Charmingly erratic narrative of a New Year's Day picnic in the Otway Ranges by a group of Melbourne holiday-makers at Lorne, chaperoned by the narrator and his match-making wife. A description of Australian picnics in general, the scenic trip to the picnic spot, a bellbird and an encounter with a snake preface an account of the brave defence of an isolated New Zealand homestead during the Maori Wars by one of the picnickers, an ex-army officer from South Africa. Concludes with the various pairings promoted by the day - and plans for another holiday. (PB)