A call to the land

Years ago I experienced what I now call my informal apprenticeship with the land. As part of this apprenticeship I would at times receive a call to go to a particular place on the land.  I would have a general sense of the place, look up the location on a map to hone in further, and set out. 

On one of these occasions, when I received that call, I travelled up towards the place in the tablelands in northern New South Wales.

This place was in a wild area, unmarked by tracks, and in unfamiliar-to-me territory. All I knew was the next step and what my body and guidance was telling me ... continue reading

1st April 2025

I was snorkelling the other day at Clovelly beach and it was beautifully clear and calm in the water. It was a gift for me to be able to be there, coming down as I did from the mountains. I saw brilliant blue gropers among the rocks, and green and mauve vegetation swishing in the current.

It was easy to see the other swimmers and to move with ease this way and that, moving with the fish at times, swimming out at others. But it’s not always like this. Sometimes it’s so murky it’s hard to see at all in the water. When the big tides come or there’s been a lot of rain, there is also a lot of debris. continue reading
14 Nov 2024

I’ve been exploring an app used to transcribe audios these past few days. It also has an AI function to create posts, emails copy and more.   It’s quite amazing in what it can do with words.  The thing is, every time I work with it I get a headache. I don’t enjoy being with it, nor reading what comes.  

As I sat back from this with my sore head the other day, the faces and words of people who have touched and inspired me came to me. Those words that resound through my being, help me see things in new ways, and bring me to tears.  I was reminded me once again of the power and beauty of the human heart, and of how we can touch each other simply by our existence.  

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16th/7/2023

Noticing the signs along the way 

There is a vulnerable not-knowing that is present when starting anything new.  Whether you are starting a new endeavour or new direction.   There can be a feeling of walking blindly as you take one step after the other. 

I once went on a walk to the top of Bartle Frere, the highest mountain in Queensland.  The walk goes up through lush and green rainforest, up into a cloud forest and to the top of the mountain.  It was magical up there, with the mist and the rocks and the views glimpsed as the mist parted. It was so beautiful that I found it hard to leave and ended up only part of the way down the mountain as the sun set... continue reading

reposted from 2013 on 24/6/2023

We live in intense times of change and uncertainty. People are struggling. Our world is changing and that brings with it a whole gamut of emotions and challenges.

I used to spend many hours and days walking in the mountains of Tasmania, my home for many years. On a beautiful clear day it is magnificent up there. You can see for miles. You walk between the mountains up on the Central Plateau and can see right down to the mountains in the south -west. Even in summer you need to be prepared though, as the weather can turn wild quickly ... continue reading