Mopokes And Mirages

Mopokes and Mirages — both part of the great Australian Folklore, but neither having much substance. No such bird as a mopoke (see the Introduction to this book)and a bit hard to get your hand or mind around a mirage. Mopokes and Mirages is Rex Ellis’ eighth book, but unlike the title it is full of substance. Once started it is like taking the lid off a Pandora’s box – the stories (all true) and accounts that spill out are as varied as he rich landscapes and wildlife of the Australian continent itself. No subject is sacred to this South Australian Bushie – from how he acquired the iconic Birdsville Pub, to how he acquired’ or yarded up his wife Patti. More of his company’s great desert camel expeditions, his legendary inland boat safaris to Lake Eyre and other places, and a long chapter on four wheel drive vehicles he has owned over his forty five years as an outback guide. There are his regular chapters Bureaucracy and the Shinybum Brigade, and Along the rocky road of life! Throughout, his love and knowledge of this country, flora and fauna, particularly birds, is evident, as is his obvious concern for the health of the Australian environment. Last but not least is his great passion for his paddle wheeler, the sixty foot sternwheeler Dromedary. Of particular interest is his ongoing journey up the Darling River, getting the Dromedary to places where no large vessel has been for nearly a hundred years. A great read for lovers of the Land of Oz.

REX ELLIS leads an amazing life, one driven by a sense of curiosity, adventure, adaptability, practicality and more than a dash of mischief. These traits are powered by a loyal heart and a strong mind and body. From his early days growing up in the South Australian bush to his continent-spanning adventures on foot, by car, camel and boat, he has relied on his ability and wit, and an infectious sense of wonder. His comfort in extreme environments is endearing and enduring. It is a hallmark of his adventures and key to the experiences of those lucky enough to have travelled with him over the decades. It can take courage to get out of your comfort zone, Rex says. And I see the trepidation some people feel, but then it usually comes good … I just say we make our plans then we ride on the back of nature.

Pt. 2, p.35-36; Near Mount Quinn, brush fences set up to trap wallabies, native grave described; p.47-53; Water holes at Mount Luck, native camps; Pt. 5; Notes on previous explorers in the interior; employment of natives by expeditions; Native taken prisoner to act as guide to find water (Victoria Desert); Empress Spring - native camps, native cairns, 8 words listed with meanings; native well near Browne Range; Camp - implements - bark coolamons, wells, wind-breaks, camp lay-out, grindstones, yam sticks, plant foods; kurdaitcha shoes found; physical appearance of natives; method of cooking kangaroo rats, lizards; pearl shell pubic covering traded from coast 500 miles distant, firesticks carried, sporrans or tassels made of various materials; Chap. 11; Natives encountered at Wilsons Cliffs, searching for water, manufacture of chewing ball - native tobacoo; Helena Spring, 7 native words with meanings; Chap. 13; Shelter described, native with scarifications and painted body; native wells; spears, wommeras, shields and short throwing sticks carried by natives (near Southesk Tablelands); native village near Mount Ernest, wurlies, pronounced Jewish features of Aborigines, hair style; Chap. 17; Creek Aborigines treatment of prisoners - chains used; description od corroboree (Emu), body decoration; Appendix to pt. 5; Diagrams and description of weapons; Spears Kimberley and Desert - method of throwing; wommera; tomahawks - Desert; boomerangs; clubs and throwing sticks; shields, quartz knife, ceremonial sticks; rain-making boards, message sticks; brief notes on marriage laws (with tables); p.372; Method of catching ducks; p.374; 12 words with meanings from Sturt Creek area; p.380-411; Encounters with natives west of Mount Webb - wells, notes on trading.

An exclusive work by Parker, it focuses on the customs, beliefs, traditions and folk-lore of Australian Aborigines. This is Parker's personal account of her intimacy which developed when she lived among the people of the Euahlayi tribe. She started to take interest in their culture after her rescue by a native girl of this tribe. Superb!...

Len Beadell and Mark Shephard shared the same passion for the Australian bush. Mark has written Lens's biography as his personal contribution to perpetuating the memory of a remarkable Australian.

Lovers of Scrabble[registered] and other language-based games will boost their chances to win with these huge, incredibly thorough word lists. Study it to increase your vocabulary, especially of words with hard-to-use J, Q, X, and Z; to understand the different letter combinations that frequently come up; and to get more hooks, those letters that can extend words already on the board for extra points. There's a cheat sheet that includes 2 and 3 letter words and their hooks; vowel dumps; and more. Load up on vowel-heavy words, including ones with multiple i and u. Find out which short words don't take s endings, or which finish in a surprise s. Get the best of the bingos, as well as alphagrams. The introduction comes from World Scrabble[registered] Champion Brian Cappelletto.