Got nothing against a big townStill hayseed enough to sayLook who's in the big townBut my bed is in a small townOh, and that's good enough for me Small Town by John Mellencamp The Sunshine Coast and particularly the part of it we lived in has changed. When we first arrived in Alexandra Headland in … Continue reading From Quiet Seaside Town to Overcrowded Holiday Destination
Author: Mike Brooke
The Capricorn Coast
I started early, took my dog,And visited the sea;The mermaids in the basementCame out to look at me. By the Sea by Emily Dickinson I particularly enjoy the poetry of Emily Dickinson. A mid nineteenth century American poet Dickenson was a bit of an eccentricand and hermit - a way of life we would probably … Continue reading The Capricorn Coast
Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays
Sail away with meTo another worldAnd we rely on each other, ah ha'Cause we love one another, ah ha Islands in the Stream - written by Maurice, Robin and Barry Gibb Who knew that this lovely song was written by the Gibb brothers. And beautifully performed by Kenny and Dolly. Just been watching them sing … Continue reading Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays
Port Douglas and the Daintree – the Delights of the Rainforest
So we sailed on to the sun'Til we found a sea of greenAnd we lived beneath the wavesIn our yellow submarine Another John Lennon/Paul McCartney song We had left Cairns just before a covid case emerged and were lucky to miss the week long lockdown there. This seems to be the story of our travelling … Continue reading Port Douglas and the Daintree – the Delights of the Rainforest
Cooktown
When you see the Southern Cross for the first timeYou understand now why you came this way'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so smallBut it's as big as the promise, the promise of a comin' day Southern Cross - by Stephen Stills, Richard and Michael Curtis Why Crosby, Stills and Nash would … Continue reading Cooktown
Calamity, Cassowaries and Cairns
I'm gonna hit the highway like a battering ramOn a silver-black phantom bikeWhen the metal is hot, and the engine is hungryAnd we're all about to see the light Bat Out of Hell by Jim Steinman Jim Steinman, talented songwriter, musician and playwright collaborated on a number of songs with Michael Aday aka Meatloaf. Steinman … Continue reading Calamity, Cassowaries and Cairns
Mission Beach
Gonna drown my troubles in blueGonna drown my troubles in blue waterPick out a sunny dayBlueDrown my troubles in blue water Blue Water - By George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon They say George Strait (the King of Country) never sang a bad song. I'm inclined to agree. He has more Country Music Awards … Continue reading Mission Beach
On a Mission (to the Beach)
It's raining, it's pouring The old man is snoring He went to bed, he bumped his head And he couldn't get up in the morning Olde English Nursery Rhyme For the first time on this trip we have encountered heavy and persistent rain. English nursery rhymes are recorded from the 17th century but this one … Continue reading On a Mission (to the Beach)
Chasing Barra II
As the compass turnsAnd the glass it fallsWhere the storm clouds rollAnd the gulls they callAnchor me, anchor me, anchor me From Anchor Me. Song by Don McGlashan and the Mutton Birds I really enjoyed the Muttonbirds music throughout the 1990s. Who could forget the Heater, Dominion Road or The Anchor and Don McGlashan's lyrics. … Continue reading Chasing Barra II
Chasing Barra with a Side of Croc 1
I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride my bike I want to ride my bicycle I want to ride it where I like Written by Freddie Mercury Scout wants a new bike. She has racked up a lot of miles on her current one. We talked e-bikes. "Piss off" she said. "That … Continue reading Chasing Barra with a Side of Croc 1
Travels With Mr Gato Downunder 