AINT TRAVEL FICKLE

[Jeff Thorpe]

AINT TRAVEL FICKLE

© Jeff Thorpe 18 March 2020

The trip of a lifetime, booked some twelve months prior,
would cover vast swathes of our ancient land,
four states and the Territory, some of all to admire,
eighty in the party, a tour much in demand.

Commencing at Darwin at the tropical top end
day trips planned to both Litchfield and the hallowed Kakadu,
roaring waterfalls at Litchfield, splendour more than could be penned
alas though, heavy rainfall threw Kakadu askew.

Next on to The Ghan, retro opulence on rails,
transport from top to bottom, Darwin to Adelaide,
no bangers and mash or parmy, but haute cuisine in bales
food and drink provision source of many an accolade.

This train an Aussie legend, thirty-six carriages long,
staff all clad in R M Williams gear,
couldn’t do enough for all of our throng
making up our beds or serving cocktails, wine or beer.

Three nights and four days of truly pampered bliss,
off train jaunts at Katherine, the Alice and Coober Pedy,
indigenous history, explorers tales, little to dismiss
and life for opal miners underground seemed breezy.

On to Adelaide with cruising yet to come
to visit KI, Burnie, Melbourne and Sydney,
coronavirus however, saw down turning of the thumb
sailing Santa Claus would not slide down our ship’s chimney.

So travel, as with life, in the words of philosopher Forrest Gump
is like a box of chocolates – “you never know what you’re gonna get”
everything’s “plain sailing”, then up pops a speed bump,
though “better safe than sorry” is perhaps best advice yet.

[Terry]

Sounds memorable Jeff.
Just as well you did it when you did.
A trip out to the letter box, is about all I'm doing at the moment.

Cheers

Terry

[Shelley Hansen]

Ah, the memories Jeff! All plans are certainly on hold now.

So Terry, are you dressing up for your mailbox trek?? I can just see you in ... well, maybe not frills!!

[Jeff Thorpe]

Thanks Terry & Shelley

Yes, future travel looks a bit dicey. Lot of work being done around the home though that is overdue.

Cheers, Jeff