The banksias are flowering in force in the national park. I spotted a few different varieties around. I don’t know their scientific names so I will call them as I see them.
The tall, orange one.
The short, yellow one.
The stubby orange one.
Cool Karloo
We crossed Kangaroo Creek for the final time, at beautiful Karloo Pool. The sun was just setting as we passed, and the water was a translucent green.
It was incredible how much the water level had risen in the six months since my last visit. The lower rock platforms were completely covered with water, so perhaps the increase was 30cm or more.
In the middle of the drought the creek bed so dry that you could step over the stream. Last Sunday, you had to take off your shoes to get across, or if you choose to keep them on, step very carefully.
I hope the water stays around until my next visit next summer.
Twists and Turns
On the walk, I passed trees of all different shapes.
I love the shape of their branches, twisting and turning into the air.
This one in particular had spectacular branches.
Wildflowers
Early winter means a profusion of wildflowers in Sydney (so is it really winter?). The most common ones are the grevillea…
The tea tree…
And the wattle.
Winter Walking
Winter in Sydney is the best time for walking. The weather is cool and the skies sunny. On Sunday, I went out walking in the Royal National Park with the Bankstown Bushwalkers, up and down the ridges of Kangaroo Creek, near Heathcote. We stopped for morning tea at Kangaroo Creek, which glistened in the morning sunlight.
Don’t Give Up
I’ve posted my fair share of great Rockwiz duets in recent weeks, but this has to be the best I’ve seen. It’s another unusual combination: Aussie songstress Tina Arena with former Tea Party lead Jeff Martin, singing the Peter Gabriel/Kate Bush song, Don’t Give Up. The performances from both (and also the band) was emotionally charged, and absolutely brilliant.
Jizo
A Jizo is a guardian of travellers and children. There were thousands of them at Koya-San, probably since there are a lot of visitors! They are usually clothed in a bib and a hat, to keep them warm through the cold winter months.
River
Another beauty from Rockwiz, a ‘duet’ of sorts between the wonderful Angie Hart and Tim Freedman.
Lines in the Sand
The monastery had a wonderful gravel garden in the front yard. One wonders how long the monks spend in carefully raking the lines.
Elsewhere in Koya-San, rocks and lines of raked gravel imitate the local landscape.
Forever Song
A song that is on my mind today, again from Josh Pyke:
We sleep together,
While all around us,
People kill each other where they lie.
They lie together,
Till they find someone better,
Try to negotiate that slow demise.
But I just can’t credit,
That type of effort for a
Piece of nothing on the edge of a knife.
Slices you so thin,
You dry like sheets in the wind,
Hold a candle behind through you see the light.
I want the song I can sing forever,
I don’t care for structure,
Just to know it’s mine.
I’d hate to see,
This thing we’ve developed,
Become your burden or my waste of time.
(My waste of time)
The afternoon can bring with it shallow moods
But I’d jump a harbour wall to clear your mind.
I quarter the years,
You drop the sails till we’re clear,
I’ll look for reefs,
You map the stars in the night.
And history tells us of worlds we’ll know nothing of,
Then retrospect becomes a shackle tight,
On the ankles of us,
Oh, in the future we trust,
We cross our fingers like some kids telling lies.
I wanna know that I know what I’m talking about.
Until I do,
All the walls seem white.
But when I’m sure that I know what I’m talking about,
I’ll take your burden if you say it’s mine.
If you say it’s mine.
If you say it’s mine.
If you say it’s mine.
Static and Silence 