS or appointment. Just put a mask on and then a visor when you get here.’ Half an hour later I cheerfully arrive at the front door. ThereContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: Poor Robert”
Robert Schmidt: It’s All Part of the Act
I welcome my guests at the entrance of the Burnside Ballroom for our Words, Wine and World Music event on the 10th November 2021. I sit down with them, fairly close to the stage. At about 6.55pm Sharon, Anne, Georgette and I go and sit on chairs on the left of the stage. I feelContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: It’s All Part of the Act”
Robert Schmidt: The long, long, long weekend
Last Friday afternoon I needed to contact Helping Hand to stop a contractor coming on Wednesday afternoon 6th October to deliver tall boys and tables and collecting our old ones. I wanted to reschedule. Wednesdays I go on my Heart Foundation walk and once a month to an important lunch at the Glynde Hotel withContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: The long, long, long weekend”
Robert Schmidt: My Mask Day Blues
Jane and I drove to South Terrace to pick up an admission form for St Andrews hospital where Jane was to have a medical procedure. After hastily parking my Suzuki, I walk towards the entrance of the hospital. While walking, I fiddle in my jacket pocket for my mask. My mobile phone must have wrappedContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: My Mask Day Blues”
Robert Schmidt: The Friendly Reminder
Normally I pay my bills on the day I receive an account. I have a perfect credit rating. My wife and I have a Home Care package from the government, which pays for certain work in our house. Mind you, not $10,000 for a fancy bed for my wife that we were talked into buyingContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: The Friendly Reminder”
Robert Schmidt: Remember Me
I was sharing a pot of tea with my wife Jane at the Utzi Cafe in the Burnside Village ̶ next thing a former friend, well I think I’ll call him that, from my evenings at the Wildwood Gallery in Grenfell Street, comes up to the table. Wildwood Gallery had art on display but wasContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: Remember Me”
Robert Schmidt: Last Cab Off the Rank
I saw my urologist, Dr Wells, late on the day of my horrible flow test. ’You still have 800mls in your bladder,’ he informs me. ‘If I were you, I’d be rolling around on the floor.’ Charming, I think. Surgery was set for the 12th September. Admission at 5.00pm? Everyone says to me the surgeryContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: Last Cab Off the Rank”
Robert Schmidt: The COVID-19 Adventure – Part 2
On Monday evening arrive home from the Royal Adelaide Hospital by taxi with our masks on. Take mine off in a hurry. ‘Going to be a long seventy-two hours Jane,’ I sigh. Suspend walking with my friends and social activities. No one can actually come inside our home. Self isolation you know. Fortunately we haveContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: The COVID-19 Adventure – Part 2”
Robert Schmidt: The COVID-19 Adventure – Part 1
My wife Jane has been feeling unwell for a few weeks. Her symptoms became flu-like in recent days. We both have had our vaccinations. Her doctor yesterday suggested she have a COVID-19 test. ‘I’ll get the results almost instantly,’ she says to me. We decide to get a taxi to the Royal Adelaide Hospital straightaway.Continue reading “Robert Schmidt: The COVID-19 Adventure – Part 1”
Robert Schmidt: Your Call Is Important To Us
Recently I was required to have a blood test. I have several questions to ask over the phone before having it. There is a 1300 number you can ring. I dial the number. It rings a while, and then a recorded message cuts in, ‘Your call is important to us. We will be with youContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: Your Call Is Important To Us”
Robert Schmidt: The Flow Test
Two weeks ago I had a flow study and a bladder scan. The tests identify how well you empty your bladder. A few weeks earlier a CT scan of my bladder and only kidney, had identified a problem down below. On the day of the flow I drink a litre of water in the hourContinue reading “Robert Schmidt: The Flow Test”
Burnside Writers Group 