TODD RIVER RUNNING - Central Australia

It's normal to see the river banks winding waterless along through the tree's of this inland town.

In the cool of the evening looking across camp fires burn bright sending sparks high into the starry sky.

Indigenous people clustered around keeping warm whilst listening to dream time stories, into the night.

Next day dawning, whilst enjoying a coffee, we are given a warning rain fast approaching - will swiftly flow southward filling every waterhole and river cleansing the earth as it tumbles along.

Through the Alice it flows moving swiftly down river what excitement is felt as we join a group of tourists and locals lined along the bridge above delighted to witness the Todd River running.

In the river bed the water has spread wider, as it twists and turns like a snake, it's top skin shimmering like silver, in the early morning light. Todd River running with delight! The river flowed for a couple of days then receded allowing life to return to normal.

- AMJB

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SILVER TIPPED WINGS

I dream of one day flying high above this earth, Just like an eagle soaring free amongst the clouds.

In the vista below tall mountain peaks and valleys are covered with snow. Over the range as I journeyed on, spread out across the landscape.

A patchwork quilt of fields in warm earth colours of green, brown, ochre and gold with here and there a touch of blue water gleaming in the sunlight whilst a long line of dark green river gums form a perfect binding along the edges.

During this journey a little turbulence is encountered, I falter, twist and fall before re-gaining balance and once again begin to soar high my trusty pilot my side, the perfect guide as we move through the air wings outspread,With wings silver tipped at the edge.

- AMJB

"TIM' of the Australian Outback

A man of the outback, a little stooped, with an inbuilt toughness and strong sense of character recognised in the firmness of his handshake.




Tim's lined weather-beaten face, was a friendly face, with twinkling blue-grey eyes and a direct honest gaze shining forth beneath his battered much loved Akubra.

Tim's skin was burnt mahogany brown from years spent outdoors during his working life as a Drover on Queensland Cattle runs Riding the stock routes in blinding dust storms, swimming across flooded creeks after unexpected rains, spending weeks in the saddle under the harsh summer sun.


Tim and I enjoyed a yarn in the shade of the building whilst he rolled his own cigarette before attending to the day's tasks requiring the use of his many talents about the motel grounds at the Roadhouse at Bedourie with Dawg, a friendly Fox-terrier, his constant companion.

- AMJB

CLIMBING BLACK HILL

Narrow red earth path reaching high,
meandering through thick scrub land,
how much further ahead along this rock strewn difficult pathway until I see the sky?
Close by on narrow ledge the path curved around between trees and crossed over creek beds.

Ancient of rocks glimpsed beneath soft green ferns,
growing in abundance along path edges,
with just a gentle scattering of soft yellow flower heads,
intermingling throughout lush green meadow grass.

Afraid to look down too long lest I stumble and fall,
brief glimpses I gain of Olive trees,
and Red River Gums growing tall!
On weary legs and in some pain ,
I turn around and sit down to rest awhile,
observing my surroundings and the steepness of the terrain.

Along the red earth, rock strewn path below, native shrubs bearing masses of white and red flowers, in quiet abundance grow, whilst bushes with long green thorny spikes warn the hiker
not to get too close!

Climbing higher I am aware of a deep peace surrounding me, and as I stop and listen, the only sound I hear is the whisper of a breeze, through nearby trees and the soft tuneful songs of nearby birds.

I glance over my shoulder as the sun touches the tops of trees down in the valley, highlighting the emerald grass growing beneath.

Retracing my steps I look out across our city and suburbs, my gaze resting on the far expanse of ocean, where the suns rays turn calm deep water silver.

As daylight rapidly fades I move on down, delighting in sunset colours of soft pinks, mauve, orange and rich gold
adorning the night sky.


- AMJB

Black Hill Conservation Park covers an area of 684 hectares and is bounded to the north by the valley of the River Torrens and Gorge Road. To the south it joins Morialta Conservation Park by Fifth Creek and Montacute Road with the suburb of Athelstone adjoining the western boundary of the Park.

The Park conserves spectacular rugged ridges and offers gully scenery. A comprehensive network of management tracks and walking trails exists in the Park together with a wide variety of native plant species ranging from giant River Red Gums in the valleys, to low heath plants on the ridge tops. Common amongst the heaths are the low sheoaks, which give Black Hill its name. The foliage of the sheoaks gradually matures to a dark rusty, almost black colour, as summer progresses so that , looking from the Adelaide Plains, the hill appears to be black in colour.