THE FIVE LANDS WALK
OLIVE’S TWENTY-THIRD POST
Olive
Good afternoon, all readers of this little blob. Welcome to another chapter of our story. Mike wants me to go on a walk
Mike
No, I don’t, Ollie. I want you to be part of a walk, a sort of attraction for the other walkers.
Olive
What sort of an attraction?
Mike
A reason for people to stop and chat with you. It’s called the Five Lands Walk and it’s happening on Saturday, June 23rd.
I thought we should talk about it now in case anyone from Finland is interested in joining us.
Olive
From Finland???
Mike
Just a joke. Though you never know, we might get some foreign walkers.
Our Five Lands walk is actually based on a famous walk on the Italian coast called the Cinque Terre. Here’s a view along the way on the Cinque Terre.
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…………………………….In some places the Italian walking path is rough. In others it’s protected by railings like this.
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……………………………………………….There are five towns along the Cinque Terre. Some are clinging to the cliffs like eagles’ nests.
Others are right down on the sea, but accessible only by paths and stairs.
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What’s this all got to do with me, Mike? I am 107 as you well know.
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Mike
I know and thanks for telling your readers, some of whom may be new to your blob.
No, the thing is that on the Central Coast of NSW, (Australia) where we both live, some people here thought it would be good, since we also have a magnificent coastline, to have our own walk.
Here’s a sneak preview of our choice views and vistas.
Olive
Oh, vistas! That sounds nice. Vista, vista, vista!
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Mike
Yes, choice vistas, indeed. Hasta La Vista! There could be hundreds of people walking on the day. There were last year.
So, I thought you should be part of it because I’m convinced that doing interesting things together, is not only good for blog stories, but it’s a tonic for you, if you know what I mean
Olive
I do indeed. But you’ll kill me in a place like that. ….And where’s the path?
Mike
Well, that’s still a bit of a problem. There are paths but……
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……………………….Mike
……..but not along the cliffs like in Italy. People will walk on the beaches and small roads mostly.
Maybe in the future there’ll be more cliff top paths. But key land is privately owned , unfortunately.
Now, the idea is that you’ll be here on this spot where Pauline is standing. She’s one of the organizers. You won’t move, just hold court.
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Mike
You’ll be under an awning like this
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Mike
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Well, a smaller one, actually. But you will be shaded.And all the walkers who pass by can stop and talk to you under your shaded awning.
Olive
What about?
Mike
Well, it’s actually to help us tell a story we have in mind.
In the story you are fading away. You’re very tired and very weak. You’ll be lying back on comfy cushions, almost unable to talk
We hope that one or more aboriginal women will be looking after you. They’ll be telling you about the strength of the land you’re resting on. It’s their land traditionally and they know its healing powers.
Olive
I’m fading away? You mean, I’m kicking the bucket?
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MikeWell’ sort of…. But don’t worry. The stories of the land are going to save you. The story will have a happy ending.
Olive
Well, that’s good!
Mike
So, first, as I said, the aboriginal people will tell you about the land.
Olive
I was always interested in the aborigines
Mike
Then, the walkers who pass by, each one will be invited to tell you stories too. This is where it gets different.
We white folks don’t often think of the land as sacred. Land is usually property to us, to be bought and sold for profit.
But given a nudge, we may remember special places, which evoke memories.
So, we are going to catch the walkers as they come up the hill and say;
“Heyfolks, there’s a very, very, old lady up ahead under a canopy.
She’s fading fast (pretending) and the only thing that can save her, is your stories.
Stop for a moment, please, and tell her about some place you love. “
Olive
Maybe they won’t talk to me.
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………………………………..Mike
I think some will. Of course they’ll know it’s just play acting, that you are not really in danger. They’ll be told that when they get to your tent.
Some will be intrigued and some will be natural story tellers. …….For example, if it was me, I’d tell you about Bateau Bay which is my magic childhood place.
I’d say, Hi Ollie, I want to tell you about Bateau Bay and the camp that Joe Collings had there when we were kids.
I want to tell you about the flying fox which brought the supplies down the cliff on a bouncing pulley and rope system.
About the massive old Morton bay fig tree which shaded the beach and the little old man, brown as a berry and round as a barrel, who sat under that tree on an upturned dinghy.
About the dining room with the wheel from a sailing ship over the fire place, and the green glass floats washed up from fishing nets, strung on the walls.
There will be enough stories, I’m sure. But they must be true stories. The only invented bit is that you are fading way
Olive
Which I am NOT!
Mike
Only in the story ……Indeed, with each story from the aboriginal people and the walkers, you’ll be revived, bit by bit.
Olive
That’s nice. I’m glad I’m going to be revived, bit by bit
Mike
And I will be filming all this. And we’ ll make this into a film in the one day. It will all be finished on the same day, and we’ll show it the same evening at the Avoca Surf Club, hopefully.
It’ll be called; Bit by Bit
Olive
But you want me to act?
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…………………Mike
Well, just a little. It’ll be easy. Ollie!
Olive
How do you know?
Mike
“Cos, you acted with Cissie, remember? You played her older sister and wouldn’t let her run away to London with Francis. You must remember that?
Olive
Oh, yeah, that was fun.
Mike
This will be the same…….Now, here’s a map of the walk. It starts at MacMasters Beach on the Saturday morning with a traditional ceremony.
By evening, all the walkers will have reached Terrigal and on the oval, there will be a closing ceremony.
It’ll be easy! It’s only about 12 kms.
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Here’s the beach at MacMaster’s. They come along here on the sand, straggling along..
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MikeThey pass by Copacabana shops.
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Of course our villages don’t have the charm of the Italian ones on the Cinque Terre.
Olive
Well, how could they? They’re not as old are they.
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…………………………….Mike
That’s true. But you, know, Ollie, I’m hoping if this Five lands walk takes off, people might become more aware that our villages could be more attractive.
They could certainly more colorful, and it wouldn’t be hard to do. .Look at this other village on the Cinque Terre. (Photo by Peter Nacken)
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……………………….Olive
It would be lovely if things were beautiful like in nature. I’d love that too.
But I can’t see much now, so it doesn’t matter to me.
Mike
Sure it does! Look at these Banksia flowers that I found along the way. I am sure you can see something
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Mike
Isn’t it strange that nature, with no budget at all, can make things so beautiful whereas humans often make such a mess of their built environment.
I think it’s because of the roundess and curves you find everywhere that nature wins in beauty.
By contrast, we build rather drably and everything’s at right angles. Few curves and no roundness, too expensive!
It’s all sharp angles these days which is against our human form, actually, hostile to the curves of our own bodies.
Olive
I never thought about that.
Mike
You won’t be able to see this, but here’s a spider’s web I found along the way. Such beautuful architecture, and round of course.
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Olive
I wish I could see better.
Mike
I think we can get you seeing better, Ollie. If you use your sight for things you really want to see, I think it might improve.
From now on, I’m going to show you beautiful photos, I take a lot on our beach, and I’ll get you used to them.
Like this early morning shot, looking towards North Avoca. The waves are good near the northern rocks and this surfer’s in a hurry to get there. It’s about 7 am, I guess.
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Mike
. Here’s something round that I found on the walk. And it’s human made. Can you see what it is?
There’ve been some drownings at the rocks at Avoca Beach, and this is hanging is on the rock wall, along with memorial plaques.
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Olive
It’s round. It’s not a face. A life ring? ………. Did I ever tell you how Barnie nearly drowned when we was bush walking at Berowra Waters?
Barnie had this heavy army coat on for some reason, and he fell out of the boat we’d rented.
Well, poor Bing, that’s my second husband, had to haul him out by his scruff and he weighed a ton on acount of the sodden coat. The yelling and the sloshing around, you wouldn’t believe it.
Gawd, we laughed. It was no laughing matter, really, but we couldn’t help it.
We could’ve used one of those rings, that’s for sure!
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Mike
Here’s perfect proof of the theory, Ollie. Color, curves, and roundness!
What could be more beautiful than these rocks at Avoca Beach, eh?
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Olive
Looks like violet crumble (Traditional Australian candy) to me.
Mike
Or this outrcop, here?
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Mike
That shape’s as interesting as any old house on the Cinque Terre to my mind.!
Olive
It’s rock, isn’t it? I’ve seen that rock near Newcastle.
Mike
No, it’s also at Avoca Beach…. Now, look at this …
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Mike
Not the ship, the figure on the left. Surf boards are beautiful and it’s because they’re so nicely curved. I reckon.
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Mike
Ships are beautiful, too. Curves bow and stern make them interesting.
The walkers are going to see lots of ships along the way.
These ships are all queued up along our coast, waiting to get into Newcastle to fill up with coal. It’s our contribution to global warming.
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Mike
Tosca thinks it’s very curious.
Olive
How is Tosca?
Mike
He’s fine. He chases flies on the beach. That’s his job, and he digs things, which is equally important apparently. He’s a lovely boy.
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Mike
We think the ships are watching.
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Mike
Katya tries to make contact but without success.
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Olive
You have to laugh.
Mike
Indeed you do…… And look after the children!
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Olive
How’s Ellen?
Mike
She’s fine. She’s recovered from being drawn at Patonga. (22nd.post)
Next summer, Ollie. I’m going to take you to a kids’ surf carnival on our beach at Avoca. We have the best carnivals in summer.
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Olive
If I’m still here.
Mike
Of course you will be!
Now, back to the walk, the one that you’re not going to do. Walkers will stop at Avoca for lunch.They can eat on the rocks…
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Mike
…….or under the trees by the lake.
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MikeWhen I sat down there, white cockatoos took off ……
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Mike
…….and went screeching over my head in fury. What a racket!
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Mike
Back to the walkers, before heading off north again, they can check out the program at the Avoca Beach Picture theatre.
They have a very nice web site, by the way. http://www.avocabeachpicturetheatre.com.au/
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………………………….They are having a film festival in the week of the Five Lands walk, and the theatre is the prettiest and most historic building on the whole walk, just as good as anything on the Cinque Terre.
The program for the special Five Lands Festival can be found by clicking on special events on their site.
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MikeI think I’ve photographed the theatre more that any other building ever, in every mood and light, Ollie!
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………………………Mike
Then, its along the beach and up the hill. That’s Avoca Beach from the hill top…….
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Mike
Up the last hill……
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Mike
Here’s Kayta, draining the water supply!
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Mike
Over the last headland and down to the Skillion to Terrigal. That’s what they call Terrigal’s famous runway to the sky….
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Mike
Then, on to the oval where the closing cermony will be, hundreds of drummers apparently. Last year it was magic.
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Olive
It’s exhausting just to hear about it.
Mike
Dont worry, you’ll be long back at home by then. And we can look at photos of your new great, great grandson, Luke, newly born
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Olive
Oh, yes I’m so proud of him. Mother and son are doing well. The mother’s Louise, yer know,and the father’s Mitch.
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Mike
And we’ll show more of Luke and family when we get more photos..
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Olive
We must! That’s what I surely want
Mike
In the meantime, have your pie…….
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Mike
……………and we’ll leave the ships crews to have whatever ships crews have for supper…..
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Mike
…..and say thanks to those to who took the Cinque Terre photos I’ve used, and whose identity I don’t know.
Come and try our walk, folks.
Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
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43 Responses to “THE FIVE LANDS WALK”
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May 30th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Mike,
This post makes a beautiful photo-essay! I’d love to take part in the walk, if I were several thousand miles closer.
When I spent a few months in Canberra a few years ago, I loved seeing all the wild birds. Cockatoos and macaws aren’t native to the U.S., so you only see them sometimes as pets, never in flocks in the trees and the sky.
-Scott
Woodbridge, VA, USA
I’m glad now we put in the Cockatoo photo, Scott. I nearly left it out, feeling I was getting carried away with the beauty of nature. Mike the helper.
May 30th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Wish I lived closer so I could do the walk!.
The photos are great and really help tell the story.
Seems like we are taking more and more touble with the photos, Jen. But they are rewarding. A friend said the blog sould be named a blogumentary. I rather like that, having made documentaries all my life. Mike the helper
May 30th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Hi Mike, any objection if I send and email to the “Cinque Terre Touristic Office” to inform about your “Five Lands walk”. I guess they would be delighted to hear about it. I will enclose the link to this page so that they can go through it. Let me know.
Stefano
No problem, Stefano. Mike the helper
May 30th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Dear Mike and Olive, my husband and I spent part of our honeymoon in the Cinque Terre, and as the photos attest, it is a most beautiful place. I think your walk might be better, though, (or at least different) because of the beaches. There’s very little in the way of beaches in the Cinque Terre, and most are all pebbly. Your beaches are stunning! Wish we could be there… it’s raining in Norway right now :(.
-Katy
(our son, your youngest reader, who is now 4! is still enjoying your blog and pictures, too; keep up the good work!)
We have the beaches, but we don’t have the villages. So, both walks have their virtues I’m sure. Thanks for your comments Katy and so glad that your son likes the blog. Mike the helper
May 30th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Hi Mike. When you ask people on the walk to talk to Olive, while they think for real she is fading away or will they know it is part of a special “drama” for the film you will be showing? Sounds very interesting. Do you reckon you’ll get some who will give up when they get to Olive and just stop there for the yarns! Lynne from Bulli.
Everyone will know it’s a story, Lynne, and because i’s not a race, I see no reason why people won’t be delighted to talk to Olive. They’ll love meeting her, as do I.
The filming mostly depends on Olive , if she’s enjoying it, we’ll continue. If not, we’ll cancel or change the slant in some way to make it work for her. The story is an excuse to encourage people think about the land and what it does for us emotionally, how we all have our special places, often without knowing it.
I think she’ll have a ball. I did some improv. with her several years ago before the documentary. She was great at it. There is no script to learn, I just set the scene and the players, She and Cissie another centenarian, made up the dialogue .
Also, I did the same thing last year in Maleny for a film called; Even Emus Need to Dance. The townspeople acted out aspects of their own life stories to make a full length feature http://www.evenemusneedtodance.org Mike the helper
May 30th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Wow! This post is beautiful. Makes me want to walk too. Too bad I am soo far away. Good Luck with the walk. If you don’t do well with the acting at least you can look at the beautiful scenery! It looks wonderful there!
Thanks, Erin. I wonder how far away you are? You email address gives no clue. Mike the helper.
May 31st, 2007 at 2:53 am
Reading this post, I can’t help but think that you two are going to change the world, just by getting people to think about it a little more carefully, and a little differently.
Well, I’m not that optimistic, Doug. But it’s enjoyable to use photography and Olive’s interest to get people thinking about beautiful places and how we can enjoy and protect them. Come join us if you are not too far away. Mike the helper
May 31st, 2007 at 7:20 am
I would love to do both of those walks - the Cinque Terre and Five Lands Walk. The scenery is amazing at both locations. I would definitely love to stop and talk to Olive, but I would like to hear a story as well as tell one!
Five lands is just beginning, Christina, but I’m sure it will grow. It’s a very good idea. Mike the helper
May 31st, 2007 at 9:17 am
Hi Mike, All the area photos you used on the blog, are they views from the walk? If so, WOW! People stopping to talk to Olive, it will be like them being eyes for her as well. Because she can’t see as well any more, they will be creating pictures with words. Did you film her “act” with Cissie? Lynne from Bullli
Yes, Lynne, the photos are all from the Five Lands walk except those from Italy of course.
I did film Olive acting with Cissie. But I dont know where it is right now. I like your idea of people on the walk being her eyes. I had not thought of them talking about the actual walk till you mentioned it. Good idea! Mike the helper.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:44 am
Every new chapter of Ollie’s blobumentary is better than the last! Can’t wait to see the film you create from the stories told to Gracious Olive, on the walk. I think you can post a fairly lengthy video on Google-video, available for free public download, whereas YouTube only allows a much shorter clip.
Check out, “In the Absence of the Sacred: The Failure of Technology and the Survival of the Indian Nations”, by Jerry Mander. Meshes perfectly with your comments about the intrinsic value of the earth, to all people, and how aboriginal cultures respect it.
Thanks Robert. Each item seems a risk for both of us. Agreeing to do this filming is of course a big thing for her. She is brave. Doing a long blog with all those photos seemed very risky too. I wonder if some find it too long or too illustrated?
As for You Tube, there should be a short You tube film of Olive up soon to replace the one already there which is about nothing much. I’ll check out the longer item you reccomend. Mike the helper
May 31st, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Fabulous photos, Mike and Olive, I hope you’ll listen to all the stories and let Mike film it. It would be so interesting to read about!
Thanks, kenju. Mike
May 31st, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Hi, When are you going to do something about the birth of Nanna Rileys new Great Grandson Luke,on 25th April 2007 she has told me on several occasions that she hoped you would do something on the blog for her. And I noticed that my comment about this seems to have been removed?
Felicity
Hi Felicity, I did phone the Dad of Luke very soon after the birth and he was going to send me photos. They never came. I did see some at olive’s place but the quality was not that good, they’d been printed off an email. So, I’m still waiting.
When I get some good ones and some story details, the birth will be mentioned. Ollie would love it. Certainly your comment was not removed.Tthis is the first I’ve seen one from you. Sorry you are disappointed. Mike the helper
May 31st, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Hi…..what wonderful photos…….especially the banksias, what a beautiful country Australia is….
do you know what the trees are in;
‘tree shadows’?
Eucalypts?
Penny.
Penny, I’m not sure which trees you are talking about. Can you be more precise? Mike the helper
June 1st, 2007 at 3:21 am
I wish I lived closer! I’m not much of a walker but I’d keep Olive company under that awning…and I could make the tea! (I’m good at that!) lol!
Karen UK
We’ll surely need a good tea lady on the day, karen. Perhaps we can arrange something. A magic carpet to the spot which is called Captain Cook’s Lookout but which I like to call Captain Look’s cookout, people be so addicted to barbies (singeing meat over flame) around here.
The lookout/cookout is also a great place for watching whales and this is the time the humpbacks go past. Mike the helper
June 1st, 2007 at 4:21 am
The more I think about it, the more I would love to see a film of Olive and all the stories she will hear. What wonderful history it will be! I dohope that you can show that film to as many people as possible, and if I were not so far away, I would surely particiipate!
June 1st, 2007 at 4:28 am
I stumbled across this interesting ‘blob’ and wish to give my love and a hearty ‘hello’ to any and all involved
I’m in Portland, Oregon, USA
And a special hello to Olive!!!
107 years old? Really?
Your smile is as bright as any I’ve seen.
xox Brit
That’s the sort of stumble we like to hear about, Brit. Mike the helper.
June 1st, 2007 at 4:31 am
Hi Mike and Olive,
Those are certainly beautiful villages on the Cinque Terre. I’ve never heard of it before. Your walk appears to be just as nice due to nature’s hand. The rock formations at Avoca Beach are stunning. I hope you get some pics of the humpbacks on your walk.
Honestly, you’re killing me with those pies. I wish they made them here in the states.
Best regards,
Eric USA
Surely someone will start up pies over your way, Eric. Mike the helper
June 1st, 2007 at 7:52 am
We have noisy cockatoos here too! In fact, they woke me up before my daughter did this morning… As noisy as they are, they are beautiful to see out in the wild, I’m sur you agree with me.
The walk sounds wonderful, it does look gorgeous where you live. The film sounds great - I’m sure there are many (many) people out there with so many interesting stories to tell Olive. We all have stories to tell don’t we? Good luck with it all…
Let’s hope Olive’s well on the day and that it all works out. I’m beginning to ask myself what have I promised? It’s all a bit rash. Anyway, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Mike the helper.
June 1st, 2007 at 7:57 am
I forgot to comment on your a couple of your photos! I was going to say that the little theatre there looks wonderful - is it on the beach?
I especially love the photo too with the girls sitting and eating with a gull in the foreground. That water looks amazing!! Great photo.
The outlook at the local beach area looks wonderful with the ships in the distance.
Don’t you just love Australia?? I know I do. (Coming from a resident of lovely Trinity Beach!)
The theatre is very near the beach, Melody, about 100 m. Glad you like the photos. I’m taking more and more trouble with them. I think of this as a blogumentary. Though Olive does not see well, I figure the more intriguing the photos, the more she’ll see.
She loved the banksias. Where’s Trinity beach? Mike the helper
June 1st, 2007 at 2:46 pm
On your story’Touch ups to tranqillity’…..there is this wonderful image ….
‘tree shadows second’…
are they Eucalyptus trees? Did you take the photo?
near the beginning of the blog…
Penny
Now I know which ones you mean, Penny, the trees at Patonga in the late afternoon. Thye look european to me. I’m going to have to ask Jocelyn, the portrait painter. Shall do so tomorrow. Mike the helper
June 1st, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Congratulations on your new great-great-grandson, Ollie.
I like the idea of the part you are going to play on the walk, Ollie. If I could get there, I would, just to come up and say hello to you (and bring you back to life). Have a wonderful time and I’ll look forward to seeing photos from the walk and your part in it, of course.
We hope it will work out, Robyn. Things have so far but some dark clouds are gathering. Mike the helper
June 1st, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Dear Mike and Olive,
Love your idea of `Five Lands Walk’ happening on Saturday, June 23rd. It’s a fantastic way of promoting the wonderful places & beautiful beaches. I am most impressed and interested to see
the pretty & historical Avoca Beach Picture theatre and of course, the wonderful beaches.
My birthday happens to fall on June 22nd. It would be great if I am able to celebrate my birthday with all of you.
But, alas, I am from Malaysia.
I wish you good luck & success with it all and look forward to your post on the walk.
With Love from Malaysia ..
Jimmy & family
Thanks, Jimmy. Speaking of our theatre, I know you have lots of charming old buildings in cities like Penang. I was there, years ago. I’ve a yearning to go back. Ollie has only been overseas once, to New Guinea. Mike the helper
June 2nd, 2007 at 6:43 am
I have been reading your blog for a while now (just stumbled across it one day) but didn’t leave a reply before. I decided to say how much I love reading about your life Ollie. I’m just 18 myself but I love hearing your stories. And Mike, I love all of your beautiful pictures that you take! They seem to capture the beauty of the scene and make me want to visit Australia even more. I can’t wait to read more of your adventures.
Best wishes,
Hannah. Thanks so much for your comment Hannah. I guess we dont have very many 18 years olds reading the blog, so that makes you special. I hope we can keep it up. Mike the helper
June 2nd, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Hi Mike
Would you like to send me an email re trees….?
thanks
Penny
Penny, you have inadventently uncovered a shocking story. The trees are apparently coral trees, so named because in season, they have lovely red flowers. Anyway, and this is subject to checking, they are due to be cut down because they are not native.
This is insanity. Whatever natives they put there will take twenty years to be impressive and still be something quite different.
I am going to get onto Gosford council and see if it’s true. If there was the same policy for humans, I’ll point out, none of us would survive, since virtually no one is native.
I’t looks like another case of protest letters from around the world to this Gosford council, folks. But I’ll get my facts straight first. Mike the helper.
June 2nd, 2007 at 4:34 pm
The Five Lands Walk sounds wonderful! I’ve just had a peek at the Theatre’s website - what a treasure it is and so nice of them to be supporting your walk Ollie, Avoca seems to be a very community-minded place, I like that.
I’ll be there with you in spirit
I hope she makes it on the day, Mandie. dark clouds are gathering. Mike the Helper.
June 3rd, 2007 at 7:31 pm
The walk sounds just lovely–the concept, the scenery, the appreciation of the land, everything! bI could probably do a Cinque Terre walk quite easily (since I live in Italy), but yours would be much more difficult to attend. Anyway, I hope Olive gets to hear many wonderful stories that day.
I love the idea of showing the film at the theatre as well–an intimate, homey setting on the beach seems the perfect location to appreciate the local heritage and land. Complimenti!
Thanks, Michelle. I do hope we get to do the film. It’s not a sure thing as yet. Glad you are still reading. Mike the helper,
June 3rd, 2007 at 10:02 pm
This is so shocking……I have sent that photo to many friends around the world , many have written back to say what beautiful trees they are.
I have the photo as wallpaper on my computer , so enjoy it many times during the day.
I cannot believe that humans can be so short sighted as to think that felling trees, that are not in anyone’s way, is a useful thing to do.
It is up to us to protect our environment, while we still have an environment to protect……it will be too late for those trees if action is not taken.
yours
Penny
Dear Penny, I am going to check that I’ve got it right about the fate of those trees before we do anything more. In the mean time since you like them so much, I will email you the two photos at a higher quality. Mike the helper
June 4th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I wish I could do this walk but it’s a bit of a long drive from Adelaide in South Australia. The scenery looks awesome and the theatre looks great too. I’d definitely go there to see a film especially as most theatres these days are parts of large corporations so it’d be nice to support a local community theatre.
Good luck to all the walkers.
Thanks, Jen. let’s hope the film does get made. Some problems are arising. Mike the helper.
June 4th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
you know, if I could swing it, i would definitely be there for the walk. and I know exactly what tale I would tell Olive to revive her. i grew up on a farm, and there was a pasture that was almost inaccessible by vehicles that was my favorite place to be.
Lovely shorthand story,Minnie. That’s the sort of thing I hope we do get. Mike the helper
June 4th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
The walk sounds great, but alas, I’m in Christchurch so I probably won’t be able to make it. However, I would if I could. And would most definitely visit the theatre - it looks so cosy and special.
Hope the weather holds up for the walk.
Chu May, We thought you were in Malaysia. In any case, i’ts too far to come and sadly, Olive’s participation looks less sure by the day. Mike the helper.
June 5th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Mike,
Sorry to hear that things seem to be slowly unraveling for the walk. It sounds as if Olive is under the weather by your comments, and if so, best wishes to her for a speedy recovery.
Keep your chin up. Sorry to hear the ludicrous story of the trees. It’s ashamed that people we elect to represent our interests seem so out of touch so often.
Eric
Thanks for your concern, Eric, I must find out the truth about the trees before we move. I know lot of people loved the photos of them at the end of the touch up post. If it is true they are to be cut down, we’ll do an international campaign. We need to know what the folks in Patonga think as well. They are their trees after all.
As for Ollie and the walk, it’s not her health which is the threat. It’s more complex than that. Mike the Helper
June 7th, 2007 at 4:58 am
Wow!! I would love to go and tell Ollie some stories about places that I love. What a shame that I am so far away. The pictures were really nice, Mike. The one with the tow girls sitting on the seaside with the watter sparklin right in front of them was absolutely incredible. Lots of kisses!!
Thanks, Monika. Yes. I like that photo too. Mike the helper
June 9th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
I have just found your lovely blob, Olive you are a wonderful inspiration, I cant come on the walk as I live in France but I shall write about you and put a link on my blob, and say hello to Mike the helper for his help! Big kisses, Sarah, I like your portrait by the way.
Thanks Sarah, I wonder how you found the blog? Mike
June 9th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Wow this is an unusual blob. I’d forgotten your comments were at the top and thought you’d disabled them for a sec there. Also I got confused by the Italian reference and thought yous were on holiday there - duh!
I agree with the person above who said something about your making a film. Definitely you should record in broadcast quality your reminiscences. You should be able to do this direct to the computer these days, I know some radio journalists do this. Surely online there is somewhere an audio equivalent to youtube - not for posting songs but for speeches, stories and the like… I’ve yet to find it but if the place exists you could post some audio stuff there (I’m sure there IS somewhere …)
Well you must be going into winter just as we flow into high summer here. Even London gets hot these days - it hit 100F last year 37 or 38C which for here is unbearable bc nothing is built for the heat. Also our high temperatures are always in heatwaves, meaning the air is still humid and making it all the more unbearable!
Hope all’s well your end. I featured your blob again yesterday along with possibly the world’s youngest blobber who is a little boy from Portugual. (Of course there are “baby blobs” but what do the babies contribute except their photo?)
OK take it easy Olive and Mike
& all the best
from
Gledwood
Thanks for the tips, Gledwood. We wo have Olive up on You Tube. Just type in Olive Riley and you’ll find her. Thats’ about as far as we’ll go for the moment, I think. Mike the helper.
June 12th, 2007 at 2:09 am
Your website is awesome
I enjoy reading your posts. Also, you don’t look a day over 104 
June 15th, 2007 at 1:42 am
HELLO! This is amazing!I am 23 and this is the best blog I ever seen! I live in UK but my nationality is Polish so I’m gonna tell my friends from both countries to visit your fantastic blog!Keep going,the world needs people like you,you can change people lifes!When my baby gets older I will tell her about an amazing lady from Australia…Best wishes from Ashford,UK
Thanks, Malina. Hope to have another story for you soon. Mike the helper.
June 15th, 2007 at 4:28 am
where oh where have you gone?
We’ve had problems, Emily, But I think we are over them now. Mike the helper.
June 15th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Hi Olive and Mike,
You may have been witnessingsome nes about floods up our way. Just wondering if Olive has any flood stories. Was she anywhere involved inthe 1955 floods?
We escaped OK. I’ll ask Ollie about the 1955 floods. She’s never mentioned them. Mike the helper
June 16th, 2007 at 6:38 am
HELLO!! I like so much your histories.. You are so beautiful, sweety …
an exmple…of lifeee..!!!
kisss and hug..
ANA
Hi Ana, I made a couple of spelling corrections in you nice message. I hope you don’t mind. Thanks for writing, Mike the helper
June 16th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Hi Mike and Ollie,
I’ve heard about the flooding, etc. and I’m hoping everyone is well over there. It’s been a while since you and Ollie have posted, so I’m worried, to be quite honest. It’s none of my business, but I’m just checking in to make sure that Ollie and the Gang are OK.
Sarah in Canada
Don’t worry, Sarah. Olive is fine. There have been some minor problems but not with her. I have a story ready to post but it’s driving me crazy.
This business of putting up text and photos, I was getting so good at it, this time it wont work. On the preview. it does not look right. The photos are shifting the left hand floral border over into the text.
I spent a day on the bloody thing. Ollie’s very lucky she does not see well enought to be roped into this drama.
Now, Im going to rebuild the whole piece which is about the past, about Olive roller skating, and hope it works. If it does, it should be up this evening our time. Cheers, Mike the frustrated.
June 17th, 2007 at 3:33 am
Oh, that’s good news about Olive. Not so great news about your frustrating ‘blobbing’ experiences. Argh! I hate it when that happens!
Sarah in Canada
Sarah, When Blobbing works, its great fun, when things wont post the way you want them too, it’s a nightmare. Mike the poster.
June 22nd, 2007 at 11:56 pm
Hello Ollie and Mike,
I’ve just finished catching up on the blob and I’ve also researched the Avoca Beach Theater. That is ONE SPECIAL community theater with over 50 years of history! Why ANYONE would want to change that is beyond me. The townsfolk and surrounding communities need to ban together and fight! Perhaps they could have some fund raisers and the citizens could buy it and that way, they could keep it the way it is, instead of opting for progress. When progress vs nature in a small seaside community, nature will win, so Hunters, let it stay as is! If I lived in the area, I’d be patronizing the theater on a regular basis! Avoca is SO LUCKY to have it! I surely hope the Hunters will reconsider “history versing progress and nature.
How I would LOVE to join you on your Five Lands Walk, and tell Ollie some of my dad’s stories, but alas, I can only be with you in heart and spirit on Saturday.
Mike, your pictures are esquisite! You definitely have an eye for beauty. Keep up the wonderful job you’ve been doing.
Sandy-Wisconsin-USA
June 26th, 2007 at 10:22 am
I look at the site on the 25th. Wonder how the film night went on the same night as the walk at the surf club. Fascinating. Lee
Lee, the film was a a bit of a rush job, but Henion and I got it done. It ran about 8 mins and basically featured various sculptors who had a go on the beach.
There was a Beetle (car) made out of fronds, a strange forest of golf clubs (discarded) an area defined by a procession of lost thongs and the ribs of a whale from palm fronds painted white which one could walk through. All very good.
Photos soon but not before Ollie’s seen them. Mike the five landser