Living in a land down underWhere women glow and men plunder (yeah)Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder? (Thunder)You better-better run, you better take cover Written by Colin Hay and and Ron Strykert - Men at Work The song "Downunder" is an Aussie classic although interestingly owes some of its success to the … Continue reading Back in the Land of OZ
Costa Rica – Volcanoes, Rainforest and Beaches
Lake Arenal and Volcano Cheese making is all very good and what an experience but we were about to meet the Costa Rica renowned for its diverse flora and fauna. Costa Rica is home to around six percent of the world's species - a whopping 500,000 recorded species. Over 25% of the country is designated … Continue reading Costa Rica – Volcanoes, Rainforest and Beaches
Port Douglas and the Americans
I traveled really to amazing places. I went to the Great Barrier Reef, I went to the Amazon, I went to the Andes Elizabeth Kolbert Port Douglas in northern Queensland has become a second home for us. We love the vibrant nature of the tourist town itself but more, the access to the marvellous beaches, … Continue reading Port Douglas and the Americans
The Best Under 12s in the World – (Well Australia)
Life's like a road that you travel onWhen there's one day here, and the next day goneSometimes you bend, sometimes you standSometimes you turn your back to the wind From Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane (1991) A long way to go - lunchtime on the Stuart Highway, NT Darwin is a favourite of … Continue reading The Best Under 12s in the World – (Well Australia)
Litchfield National Park
The beast prepared to eat me up,He snapped, he snarled, he blew!But I just stood and tapped the glass,'Cause this croc is in the zoo! ©2003 Gareth Lancaster Wangi Falls - near pristine and croc free (then) We are only 400 kms from Darwin and a couple of hours out of Litchfield National Park. So … Continue reading Litchfield National Park
Last Cab(pervan) to Darwin Part 3
"An American monkey, after getting drunk on brandy, would never touch it again and thus is wiser than most men" Charles Darwin - the wisest of men Banka Banka West Station Sunset - the campsites are set on a 350,000 acre working cattle station in the Barkly Tablelands Contrary to popular belief the English biologist … Continue reading Last Cab(pervan) to Darwin Part 3
Last Cab(pervan) to Darwin Part 2
"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride" Rex (from Last Cab to Darwin) Sorry if this all sounds like a bit of a history lesson but I am fascinated with the unusual and sometimes obscure things that happen in the middle of nowhere - or more pertinently away from the cities. For example we are … Continue reading Last Cab(pervan) to Darwin Part 2
Last Cab(pervan) to Darwin
Dr. Farmer "You going to be a difficult patient?" Rex "More than likely" Michael Caton and Jacki Weaver from "Last Cab to Darwin" Mr Gato Jnr safely bedded down outside Miles, Qld. If you haven't seen the Australian film "Last Cab to Darwin" starring Michael Caton as a dying Broken Hill cabbie and cancer sufferer … Continue reading Last Cab(pervan) to Darwin
Some Thoughts on ANZAC Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_mBJgsaxlY Mr Gato DU is somewhere in Australia enjoying his new freedom with changed owners. If they treat him with respect he will take them to places far and wide and show them the diversity and beauty of this vast land. After a long search and lots of questions involving cost benefits, size, easy management … Continue reading Some Thoughts on ANZAC Day
In the Seat of Power
Washington D.C. from Arlington National Cemetery across the Potomac River Washington D.C. is a one trick town. Take away the politicians and their coterie of aides and what do you have left. Lawyers and lobbyists, that is what you have left. According to a man we met on the street (and DC statistics) one in … Continue reading In the Seat of Power
Aspen
Bicycle races are coming your waySo forget all your duties, oh yeahFat bottomed girls, they'll be riding todaySo look out for those beauties, oh yeah Bicycle Race by Freddie Mercury Freddie Mercury's song "Bicycle Race" was by no means a reference to Scouts disappearing svelte derriere on the Rio Grande trail in Aspen. Apparently inspired … Continue reading Aspen
Good for the Soul
Spent the last yearRocky Mountain wayCouldn't get much higherOut to pastureThink it's safe to say - Rocky Mountain Way - a Joe Walsh song It is well known that Joe Walsh was a member of the Eagles rock band but less well known that this American musician joined the New Zealand band Herbs and played … Continue reading Good for the Soul
All Hail “The King”
For reasons I cannot explainThere's some part of me wants to see GracelandAnd I may be obliged to defendEvery love, every endingOr maybe there's no obligations nowMaybe I've a reason to believeWe all will be receivedIn Graceland - Graceland by Paul Simon The story is, Paul Simon wrote the song Graceland as part homage to … Continue reading All Hail “The King”
Keith Urban is a Big Deal
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up highThere's a land that I heard of, once in a lullabySomewhere over the rainbow, skies are blueAnd the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true From "The Wizard of OZ" written by EY Harburg and Harold Arlen When Dorothy clicked her heels together in Kansas and … Continue reading Keith Urban is a Big Deal
Boulder, Colorado, Covid and a New Entry Port
But the Colorado Rocky Mountain highI've seen it rainin' fire in the skyThe shadow from the starlightIs softer than a lullabyRocky Mountain highRocky Mountain high From Rocky Mountain High - Written by John Denver and Mike Taylor A view of Wonderland Lake up to the foothills If you have ever walked in the Rocky Mountains … Continue reading Boulder, Colorado, Covid and a New Entry Port
Mr Gato has an Okker cousin
Well I'm so tired of crying But I'm out on the road again I'm on the road again.. Canned Heat (Floyd Jones and Alan Wilson) After a long European tour Mr Gato was retired to a new home in Mazan, Provence where he was lovingly restored by Regine and Bernard Arrigi and family. Or possibly … Continue reading Mr Gato has an Okker cousin
Japan – Food, Culture and Respect Part 2
"Fall down seven times, get up eight." "Tomorrow, tomorrow's wind will blow." "Continuance is strength." "He who chases two rabbits will catch neither." Some Japanese Proverbs which define the Japanese ethic of perseverence and practicality. Left - Kinkaku-ji - the Golden Temple It is a 500 km or two and a half hour train ride … Continue reading Japan – Food, Culture and Respect Part 2
Japan – Food, Culture and Respect
Nightlife on the Dontobori Canal, Namba, Osaka Early Japanese life and culture after the sixth century AD was heavily influenced by Chinese and Indian religion and philosophies, Buddhism, Confuscianism and Taoism although Buddhism has traditionally occupied the mainstream of Japanese thought. Japanese history has gone through the phases of feudalism, family wars, the rise of … Continue reading Japan – Food, Culture and Respect
Into the Heart of the Rockies
"There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun" From "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" a song by Gordon Lightfoot Mooseland, Borealia or the Great White North. Canada by any other name. That mighty country currently defying the US of A and … Continue reading Into the Heart of the Rockies
Exploring Hollywood: Mulholland Drive, Stars and the Boulevard
And those Hollywood nightsIn those Hollywood hillsShe was looking so rightIn her diamonds and frills from the song Hollywood Nights Written and performed by Bob Seger Bob Seger formed the Silver Bullet Band in the early 1970s and produced a number of high flyers including "Against the Wind" and "Night Moves" throughout that decade and … Continue reading Exploring Hollywood: Mulholland Drive, Stars and the Boulevard
Sun, Surf and Sand – a Visit to the USA
"They bob in line like seabirds waiting for the fishing smack.The sun or sometimes rain lays down acrosstheir salt encrusted backs. Wild hair,so often blond, tightening into knots.Do they lie and chat? “Have you got maths today?”and do they let their mothers comb the knots,wheedling to their sons and daughtersfor that is what they are … Continue reading Sun, Surf and Sand – a Visit to the USA
France and the UK – Chapter Three
"Far off in sunlit placesSad are the Scottish facesYearning to feel the kiss of sweet Scottish rainWhere tropic skies are beaming" from "Scotland the Brave" words by Clifford Hanley The words to the song " Scotland the Brave" were written in 1950 by colourful Scottish journalist and novelist Cliff Hanley. The song was recorded by … Continue reading France and the UK – Chapter Three
Nous Retournons a la ou nos Coeurs Appartiennent
"But I always knew I would live life through With a song in my heart for you,,,,,,," song from the musical "Spring is Here" by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart Only Family Could Take Us Away From This Quick tip for you would be travellers - do not travel to the south of France in … Continue reading Nous Retournons a la ou nos Coeurs Appartiennent
WONDERFUL MEMORIES – AND SOME NEW ONES
In 2002 Scout and I left our life in New Zealand behind to spend ten wonderful years living and working in England and France. We longed to return and in August 2024 we revisited old friends and places we had fallen in love with.
Travels With Mr Gato Downunder 