Mitchell outback Qld to Lightning Ridge NSW

Our departure from Mitchell coincided with the falling of soft welcome rain and a comfortable temperature of around 25°C. This is in marked contrast to the past few weeks when Mitchell was consistently hot and dry -- with the temperature up to 40°C and bush fires burning fiercely.

Groups of emus grazed the verge between Mitchell and St George, strutting away from our oncoming vehicle; necks outstretched, feathery skirts flapping.

As the kilometres slip by, my mind adjusts to the fact of our leaving Mitchell -- heading south to Phillip Island. It's a complete lifestyle change and a difficult transition in many ways; however, I believe change sweeps the cobwebs from my mind, gives me new focus.

Over the Queensland / New South Wales border and into northern New South Wales: after five hours on the road we've arrived in Lightning Ridge, the opal capital of the world.

Draft: the last!

This is the last of my drafts, and apologies for the mix-up. For today's blog, please go down 3 times to:

The pull of my island home from Mitchell outback Qld

Friday, November 18, 2011

As a bonus I'll include a couple of photos I took last night. The eucalypt blossoms with the long narrow leaves are river red gums. While walking beneath the trees I could hear and feel the crunch of the tiny blossom caps beneath my feet. It was a magical sensation.

The eucalypt blossoms with the rounded shiny leaves are bimble box.

The peaches growing in the bush beside the river are the result of the pink blossoms I took photos of mid-year. I hope you enjoy these extra photos.

My next blog will be en route between Mitchell and Phillip Island.

Eucalypts of outback Qld: please click 14 down

Because I did this blog as a draft, you will have to go to:

Eucalypts of outback Qld

Monday, November 7, 2011

This blog is 14 down from the top.

My apologies for this mix-up and I hope you'll take the trouble to click onto today's blog.

Thank you.

Mix up with drafts

Due to me doing some drafts today's blog is:

Wednesday November 16, 2011

Mysterious world of darkness: Mitchell outback Qld

And yesterday's blog was:

Monday, November 14, 2011

Shedding his skin: Mitchell outback Qld

And you may have missed one on:

Thursday, November 17, 2011 with a title:

Mitchell State School Celebration Evening: outback Qld.

My apologies for this mixup. It's due to me doing a few blogs in advance because we're packing up to leave on Thursday.

The pull of my island home from Mitchell outback Qld

The day draws closer to the time of our departure from the red dirt country of Mitchell in outback Queensland to the blues, greens and golds on our island home: Phillip Island in southern Victoria.

There is sadness in saying goodbye to so many good friends and neighbours; sadness to be leaving my river, the Maranoa; sadness to be leaving the wide open spaces and warmth of Queensland. On the other hand, there will be the pleasure of greeting our friends and family down south, and pleasure in our return to the island where beach walks with our dogs are a daily routine.

We are greatly relieved that 15 year old Katie Siamese is sufficiently recovered to be making the journey back with us. She isn't as nimble as she once was, however, she can jump up on to low chairs and she isn't in pain.

It's at this time of the year that I begin to feel the push/pull of the island. The mutton birds will be flying back to their rookery after the honeymoon phase, to lay their large single eggs en masse around 24/25 November. Every year it's the same, through the decades, through the centuries -- since time began.

It's a signal to me too, a signal to pack up and 'migrate' south to Phillip Island where we'll spend the summer tracking the mutton bird cycle of egg, to chick, to maturity, to their departure in April on their migration flight to the Bering Sea and Alaska.

That will be my signal too, the signal for us to pack up once more and leave the island -- 'fly' north to our home and friends in Mitchell, outback Queensland.

So the cycle of our double life continues.

My favourite place: Mitchell outback Qld

Partway across the foot bridge crossing the Maranoa River I pause and reflect: most evenings.

This is what I see: the footbridge, the murals painted on a concrete pylons of the road bridge, the Maranoa River, my mulberry and bottle trees, and usually Snow White the egret as well.

Then, of course, there's Major my loyal and very handsome German shepherd who takes me on a walk every evening.

The image I see at this special place is imprinted on my soul. It's a place where I feel centred and 100 per cent involved in the moment. Who could ask for more?

Mitchell State School Celebration Evening: outback Qld

Students from Prep to Year 10, together with their teachers, parents and other people from the community, gathered together at the Mitchell Shire Hall to celebrate a successful year at Mitchell State School.

Performances, class reports, speeches and presentations took place between 6 and 7:30 p.m.

In particular I enjoyed the performance by the school marimba band; the amusing report given by Seamus Filan for the Parents' and Citizens' Committee; the School Band who played the National Anthem and gave one excellent performance as well; the Year 5/6 presentation of The Hare and the Tortoise -- with a Twist; the Year 1/2 performance of Click Go the Shears; and the Prep /Year 1 performance of Boom-Chicka-Boom

All in all, the children were very well-behaved, with the audience enthusiastic in their praise for the excellent work done throughout the year and the performances given throughout the evening.