Queensland
My daughter, son in law and two grandchildren emigrated to Australia in 1996. In the first two year I visited them four times and spent 14months with them. It was hard to let go. These first few poem reflect my feelings in those early months. Then we settled into a pattern of a few months each year to escape the winter in the UK and spend time with the granchildren during their summer break.Then as the children grew older we visited less often. They finally settled in Perth Western Australia.
Emigration
They wanted to emigrate to Australia
We waited.
Their visa was granted.
It understood it was what they wanted.
They sold everything then emigrated.
Sad we waited.
The letters and telephone calls exchanged.
We all felt the same.
They wanted what we wanted
To be together .
So we flew to Australia
To be united.
For a while and then we parted.
<©>Val Cook1996
Australian Escapade
To see our family we flew to Adelaide.
Stayed for a while, then plans were made,
To visit our friends in Sydney and then
Come back for two more weeks with the family again.
We flew to Sydney in matter of hours,
Landing amidst a city of towers.
Our friends made us welcome in every way
So we enjoyed every moment of our stay.
Their house was high on Bilgola Platuae.
A maze of steep winding streets below.
With elevated views across Pittwater Sound
Where all types of boats can be found.
Some lying on their side
Patiently waiting, tilted at low tide.
Then the picture changes as the tide turned
And life on the water once more returned.
Yacht in full sail ocean bound
Gliding through the water without a sound.
Itty bitty row boats bobbing up and down
Ready to ferry people into town.
Freshly painted sail boats bobbing in the breeze
Mainmast slapping as if to please
The waves lapping the shore
As if calling out for more.
We caught a bus to Manley Beach
Hopped on a Ferry the city to reach.
From Circular Quay we boarded a Catamaran
And up the Parramatta River we ran.
Cruised up the river then down we came
Sailing under the Harbour Bridge again.
As people passed over by car and rail.
The Opera House looked like a ship in full sail.
Majestically set against the sparkling sea
This unique building is a wonder to me.
We got off the boat at Circular Quay.
Walked on to George Street for a shopping spree.
Tea by the Harbour Rocks, restored as new
Saw the Sydney Tower a room with a view.
Kings Cross, China Town all interesting locations
A must for tourists on summer vacations.
Tall ships, small ships, sailing through
Between Blue Mountains and Woolloomooloo.
We said goodbye to our wonderful friends
With much sadness, as our visit ends.
Hiring a car to see Camberra fair
Edan and Geelong, we had to go there.
Apollo Bay and The Great Ocean Road.
The Twelve Apostles shaped by rough sea code.
We stayed in Mount Gambia and viewed the crater
Then on to the Murray River. Many hours later
We drove down the Freeway into Adelaide
Welcomed back from our escapade.
<©>Val Cook 1997
Whale Watching
In 1998 we took a boat trip out into the bay to Whale Watch. It was November and they where on their way back to the Antarctic with their little ones.
Off the coast of Western Australia once year.
The gentle giants of the deep flip their tails and rear,
In rest and recreation
During their seasonal migration.
In winter they came
To seek rich feeding is their aim.
In tropical waters they feed and breed,
Krill and small fish providing all they need.
Then return south in warmer days
To rest and play in familiar bays;
Shepherding newborn cubs en route
Anything but mute and resolute.
Singing the same song for days.
Entertaining and fascinating are the whale’s ways.
With a tall tail slap and a brave belly breech
They play and swim until the Antarctic they reach.
A steady stream of Humpback and Sperm Whales.
Blowing with force skyward vapour trails.
Breathing deeply and diving out of view,
To join their pod in the deep deep blue.
<©>Val Cook 1998
Other friends also emigrated to Cairns the same year as our daughter. So we flew up to Cairns to spend some time with them one year. Their bunglow is by the beach in a tropical setting.They have a wonderful colourful garden surrounding a deep blue pool. It was so hot we spent a great deal of time cooling off in the pool that was shaded by a huge sail that helped keep the water cool and fresh.
A Garden in Cairns
As the breeze hurried through the garden
The trees appear to wake and protest.
Shaking and rustling as if angry at being disturbed,
Until the wind dies down and they settle to rest.
Others nod benignly accepting their fate,
Until another playful gust wakes them from their doze.
Then off they go complaining strongly,
Dancing along to the tune of the wind.
In the evening Cane Toads, huge and horny
Cover the carpet of plush green grass,
Refusing to move no matter what.
At Sunset citrus flares clear the insects.
Amidst low lying, tornado tough, bungalows.
Hidden in deep green headland.
In Far North Queensland
Queensland Adventure
We took fast boat rides, to Green Island, Fitzroy and further.
Bouncing over wonderful seas of turquoise and green.
Fantasy trips to a paradise of soft silver sand and warm caressing breeze
We swam in the clear crystal ocean
Amongst vast shoals of tiny shiny fish.
Occasionally bumped by broad winged Rays,
Gently gliding between our legs, it was quite an experience.
We boarded a glass bottom boat,
And sailed further onto the coral reef.
The guide scattered bait onto the water
Immediately we were surrounded by the most fantastic fish.
A turtle swam under the boat,
But he was to busy inspecting the reef to notice us.
Cairns beaches have Shark Nets, floating far out in the sea.
Closer to shore are the Stinger Net protecting swimmers.
From Jellyfish .
On all the beaches are pots of vinegar
To dull the pain.
Beaches are often closed for safety,
When an occasional marauding crocodile;
Leaves the security of it’s rainforest home
To patrol the beaches in search of some delicacy,
Most times it’s a local pet.
We drove high into the headlands to visit Kuranda,
A small town deep in the rainforest.
Drowning in huge maidenhead ferns.
Exotic brightly coloured blossoms and dense undergrowth.
A spiralling road leads into a tropical paradise
Where the air is full of screeching parrots and under the boardwalk
Lizards scurry around and snakes slip and slid .
Karunda on market day attracts Artisans,
Who display and sell their fine silver ornaments, jewellery,
Paintings, pottery and clothes and carpentry craft.
Deep in the Rainforest of Far North Queensland
A Magical Kingdom.
<©>ValCook1997
Emigration
They wanted to emigrate to Australia
We waited.
Their visa was granted.
It understood it was what they wanted.
They sold everything then emigrated.
Sad we waited.
The letters and telephone calls exchanged.
We all felt the same.
They wanted what we wanted
To be together .
So we flew to Australia
To be united.
For a while and then we parted.
<©>Val Cook1996
Australian Escapade
To see our family we flew to Adelaide.
Stayed for a while, then plans were made,
To visit our friends in Sydney and then
Come back for two more weeks with the family again.
We flew to Sydney in matter of hours,
Landing amidst a city of towers.
Our friends made us welcome in every way
So we enjoyed every moment of our stay.
Their house was high on Bilgola Platuae.
A maze of steep winding streets below.
With elevated views across Pittwater Sound
Where all types of boats can be found.
Some lying on their side
Patiently waiting, tilted at low tide.
Then the picture changes as the tide turned
And life on the water once more returned.
Yacht in full sail ocean bound
Gliding through the water without a sound.
Itty bitty row boats bobbing up and down
Ready to ferry people into town.
Freshly painted sail boats bobbing in the breeze
Mainmast slapping as if to please
The waves lapping the shore
As if calling out for more.
We caught a bus to Manley Beach
Hopped on a Ferry the city to reach.
From Circular Quay we boarded a Catamaran
And up the Parramatta River we ran.
Cruised up the river then down we came
Sailing under the Harbour Bridge again.
As people passed over by car and rail.
The Opera House looked like a ship in full sail.
Majestically set against the sparkling sea
This unique building is a wonder to me.
We got off the boat at Circular Quay.
Walked on to George Street for a shopping spree.
Tea by the Harbour Rocks, restored as new
Saw the Sydney Tower a room with a view.
Kings Cross, China Town all interesting locations
A must for tourists on summer vacations.
Tall ships, small ships, sailing through
Between Blue Mountains and Woolloomooloo.
We said goodbye to our wonderful friends
With much sadness, as our visit ends.
Hiring a car to see Camberra fair
Edan and Geelong, we had to go there.
Apollo Bay and The Great Ocean Road.
The Twelve Apostles shaped by rough sea code.
We stayed in Mount Gambia and viewed the crater
Then on to the Murray River. Many hours later
We drove down the Freeway into Adelaide
Welcomed back from our escapade.
<©>Val Cook 1997
Whale Watching
In 1998 we took a boat trip out into the bay to Whale Watch. It was November and they where on their way back to the Antarctic with their little ones.
Off the coast of Western Australia once year.
The gentle giants of the deep flip their tails and rear,
In rest and recreation
During their seasonal migration.
In winter they came
To seek rich feeding is their aim.
In tropical waters they feed and breed,
Krill and small fish providing all they need.
Then return south in warmer days
To rest and play in familiar bays;
Shepherding newborn cubs en route
Anything but mute and resolute.
Singing the same song for days.
Entertaining and fascinating are the whale’s ways.
With a tall tail slap and a brave belly breech
They play and swim until the Antarctic they reach.
A steady stream of Humpback and Sperm Whales.
Blowing with force skyward vapour trails.
Breathing deeply and diving out of view,
To join their pod in the deep deep blue.
<©>Val Cook 1998
Other friends also emigrated to Cairns the same year as our daughter. So we flew up to Cairns to spend some time with them one year. Their bunglow is by the beach in a tropical setting.They have a wonderful colourful garden surrounding a deep blue pool. It was so hot we spent a great deal of time cooling off in the pool that was shaded by a huge sail that helped keep the water cool and fresh.
A Garden in Cairns
As the breeze hurried through the garden
The trees appear to wake and protest.
Shaking and rustling as if angry at being disturbed,
Until the wind dies down and they settle to rest.
Others nod benignly accepting their fate,
Until another playful gust wakes them from their doze.
Then off they go complaining strongly,
Dancing along to the tune of the wind.
Tall triangular Fan Palms whisper as they sway.
Bananas, Coconuts, Grapefruits and Mangos,
Grow in abundance in this tropical climate.
In the evening Cane Toads, huge and horny
Cover the carpet of plush green grass,
Refusing to move no matter what.
At Sunset citrus flares clear the insects.
Amidst low lying, tornado tough, bungalows.
Hidden in deep green headland.
In Far North Queensland
Queensland Adventure
We took fast boat rides, to Green Island, Fitzroy and further.
Bouncing over wonderful seas of turquoise and green.
Fantasy trips to a paradise of soft silver sand and warm caressing breeze
We swam in the clear crystal ocean
Amongst vast shoals of tiny shiny fish.
Occasionally bumped by broad winged Rays,
Gently gliding between our legs, it was quite an experience.
We boarded a glass bottom boat,
And sailed further onto the coral reef.
The guide scattered bait onto the water
Immediately we were surrounded by the most fantastic fish.
A turtle swam under the boat,
But he was to busy inspecting the reef to notice us.
Cairns beaches have Shark Nets, floating far out in the sea.
Closer to shore are the Stinger Net protecting swimmers.
From Jellyfish .
On all the beaches are pots of vinegar
To dull the pain.
Beaches are often closed for safety,
When an occasional marauding crocodile;
Leaves the security of it’s rainforest home
To patrol the beaches in search of some delicacy,
Most times it’s a local pet.
We drove high into the headlands to visit Kuranda,
A small town deep in the rainforest.
Drowning in huge maidenhead ferns.
Exotic brightly coloured blossoms and dense undergrowth.
A spiralling road leads into a tropical paradise
Where the air is full of screeching parrots and under the boardwalk
Lizards scurry around and snakes slip and slid .
Karunda on market day attracts Artisans,
Who display and sell their fine silver ornaments, jewellery,
Paintings, pottery and clothes and carpentry craft.
Deep in the Rainforest of Far North Queensland
A Magical Kingdom.
<©>ValCook1997
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