Clogs Over Aussie Closes

"This is just to inform the folk who knew Cas, that after a long running battle with a Leukemia related illness, he passed away on 1/10/2011 at 4.30am. Regards Helen van Loon."

PS  You might like to look back through some of Cas's posts and poems. (Sue Crawford, NWG Inc).

Dear Friends, please have patience as I have been sick and in hospital for about 10 days. The page will not be changed till about October. Thank you for your patience, Cas, bush poet

So here we are again folks a bit late but the waiting was worthwhile for the Poems that presented for you enjoyment and another look at this great country Australia, Cheerio and take care, Cas Bush Poet

AWAKENING THAT URGE TO . . .

When living in Australia, travelling usually plays for many people a great part

one place, Alice Springs, kilometres from anywhere, in desert, recognised as it's heart

if you want to see the real Australia Outback, this, no doubt is the place to go

historical sites,attractions if you want to feel how it used to be, hundred of years ago

To arrive in "The Alice", as it is generally known, surprisingly little hardships to deal with

Alice Springs heart and soul of the Australian Outback, there's no denying this choice of National parks, although some distance away, bewildering to explore

there's Ayers Rock, Kakadu, Kings Canyon, not satisfied with these, there are more

Don't feel like driving, the Desert Park, Royal Flying Doctor, in town, a must see

Reptile Centre, Olive Pink Garden, Pioneer Women Hall of Fame, for a small fee

Historic Telegraph Site, museums, displays, history, stories about how it began

Simpsons Gap, with all these attractions it sure helps to have some sort of plan

In space of a few days, you can discover many of the real secrets of the Outback

don't have to sit in 2- or 4-wd half a day in heat, flies and a dusty bush track

here in one place, The Desert Park, you can learn, experience in daylight or dark

showcasing hundreds of plants, animals, occurring in desert or National Park

Explorers wondered how many animals survived in a country that water did lack

the Outback is big place, variety immense, especially when going off beaten track

in some museums you can read how people survived and what they had to endure

in most cases it was always a two persons effort, when sickness struck finding a cure

Then there is the Todd River, used for boat races nearly every year, when it is dry

almost intersecting town when in flood, to cross it notices tell you don't even try

Alice Springs, full of surprises, maybe isolated to some people, off beaten track

like many places in Australia, sure never fails with it mysteries the urge to go back

JUST A THOUGHT . . .

Be master of yourself and you will find the key to all success in human kind; for though sometimes it seems that Fate conspires to frustrate all your plans, and check desires, if you are master of your thoughts and will, you can command - and be the victor still For if you conquer self, you conquer all - your destiny is safe, no matter what may befall.

A WILDLIFE SHOW OF WATERBIRDS . . .

At Innemincka, unexpectedly, on the Stony Desert, one can witness spectacular sight

a stopover on world journey, thousands of waterbirds congregate after long flight

these are rest and breeding grounds for numerous species, their final destination

flying from Europe, Siberia, Asia, along migration routes, never fail with navigation

These are the Coongie Lakes, consisting of waterholes, lakes, swamps, flood plain

rich variety of food for many species of migratory waterbirds does it contain

Pelicans, Egrets, Spoonbills, Herons, Terns, it is a waterbird's annual wildlife show

with a cast of thousands, some on edge of extinction, decreasing, numbers very low

The landscape changes dramatically with availability of water, the system's lifeblood

affecting the Barcoo, Thomson, Wilson Rivers, even Lake Eyre, when in full flood

the location is surprising, unique, no one suspects it here on the arid Gibber Plain

little vegetatio, Mitchell Grass, Bush Herbs, Red Mulga, on an almost flat terrain

A must to be visited by dedicated bird watchers, almost paradise, year after year

soaking up atmosphere, scientific study, travelling, like the birds, from far and near

there's plenty of evidence of Aboriginal occupation in past, artifacts and middens

crude arrangements of wood and stone, stone tools, rock paintings well hidden

Most surprising on the edge of Great Stony Desert, presence of many a sand dune

scattered i no particular order, remnant of sea shore, or just a landscape out of tune

Coongie Lakes, recognised as a wonderfull diversity, important waterbird's domain

a very important link for rare, endangered vulnerable species, in their food chain

Always remember to forget, the things that made you sad, but never to forget to remember, the things that that made you glad.

Discovering the Coral Coast . . .

To discover the Coral Coast of Western Australia we were heading north of Perth

landscape rapidly changing from city to sandy west coast for what it is worth

further along landscape like the moon, with limestone peaks all round

due to onshore strong winds, stunted trees, growing almost parralel to ground

Travelling Australia, nearly forgot to visit charming Coral Coast

where the Murchison River flows into Indian Ocean, Kalbarry your host

the climate sunny, warm, experiences that only occur once in a lifetime

wild flowers you've never seen before, exotic shapes, perfumed, sublime

Calm waters in estuaries for swimming, by towering cliffs be awestruck

surfing, water skiing, fishing off beach, catching that big one, your luck

want more, go canoeing or hire a boat and enjoy a cruising , lazy day

see dolphins, whales, up close, take pictures to remember your stay

Shopping, accommodation, variety immense, magnificient shopping mall

holiday resorts or just pitching a tent,emergency services on call

nature lovers, Kalbarry National Park close by, nature's paradise found

glimpses of river, magnificient gorges, their brilliant colours will astound

Interesting views of river, waterfalls, taking many days to fully explore

incredible scenery, rock formations framing river, sometimes far below

endangered species of birds, a parrot sanctuary in town, a must see

daily feeding of pelicans on foreshore, stroll downtown or see a movie

Stargazing, songs by campfire, fantastic sunsets, like nowhere else, watch

changing colours of multi-coloured cliffs, never seen such display match

abseiling, sight seeing flight along coastline, there is an internet cafe

if you have the time, to keep your friends and family informed of stay

Started with Shell Beach, in setting sun white as snow, a promising start

to enjoy holidays at Kalbarry is easy, one doesn't have to try very hard

returning home, stories to tell, adventures relived, it was only a week

wondering why we didn't do it before, must go back for another peek

A VALLEY SO REMOTE . . .

Australia is full of hidden beautiful places, some no doubt will spring instantly to mind

having found your own that's where you go to leave cares of today's world behind

a place of utter silence, peace, picture-book prettiness, unsurpassed anywhere else

when only being there a short time, one's body and mind already different story tell

Brindabella Valley, down arduous, winding, precipitious winding track, seemingly no end

not for the faint hearted, one is rewarded with magnificient vistas round every bend

finally reaching, after having closed last gate, crossed last river, valley floor

the magic happens, feeling of utter peace, never anywhere else has it happened before

Sounds of nature, wind singing in trees, rippling sparse grass, in distance cows call

old homestead, slab huts, rusting old machinery, on surrounding hills a waterfall

some buildings been, with much effort, carefully restored, to others a lot more to do

some horses, goats, chooks, sheep, peacefully grazing, here, there a kangaroo

What better way to start new day, up early, enjoy morning air, contemplate the overall

sunrise, cup of tea on verandah, easy chair, silence of nature, here and there birds call

no lack of hospitality, nothing is much effort by those who live here day in day out

taking you horse riding, hiking, go fly fishing in unspoilt river for rainbow trout

There's old suspension bridge across river, ancient farming tools on slab hut wall

rusting carcasses of farm implements of old, slowly succumbing to nature's call

signs of Aboriginal presence in distant past, some caves in distant hills, secret sites

it was told they came here to feast on bogong moths, socialise, hold tribal rites

Gunmetal glimmer of water betrays river's chilly path, tumbling gently over rocks

the valley still enjoys different seasons, distinctions of time of year nature here mocks

Brindaballa Valley means different things to different people, it could be paradise or hell

there's more to explore, even to just escape the daily grind, to go again, time will tell

<

THE PICNIC FROM HELL . . .

they'd finally arrived after long journey at destination

Australia, land of vast distances, unique animal population

Aboriginal Dreamtime, koalas, kangaroos, many, many more

eagerly looking forward what each day would have in store

visiting opera house, blue mountains, places in between

there never seemed enough time for all that was to be seen

anticipating week-long trip, by plane, bus, to real outback

experience desert, ayers rock, olga's, of real time losing track

along the road bus stops, only shady, for miles, dappled spot

it's lonely out here, very, very quiet and o so dry and hot

the doors open, and out we step, camera's around our neck

clicking at anything, great nothingness, wild flowers along track

it's lunch time, so the picnic hampers are brought out

but, as soon as they are opened, there's a noise, very loud

a greatest mob of insects descends out of nowhere, fast

the aussie bushfly had arrived, with thousands in their cast

picnic tables, eskies, all were quickly covered by these pests

eating your sandwich, had to compete with uninvited guests

getting into hair, eyes, nose, bare arms and legs, everywhere

swallowing one or more, not nice, busdriver, get us outta here

these bushflies are as australian as damper and famous billy tea

causing that "Aussie Salute", as practised by you and me

a real aussie experience, what a story back home we have to tell

it wasn't really a funny experience, this "Picnic from Hell"

this haunting land . . .

nowhere, but in Australia, is there an inland sea

with waterbirds foraging on foreshore, some migratory

pelicans, white ibis, ducks overhead in flying formation

the moon, a day past full, soon will be only illumination

shadows lengthening, sky is changing by the setting sun

twilight doesn't linger, air is still, the magic has just begun

soon light of new day, sun blazing orb in cloudless sky

there'll be no rain for a landscape so parched and dry

stunted desert trees, red dust, hot, it is utter desolation

no place to linger long, but, if you must, heed your preparation

simmering heat, mirages, tantalising oasis, cool waterfall

bleached bones of animals, looking grotesque in life's final call

yet, in all it's harshness, mystique, even in the distant past

it never has been any different, beautiful, haunting, unsurpassed

the decades rolled by, on and on, so did the seasons in turn

even some of our early explorers, this a place they' spurn

isolated, relentless heat, wet season, total different story

deserts come alive, riot of flowers, new life, what glory

if you ever travel this far, of beaten track in this country

it's there to see, experience it on Birdsville Track, near Marree

A river in the Never-Never . . .

When one does travel in the Northern Territory be aware of the dangers that one faces

country side is fast, facsinating, old yet new, distances long, lonely between places

there's guidelines to adhere to, permits needed to travel across Aboriginal land

to be self-sufficient in whatever traveling you do, help is far away, not readily at hand

At height of dry season rivers and creeks are like a reminder, now a ribbon of dust

at Mataranka, water bubbles up from underground, believing in miracles one must

from all this water in lillypad covered ponds, the mighty Roper River springs

setting of on a long journey to sea through parched landscape, vegetation clings

There is always abundant bird and fish life, sustaining Aboriginal Tribes over ages

fish being speared in shallows or caught in man-made fish traps on shore, cages

fresh salt water crocodiles always present, dangerous ones to human life causing threat

Barramundi, Mudcrabs spawning commercial industry, recreational fishing to be had

There are Sacred sites along the rivers, left-over from trade routes to the coast

one of those is Ruined City, of fantastic rock formations proudly does it boast

the Macassans, from Indonesia, local Aboriginal Tribes, bartered stone tools for salt

coming of white-man, who massacred many Aboriginals, all this came to halt

Tall Pandanus and Paperbark Trees, providing shade in many a beautiful picnic spot

morning chorus of birds, pristine swimming holes, really magic when it is so darn hot

many spectacular waterfalls along Rope River, some pioneers buried too in this land

Roper River winding its way, watering thirsty land at end disappearing in coastal sand

TRAVELING IN A SUNBURNT COUNTRY . . .

Lights flashing, bells are ringing, new era in this land of ours has begun

it's taken many years, much apprehension, finally it has been done

the building, under trying conditions, heat, flies, new railway track

the final link, Alice Springs to Darwin, travel from North to South and back

To built this line across harsh wide open spaces, quite a feat

enduring vastly changing climate, wet season, fierce dry heat

overcoming with typical aussie ingenuity problems along way

some seemingly impossible, but against all odds,saved the day

Continent spanned by railway track, North to South, East to West

scenic panorama's, ease of travel, a sense of adventure laid to rest

you can watch galaxies of millions of stars, moon ever so bright

the whole environment seems to be presented in whole new light

On these journeys many sunrises, sunsets, magnificient to be seen

one should not, leaving southern parts, expect a landscape of green

for this land called"A Sunburnt Country" you're traveling it's very heart

you'll see very ancient landscapes, deserts, flood plains, horizons far apart

Isolated communities, the magical experience of the Nullarbor Plain

hospitable people, friendly fellow travelers, you'll want to come back again

camels, Brumbies, Kangaroos, Emus, Dingo, Raptors in search of prey

after a full day travel, rocked to sleep by clickety-clack and train's sway

It makes you feel proud to be aboard of this one of railway world's best

whichever journey you've chosen, it'll pass discerning traveler's test

these will be unforgettable journeys, they'll make you want more

each one has a different magic, there'll be many more surprises in store

A FEW THOUGHTS TO CHEER YOUR DAY . . .

A gentle wind is singing in the trees if we but listen, sun sinking over hill

the o so gentle music of the breeze that it brings, our troubled spirits fill

tiring day said goodbye with all it's troubles, woes, evening shadows fall

if we have patience, soon, nights' uncountable lanterns hold world in thrall

The sunlight has died out, it's daylight hours full of sorrow have fled

summer night at end of day, our turmoils, after tiring day, we take to bed

soon the moon will peep through stately gum trees upon faraway hill

our dreamboats, gently floating through the night, wildest wishes fill

When darkness of night has gone, dawn again wakes in full glory in sky

remembering all the joys that life holds, forgetting fears that drifted by

morning mists, an illusory veil, blankets the valley of a brand new day

climbing sun helping to drive them, with our fears and sorrows, away

In the faraway meadows bright sunlight dapples through stately trees

the few flowers kissed by the sun, open up their hearts for many bees

when the morning veils of morning mists finally lift, skies above blue

many more flowers wake from sleep, faces shining from early dew

Birds start their songs, joy of new day, life again takes up it's beat

cast away sorrows keeping you low, laugh the thought of defeat

river flows between banks of life, moments of serenity, strife

it passes by green meadows, taking away the troubles in our life.