Ma's Lander

Nasa's Phoenix takes a photo of "Mars".
The shadow my Mother casts as she
takes the photo, can be clearly seen in the
top left corner.








I had one of those conversations the other night.

In reaction to a TV news break, I start up with, “How about the way it just fell apart at the end of the runway! Just totally into three bits. They shouldn’t do that!”

Little old lady comes back with, “Yes but it’s alright, there wasn’t anyone on board.”

“Well I know there weren’t any passengers, but there’s still a crew.”

“No I don’t think so, I think they’re unmanned.”

“Uhm, I know the autopilot can do a lot, but they still put guys up the pointy end.”

“Are you sure? I really thought this was an unmanned mission…”

“Hang on, hang on. I’m talking about that 747 cargo plane that fell into thirds at the end of a Brussels runway yesterday.”

“Oh sorry, I thought you were talking about the Mars lander robot thingy.”

Talking of which, I was chatting to my Grey Nomad Mother who is on her way home from her latest trek across Australia. She was in the middle of an arid, dusty, stony and barren place.

The first pictures that the Phoenix Polar Mars Robot Lander (or as I call him, Terry) sent back, reportedly came via Australia. Really?!

As I listened to my mum's description of where she’s camping in, I look at the photos coming back from Mars, and I can’t help but feel that the timing is more than coincidental. If you squint I reckon you can see guy ropes and tent pegs in the corner of the shot.