"Getting Back to
the Wonders of Nature"
Sunday 2nd June 2002
On looking out of the window early on the Sunday morning and taking view of the
weather, I thought to myself - "This is going to be one of those days when nothing is
going to go according to plan" - and how right my somewhat negative observations
were!
First, I was as sick as a dog with some virus that hit me during the night. Then came a
series of phone calls saying they could not make it because of the weather predictions etc
etc - cowards all they were!
Then when I was about to ring my right-hand man Mick asking him to take
over for the day because I was near death - he advises he cannot make it either - he
is down with the illness also and all his passengers had pulled out because of
"sudden expediencies".
What looked like being a very miserable day during my early morning ill-conceived
observations had indeed come true. Then I looked at the clock and knew that I was already
going to be late. With no mobile to contact those who I knew would definately be there to
let them know I was going to be late, I let matters take its course and subsequently,
packed and proceeded in the matter of a hearse carrying a corpse to the place of my
meeting just out of Tin Can Bay.
To make matters worse amidst the showers of rain towards Goomboorian,
a police car pulled out from a side road and took up a distinguished position to the fore
and escorted me virtually to Toolara in what seemed to be second gear. I didn't feel like
passing him so followed at cortege speed behind him.
To make matters worse, as we passed the Silky Oak Tea-Garden road entrance, a second
police car exited and took up the position to the rear of my car. What a privilege! A
police escort and a police rear- guard. I looked about for my crown to put upon my
parasited head of woes and proceeded to give my royal wave to all those vehicles
passing in the opposite direction. I wasn't game to divert from the
princely procession in case a demand was made upon me for proof of identity and that they
were escorting the correct royalty.
On reaching Toolara, my prized excort departed me to other chores and I proceeded to look
for the lead in my shoes to catch a tail-wind to the place of meeting. At least there was
blue sky and no rain in sight.
"Thank heavens" I thought. "Someone up above has taken pity on me
and is going to present a fine day for what can be salvaged of the planned day's
activities".
I arrived 35 minutes late - an absolute disgrace - I shall never live it down. Those brave
adventurers had already eaten and taken their fill of hot drinks and soups and had stood
about in the arctic wind awaiting the not so cellubrious arrival of their fearless leaders
who had somewhat appeared to have been lost in the mists of rain and pine forest
plantations.
A quick arrival. Some quick greetings to the 11 enthusiastic and patient followers of
spiritual adventure. A quick departure. A speedy convoyed journey to the turnoff near
Rainbow Beach. A slow traversal of muddy and waterfilled road holes and depressions.
We arrived!!!! The day was looking perfect. The setting was magnificient in the ancient
rainforest - tall majestic trees, masses of ancient palms, orchids, Crow's Nests,
staghorns, Elkhorns, Kauri Pines, Strangler Figs - it was nature at its untouched best.
A quick talk by Brett on points of interest and directions. Soluntra led the trail of
adventurers off into the forest along the trails to the hidden spiritual lake of Poona.
The fine but overcast weather was a pleasant joy being free from the showers of rain. Roma
and Alan made the decision to stay at the picnic tables to keep myself company due to my
decision not to partake in the journey of which I knew I would not complete and ultimately
be a burden to the others in the team. (Oh what a saint I am!!!)
Anyway, everyone had a great time along the forest trails. Most set off in directions
around the lake for self-inspired activities. Lunch by the waters at the sandy point was
"religious" in nature - everyone was affected by the beauty and serenity of the
place.
The day's activities were a great success. Everyone had a great time. They all want to go
again but in warmer weather.
The only "downer" of the day .... Everyone got thoroughly soaked "to
the bone" on their return walk along the trails to the picnic area in one huge
"out of the blue" tumultuous tropical downpour that lasted for nearly 15
minutes - a sort of "cleansing" after leaving the Lake confines. Roma, Alan and
myself had to take refuge huddled together under an information shelter to avoid the huge
downpour and it was from that point that we witnessed all the "drowned
rats" emerging from the deep forest trails.
After some quick changes - privacy was not a question - everyone packed up - turned the
car heaters on - expressed their joy with the day - and speedily departed as the heavy
rains set in.
There was only one question on our lips ... Whatever happened to Soluntra and her two
companions who went off on their spiritual journeys at the lake? They did not appear from
the forests after all had left. Did they get caught up in the rain? Did they take
temporary shelter in the forests? Did they lose themselves in the spiritualities of the
magical place? No one has heard from them since!
The mystery was solved on the following Tuesday. They circumnavigated the lake - met up
with spiritualities of the area - meditated - and involved themselves totally in body and
spirit with the peacefulness of the lake waters. Soluntra said they were quite safe
with "the Guardians" of the lake. Raincoats saved the day from the latter-day
increasing rain downpours.
The most interesting observation of the day at the picnic spot where Roma, Alan and myself
conversed in the glory of the natural rainforest, was the stunning revelations that so
many bushwalkers - young families, elderly couples, bushwalking clubs and untold
backpackers of numerous nationalities used the trails to Freshwater Lake and other points
of interest accessed only by way of the trails.
This place of wonders is a real treasure - and we all thoroughly enjoyed the
experience of the day.
My thanks to all who supported the day despite the inclement outlook of the weather - and
sorry about that final disastrous downpour of rain - it was not of my doing.
Brett J.
(El Presidente Incapacitato Dutu Wogavirus)
(Webmaster's note: I'm sorry Brett, it sounds like you were worse than me with the
"virus"..... I owe you one... Thanks for the report !!!!)
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