I had seen references to Auster’s death recently but had forgotten that ‘Hump the Bluey’, a clue very dear to my heart, was one of hers.

” What Aussie swagmen do to obey Jesus’ instruction? (John 5:8) (4,3,5)”

I loved smutchin’s comment that day: “I like the idea of the Australian vernacular edition of the bible having the line: “Strewth, Bruce,” said Jesus, “get up and hump yer bluey, why don’t ya.” ”

And then [some self-indulgence here but it's what made the clue really stick:] a couple of weeks later, from don [on my blog]::

“Dave Ellison Said:
Can anyone think of another expression (or word?) that would fit:

H_M_T_E_L_E_ ?”

Hmm It’s Eileen

I’ll get my coat or, as they say in Oz, ‘hump the bluey’!”

So – I’ve always remembered that expression.

RIP Auster