The pine forest 1

Once we got bored with the circular walks around the APEX lookout

We explored the pine forest, well the bit that belonged to the state

Not the one that was razed without drums or bells

The first day our two dogs stayed within a radius of two metres

Their tails between their legs.  It got to us, we were slightly unsettled

So we kept to the large central alley leading to the medieval village.

Each time we heard a car we would hide behind bushes

Not a very promising place.

We did not even attempt to cross the creek

We managed to follow the track on its side

And slowly the magic of the place took over

Because of its steepness cars could not follow it

So it was reserved to walkers or so we thought.

It was a summer evening and we could hear

Birds trying to settle down, Kangaroos feeding in groups,

Rabbits’ tails could be seen hopping up and down

Across the track and disappearing into holes

Suddenly the forest became silent

As we were anxious to return to the car before night set.

From nowhere I heard an animal crushing behind me in the bush

Panting and huffing, I slowly turned and saw the biggest German Sheppard

I wondered who was the most surprised,

As it stopped when it saw me turning, we stared at each other

Until its mistress came into view and it wagged its tail.

“Don’t worry she is very friendly”, its owner said.

She was living on the property next to the forest

And did walk every morning and evening her dog

Checking that the gates were locked

So that the cattle would not stray on the road.

The shadows below the trees had turned dark

The roar of the traffic guided safely our steps back to the car.

That was our first walk in the Pine forest.

4/2/12

©L.Bailliet

.