Day 22 – River Gum.

River Gum - St George

The Balonne River earlier this year just tipped the levy banks and luckily they held saving the township of St George.  The beautiful river gums are coming back to their former glory along the river bank, free from debris, can’t say the same for the potholes in the roads, or some of the surrounding towns that went under.  An incredible amount of water swept through this Outback part of Queensland continuing on to poor Moore, where the township was flooded twice in 6 weeks.  It definitely was topsy turvie weather for the start of the year.  Looks like where we are heading it is going to be cold, cold, cold.  But isn’t that want really warm clothes and port are for!  Hmmm, I will check back on that on later.

Day 21 – Bush Dawn ANZAC DAY.

ANZAC DAY DAWN 2012

 Weathered hands hold an old photograph.  The edges are torn; faded, creased lines cover the diminishing image.  The good looking gentleman stares back in his uniform; pressed, clean, stands tall, proud, and ready.  Teardrops fall, the years have passed he is no more, yet the haunting eyes, his soul still peer from the photograph.  He didn’t even make it to the shore or set foot on Gallipoli.  His blood has long since washed away, in the water from the foreign land he volunteered to fight in, for a country he believed in, away from family, friends, and sweethearts.  He could have been your great grandfather, grandfather, uncle, husband or friend.  He sacrificed for us, for our lives in what he believed to be a wonderful country called Australia.  On this ANZAC day be proud of the fallen and their sacrifices.  Be proud of our Armed Services serving Australia today.  They are a long way from home, and their loved ones still wait with a photograph on the shelf, hoping and praying they come home.  Lest we Forget.

Day 20 – Pit Stop.

Pit Stop

  I have to confess that Cardwell may only be 2 and a bit hours down the road from Cairns, but haven’t been there since the devastation of Cyclone Yasi, and boy even after 18 months there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.  The tranquil waters still lie off shore and the views to Hinchinbrook Island stunning.  Nevertheless, after the total devastation of the Cardwell foreshore and houses, they still have their sense of humour and named the new bar and grill Yasi.  Next time you are passing through support the local community, have lunch, coffee, or even stay the night.  Every little bit helps, it might be a small town (and small things come in great packages) still a beautiful part of Australia.

Day 19 - Layers & Obstacles

Layers & Obstacles

You know when you have one of those days when things you were hoping to come together, just don't get there.  Well today, was one of those days, which puts us 1/2 a day behind in the travelling scheme down south.  Sometimes you got to take a deep breath, reassess and go in cruise mode.  Navigate around the things that aren't really going to matter in the big scheme of things, and jump to the next level.  Tomorrow is a brand new day. It will be clear skies, great day for driving and getting some kilometres under our belt. :)

Day 18 - Broken rules.

Broken Rules

Well if you thought my imagination was running wild with the swan back on day 14; you are in for a treat today.  Key ingredients = cracker day in paradise blue skies, sun shining, fountain, weekend, plus getting ready to go on new adventure.  Equals high on life.  Plus breaking every traditional rule in photography to get this shot.  A wise person once said to me, you tell the camera what to do, not let it take the picture for you.  So today, no swans but side profile of Balinese Buddha (head) statue.   What are you going for?

Day 17 - Tunnel Vision.

Tunnel Vision

   

One definition is  'the inability to grasp a situation's wider implications.'  We have probably all been guilty of it at some stage in our lives.  Caught on a view, or opinion not looking at it as a bigger picture.  Frustrated that others don't see it your way, and why are they questioning you?  Your right, aren't you?  Maybe, maybe not, the old cliché rings true, different strokes make the world go around.  Keep on the side of looking at the bigger picture instead of the narrow path.  You never know what you may discover. :)