Whats that sparklin in the hills??

Didn't end up going alone, somebodies ankle-biters were out pickin' bush fruits.

That Jimmy is a fair dinkum fellow...

I'm not going in that brush and find one of those dang lizzards on MY back....no sireeeee. ...ya'll just forget that....well...for a nice sized Opal I might be encouraged too....DJM....come along and bring that boomarang...protect me from those critters. WE can do some ear bashing and catch up on things.....Jo

Goodness we sure have a lively bunch on this adventure! Perhaps Jimmy can bring his little bum up to the fire tonite and tell us some good story, maybe he could also bring his lady. I bet she has a heart of gold.

that is a white opal and look at that fire! arnt they amazing???? the more fire the more they are valuable.

now our bushman has invited us to meet his tribe and stay for a bite to eat and sleep at their camp.
so grab your sleeping bags we are sleeping out under the stars tonight!

they eat some interesting things so be brave!

we may even have a story about dreamtime..... come on you'all. DJM, they will be so impressed with your boomerang skills!

MMMM, I can smell that kangaroo rat a sizzlin'....

It was Ayers Rock where Tjati scooped bowls trying to get his Kali back, wasn't it?

oooooooo.....I love camping out under the stars.....


This message was edited Mar 28, 2007 6:58 PM

hey jimmy! we are all here and ready for a story!

i see your tribe are here too, thankyou all for your warm welcome... i see the women are cooking... here is some sugar and salt by way of a gift....

lets all sit down as jimmy has a story. the stories are told to the sound of thier tribal music.. didgerdoo's and the like....

aright, you fella's listnin?
why yes jimmy!

This is a story of how the tortoise lost his tail according to our beliefs and ancestors.

Across the river of death lay the gigantic tortoise that bridged the gulf between the land of men and the land of souls. The spirits of men were required to cross the river before they could reach the world of eternal life, and the only path by which they could travel lay across the tail of the tortoise. It stretched over the swiftly flowing river from one bank to the other.

No one knew what would happen when death came, and the spirit set out on its long journey to the land of spirits, until a man returned to tell them of his experiences.

'I travelled across a wide plain,' he said. 'In the distance I saw the gleam of running water and knew that I would have to cross the river. When I came close to it, I saw that the banks were steep, and that no man could hope to live in the rushing torrent. But the way was made plain. There is a giant tortoise by which the souls of men may cross. On the far shore the shell of the tortoise rises up like a mountain, and its head is as big as a small hill. Its mouth is full of sharp white teeth, and its eyes gleam like fire.

'There is no other way to cross. I stepped on to the tail and ran across as quickly as I could, but I had not gone half the distance when the tortoise wriggled and I fell into the river. I was tossed about like a twig and carried into a dark tunnel. I thought I would have died a second time, because I was dashed against rocks, and bruised and cut by their sharp edges. Look, you can see the scars which will tell you better than any words of mine that what I say is true.

'Presently I was carried into the daylight again, and I saw many people playing by the banks of the river, hunting, and gathering firewood. Some of them were our own people who have died, but I do not think that the river is the true land of spirits. It may be that they are still resting before they continue their journey.

The river swept me past them and carried me into the ocean, where I was battered by the waves, and the salt water stung my wounds. I was washed to and fro. The salt water healed my bleeding body, and after a long time I was thrown up on a sandy beach. When my strength returned I kept the sun on my left side, crossing wide plains and high mountains, until at last I reached my home. You can see for yourselves that I have returned.'

'What shall we do?' he was asked. 'When the time comes for us to die, how shall we escape the tortoise with the long tail and the wicked head?'

'Someone who is strong and fearless and has the power of the great spirits must take an axe and cut off the tail of the tortoise. Men will then be able to travel the road in safety.'

'Who shall it be?' they asked, and they looked at the wirrinun, the sorcerer who lived with them.

'I know you are looking at me,' he said with a smile, 'and you are relieved that it is me who has the power and not you. Very well. I shall die this night, and I will do as you wish. But when you bury my body you must also bury my axe with me.'

The next day the spirit of the wirrinun rose from his body in the newly-dug grave, took his axe and set out for the river. He went by a circuitous route and climbed a tall tree, where he sat on a branch, waiting to see what would happen. Far below him the souls of men reached the river bank, looked round them, and when they realised that there was no other way across the river, began to walk along the outstretched tail. Before they reached the opposite bank, the tortoise twitched his tail, and they were shaken off and swept away in the river.

The wirrinun descended the tree, went over to the tip of the tortoise's tail, and ran lightly across it. He sped over like a gust of wind, feeling the sharp jerk as the tortoise tried to shake him off, but he was running so fast that he reached the body of the creature before the tail could swing into action. Turning round, the medicine man gave a terrific blow with his axe and severed the tail at the root. The tortoise reared up, twisted in the air, and fell on the bold wirrinun. But the sorcerer was ready for him. He wriggled clear, the axe descended a second time, and the ghastly head rolled on the ground.

With a sigh of relief, the wirrinun went to a tall tree and cut it down so that it fell across the river, providing a safe bridge for all the souls who would come that way. At the root of the tree there was a snake which uncoiled its body and flicked its tongue at him. With a final blow he cut off its head.

The body of the tortoise was still quivering, and the wirrinun felt a momentary pang of pity. After all, the creature had but obeyed the will of the great spirits who had designed the pattern of the universe, and had appointed him as the pathway for men's souls. It was destiny that had brought him to this place and had changed the passage of souls for all the days to come. The tortoise had been the unwitting instrument of fate, and the bulk that lay helpless on the river bank had not acted of its own volition.

The wirrinun could not restore its tail, but the snake's head still lay by the tree stump. He picked it up, cut off the poison fangs with his knife, and joined it to the stump of the tortoise's neck.

That is why every tortoise has a short, stumpy tail and the head of a snake.

wow...what a wonderful story!!!

Ayers Rock
In the creation period, Tatji, the small Red Lizard, who lived on the mulgi flats, came to Uluru. He threw his kali, a curved throwing stick, and it became embedded in the surface. He used his hands to scoop it out in his efforts to retrieve his kali, leaving a series of bowl-shaped hollows.

Uluru is the aboriginal name for Ayers Rock.

Thanks for the story, Jimmy! What was that meat in the stew???? I'm off to the bog to leave an offering!

Jimmy tells a very good story, ahh it is so pleasant here. Good stories, and tummy full of stew...yawn...I feel sleepy. Such a good tired under neath the stars. Anyone need an extra blanket?

I wonder what adventure we will find tomorrow?

Wake up girls, it's late. Let's muster some brekkie. It's London to a brick we'll find some opals today!

What time is it (one eye open)? Who's the early bird? Ahhh it's you Bynd, must be time to get the tea going...let me get the kettle...

Yawnnnnnn....uh...wha's goin on? Morning is it? What a great night's sleep. SHHHH...lookie there (points), lookit what's curled up with DJM...

Bonzer! Chatbrat got up early and found a knock out black opal!
Who's Chatbrat? See her thread here:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/694743/

She would love to visit OZ, or any other gals or blokes that want to meet her!

*rubbing eyes*

yawn.. mornin all...... i was thinking of taking a trip to queensland and show ya all around. now its a long way but with those magic green cookies and bobby, ireckon we can do it! what you all think?

you do know bobby is magic?..............................................

I wouldn't mind meeting a few banana benders!

sounds good to me!!!! I got nuthin but time on my hands and I told Hubby I may or may not come home eventually. Let's go!!!
Bobby's magic???? Can he magic me a cheese cake?

I'm back in the saddle again,
Out where a friend is a friend
Where the longhorn cattle feed
On the lowly Jimson Weed
Back in the saddle again!

Gosh you do hold a nice tune Bynd.

Hey Chatbrat looks like quite the fun lover. Glad to see her visit our parts!

I'm ready for Queensland, got my most comfy tshirt and shorts, my most comfy shoes strapped on. Let's go!

well lets get on board, wake everyone up and git!

we are heading for cairns (i hope) bobby has a mind of his own...

now if i push this button and pull this lever...................

there are some nice islands too and resorts!
lets see.. all on board!!!


woops used a pic i shouldnt have.. doh!

This message was edited Mar 29, 2007 8:36 PM

maybe this one?

ooooooooo...can we go there?? Can we? Can we?

*yawn*////could someone please pass me a cuppa? I'll return the favor at a future time....my head aches from the sun....

OHHH it's not the sun...but a picture of a Magical Island!!

Wonder...are we a headin fer that fur place?

(don't ya'll count on it too much...as Bobby goes where HE wants too and then there is Wonder's bad driving!!...we could end up in Tazamania!!)

Oh well...we'll see. Jo

all aboard!!!!!!!

c'mon bobby... we got things to do..... places to go and some sun and surf to catch!
hurry up RR you can drink your cuppa on the way.

OK, all in??? get that polka dot bikinni ready DJM as your gunna need it!

VROOOM!!!
put some of them magic cookies in ol bobby will you....

woah! we're off! see, I CAN drive.... woah.... bobby..slow down and look out for those birds!!! eeeeeeeeekkk that was close..

er... RR, i think you got a little bird do do on you *giggle* over the mountains we go... over the water.... look at the dolphins!!

*Sputter....sputter.....umm did anyone bring petrol for bobby???? sputter......

*SCREEEEEEEEAMMMM*

hang on guys, we're goin down.... i can see that island there so im heading for the beach ok?
Hang on!!!

"Bump.... bang....phew.... are we all here?...

oops sorry three.... didnt mean to dump you off in the water... i had to turn real quick to land on the sand and all... and well you kinda got bumped out....

ok, lets look for the resort anyways....ummmmm which island is this??? let me see the map.....the map..... ummmmm where did i put the map.....*nervous laugh*
well, lol, we dont need a map.... ummm think we best make a camp its getting dark....

I'll go this way and look for a good spot (scurries off into the woods)

DANG,had no idea those cookies were packed with that much POWER. Bobby did a fine job getting us quickly to our new desination. And talk 'bout destination. These Iowagean eyes have NEVER seen such a purtty sight (tear in corner of eye)! Can't wait to see some dolphins...will they let us play with them, will they, will they?

YIKES......now I have to wash my hair...I can't stand bird do-do in my hair....I'll rinse it out in this salt water....but help me find a fresh watering hole. I like my hair all nice and clean.

Wonder....since you're the CAPTAIN of this "cruise"....the blame rests with you for not having Bobby fueled up and ready for travel. Dang Woman!!

This island looks like the one that Gilliagan and the crew landed on....what if we never get off....*sobbing*.....now Wonder has run off and left us. What if there are snakes on this island....I can't stand snakes...Doris...get your 'rang ready for action.

Jo

I'm likin' this trip to the sunshine state. Sure glad I brought my bathers!

puff...puff......

coooeee!
guys, i found a fresh water stream back there and banna palms too!
there is plenty to make a hut from and we could hunt around for fruits and such..
Im thinking RR, if the cookies worked once then maybe they can work again??? *nervous laugh*
I reckon that it could be fun, maybe there is treasure on here?? maybe???
and we can have a camp fire (signal fire she thinks to herself) and sing songs and eat smores... an i could try and catch some fish! I have seen people just scoop them up in their hands!

there is a cave i saw on the beach that we could explore and everything!!

*with that she runs off and like a mad woman with out a clue is running through the shallows trying to catch some fish....*

Hey guys I made freinds with some of the dolphins. They took me on an adventure of their own. I saw some really pretty colored fish, some really stange looking fish and some awesome coral.

Hey Wonder I see ya got a big 'ol fish. Mmmm that is gonna smell soooo good on the barbie, Iv'e worked up a hunger!

Me too ! All this fresh air is making me as hungry as
a bear. Wonder, do you have bears in Australia?
I'm sitting next to DJM !

All this fresh air makes me sleepy (yawn)...did I miss anything? After Wonder dunked me in the ocean, and I dryed off in the nice warm sun, I just wanna nap.....

You sure you wanna take a nap with THAT thing?
I've never seen one with that many legs before.

er...well...ick......maybe I'll just nap over there (points), under that palm, where I can watch Wonder flailing around trying to catch fish.....figures....I brought a BIRD dog.....

Well, if one of those fish leaps up into the air,
you're all set ! And if the dog doesn't get it, DJM can
always send out her boomerang. We ain't gonna starve,
that's for sure.

Any coffee left in that pot? I can hardly wait for dinner.
Ooops, 'scuse me, that's my stomach growling.

Hey Ya'll!! What happened to Knolan and Prairiegirl? They were signed up for this trip....did they get shaken off in one of Wonders "smooth" landings?....Let's look around and see if they surface!

I found some pretty sea shells....gonna make me a nice necklace...one can't look their best with out a bit of jewelry....will have to do until I find my own OPALS! Jo

i caught me a big ol fish!! and this here lobster on my toe!! owwweeeeee!!!!
someone get it off!!!!!!!!!!!!!


can you hear those drums?