Awe & Wonder

(this wasn't even on the official Trail....it should be!) 

A few weeks ago we became aware of the latest book written by Julia Baird, "Phospherence - on awe, wonder and things that sustain you when the world goes dark". She is an Australian TV presenter and Historian and had actually written the book in response to some quite hefty life challenges. It was pure coincidence that the book was released at the beginning of the Covid19 Pandemic and, as a result, has flown off the shelves. I persuaded Von it might be a good read, and has proved thus far to be so.

In the book Julia talks about how do we achieve inner light over things we have no control of. Amongst the writing one of the things that resonated with me was 'seeking awe and wonder daily'.

She goes on to say that:-

'we take 'awe' for granted. Awe makes us stop and stare. Being awestruck

dwarfs us, humbles us, makes us aware we are part of a universe unfathomably

larger than ourselves......wonder is a similar sensation.....makes us stop and ask

questions about the world'

This became my theme for the last two weeks, and will continue to form my reasoning in my travels. 'Seeking wonder and stalking awe' has become my new mantra every day, no matter how small to fuel the light within when the lights go out (Covid19). My own phosphorescence.

Certainly the past fortnight has made my seeking 'awe and wonder' particularly easy! We crossed into the State of Victoria. Having checked the restrictions, we were good to go, as NSW and Victoria are currently the two 'germiest' states so no-one else wants us crossing their borders. 

One of our main reasonings for heading across the Border was the Silo Art Trail. There are two specific driving routes now with artwork on either grain silos or water towers. We intend to do both given we have the time. Art/Mountains/Coast/Gold Rush/Art/Mountains and back to NSW !

SILO ART TRAIL

(2016 in Brim - depicts multi generational quartet of male/female farmers of the town) 

             

It is Australia's largest outdoor gallery and stretches over 200kms (124 miles). It links 8 small Victorian towns within the Mallee Region. The Mallee is a large and flat wheat/grain growing area, hence the abundance of silos. It was a huge (literally) project which started in 2016 in Brim and highlights and celebrates the people of the area. If anyone saw the Australian Masterchef of that year it was featured as a backdrop during a cooking challenge. The project took off, mainly due to the world wide publicity, and resulted in a number of renowned street artists coming to the area, meeting the locals, and choosing a grain silo to tell a unique story about that specific town. GrainCorp who own the Silos donated them to the artists and both Victorian and Australian Governments provided funding.

This has resulted in some much needed support of small rural towns in the form of tourism.

(www.siloarttrail.com is the website for anyone interested.)

                          (2019 in Nullawil - emphasis on the importance of the working dog; Kelpie)

(2016 in Patchewollock - a local sheep and grain farmer. Reason the artist chose him was his height and build could be perfectly represented on the 35metre high Silo)

(2017 in Lascelles - depicts a local 4th generation farming couple still living there)

(2017 in Rosebery - one of my favourites showing the grit and tenacity of the regions young female farmers and the contemplation of contemporary horseman)

(2016 in Sheep Hills - depicting the stories of the local indigenous peoples, Barengi Gadjin)

(Sea Lake - celebration of the still and silence of outback Australia)

We were totally blown away by the silos and it most definitely fulfilled the brief 'Awe & Wonder'. The artists had various methods; small rollers on poles, aerosol cans. They tended to use hydraulic platforms (Cherry Pickers) in order to reach the dizzy heights. Apparently some projected the image onto the Silo whilst others used a grid system. Either way, the perspective is incredible particularly when you see the rounded silo shapes and the artists ability to still get the sizings and perspective perfect. Some were brilliantly coloured whilst others opted for blending the colours of the silo. But as those who follow my Facebook will attest to, they are sheer brilliance. 

Von and I both struggled to pick a favourite as on arrival at each silo we were entranced by the size and detail of each; there were lots of " Wow, wow and wow".

We did have a sneaky side trip to a small town called Birchip in amongst all the Awe & Wonder in order to experience the award winning Vanilla Slice which, in itself, was also awesome and wondrous. They don't have a Silo but they do have a large Mallee Bull with VERY large dangly bits ! Dennis felt a little inadequate....

Another moment of perfect timing found us in the town of Woomelang looking at a wall mural when we espied some activity in the field behind. There was a gathering of around 8 mini grain silos and all being painted as part of a smaller local project in the town. It was fascinating being able to get up close and personal (social distancing) with the artists ; some of whom had been involved in the larger grain silo projects. And of course we can't help ourselves and ended up being interviewed by a visiting ABC News reporter...remains to be seen whether that'll get air time!

And finally in Rupanyup a black and white piece featuring two young locals - Netballer and Aussie Rules.

This was probably my least favourite; it didn't have that size and enormity or indeed the awe and wonder I had felt seeing the others. Just my opinion !

I should point out that we didn't actually do all the Silos in one day! We broke it all up halfway through with a 3 night stay in Hopetoun at a great free camp site by Lake Lascelles. 

Stunning sunsets and cold cold nights - thank you oh diesel heater !

The GRAMPIANS

All Silo 'Arted' out we next headed off for more quite unexpected Awe & Wonder in the shape of The Grampians. Unexpected as neither of us had been there before and were pleasantly blown away by the stunning views. As we were also experiencing some rain at this point it also resulted in some great waterfall wonder too!

Some cardio training in the form of a 45 minute walk up Mount William rewarded us with amazing views...once the cloud moved.

"In greeting each morning, remind yourself of dadirri by blessing yourself with the following: Let tiny drops of stillness fall gently through my day"

And this was a perfect example. Standing at the top of what is the highest peak in the Grampians the stillness was measurable.

(Dadirri means specifically 'inner deep listening and quiet, a still awareness'. everyone's got it but we don't always find it. It comes from Indigenous Australians and is called something different depending on the specific tribe but essentially means the same. Embrace and take your time to feel the silence.)

Sadly as it was a National Park Dennis was unable to participate in our Grampian experience in full but certainly didn't mind being snuggled up in the van!

Beware ....minor gripe :-

So buoyed up by an overload of Awe & Wonder during the last two weeks we are now holed up in a 'bush' (hehe, she said bush) 'Free Camp', waiting until Monday when Victoria is due to allow the caravan parks more freedom to open communal facilities. We had become a little disappointed with inconsistencies in pricing and lack of facilities within Victoria. Charging full price for a site where you were unable to use any facility seemed a little unfair. And yet other sites were actually discounting due to Covid19, and still giving you toilet usage. Thank you 'Dunkeld' in particular and 'not' Halls Gap or Portland!

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN PORTLAND & PORT FAIRY

This little free camp is Awe & Wonder though, and we've been treated by visits from various wallabies much to Dennis' excitement and bird life abounds; Parrots, Rosellas and Kookaburras chattering this morning. Last night, with limited resources, we tried to light a fire. A neighbouring Aussie bloke seeing the two 'Sheilas' struggling dragging damp branches from the undergrowth immediately rendered assistance by bringing a whole pile of dry wood he had chopped earlier! RESULT! Awe & Wonder right there....toasty under the stars we were and contemplating the days ahead when we tackle THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD. 

                          I have a feeling we may well be collecting Lighthouses along this route......

Kia Ora for now xxxxx