ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I'm late, I'm late ... sorry Maureen! I've been rather unwell over the last couple of weeks - in the grip of a very nasty virus. However I've now emerged from the fog, so here is my belated homework for the fortnight just passed.

It is a true story - in 2012 we considered driving to Cape York but opted instead for the "easy route" - a week-long voyage on the cargo and mail boat "MV Trinity Bay" from Cairns to the Cape and back again, including Thursday Island and Horn Island. It was absolutely fabulous, and definitely the most stress-free way to enjoy the Top End! Highly recommended.

TOP-ENDERS
(c) Shelley Hansen 6/12/17

We fancied ourselves as "Top-Enders"
and planned that we'd tackle the Cape.
A test for the car and the driver,
the ultimate Greatest Escape!

We'd conquer the deep corrugations
and ford every fast-flowing stream -
the warrigal's song as our soundtrack -
an Aussie adventurer's dream!

Up close with the squat samphire bushes
where mudflats conceal hidden rocks,
where silently slithering serpents
encounter the lair of the crocs.

We'd camp in the bosom of nature
with pillows of sand for our head -
a nightly parade to the "long drop"
then back to burr-covered bed!

Good grief! What on earth are we thinking?
We can't forsake comfort for this!
There must be a far better option.
If not - then we'll give it a miss!

So that's why be boarded the mail boat
to sail up and back to "The Tip".
We saved both our car and our bodies
and had our adventure ... by SHIP!!

Love it - and especially the last bit - very sensible decision as anyone who has travelled that rotten road would confirm Terrific use of the prompts Shelley - Well done you

Sounds like a great trip anyway Shelley.

It's Ok for blokes like me to wax lyrical about roughing it out bush, but believe me it's not always as great as we make it sound.
Mind you I'd love to get back to that old lifestyle again, especially those ten or so years that my wife Valma spent full time prospecting with me. Maybe next year?

Cheers

Terry

A bit like Paterson versus Lawson, hey Terry? The romance of the bush as opposed to its hardships. You and I could start another Bulletin debate!!

Rod and I just love travelling through the outback - and once upon a time we did it with a tent ... but these days I like to be a bit further removed from the dust and burrs - and enjoy the comforts of our caravan!

Cheers
Shelley

I certainly did my share of roughing it Shelley.

But after a few years of what once seemed to be 'really roughing it' - becomes the norm.

Cheers

Terry