Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 21st & 22nd November, 2009

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 21st & 22nd November, 2009

Gephyrophobia

I do not need to tell anyone living in Adelaide and in those parts of Australia east and north of Adelaide that it has been very, very hot in the last few weeks. It is still spring until the 30th November, but we are already experiencing heat equal to or more than that of Summer. There are a number of ways to escape the heat. One is to go for a swim or surf. Another is to turn up the air conditioner. Others might seek the coolness of the mountains. Others will go to the shopping centres and seek the coolness of the air conditioning there. A small group from our Band did that today, as for two hours we played Christmas carols to the pre-Christmas crowds.

Near to the Gold Coast there are several choices. The closest to where I live is Mt Tamborine (http://www.tamborinemtncc.org.au/visiting/tourist_info/tourist_info.cfm). There is also Springbrook (http://www.springbrooktourism.com.au), Binna Burra (http://www.verygoldcoast.com.au/binna-burra/attractions/scenic-drives-and-walks) or the spot known as O’Reilly’s in Lamington National Park (http://www.oreillys.com.au ).

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse is one of the places that I always want to visit again. It was just over 40 years ago that I visited there for the first time. It is on the top of the mountains behind the Gold Coast City where I now live. My little Swiss mate tells me these mountains are not really mountains. She says they are just big hills. They are covered with a very thick growth of trees and vines and a variety of plants including orchids and numerous ferns and fungi. Birds abound but you will be lucky to see them as most love to hide from any visitors to their domain. The cracking whip sound of the whip bird will sound through the trees and other birds may be glimpsed hurrying away.

The eight O’Reilly brothers and cousins cut their way up the rain forest coloured slopes to make their dairy farms high on the McPherson Ranges. Soon after their arrival two things happened. One was the Government declared the mountains around them a National Park, there by cutting them off from the outside road except for their established tracks. The second thing was that people loved to visit the O’Reilly’s wilderness retreat. So many people visited that one of the families established a guesthouse which is still the focal point for visitors.

That is what led eventually to the test of my gephyrophobia and is still causing my little mate back home in Switzerland to laugh as the snows begin to fall around her.
O’Reillys have taken advantage of the graded tracks and walking tracks (trails) through the rain forest but have also developed a number of ways which assist people to enjoying this seeming different world from the hectic world of the Gold Coast City less than two hours away.

One of the developments I had heard was a “tree top walk” which allows people to walk through the forest top amongst the branches of the high trees. This walk allows visitors to look right at the birds etc in the beauty of their preferred home. It was put on my list of “must dos’ and a good reason to re-visit O’Reillys after 35 years.

So the day came when we headed to O’Reillys. It was cloudy and we could not really enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains and the valleys as we drove the twists and turns through the tree lined roads. It was not long after we arrived and after some adjustments to our personal comfort that we headed out the damp earth pathway into the rainforest. The dampness around us and the mixed smells including decaying vegetation reminded us why this prolific growth was called rain forest.

We followed the path as it wound around huge trees entwined with vines and covered in lichens, fern and other growths. We noticed where birds or animals had been scratching in the decaying mulch like floor of the forest. So we came to the entrance of the Tree Top Walk. Our little group comprise my wife, my son, and my little Swiss mate.

We followed some Japanese tourists onto the walk and we had not gone far when I felt the onset of gephyrophobia or was it acrophobia? The walk was a narrow walkway suspended between cables. When we came to the first viewing platform there was an opportunity to climb to a lookout. This gave me time to discuss the situation. Basically, there was no discussion. Before us was the longest span of the walkway that bridged the highest point. Surrounded by this crowd of witnesses, I simply said “I can not go on, I am going back”. So I did. It was maybe a combination of gephyrophobia (fear of bridges) and acrophobia (fear of heights). Whatever it was my little Swiss mate laughed when she came of the bridge and said simply “wuss!” At least that is easier to spell. (Yes! She said wuss and not a Germanic accented vuss!).

The others spent time, walking and enjoying the view. With my feet firmly on the earth, I enjoyed the view closer to the ground. In fact, I found a lovely area where one man had taken the time and laboured to create a bush garden with plants representative of those growing throughout the whole area. It was lovely time of quietness as I alone looked at the plants and then came to a memorial to those who had lost their life in a plane crash nearby.

As I reflect on this experience, a number of songs come to mind. The first is the verse of the favourite made popular by George Beverley Shea and the Massed Choirs of the Billy Graham Crusades of the 1950s and through to the 1970s:

[Listen: Band and vocal solo: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3326.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2879.mp3

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed:

Chorus
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee;
How great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee:
How great thou art, how great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
Author: Stuart K. Hine
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 37


In my reflection I think too of the words of “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord”.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_080.mp3 ]

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled:

Chorus
No, never alone, no, never alone,
He promised he never would leave me,
Never, no never, alone.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid!
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of grief shall not thee overflow,
For I will be with thee thy trials to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
Author: Anon
The Salvation Army Song Book. Song Number: 653

And I cannot but remember and find peace and comfort in the beautiful words which reflect a story of Jesus when I think of my fears:

[Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3795.mp3
or
Piano: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music4/mus_6036.mp3


Like to a lamb who from the fold has strayed
Far on the mountain, of the dark afraid,
Seeking a shelter from the night's alarm,
Longing for comfort of the shepherd's arm,
So Jesus found me on sin's mountain drear,
Gathered me close and banished all my fear.

Chorus
In the Love of Jesus there is all I need,
While I follow closely where my Lord may lead;
By his grace forgiven,
In his presence blest,
In the love of Jesus,
In the love of Jesus, is perfect rest.
In the love of Jesus is all I need,
While I follow closely where my Lord may lead;
By his grace forgiven,
In his presence blest,
In the love of Jesus, is perfect rest,
Is perfect rest.

Like to a pilgrim in an unknown land
Seeking the comfort of a guiding hand,
Fearing the perils of the winding way,
Pleading for strength sufficient every day,
I met my Lord; and, though the path be dim,
He knows the way and I will walk with him.

Like to a child who, when the night may fall,
Out of the darkness hears his father call,
Far and a-weary though his feet may roam,
Sees in the distance shining lights of home,
So at the last the music of his voice
Will calm my fears and make my heart rejoice.
Author: Ivy Mawby (1903-83)]
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 740

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