Ad augusta per angusta...Achievement Through Effort

There's only one way for me to go now; that's onwards and upwards, forward to the goal of my five-hundredth post. However, let's not yet become too carried away or excited, this is only my four-hundred and onethestethestest!

A friend popped in, hence my writing of this post was interrupted for an hour or so, while we shared a bottle of wine, a platter of cheese, olives and crackers. At my request, he made for me a little step, which will serve many purposes. His visit heralded its completion. I could, perhaps, have hammered together a remote likeness of what I wanted, but he is very adept and most particular in the department of cabinetry etc., plus he has all the suitable tools required. My sparsely equipped tool box contains various sized nails and screws, two small hammers, brackets, hooks, a variety of screw drivers and a couple of pairs of pliers thrown in for good measure. If I'd attempted to make what I needed, the end result probably would have fallen apart at first glance, let alone stepping upon it! I asked if he would do this for me over lunch last Saturday. So here it is Friday, and already he has built and delivered it to me. Now, that's what I call 'good service'. I don't offer everyone a bottle of wine and cheese, though...only my very best friends!

Back to the filming of the sales/marketing video for the island and our dear protagonist, Mark. I should have learned my lesson from previous performances by Mark and not let myself be fooled by his photogenic self. He was a fairly good-looking young lad, in a home-spun kind of way. A thick crop of wavy black hair framed his open face. He wasn't built like "Arnie", but he was of a fine physique. I'm not fond of men with similar physiques to that of "The Terminator", anyway.

Depending on the winds, it wasn't often boat trips could be organised to Zoe Bay on the south-eastern coast of Hinchinbrook Island. Being on the outer, eastern coast of the island, the seas were frequently under the commands and pressures of the south-easterly winds, making travel south along that side of the island impossible or far too uncomfortable for our guests. Fortunately, during the making of the video, a perfect day dawned. After a rapid early liaison with Bob over in Cardwell, the owner-skipper of the "Reef Venture", a trip to Zoe Bay was organised and announced to the guests as they breakfasted in the restaurant. My chef prepared a picnic lunch for everyone. I decided, for once, I would go on the boat trip. I didn't want to give up an opportunity to visit Zoe, a place I'd heard so much about; and everything I had heard about Zoe Bay and Zoe Falls had been enticing. Both lived up to my expectations.

Peter, Maree and I joined the merry band of guests aboard the "Reef Venture", with the intention of not only enjoying the day-trip, but also to film the day's adventures, together with the picturesque land and seascape along the way and, of course, the magnificence of our destination, which lies under the protection of the mighty awe-inspiring Mount Bowen, with its peaks almost permanently shrouded in clouds that rise above and drift out from its majesty.

Once the "Reef Venture" was anchored securely in the bay, only to be re-boarded later in the day for the return trip to the resort at Cape Richards, we disembarked, full of high-spirits. Making our noisy way ashore through the crystal-clear waters of the bay, everyone was in the mood for a fun-filled day. Once across the reasonably wide stretch of clean, fine sand, we were met with the entrance to a tropical rain-forest. With about only one percent of the sunlight that shines on the crowns of the trees' canopies reaching the forest floor, the dense shade and coolness have a pleasant effect on a hot, tropical day. The luminescence, an essence of a translucent pale-green light filtering through the many, many species of rain-forest and palms, diffused in places by a fine mist, casts a spell over all who wander in it presence. It's a magical, evanescent experience. One would have to be without feeling not to succumb to its wonder and breathless beauty.

For the latter stages of the trek from beach to the pool beneath Zoe Falls, we hung closely to the banks of the creek that gushed mountain waters into the sea. Climbing over large, smooth river-boulders and stones, the happy group of 'adventurers' chatted amongst themselves along the way. I stayed close to Peter and Lyn assisting them with their camera equipment. After about twenty to twenty-five minutes, the forest opened up to a splendid vista of the falls, its foaming waters a continual fulsome stream flowing into the welcoming open mouth of the pool at its base.

It didn't take long for everyone to toss off their outer clothes down to their swimsuits beneath. Eagerly, we all joined the fresh-water Perch that showed no fear of the human presence in their underwater domain. I guess they knew they would be in for an easy, tasty lunch that day from our lunch scraps. There's nothing quite like mountain water. It's so crisp, crystal clear and clean. It makes one's skin feel like silk and one's hair like the finest spun gossamer. There is no product produced by man that feels as good as mountain water upon your skin and hair.

Peter was hard at work, filming. To the southern side of the falls and the pool, was a thick 'Tarzan' rope. All the guests, and the staff (which included Mark and Bronnie) who came on the trip, were soon clambering over each other and the rocky cliff-face to swing from the rope out across the water, to then let go of the rope, to crash into the refreshing effervescence of the pool, as you do in such situations. I didn't and don't. I'm not that brave. Unashamedly, I admit that to you right here and now!

Of course, Mark had to try his prowess! Up he went with great fanfare. Down he came with equally great fanfare! Unintentionally, he performed the best belly-flop I've ever seen. And, I still have it on video tape to prove that it was! As for the role of 'Tarzan'...he didn't get it.