RETURN TO THE RAINFOREST

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Jeff Thorpe
Posts: 363
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:54 pm

RETURN TO THE RAINFOREST

Post by Jeff Thorpe » Tue Jul 02, 2019 12:22 pm

RETURN TO THE RAINFOREST

© Jeff Thorpe 22 June 2019

Not the best of memories does O’Reilly’s hold for me,
cos on the Border Track there is where I stuffed my knee,
Lamington Classic, ‘97, from Binna Burra running well
until a tree root trip made that a race from hell.
Sort of did the splits, which I’d never done before
and ever since the left knee’s been giving me what for.

So, with some trepidation I set out there the other day
along with two friends to brush the ghosts away,
not exactly getting back up on the horse
for from running there has been an unconcealed divorce,
bushwalking though at our age is a handy substitute
for fitness it’s become our golden parachute.

A crisp eleven degrees as we alighted from the car
to tackle Morans Falls track, really not that far,
just over six km return, so the map did tell
we were “hot to trot”, expectation hard to quell,
we’d never walked this trail before, everything was new
except the vibrant rain forest, sheer delight to wander through.

Booyongs, figs and brush box lined the gradual descent
to the falls lookout , a hike with no lament,
and after recent rain, the falls were fairly gushing
eighty metres down the cliff face, to creek bottom rushing,
two hundred metres further on, panorama filled our eyes
Morans Gorge before us, daubed with variegated skies.

Reluctantly we prised ourselves from this wondrous sight
to head toward the treetop walk, bathed in dappled light,
a brief stop on the way for willy lea by all three,
our bladders not as tight as once they used to be
them’s the breaks, I guess, surrendering to age
but, at least the three of us were all on the same page.

The treetop walk arguably an O’Reilly’s top attraction,
literally looping through high branches yet causing no impaction,
sets the heart a pumping for those afraid of heights,
some prefer terra firma from which to view their sights,
this was not the first time on the treetop walk for me
but, I think for my mates, both were glad they’d had a wee.

On to the kiosk for lunch, surprised to come across
a full sized Stinson aircraft, like a beached albatross,
resplendent on display on the guesthouse green,
part of O’Reilly’s history though, imbued in the family gene
from 1937, a crashed Stinson Bernard O’Reilly found
and rescued the two survivors, a feat which did astound.

Cobwebs all swept aside, this place now holds no fear,
on an enjoyment scale, days like this sound an all clear,
O’Reilly’s at Green Mountains in Lamington National Park
a place where the beauty of the bush ignites a spark,
get out there and lap it up, there’s so much to see,
bears out the statement “the best things in life are free”.

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Shelley Hansen
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Location: Maryborough, Queensland
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Re: RETURN TO THE RAINFOREST

Post by Shelley Hansen » Sun Jul 07, 2019 9:35 pm

Absolutely agree Jeff, that the best things in life are free!

This is such a spectacular part of the world - glad you enjoyed it all once more, in more pleasant circumstances. A good roundup in your poem.

Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

Jeff Thorpe
Posts: 363
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:54 pm

Re: RETURN TO THE RAINFOREST

Post by Jeff Thorpe » Mon Jul 08, 2019 11:03 am

Thanks Shelley. I was wording the poem in my mind as we walked. A super day.

Regards Jeff

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Maureen K Clifford
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Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
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Re: RETURN TO THE RAINFOREST

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Mon Jul 08, 2019 4:29 pm

Anyone who does that run has my utmost admiration. It is a beautiful spot up there and still very much like it was when Stinson crashed I suspect. A good write Jeff
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/


I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.

Jeff Thorpe
Posts: 363
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:54 pm

Re: RETURN TO THE RAINFOREST

Post by Jeff Thorpe » Mon Jul 08, 2019 6:58 pm

Two hours from Brisbane Maureen. The appeal never lessens

Cheers, Jeff

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Maureen K Clifford
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Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
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Re: RETURN TO THE RAINFOREST

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Tue Jul 09, 2019 1:25 pm

My son did a hike up there when he was in Venturers - I recall how much he enjoyed it and as you say, literally right on our doorstep
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/


I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.

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