“I’ve sucked way too much cement for this year. Bad juju rising off them city sidewalks. I need to babble with a brook or two, inhale starlight, make friends with some trees.” – Tom Robbins
I took the chance to escape election fever, and went to plant some trees with my friend Joe this weekend instead (though, ahem, we tuned the radio in at every opportunity). Me, him, and the rest of the motley crew that made up the Regent Honeyeater Project planting squad managed to get 3,500 seedlings into the ground to act as native wildlife corridors for the Regent Honeyeater, a sweet, rare bird, and a slew of other beautiful Aussie bush babies.
The team was led by the sparkling, sprightly Ray Thomas, whose enthusiasm for tackling the task was infectious, a feat matched only by his grace on the dance floor at the celebratory Bush Dance that closed the first days activities. About 60 of us dug, and planted up and down hills until we had covered two tracts of land donated by local farmers with rows of trees surrounded by recycled juice cartons.
We chatted while we planted, politics came creeping back in, and occasionally unearthed a legless lizard, frog, or bad joke (though that might be Ray again). I came home bruised, sore and ingrained with dirt but grinning ear-to-ear; full up with a dose of nature, new friends, and good deeds.
With thanks to my friends, the gorgeous Sal Kimber and The Rollin’ Wheel for the tune.
i love you gemma-rose. heart damn it. big time.
Beautiful Gemma. That landscape is so old and majestic. Looks like you made friends with some trees, just like Tom Robbins advised.
I love this one Gem. Beautiful, beautiful pictures. Perfect music, too. I’m so proud of you. x
My wife has been gluten free for 10 years, and I am thoroughly used to it. Has not been an issue in the New Zealand restaurants we frequent.
I emigrated to New Zealand in middle age. I’ve found myself asking where is the poetry and magic in being Australian? Your blog is part of the happy answer.