Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Return to the Tanglewood

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Returning to the Tanglewood Track -
taking the ankle for a test drive...







It is over 13 weeks
since I have walked
the Tanglewood track












I left at 7 am
thinking I might chance upon
a late rising whale











the sun caught the shrubs
and coastal trees
on the hillside













as I walked alone
along the ocean's shoulder











out to Hell's Gates
and looked the sun
in the eye











searching the ocean for the whales,
a friend I saw returning said
she had seen them close up
and heard them breathing












tomorrow I will try again,
maybe earlier

I am beginning to feel
like I belong
in the three little pig story...











I look over Hell's Gates
down below
toward Alexandra Bay











and return to Dolphin point
where a pair of Welcome Swallows
Hirundo neoxena
sit for me











the little 15cm birds
nest under overhanging ledges
in the bush
or under man made structures











Welcome Swallows
pursue flying insects
with rapid flight
and sweet twittering











I turn off the coastal track
drawn by the lure
of the Tanglewood
and an ankle
that claims to be almost
fully rehabilitated












I will give the ankle a test drive
over rougher terrain
and sneaky tree roots
the likes of which snared me
all those weeks ago












I take my time
stopping to listen to bird song
along the way

I notice the burnt off sections
of eucalyptus forest











and how terribly dry it is
It is only the smaller
rainforest gullies that retain
their green freshness

all the rest of the Tanglewood
craves for rain
In the last four months
I can only remember one rain
We need summer
with it's life giving sustenance



It can't be far away...







*

52 comments:

  1. glad to hear the ankle is healing well :)

    and yes, it is VERY dry now isn't it?
    no doubt the rains will come soon though, and with them the lush greenery we love :)

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  2. Hello Victoria

    It is nice to hear from you out of the blue ether...

    Dry, yes, but what a day today...glassy ocean, bluest blue skies, whales and dolphins and a mosaic of green blue sea...and a coffee at Tommy Bahamas...what could be a better way to start the day...

    Happy days

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  3. How beautiful! I am glad to hear your ankle is almost better... Loved the views and the swallows, and of course, the stunning whale walk in your previous post! We had some early rain recently, and many people say this signifies doom for our real rainy season later in the year. I remain positive but only time will tell!

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  4. Words fail me. You live in such a beautiful part of Australia...

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  5. Hi Delwyn, Two beautiful walks - yesterday and today. Stunning photos - I love joining you on your walks along the coast. Thanks for sharing. Elcmae.

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  6. Hi Karen

    I'm glad you made it over for the walks... I hope you get much needed rains too...

    Happy days

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  7. Scintilla - thank you fellow Aussie...it really is paradise...

    Happy days

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  8. Hello Elcmae

    I'm glad you had your walking shoes on today...I have plenty more in store for you...

    Happy days

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  9. welle delwyn - i'm happy that you managed to return to the scene of the incident and return unscathed - in fact better for it!!! the views across the ocean are breathtaking! i know that you're in a long long drought but i'm wondering if it rains in the spring or the summer there? we seem to get more rain in the summer these days!! have a lovely day. steven

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  10. Can you see the curve of the earth in that ocean shot?

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  11. Hi Alaine

    I noticed that same thing in some more ocean shots I took today...do you think that the camera is distorting it...it looks good anyway...

    Happy days

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  12. Hi Steven

    It can rain any time over summer but the rainy season is usually Feb - April...late summer...

    Noosa would not be thought of as in a drought..this is just seasonal, whereas other parts of Au are in severe drought status...

    How is the Aussie faring...

    Happy days

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  13. Looking the Sun in the Eye at Hell's Gate...what a way to start your day Delwyn...
    and to think of the possibility of hearing whales breathe...In my walks sometimes I can hear male deer snorting and stomping loudly on the opposite hill, out of sight in the undergrowth until I spot movement, but the loudness of their breath and the heaviness of their hooves breaks the silence in the woods...I imagine whales provide an even greater experience...hope tomorrow brings them close!

    Smiles to you always,
    Wanda

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  14. Delwyn - what a lovely prospect to wake up to - a walk by the ocean and the possibility of seeing whales and even hearing them breathe!

    Lovely shots of the sun's golden path on the water.

    Hope your ankle stood up to venturing back to the scene of the crime . . . Take care sweet friend.

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  15. Hi Wanda

    well I have seen more whales but not very close...still it's getting better every time I walk out there...I keep hearing stories which make me very envious but also make me keep on going out to the points...I saw a great white fluke today...and that was reward enough...

    I heard an odd deep grumbling noise the other day and tracked it down...a silly brush turkey talking to itself...

    take care Wanda

    Happy days

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  16. Hi Bonnie

    the ankle served me well thank you...It can almost do everything I ask of it...save cancan...and only swells a little these days...so I am one happy walker...

    I might go out early tomorrow, before gym class. Today I saw some more and closer in...it is very exciting when you catch sight of the blowing...

    Happy days

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  17. I'm always amazed at the gorgeous scenery around you! I'm here surrounded by flat corn fields! LOL! I'll just live vicariously through you! :)

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  18. There's seeing a whale's breath. There's hearing a whales breath. And there's smelling a whale's breath. I hope you get to do all three.

    Do you walk with the help of "trekking" poles? I do. I find they're particularly useful on steep or uneven terrain. They make me feel much more secure from an accidental fall, and they can help prevent ankle twists, too. Around here they're quite popular, so there's no "geek" factor to contend with.

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  19. Glad to hear you're back on "track", so to speak! Lovely, lovely walk, as always.

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  20. I'd be glad to share some of our rain.

    And I'm also glad you ankle held up! The photos, of course, were excellent.

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  21. We're desperate for rain here, as well. Mandatory water rationing has been in place since July. Let's hope for a rainy summer for you and a wet winter for us!

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  22. I'm so glad to hear that your ankle is so well that you're venturing to the very place where it was injured. That's great.

    Sorry about 'no whales' but the swallows are beautiful! I'm constantly watching for bears, lions, and bobcats, my three most favorite animals to see but I glimpse them only a few times a year. A constant quest!

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  23. What a beautiful place. I love the photos with the sun on the water and the cute little sparrows. Glad your ankle held up for the walk!

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  24. So the ankle seems to be Ok? Great news! I love coming along on your walks and the colour of your photos are so wonderful. I just read your other posts, being out of commission for a time I am lacking behind in visiting. Saw the whale spouts. Wow!

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  25. What a gorgeous setting you live within, love those swallow pics! I left the Pacific coast two weeks ago and already miss it bunches. I'm so glad you found my blog, so that I could find yours! Sorry about your ankle, but glad it has healed well.

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  26. having grown up in Hawaii- you are making me homesick for the ocean-- love the repetition of the waves-- mesmerizing.

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  27. Breathtaking shots of the ocean! Your world is so beautiful right down to the dry path begging for rain. Glad to hear the ankle is healing and you are getting back to your old haunts. The thrill of the prospect of seeing the whales would keep me going...and obviously you too!

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  28. I'm glad your ankle is better, Delwyn. The photos are amazingly beautiful. Why is that place named "Hell's Gate" when it looks like Paradise?! They should rename it!!!

    I hope you see your whales soon. Blessings!!

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  29. So happy that your ankle is strong enough for this strenuous walk. The backlighting on the tree with the glow of sun on the water is wonderful. Be careful!

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  30. Hi Delwyn! A new photo to add to your special "beauty and meditation" book: a swallow on a branch against the background of the teal blue sea. and the brilliant white light of sunrise.
    Have you heard of basketball shoes? They are sneakers that are cut very high so the players can't twist their ankles. They might be perfect for you. xxox

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  31. Hi Margaret

    the swallow on the teal ocean is a favourite of mine too, I'll put it in the suggested collection...

    I wear good quality joggers that my physio has fitted with orthotics to give my arches more support and feel quite safe now but am very watchful, which is hard to do when you are constantly glancing at the ocean for whale spouts...


    thanks for your concern Margaret...

    I dragged Beloved out at 6am for the 1.5 hour walk this morning...we saw dolphins and whales way in the distance...It's now 8am and I have Body Balance class at 9 so must hot foot it...

    Happy days

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  32. Hi Barb

    thank you, yes the foot gets stronger every day... I'm glad you enjoy the walk...

    Happy days

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  33. Thank you Marion...

    Hell's Gates can boil and bubble with the wild seas so perhaps resembles that place of turmoil....

    More whales early today but only in the distance...

    Happy days

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  34. Hi Alicia

    Yes I made Beloved get up at 5.45 and accompany me out to Hell's Gates this am...I am looking for that closeup whale...and ever hopeful...

    thanks for coming along...and thanks for your caring comments...

    Happy days

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  35. Hi Donna

    We spend a lot of time in Kauai. The islands are beautiful and not unlike Noosa in vegetation and climate...

    Where are you living now?

    Happy days

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  36. Today, the picture of the swallow on the branch with the aqua blue of the water behind it, jumps out at me. I'm drawn to the colors in that photo and find it purely captivating.

    Can't wait for a whale sighting! Here's to luck for your next walk!

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  37. hi delwyn - the aussie's good. he brought a heap of timtams with him as well as some jaffas!!!! a boomerang for my son. a stubby cover for me, and of course lots of great aussie stories. he likes our beer - very much!!!!! steven

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  38. Hi Steven


    a real Mc Coy you have then...he's a fair dinkum Aussie...a real Ocker...

    Happy days

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  39. Hi Vicky

    That photo keeps dragging me back too - I think it is the colour of the sea...and the tiny creature on the great ocean background...

    thanks for coming out with me Vicky

    Happy days

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  40. Hi Jann

    It is nice to find someone that you resonate with and can share with...
    thanks for the kind thoughts Jann

    Happy days

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  41. Hi Lorac...

    Yes 90% fixed...and serving me well...
    It's nice to see you catch up with what has been seen and heard down under...

    Happy days

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  42. Hi Janie

    thank you for your caring thoughts and for coming along the ocean's edge and into the Tanglewood...

    Happy days

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  43. Hi KB

    I am so much more observant now and I imagine that you already were when it comes to danger in your woods...
    thanks for sharing KB

    Happy days

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  44. Hi GW

    you need rain too?

    we'll have to do some rain dancing perhaps...
    We have water restrictions too but fortunately we have a spear bore so can water the gardens when needed...
    which reminds me I must go and turn the irrigation off...

    Happy days

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  45. Hi Barry

    yes the Philippines and now India have had huge rains and flooding too...we should get some soon...

    thanks for your generous and kind thoughts Barry

    Happy days

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  46. Yep Willow,

    the ankle is tracking well, thank you for your kind thoughts...

    Happy days

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  47. Hi Dan

    #1 and #2 I think I would love #3 I'm not so sure of...

    Our terrain doesn't warrant poles. It is gentle up and down climbs around the coastline and through the central ridges in the Tanglewood...I did use one in Japan though and found it helpful...

    Happy days

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  48. Hi Betsy

    well I'm glad that you can come out walking with me in S E Queensland...

    Happy days

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  49. What a precious little bird! I am so happy to be along this walk; I have seen the most lovely things. :D

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  50. "In the last four months
    I can only remember one rain
    We need summer
    with it's life giving sustenance"

    Just found relief from that place ourselves. Oh, sweet rain.

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  51. Hi Amy

    the swallow is a little bird you are inclined to overlook...but isn't he sweet...
    I am happy to have you come along Amy, and see a little of my home town...

    Happy days

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  52. Hi Julie

    Really...and it has gone dark here at 3.30 pm and a shower was forecast today so I am crossing my fingers....for some of that sweet rain...

    Happy days

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