Saturday 18 May 2019

Mt Tamborine

Located in the Scenic Rim, Mount Tamborine sits on the edge of the escarpment on the Gold Coast hinterland about 40 kilometres west from the Pacific coast. It is also the collective term for the small villages scattered along the eight-kilometre ridge of the mountain range. Tamborine comes from the local Yugambeh word Jambreen or Tchambreem for the wild finger lime trees that grow on the mountain. Tamborine Mountain is at around 550m above sea level and is part of an ancient volcanic rim. The mountain offers an agreeable escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The many natural attractions on offer are very accessible and include several lookout points for enjoying uninterrupted fantastic views to the surrounding hinterland and coastline.
Justins Lookout.

A resort hotel in Eagle Heights has great lookouts for uninterrupted views to the coast.

Hang Gliders Park. Gliders using this cleared section of the escarpment as a launch site. 
he park is ideal for views inland to the west of the Scenic Rim. 

Knoll Road lookout on and to the north is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.

In town are many information signs to all kinds of attractions: resorts and accommodation establishments, gifts and souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants, breweries hotels distilleries wineries, but especially the national parks and gardens. A visit to the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens is a must. Here one can take to the many pathways and explore the blend of both tropical and temperate forests and plants. The Gardens feature azaleas, bromeliads, camellias, hydrangeas, magnolias. maples, orchids, perennials, rhododendrons, roses and many more including camote plots. 

Queensland’s first national park, Witches Falls, is in Tamborine Mountain. 

Driving along the quiet backroads brings one to various hidden delights.
A garden tepee where you can say gday to the lorikeets and honeyeater birds. 

Backyard farmed fruits and vegetables adorn stalls or trailers on the roadside.
They're selling avocados mandarins and other citrus, not postcards.

In Tamborine Mountain you can enjoy the  serenity and quietude of the shadowy sunny greenery of a secret garden’s expansive grassy backyard.

In Eagle Heights, you can sight an eagle overhead, or the numerous local birdlife such as magpies and kookaburras. Or you can take aim at the Gold Coast. 
More views to the inland. The centre of the crater was the now flat area that can be seen from various inland lookout points along the western edge of the mountain providing for endless escarpment views. Numerous lakes in the valley reflect the evening rays, whilst the long shadows mesmerise. and the sunsets take your breath away.

In the deep rainforest.
The narrow dirt trails and steep slippery rocky descents lead to Cameron falls. 




Back in town, a walk down the long tarred backroads takes one to a sayote farm, or some bright flowers. 

Another popular attraction is the Gallery walk which boasts over 60 art and craft, gift and nick-knack, and culinary shops suit all tastes and budgets. There are also roadside stalls selling farm produce fruits and vegetables including many exotic tropical natural delights.

Good morning merry magpie – catch two of them with one hand. 

Meanwhile back at the farm, you can say g'day to the ponies and amuse the alpaca with stories.
Or watch the sheep turn the other cheek. 


Views to Gold Coast. Coastal lookouts (to the east) are not always easily accessible and often lack parking facilities. There are lookouts on Magnetic Drive and Oxenford Road and other points. These lookout spots all over the mountain have fantastic coastal views, often stretching from Moreton Bay, the Gold Coast skyline to Tweed Heads.  Motorists need to take great care when stopping to admire the views. They are likewise expected to respect the privacy of residents. At night, the Surfer’s Paradise skyline comes alive, with thousands of lights twinkling in the distance. 

The rolling hills on the Eastern side of Tamborine Mountain were formed by run-off lava.

Friday 17 May 2019

Sing another verse to that old song


Guy Clark was one of the most influential country songwriters. He died three years ago on May 17, 2016. The songs of Guy Clark are touchstones of great songwriting.

1.      L.A. Freeway 
If I can just get off of this LA freeway 
Without getting killed or caught
I'd be down that road in a cloud of smoke 
For some land that I ain't bought bought bought.

2.      She Ain't Goin' Nowhere 
Standin' on the gone side of leavin' 
She found a thumb and stuck it in the breeze...
And she had a way of her own 
Like prisoners have a way with a file.

3.      A Nickel for the Fiddler 
And it's country music in the park 
and everybody's ruined.

4.      That Old Time Feeling
And that old time feelin' rocks and spits and cries, 
Like an old lover rememberin' the girl with the clear blue eyes.

So we just closed our eyes and dreamed us up a kitchen 
And sang another verse to that old song.

I have flown like a bird from each cage that confined me 
And broken every one of the ties that bind me.

7.      Instant Coffee Blues
It's all done with mirrors, of which they have none. 
To blend the instant coffee blues into the morning sun.

8.      Let Him Roll
Too many days of fightin' the weather 
And too many nights of not being together
So he died... Let him roll.

9.      Anyhow, I Love You
I wish I had a dime for every bad time 
But the bad times always seem to keep the change.

Old Flint's boat is fine and she's called the Miss-Inclined 
And there's no home port painted on her stern.

I'd cried for every lesser thing 
Whiskey, pain and beauty.

12.   Old Friends
And you're really feeling fragile And you really can't get home 
And you really feel abandoned But you want to be alone.

Some were one desk away from sweet freedom 
Some were were torn from someone they love.

It's time for a change I'm tired of that same ol' same 
The same ol' words the same ol' lines 
The same ol' tricks and the same ol' rhymes.

Now there's a pair to draw to boys 
I would not steer you wrong.

16.   Dublin Blues
I am just a poor boy, hmm Work's my middle name 
If money was the reason Well, I would not be the same. 
So forgive me all my anger Forgive me all my faults 
There's no need to forgive me For thinkin' what I thought.

I got an ol' blue shirt And it suits me just fine 
I like the way it feels So I wear it all the time.

One man's right is another man's wrong, 
One man's curse is another man's song 
Hank Williams said it best 
He said it a long time ago 
"Unless you have made no mistakes in your life
Be careful of stones that you throw".

19.   The Cape
He's one of those who knows that life Is just a leap of faith 
Spread your arms and hold your breath 
Always trust your cape.

20.   Cold Dog Soup
Ain't no money in poetry 
That's what sets the poet free 
I've had all the freedom I can stand.

21.   Red River
Here's to the bootleggers and the oilfield crews 
Here's to the one and all of us Red River fools.

22.   Die Tryin' 
What's the use in dyin' If you don't die tryin' 
If you don't die tryin' What's the use.

23.   Magnolia Wind
It's once in a lifetime and it won't come again 
It's here and it's gone on a magnolia wind.

Give me some of that Soldier's Joy, ain't you got no more 
Hand me down my walkin' cane I ain't cut out for war.

25.   Homeless
You know life ain't easy It takes work… 
When the final line unfolds, 
It don't always rhyme.

Some have given up, some have given in 
Looks like everybody's looking for a friend
Out in the parking lot.

Now there more to life than whiskey 
There's more to words than rhyme 
Sometime nothing works
Sometimes nothing shines.

And I have stumbled in my time
I left my footprints down the road 
And the part of me that shines
Ain't the part of me that's showed 
Maybe I can paint over that.

My favorite picture of you Is the one where Your wings are showing
Oh and your arms are crossed Your fists are clenched Not gone but going.

I don't love you much do I I'd follow you to hell and back again.

So much for the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke.

32.   The Guitar
So I hit a couple of chords In my old country way of strumming.

Black Diamond Strings on a Catalog Guitar
That's pretty high cotton whoever you are.

It don't matter how much it hurts 
You've got to tell the truth
Some days you write the song
Some days the song writes you.

To paraphrase The Guy:
So take me to a barroom driver
Set me on a stool
If I can't listen to Guy Clark
I'm damned if I'll be a fool.