I bought this on Steam a couple of weeks ago, when it was on special for $5.

I remember playing it on X-Box many years ago, and how blown away I was with the size and detail of the game.

The story begins when your Republic Cruiser was attacked and you crash land on the planet Taris in an escape pod.

Your first mission is to locate a Jedi from your ship who is somewhere in the city, with many other side quests available to explore.

So far, a couple of hours in, my verdict on the game is very positive.

Yes, the graphics have aged, but the solid story line and sheer size and depth more than make up for this.

It was a shame the reboot was cancelled, but for now all we have is the original and it’s still hot!

I might post some further updates with screenshots as I progress through the game.

No one gave them a chance. Now they’re into the last sixteen!

(All photos courtesy of SBS)

Most people would have seen, or at least know of the Roman Polanski film ‘Rosemary’s Baby’.

The novel was written by Ira Levin and published in 1967.

Did you know that Australia is mentioned on more than one occasion in the book as a location for witchcraft and devil worshipping? In fact, the specific town named is Cessnock, NSW.

I have copied the exerpts below.

“…and the Castevets in 7A, heard (“Roman! Where’s Terry?”) but unseen, were either recluses or comers-and-goers-at-odd-hours. Their door was opposite the elevator, their doormat supremely readable. They got air mail letters from a surprising variety of places: Hawick, Scotland; Langeac, France; Vitória, Brazil; Cessnock, Australia.“

“Do you come from Australia?” Rosemary asked, when the carpet had been blotted, the tray safely kitchened, and the Castevets seated in straight-backed chairs.

“Oh no,” Mr. Castevet said, “I’m from right here in New York City. I’ve been there though. I’ve been everywhere. Literally.”

“This book was published in 1933,” Rosemary said; “there were covens in Europe—that’s what they’re called, the groups, the congregations; covens—in Europe, in North and South America, in Australia; do you think they’ve all died out in just thirty-three years?

Interesting, don’t you think?

It took a bit of searching around the Jundland Wastes, but eventually I got there.

In case you don’t know, the game is Lego Star Wars – The Skywalker Saga.

Apparently this qualifies as a ‘Big Aussie Icon’, but I’m not sure how.

It’s located at Allansford, near Warrnambool, Victoria.

Some photo highlights of our epic drive.

Picked these up from a bullion dealer in Melbourne.

Silver has never shone brighter!

How does this happen?

Think about how many people would have been involved along the way.

Graphic Designers, Editors, Printers and the people who put these posters up!

Not one person picked up on this?

I think a lot of people visit here believing that the story of the missing schoolgirls is true.

Regardless, there is a lot of spirituality here – one can feel it in the air. No doubt the legend of ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ plays a part in that, but I’m guessing there would also be Indigenous mysticism surrounding this place.

So powerful that these forces were that the Gift Shop and Cafe were not open, despite a high number of tourists visiting. However, the boomgate and the machine where you pay ten dollars prior to exiting were in perfect working order.

In an interesting post-script, the strangeness continued on the drive back to Melbourne. For reasons not explained, we were pulled over by the police as they wanted to see my identity and ask what I was doing. I think it was more the NSW plates that triggered the cops, rather than any magic that may have rubbed off on us from Hanging Rock.

More photos below…

The heavy cloud cover may have spoiled any views that were on offer, but instead turned the scene into one of mystery and eeriness.

We took the short detour on our way to Hanging Rock.