Simple and rare joys of the 3.30am start

Life before dawn. In this great city it’s glorious and, after 27 mango seasons of the 3.30am FOOB – Fall Out Of Bed – I still love it.

It’s an adventure every single morning. Especially if you miss the alarm, then of course it is not an adventure at all, more like absolute terror.

Over the last few days I’ve had more of the ‘ I don’t know how you do it’ and the everfaithful ‘ do you ever get used to it?’ questions. The answer to the first is, ‘ because you love what you do’, and the answer to the second is ‘ NO’.

Now, as this great city evolves, there are more and more dawn patrollers. Years ago the big corner of Woolcock and Hugh was quiet at 6, now there are lines of cars, pushies and white cockatoos. It's a huge family – those driving at 6 were up at 5 or earlier – we all sorta have an understanding.

It is an absolute life- changer to be up for those magical hours before dawn. Not flash for your health if you’re naughty at night, I might add, not that I do that … well not anymore!

There are many great people who work these hours, from cutting sugar bush, the Mills, security, the truckies, our coppers and ambos, the newsagents, so many!

Years ago, all I ever had was old Nescafe and a kettle with a gecko doing laps in it. Now there are four coffee shops open at 4.30am within three minutes of work. How amazing is life.

In those days I even rode a pushbike to work from Oonoonba, did it for years. How I survived that road to Rooneys Bridge I’ll never know.

Anyway, I digress. For a bit of fun I’ll briefly go through a morning adventure. Alarm at 3.30. The first one loud because I’m deaf, but its probably enough as my dear Barb next to me wakes, kisses me goodbye and adds “Now bugger off and go wake all your friends”. Charming.

Then brekky, news from the computer, car, and with a bit of luck make it down the drive without hitting anything.

Over the years I’ve had many morning mates who wave. It just makes your day. There was Johnny from Juicy Juice who would have the whole arm out the window waving, dear Nev from Whites Grocers would wave as he put out the signs ( wish you well, Nev), Dasher from Tip Top, the pink shirts of Azkeen, BMWebb truckies, Big Boys Super Wash, good ol’ Frank from Bakery On Primrose, and so many more. As I said, a family.

These hours are magical, and it’s true, we were not made to wake at 3.30 in the morning, but really, how’s it affected me… maybe I shouldn’t have asked.

Mum told me: “Son, you were born around 4 in the morning, you were supposed to do this job.” Oorrrooo P. S. The winter sunrises can be beautiful.