Eurong

I was a bit reluctant to go through the dingo fence in the dark. While I hesitated, a tall girl jumped the gate and headed for the beach. I followed thinking she might have some local knowledge. Alas, as I was to discover too late, she was from Russia and could not read the warning signs. 

Still, i found a world that only exists when you get up before breakfast. I have done it a couple of times since, and might try it again sometime.

I had been following in the pawprints of the famous cat Trim (b1799 black, with white paws, chin and chest), and the tragic Matthew Flinders (sunburnt) up in north east Australia for a month or so. Here, in the map created by the adventurers, is an extract of the coastline mapped during their expeditions. 

 

This is the seventy five mile beach of the most beautiful island (Fraser Island, Queensland) I have ever seen. So far away from everywhere. Swimming with sea turtles, running from dingos, chasing whales, rolling down massive sand dunes and diving into perched lakes. It took months for the bruising to subside.

 

 

 

This is a great place to wander. Less a good place to swim or surf or sunbake (sharks and other biters). Still, as i travelled, i found myself talking to Flinders and Trim about their amazing times and lives. Nat King Cole's 'Nature Boy' came to mind:

A very strange enchanted boy

They say he wandered very far, very far

Over land and sea

A little shy and sad of eye

But very wise was he

And then one day

A magic day he passed my way

And while we spoke of many things

Fools and kings

This he said to me

The greatest thing you'll ever learn

Is just to love and be loved in return