The road home

January 12th 2007.....

Not written a blog entry for a few days, but it has been a little chaotic. Tuesday night I went for my last night of drinking at the Tree. I was sad to say goodbye to people, particularly Josh, Gill, Ian, Donald and Anna. Email addresses were swapped though so who knows when paths will cross again! On Wednesday night I stayed at Peter and Mandy's as they very kindly offered me a lift through to Bundaberg airport on Thursday morning. We had a great night, and I think I've made more good friends with people who I plan to keep in touch with. Not sure if I'll ever make it back to Australia realistically but if they ever make it to the UK, then they will never be short of a place to stay. Theres always email for keeping in touch, too.

When I got to Bundaberg airport i was surprised to be sharing a flight with Thom, a Reiki master and electrician who was holidaying in 1770 and who i met at the Tree. He's a really chilled, nice guy from Christchurch, NZ and we had some pretty good chats, so it was nice to have some company waiting for my flight from Brisbane to Singapore. He's planning on moving over to 1770, and his combined spiritualistic take on life and his engineering knowledge mean that his plans for an Eco-property could easily come to fruition. Utilising solar power and making the most of low LED's for lighting are easily achievable in a climate with so much sunshine, and with the right amount of space, a well maintained “good life” style veggie patch could provide pretty much all the fruit and veg required for a more than healthy diet. The abundance of fishing spots off the coast also adds to the potential for his dream to come true. It all seems fairly far-fetched when looking at it from our totally consumer dependent way of life in England, but having seen the way people survive out there (theres a huge barter-economy of people growing things and trading with local fishermen for fish or labour) it's almost a throwback to ancient times. A fully functioning society where everyone plays their part. In the event of a global crisis that resulted in loss of power and connection with the outside world, the little town of 1770 would be pretty much unaffected and be able to sustain itself easily.

After weighing in my baggage at Brisbane I was told I was 20kilo's over my allowed baggage. I was able to re-jig some bags around and ditch some items to take me down to 10Kilos over, but it would still have cost me A$900 to get that 10Kilo's back home. I was told I could send my baggage unattended and that it could be shipped to Leeds Bradford, so feeling a little blessed as that only cost A$200 and I should see my bag in about a week. The whole process took over an hour though making me nearly late for boarding. They were just closing the terminal gates as I sprinted down to gate 88 (which was actually 88 gates from where I started!!!) I think the poor girl sat next to me on the plane felt the brunt of my exertion, as I'd dressed for English weather and not strenuous exercise in the 35 degree Brisbane heat. I attempted to wash in the plane toilets somewhat unsuccessfully but eventually just resigned myself to being extremely smelly!

The flight from Brisbane to Singapore was pretty uneventful, and Singapore was a suprisingly pleasant airport, although the weather somehow managed to be both exceptionally humid and rainy at the same time. I took the time to chill in a bar outside and smoke my last cigarette for 14 hours before going to buy some duty free. While in the queue to buy some tobacco I got chatting to a fellow Brit who used to live in Knaresboro – it really is a small world!

The flight from Singapore to Paris was hell – I slept through a good 7hrs of it, but it was uncomfortable sleep and when I tried to stand up halfway through the journey I was numb in places that I didn't think I had. I was suddenly struck by the reality of going home. Back to the real world. I promptly scalded myself for looking at it that way. The experiences that I've had have been no less the real world than the world back home, and it would be a tragedy for me to make any kind of a distinction between the two. If I can use what I have learned and carry on thinking the same way as I have been doing when I get back then there is no distinction within me, and that is what matters. After all, although I never described it in that way, I think that was what I was looking for when I went away anyway. When I get home, i need to remember how easy it is to keep that sense of calm, how simple it is to stay aware of what is going on around me and to not lose that sense of wonder at the little things that so often don't get noticed.

This will probably be my last blog entry – unless I disappear off anywhere else in future. I know that there are people reading this that I don't know though, and I would like to leave the blog on this advice. If you want to do something – just do it. Don't waste time, don't worry about the long term effects. If things are meant to be then all you need to do is allow them to happen. Don't get caught up in too many plans – you will only be disappointed if they do not come to fruition, but don't be afraid to let the path reveal itself to you and carry you to wherever you should be. Relax, enjoy life and take the time to see things that you had forgotten to look at. Turn off the TV and go outside. Watch the sunset, look at the constellations. Walk in the countryside, stand still and listen to the world around you. Chances are you will see and hear things that you haven't since childhood. The wonder of life is still there - you just need to remember how to look at it.

PR - 12/01/2007

Lizard Life

Had a pretty chilled out day yesterday and didn't do much at all. Relaxed, read, walked along the beach and popped into the pub for a few drinks and met up with Mal and his "puppy" (shes 7 months, but absolutely huge and still has that puppy spirit!)

All in all a pretty uneventful day. Did catch some great photos of a lizard that I found in the kitchen though who was really relaxed around me (most of them seem to head for cover the sooner you are anywhere near them). This little fella was a little too relaxed as I nearly stepped on him in my morning daze....
The mosaic of Captain Cook that's going in the bathroom downstairs arrived today, so managed to get a decent photo of that. Looks like it's being mounted on Wednesday, so I'll miss the finished article which is a shame. Just resting on the floor now in 3 pieces though it looks impressive. It should be stunning when it's complete!

What a LARC!!

Cycled into Agnes Water again yesterday. A pretty gruelling affair given the heat, but I'm getting quicker and less breathless the more I do the journey which can only be a good sign! On the way back I was passing the marina and remembered that I'd planned to do a LARC tour but hadn't got round to it. No time like the present, so I popped in and booked for that evening.

The LARC is an aluminium amphibious vehicle - a boat with wheels basically, that tours the coastline right up as far as the Bustard Head Lighthouse station. The evening tour is much shorter, going as far as the Eurimbula National Park though, but I think having been on the short evening (Sunset) tour I'll probably book in on Monday for the longer one. It was a great evening out and I managed to get some amazing photos, although the camera stayed in the bag for much of the tour because the abilities of the LARC were being demonstated. Certainly "surfing" in 7.5 tonnes of vehicle is an experience that will never be forgotten.

A little damp, I walked past the pub on the way back and stopped in for a quick drink. Didn't stop long though as I was accosted by a pretty drunk tourist who was quite irritating. I went home, ate and then played guitar on the veranda for an hour or 2, read then fiddled with the digital camera (it has some features that I haven't
looked at yet) before calling it a night.

I went to the caravan park this morning after going for a swim to pick up some more insect repellant.....bloody bugs are still mauling me at every opportunity. They're driving me completely crackers. I woke up this morning with a couple of nasty bites on my arms, back and the top of my foot. The insect life here really won't be missed.

The Tree

Another interesting day yesterday. I'd agreed to help move Rogers new fridge into the house when it was delivered. All in all a true "chuckle brothers" style affair as the steps up to the house are definitely not condusive to large stainless steel objects being carried up them. Between the 3 of us moving it in 35 degree heat i think we perspired more than the annual rainfall in this part of the world, so a beer was much needed on completion of the task! Coincidentally, the pub at the end of the road has now re-opened, and what better way to further dehydrate oneself than a barrel-load of alcohol :-)

The Tree is possibly the most unique pub I've come across. It consists of a window leading out to a patio area. There's no indoor seating at all, and the toilets are the public convenience across the road. The clientelle are the most interesting of all though. Because of the layout of the place there's no "grouping off" of people meaning it's really easy to find yourself in conversation with people.....a great thing when you're a "bloody foreigner" who doesn't know anyone. My fellow fridge mover Mal was there though and he got the ball rolling with introductions to a couple of seafarer types called Tiger and Gill. Gill looks like a cross between Santa Claus and Uncle Albert, and is a talkative old fellow, whereas Tiger is less talkative and a lot thinner and missing all his teeth. Between the pair of them though I heard some stories of a similar caliber to those I remember hearing working with Kates family at the Mission to Seafarers bar in Tilbury docks. The yarns got longer and the tall stories got taller, and various backpackers and tourists came and went. I met a multitude of people and it was great to just have a laugh and a joke with everyone! Quite a few Jim Beam and Cokes (of the canned variety??!) were sunk and a really good night was had.

I got back quite late and literally passed straight out after skilful avoidance of the "new" spider in the house. I've been trying to identify it this morning looking at the list of indiginous spiders in Queensland (it's become a bit of a hobby - not least because if one of the little critters bites me I wan't to know whether something's going to drop off!) No idea what it is and can't find a picture of one anywhere so i think its firmly on the list of wildlife I'll give a wide berth to!


Just found a photo I took last night of the sun setting when i was on my way back to the pub. As usual it was absolutely breathtaking - but for a change I had actually remembered to take my camera :-)

I thought the Great Barrier Reef was a big wall of alcopops? Maybe I got the wrong idea!

Amazing- that pretty much sums up today in a nutshell! Had an early start yesterday morning to get to the “Spirit of 1770”. We were warned when we got on board that the sea was likely to be rocky, but I don't think any of the 50 or so people on board anticipated exactly how rocky! I'm pretty good with motion sickness (the only thing that really throws me are the “Waltzers” in fairgrounds), however I do have an issue with other people's sick. Within half an hour of setting off there were 5 people clutching desperately at half full sick bags around me, and within an hour there were 10. All the time crew were collecting full bags and re-issuing empty ones, and the smell of vomit was permeating my sinuses. I managed to keep my own breakfast down and within 2 hours we were at the pontoon near the island. We were split into groups for activities, and being in the first group to visit the island, we had a chance to grab a quick cup of tea and then were allowed onto a small boat that took us to Lady Musgrave Island itself. The tour of the island was about 40 minutes and it was explained how historically the island was popular for “guano mining” - this is the collection of bird droppings which make rich fertiliser. The island absolutely hummed with the smell of the guano itself and I had to wonder whether it might be worthwhile rejuvinating the old industry just to make the place smell better. Flocks of birds nested in the trees overhead and were remarkably unintimidated by us walking round the island. The beach itself was covered in coral, but we were told not to collect any or risk facing a hefty fine.

When we got back to the platoon a buffet lunch was served, and then the main order of the day – snorkeling amongst the Coral. I bought an underwater camera which I'll have to take home before I get it processed, and I really hope worked ok, as the closest thing I can relate the experience to was swimming in a giant tropical fish tank. The variety of fish and coral was breathtaking – I even saw a stingray drifting along close to the bottom. Yesterday really was an unforgettable experience. I didn't think i'd be as affected by it as I was but feeling fish brushing up against your skin while you swim among them is incredible.

Got back to 1770 about half past 5 exhausted – a really worthwhile day though. This morning got up and cycled into Agnes Water to get some milk and cigs. Who says smoking's bad for you? The mission that I have to go on to fill my lungs with tar is the most energetic I've been in years. Bought another couple of books today as well. I seem to be churning through books like nothing else at the moment. Long quiet evenings sat outside have meant that I've had plentiful opportunity to rejuvinate a few old pleasures; reading and playing guitar.

Happy New Year

Another year over! Time flies when your having fun and all that ;-)

Not really been a lot happening here. Spending a lot of time chilling and reading, sat outside on the veranda and generally unwinding which has been long overdue. Getting used to the Aussies now too, and the interesting coloquialisms that feature in conversation (it took me a while to get used to not sniggering when someone would talk about going out and "drinking piss"). The wildlife is entertaining as ever, and I've booked in for the Lady Musgrave Island Great Barrier Reef tour tomorrow, so I'll be snorkelling on the Great Barrier reef.....which I would imagine will be completely insane! Certainly something i won't forget in a hurry!

Found a satellite image of here on Google Maps - isn't technology fantastic :-D

Walked through a cobweb in the dark the other day and an egg sac burst on me, resulting in hundreds of nasty spiders running all over me - my worst nightmare. In brushing them off I must have annoyed a few of them as I now have about 30 bites all over my torso about the size of bee stings.....this, in conjuction with the sand fly bites on my legs and ankles means I look a little like a walking blister at the moment the second I expose any flesh!

Had some problems with the car I rented - the guy I rented it off claims I've caused problems with the gearbox - it was ropey at best when i took it out, and it was the same when I took it back. He's trying to get me to pay for repairs. I've paid for the part, but beyond that i'm not even entertaining him. It does leave me with a slight dilema though - no transport, as theres no way on earth I'm renting another heap from him. Still, a few more days and I'll be heading on to Bundaberg. Until then I have no problem with walking or cycling.

Went up to the pub (there was a $5 minibus) last night for New Year, and met some interesting people. There were a couple of lads I met the other day up there again, and also got chatting to a guy called Christian from Norway. Once again the "Tao" on my wrist was a conversation starter - which I have to say is pretty cool. He's travelling the world at the moment and has completely walked away from materialism and is just living in a tent doing cash work to survive and fund his travels. I have to say he's pretty brave, but he's met a lot of people so far and has accommodation in quite a few countries. Swapped a few good book recommendations with him and gave him my email address so if he hits Britain at any point he'll have a place to stay. He seemed really familiar, and it's only now that I've realised that he reminded me of an old friend from Harrogate in his mannerisms and ideas.

In terms of where I am at the moment, well Roger told me that it takes a while for it to happen, but when you've been here a while everything slows down. I completely understand what he means now. I think it's pretty easy to forget that the world that we build around ourselves isn't real. I've been learning and trying to practice Qui Gong, and am feeling the positive effects already. This is the ideal place to start looking at meditative techniques though, with no distractions from the immediateness of the environment around you and how that affects your own energies. I'm going to be careful when I go back home not to let myself fall into the old patterns of distraction and continue to be aware of all that is going on around me. When was the last time you looked at the night sky? Not in a photograph, or a passing glance upwards, but actually stood and watched and felt the impact of everything going on around you. We try to disconnect from people and the environment around us, but the impact of everything on everything else is indisputable (what Douglas Adams would have called "the interconnectedness of all things", or what slightly more philosophical physisists would relate with Quantum Entanglement). 12 months ago I would have argued that I didn't have time to stand outside for an hour looking at the stars, but that was a limit imposed on myself by myself and the priorities that I set out in life. Even before I set off on this journey I'd started to realise this, and even made efforts to improve this (thanks to a particularly special person!), but now I find myself looking with childlike wonder at the little things like wind blowing the grass or leaves falling from a tree. We're too quick to stop noticing. If i was going to make a New Years resolution, it would be to carry on watching and enjoying these things - I think i'm turning into a hippy ;-)