On our final day it was great to be in our little shack in Wentworth Falls. With the sun rising in a gap left by the greyish clouds, the Magpies were the first I saw and heard as I ventured out into a grey cool morning. I think I could happily listen to the exquisitely unique song of the Magpie. As I stepped out on the road I didn’t see but heard my most favourite laugh ever – the laugh of the Kookaburra. On return I saw but didn’t hear the ten silent Cockatoos as usual on the pointy end of the top branches of a favourite tree of theirs next door. I was happy they were silent as it could destroy memories of those other sounds.
I zoomed into my PD training class then another much longer walk around the Falls lake which we love. Back home for our Balmain walk before a three hour supervision session on working with couples.
The journey was an unusual one with driving and walking, but it mostly worked for us. The exploration of the towns by walking through their streets, the walking along the rivers and through the forests while having a break from driving was a unique experience which I loved.
As on other trips your comments and emails are really appreciated and it does feel as though you are there with us.
We travelled around 5000 kms and walked over 350 kms and felt happy that we have by accident been able to see a lot of our own State and get a greater feeling for the land that is our home.
‘Til our next journey
Have a great year
Will and Corrie
The birds were there to meet us at the Falls
The Kookaburras laughed – no need for talk,
Our Magpies, one of our most favourite calls
White Cockatoos – their criticising squawk.
We talked of empty towns, while others rocked
Of stunning buildings only used for show,
And burnt out paddocks, others over stocked
The rain forests that always seem to glow.
And bridges of all sorts with some not there
Their creeks and rivers with their varied traits,
All of these create a ‘walking fair’
In NSW – can’t visit other states.
The sun has set on yet another walk,
Now to rest, and then with friends we’ll talk.
Delightful poem dear William – welcome back home to you both after an epic journey.
Funny Will – you mentioned the magpie and we looked at the Australian magpie this morning on the Web. We have a noisy minor and two butcher birds visiting our balcony regularly to get strands from our plant basket for their nests. Then we discussed the Australian magpie and looked it up. Apparently there are nine sub-species of the Australian magpie, and we discovered that magpies occupy the same territory for their entire life. Once they find a suitable patch, they will stay there forever — up to 20 years.
Author Gisela Kaplan told ABC Radio Melbourne that once a magpie knew you and judged you to be a nice person, you would have earned a friend for life. “They will form very long friendships, like dogs,” she said.
Also, magpies can hear the sound of grubs and worms under the ground!
One other thing I didn’t know but you have have – magpies can impersonate a range of other birds and even car alarms, dogs and cameras!
That’s it from me – look forward to catching up soon. Get a good rest!
Much love
Yes, amazing bird, I have known that about magpies for many years. You become part of their family to the extent that if you leave your door open they just trot in. We had one in the house and it was a bit worrying that he (males have a bright white neck, females have grey flecks through it. We’ve had nests and no pecking happens because, similar to Dutch people, those included in the family go wide and far. So it was interesting they were the first that sang when I went walking – I’m sure they were excited with our return.
Thanks Narayan for your thoughtful comments over the thirty days and great to have you both join us on our journey
Yes, amazing bird, I have known that about magpies for many years. You become part of their family to the extent that if you leave your door open they just trot in. We had one in the house and it was a bit worrying that he (males have a bright white neck, females have grey flecks through it. We’ve had nests and no pecking happens because, similar to Dutch people, those included in the family go wide and far. So it was interesting they were the first that sang when I went walking – I’m sure they were excited with our return.
Thanks Narayan for your thoughtful comments over the thirty days and great to have you both join us on our journey