No fuel on dark mountains drives is probably not a good idea!
So a night of sitting indoors listening to incessant moaning about why I did not want to a buy a new computer today (long and boring story!) got me to checking out the local events for a quick escape and something caught my eye...
Terry Oldfield and Soraya Saraswati were playing in Maleny, a nearby town up in the mountains. Yeah don`t worry I had not heard of them either but a quick glance at their website and the thought of spending an evening surrounded by the flicker of candlelight and the relaxing sounds of meditation music sounded great with a capital GR! I was sold! Jump in the shower, scrub away the dirt of the day and let it float out the window on the waves of candlelight and steam and out the door as soon as possible.
It was around the time that I was coming up over the hill that leads out of my town and thinking how much the line of oncoming cars looked like a giant, twinkling snake slithering through the darkness, that the six o'clock news on the radio broke into my thoughts.... hang on a second , SIX O'CLOCK news? This is one thing that I find difficult about winter... adjusting to the early darkness! The concert did not start until seven thirty and it was only about a half hour drive from here which meant I had around an hour to kill... pfffft! yeah right who was I kidding?
So up... up.... up into the darkness the little car climbed, struggling slightly with the mighty hill it had to ascend. Picturesque mountain lookouts just do not really have the same appeal in the dark... something to do with the lack of light at night time one would assume. Still the town lights down below looked rather attractive as they reflected off the belly of the clouds that crawled across the sky.
Just as well I love writing because it means I can never be bored. I was actually quite liking the idea of being tucked away up in the mountains on a chilly night, rain dribbling down the windscreen and writing something about nothing in particular to while away the hour that lay ahead of me.... like I said... pffffft! who was I kidding! I had been parked in at home so my father just threw me his car keys and said to take his car instead of getting everyone to move theirs so I could get to mine. Now due to an accident many years ago involving me taking too close a look at a dart I have a slightly dodgy eye which means I should not really drive at night, especially on dark, narrow mountain roads, but it was good enough, around the time that I was chugging half way UP a particularly steep rise, to catch the orange flickering of the fuel light, blinking away merrily in the dark. You know a simple 'Ash there is no petrol in the car' BEFORE i started UP the mountain would have been good! I must have looked harrassed when I arrived at the third garage, which thankfully, unlike the previous two, was actually open, because the woman came outside and asked if I needed help!
Anyyyway... here I was, made it to Maleny and now only 50 minutes to spare. The no fuel thing was cutting into my writing time but I decided to get a ticket and then sit in the car outside, just to make sure. Problem was now I could not find the Community Hall... it is not that hard people... Maleny consists of ONE ROAD which is about 1km in length. Could I find the place? NO! When I started seeing signs for Woodford I knew it was time to turn around. And I drove... and I drove... and I drove (thank goodness that garage was open!) up and down the one road looking for Maple Street.... which I found out was actually the road that I was already on... but still could not see where I needed to be going. Eventually I just parked and started to walk and found where I needed to be... with a whole 5 minutes to spare! No writing, no sitting in the car getting all creative and listening to the rain... I just filled out an application form for Maleny Tour Guide instead and then hopped into the hall to catch the show.
So after all that ramble they were really good and if you can get to see them when they come back from their tour to Europe I would recommend it. I have soooo been inspired to play the panpipes and the gong! It was the first time that I had heard a gong being played and I really thought you just whacked the middle and that was that. No way! There are so many beautiful sounds that it makes and so deeply relaxing too. The couple seem to perfectly compliment each other... Terry being Soraya`s music, Soraya beings Terry's words. At the moment they are building a retreat where they will conduct sound therapy at a later stage... how exciting my mind is just boggling after the evening spent in their company. They spoke of the beauty of the world, the beauty of us as people and how we need to work together... be 'instruments of peace'... just amazing!
So there you have it look out for them. The link above will take you to their website where you can hear some of their music. Light a candle and drift away on the music, you won`t regret it....
Terry Oldfield and Soraya Saraswati were playing in Maleny, a nearby town up in the mountains. Yeah don`t worry I had not heard of them either but a quick glance at their website and the thought of spending an evening surrounded by the flicker of candlelight and the relaxing sounds of meditation music sounded great with a capital GR! I was sold! Jump in the shower, scrub away the dirt of the day and let it float out the window on the waves of candlelight and steam and out the door as soon as possible.
It was around the time that I was coming up over the hill that leads out of my town and thinking how much the line of oncoming cars looked like a giant, twinkling snake slithering through the darkness, that the six o'clock news on the radio broke into my thoughts.... hang on a second , SIX O'CLOCK news? This is one thing that I find difficult about winter... adjusting to the early darkness! The concert did not start until seven thirty and it was only about a half hour drive from here which meant I had around an hour to kill... pfffft! yeah right who was I kidding?
So up... up.... up into the darkness the little car climbed, struggling slightly with the mighty hill it had to ascend. Picturesque mountain lookouts just do not really have the same appeal in the dark... something to do with the lack of light at night time one would assume. Still the town lights down below looked rather attractive as they reflected off the belly of the clouds that crawled across the sky.
Just as well I love writing because it means I can never be bored. I was actually quite liking the idea of being tucked away up in the mountains on a chilly night, rain dribbling down the windscreen and writing something about nothing in particular to while away the hour that lay ahead of me.... like I said... pffffft! who was I kidding! I had been parked in at home so my father just threw me his car keys and said to take his car instead of getting everyone to move theirs so I could get to mine. Now due to an accident many years ago involving me taking too close a look at a dart I have a slightly dodgy eye which means I should not really drive at night, especially on dark, narrow mountain roads, but it was good enough, around the time that I was chugging half way UP a particularly steep rise, to catch the orange flickering of the fuel light, blinking away merrily in the dark. You know a simple 'Ash there is no petrol in the car' BEFORE i started UP the mountain would have been good! I must have looked harrassed when I arrived at the third garage, which thankfully, unlike the previous two, was actually open, because the woman came outside and asked if I needed help!
Anyyyway... here I was, made it to Maleny and now only 50 minutes to spare. The no fuel thing was cutting into my writing time but I decided to get a ticket and then sit in the car outside, just to make sure. Problem was now I could not find the Community Hall... it is not that hard people... Maleny consists of ONE ROAD which is about 1km in length. Could I find the place? NO! When I started seeing signs for Woodford I knew it was time to turn around. And I drove... and I drove... and I drove (thank goodness that garage was open!) up and down the one road looking for Maple Street.... which I found out was actually the road that I was already on... but still could not see where I needed to be going. Eventually I just parked and started to walk and found where I needed to be... with a whole 5 minutes to spare! No writing, no sitting in the car getting all creative and listening to the rain... I just filled out an application form for Maleny Tour Guide instead and then hopped into the hall to catch the show.
So after all that ramble they were really good and if you can get to see them when they come back from their tour to Europe I would recommend it. I have soooo been inspired to play the panpipes and the gong! It was the first time that I had heard a gong being played and I really thought you just whacked the middle and that was that. No way! There are so many beautiful sounds that it makes and so deeply relaxing too. The couple seem to perfectly compliment each other... Terry being Soraya`s music, Soraya beings Terry's words. At the moment they are building a retreat where they will conduct sound therapy at a later stage... how exciting my mind is just boggling after the evening spent in their company. They spoke of the beauty of the world, the beauty of us as people and how we need to work together... be 'instruments of peace'... just amazing!
So there you have it look out for them. The link above will take you to their website where you can hear some of their music. Light a candle and drift away on the music, you won`t regret it....
awww you poor thing! Don't feel too badly though hon, I myself (yes a man) has run out of gas a number of times!
That's why I now have a car that reminds me in a loud, annoyingly female computerized voice that, "You only have x number of miles left..." Of course it won't say, "Hey dumbass! We're almost outta fuel ya jerk! So stop and fill 'er up!" LOL
But it should right? Glad you managed to find a gas station open! My luck usually leaves me stranded, alone, in the dark, in the rain, about a "bazillion" miles from any sort of human settlement, with the gas indicator riding on the BIG E, which also means I'm riding around on fumes...
Thank God they invented cell phones!
*Snicker*
Glad you liked the concert after all that trouble, but do me a favor hon? Make sure you actually "check" the gas gauge before you leave the house next time!? lol
Great post! And see? The adventure did make for a great read!
Take care,
Nick
Histeries, Mysteries and what not
Lifes little slices
Mystical Creativity
Glad you didn't run out though. also glad you made it to the concert and enjoyed. sounds like a great night and the drive sounds lovely.
Tammy
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
With the present luck I am having with cars I am wondering if the Universe is trying to tell me something... ie WALK! I was cursing as I was heading up the hill and the fuel light came on because there is one particular stretch of road which is really narrow along the side of the mountain so there is no place to stop. It all turned out for the good in the end and I cannot complain because I should have checked it myself before I left.
It was an eventful night to say the least ~grin~
ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
What I know about cars is shockingly embarrassing! I know that we can get away with it because we are girls but I really do need to learn more. They are just a never ending source of trouble for me.
Last year I was in Brisbane... in the middle of the city... when my brakes failed... then a few weeks later I had to park the car on the sidewalk outside our house for a night only to discover the next morning that someone drove into the door and left a huge scratch and dent and did not stop... last weekend we had the trouble with the clutch being burnt out... ~gasp~ moral here? never buy another white car!
The drive is stunning, especially during the day when you overlook the Glass House Mountains (isn`t that name GORGEOUS? Named by Captain Cook who said their odd shapes reminded him of the shapes from the glass blowing houses from his home in England ~I think it was Manchester~) I will find the Aboriginal story for you, but this is what they look like (you may have to click on it because this isn`t a particularly good photo of them)
ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I have so run out of gas before but never on a dark mountain road... Loved your descriptions of the performers. Enjoyed the video also!
Mis
Histeries, Mysteries and what not
Lifes little slices
Mystical Creativity
i LOVE that youa added the music. i LOVE it. at first, the flute sounds are sooo wonderful and i can just picture candle light, standing and softly swaying to it. Then when the womens voices kick in, you almost want to cry. it's soo touching. "Thanks for sharing and what an amazing night!"
i don't know much about cars either. i use to know how to check my oil and add that and a few basics like that, but that was more then 10 years ago.
"Lovely post Ash!" just lovely. you seem like a realy neat person and very kind. glad to have met you.
Tammy
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
I've been following you around catching up.
Dear, as I've said before, I am not going in that car with you until you get all of these things sorted out. No, I'd rather walk.
Love the music, it's so ME...how is that for mod speak, I think I'm doing well.
You really do get about, don't you. Oh, well, I guess some of us just have to stay home.
Sorry, I've been so slow, not blogging so much but it's still too time consuming.
Unlike you, I don't just love to write, but don't ask just what I do do, I'm still trying to work that out.
katyzzz....going back to listen.
Love your stories.
The closest I've come to a musical epiphany such as yours was when I had the chance to listen to a woman called Ragani performing Kirtan - yoga chant. It was a surreal experience.
Excellent read...
(Singing: She'll be comin' 'round the mountain when she comes *toot toot*....)
Kalikapsychosis
Still loving your banner....Mountains and clouds, my two favourite things in the world!
I was gonna ask you for advice on doing a banner for my new page but since you needed help I guess that would be silly? Changing colours, adding pics and video is still WAY beyond me!
Rugby World Cup 2007
Spun by Lilla.
Stitched by Dusk.
Woven by Ash.
...and Ash hon...I'm quite happy to give you a crash course in car mechanics.
I'm pretty handy with a car (due to having a husband who restores Jaguars for a hobby and yes I am a an amateur grease monkey!)...first lesson?
Yeah. You guessed it....
You're such an adventurer Ash....and such a poetic soul.
Where. Is. That. Book??????
I really need to enable my speakers...this is the second time I've needed to hear something and have been unable to. (Opto's post)
Hope you are well hon....
much warmth
Dusk
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
...where are you roaming now.. I wonder? ... *lol* over glen, over dale, under forrest, behind tree?
Dusk is right, you weave magic alright and i loved your story, although not the events... reminds me of the 'dark and stormy night' I had to give a public talk in Beerburrum CWA hall. Up an Emu's Bum alright! Pitch black and I also did the up, down, up, down driving ...
*holding my sides laughing* (now, not then)...
Sweetie, I'm on LPG... if I run out? ... it's game, set and match. I always fill up before I leave as the Hinterland has so few servo's *cringe* ...been biting nails a few times *chuckle* thanks for the link, the music is eternal, isn't it?
Hope you are well?
Lilla ...
*waving to Dusk D*
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Hi Mis,
Yes I am seeking out more performances such as this - I got so much out of it - some people just radiate warmth don`t they?
Thank goodness I found fuel... I am all for adventures but if I had to miss that show it would not really have been worth it!
ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
ah I wish that you could have heard some of their other music... the Celtic tunes were soooooo beautiful. I don`t know if you know the song 'She moved through the fair' ? It is the most hauntingly beautiful song and they did it so well. Some of the chants that they did were really peaceful... I have never really heard live chanting/meditation so for me it was well worth the hassle of getting there (well it wasn`t really a hassle actually more just frustrating
Thank you Tammy for your lovely words they have brought a big smile to my face today. I really do love your energy and am happy that our paths have crossed
ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
ah it takes a lot to catch up with me I don`t sit still for too long. Seems you are getting well acquainted with the modern lingo huh?! Good on ya
I didn`t really have the time to search fully on the net for some more samples of their music and this was the only one I could find on YouTube. Check out their tour dates as they may come down to Sydney at some stage.
ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
thank you for posting it on YouTube - I love your photo too it fits really well with the music.
I checked out your website. Your photos are amazing... particularly the ones of the reflections in the water. Good luck with them.
Thank you for visiting.
ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I don`t quite know what to say but thank you
I have bookmarked your website for this evening to listen to some of the music. I am really into it after this show and this looks of similar style... their website says their music is inspired by Indian Kiirtan... lovely.
Next weekend I`m heading to the hills for a music festival where they will be holding Timpilypa (Aboriginal music sticks) and Taonga Puoro (traditional Maori flutes) workshops.... how exciting!
I had forgotten how much I enjoy simple music and really look forward to getting back into playing some myself.... it`s been a while my brain has short-circuited in this area!
ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Itss really easy to make the banner just open your photo in Windows Paint (you will find it if you click on 'Start' - 'All Programs" - 'Accessories' ) add your text or whatever it is you want added and then save it onto your hard drive. Go into your Orble settings and upload it et voila c`est fini. Dusk and Lilla came up with the words a few posts ago which I really liked so added them to mine.
ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
you always manage to say the warmest things... brings a smile every time... thank you
Lesson in mechanics #1 - always check fuel before leaving home... got it! Well received advice. I would have had to replace the fuel on the way home anyway so I guess I just got in there early ~wink~
The book?? you will be the first to know Dusk. At the moment it`s sitting in about ten different boxes, journals, folders, napkins, backs of grocery bills and several compartments of the mind that need a little jogging ~grin~
Thankfully I managed to sneak onto a computer to find this sound clip because my speakers aren`t working... I couldn`t hear Opto`s piece either.
I hoe you are well Dusk
hugs
ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
hhhmmm you don`t even wanna know about this last week... whew! I see you can volunteer at the Monastery for up to three months.... I`m thinking this would be a GREAT idea.
You would think after living here for so long I would know about the scarcity of garages up there... nah! My mind just goes on little vacations without notice at times I guess. Thank goodness that one was open and even then it was nearly closing time! now i know why I left so early or else I would have been in ~cough~ trouble
I am always well Lilla thank you for asking. I hope you are too ~hugs to you all for your coming week~
ash