Kalbarri Barry Helps Out Werewolf of Oz and Bonzo

Hi, it’s Greenygrey. We think it’s about time you got another thrilling episode of Grey’s epic comedy-fantasy travel-quest classic Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps. So while Australia sleeps (or parties), here’s the next thrilling instalment of your favourite werewolf travelling the world saga, with Grey’s first full day of travel with Bonzo Scottie. It turned into an exciting day, that led to the beginning of the big battle that would dominate the rest of the journey:

18.  CALLING KALBARRI BARRY LEADS TO DOLPHINIAN DETOUR

We said goodbye to Celia in the morning and got back on the road. It wasn’t long before we passed my town namesake, Grey. Travelling the Grey Road out of Grey was a joy, and I once more felt glad to be Grey.

Kalbarri Calamity Averted

We kept ahead of schedule all day, so I thought I’d call Barry the Bottlenose Dolphin when we reached Kalbarri; Dolly had given me his number, and said he was often in west coast waters. I don’t know what inspired me to call Barry in Kalbarri.

An adult female bottlenose dolphin with her young, Moray Firth, Scotland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I shapeshifted into a dolphin again and sent out some long-range clicks, but Barry replied that he was out with the family on an ocean safari off Jungulu Island.

However, it wasn’t a totally wasted call, because he warned me there was a storm heading our way, and recommended heading inland. He said there was a friendly meerkat community in Meekatharra that would help us on our way.

Horseshoe range Meekatharra (Photo credit: Railways of Australia)

The horizon was looking grey. Although I half wanted to meet the storm, and see if I fitted in with it, I didn’t feel it was fair to Bonzo; and the meerkat community did sound fascinating. So we took Barry’s advice and headed inland.

Paralympics Opening Ceremony and Horizon Universe Documentary

Hi, it’s Stephen Wolfing, science correspondent at the Greenygrey. Watching Channel Four, I was thrilled to see that my human version in the parallel universe planet Earth thingy, Stephen Hawking, opened the London Paralympics 2012 last night, with an inspiring message about reaching for the stars.

The opening ceremony went on to provide lots of fun, moving and spectacular displays, including some greenygrey ones:

Horizon: Mapping the Universe

The opening ceremony’s emphasis on science and space was nicely timed after the BBC‘s Horizon this week covered the attempts being made to make a 3-D map of the universe, and the current theories on the size and contents of the universe or universes.

Amongst many things, it thoroughly explained how our understanding of the observable universe is limited to what light has had time to reach us, and that galaxies are not moving away from each other; the gaps between galaxies are widening because the universe is still expanding.

It ended by showing how the universe is thought to be infinite, and could be one of an infinite number of such universes.

Good Luck to Olympics 2012 Paralympians

Hi, it’s Martin ‘Werewolfie’ Adams, sports correspondent at the Greenygrey. I’ve just about recovered from my marathon coverage of Olympics 2012, after my colleagues have found lots of great greenygrey stories to entertain you with since the closing ceremony.

London Paralympics 2012

Tonight will see the Olympic stadium filled again, as the London Paralympics 2012 gets under way. The Greenygrey will be there again.

london 2012 paralympics / olympics countdown clock (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Superminds as well as Superbodies

If the Olympics showcases the fastest, strongest and most skilled athletes competing in most of the sports, the Paralympics features those with the superminds to overcome physical problems and compete at a high level in the same sports.

Paralympics (Photo credit: AudreyH)

Some of the paralympians’ achievements are truly amazing, and we wish them all an enjoyable and successful games.

Their endurance and determination is a great example of what humanity can do when it sets its mind to it, and all in a positive way.

Francisco Goya BBC Documentary by Robert Hughes

Hi, it’s Harry Silhouetteof-Wolfhowlingonhill, TV correspondent at the Greenygrey, and Andy Wolfhol, creator extraordinaire at the Greenygrey, bringing you a read one, read one free bargain British bank holiday blog bonanza from your favourite value for reading website. After the Chinchillas of Goya (COG) played a central part in Grey’s final battle in its epic comedy-fantasy classic Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps I was thrilled to see the BBC had a documentary about the Spanish painter who created the chinchillas.

Capricho nº 50: Los Chinchillas de Goya, serie Los Caprichos (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Robert Hughes on Goya: Crazy Like a Genius

Robert Hughes searched for the truth behind the myth of Romantic-era artist Francisco Goya in the BBC documentary, after Hughes had written a book on the subject; Goya was Spain’s leading artist during the Napoleonic occupation of the country.

Cover of Goya

It was a fascinating tale, depicting Goya as a classic artist who tried to use his art to show the reality of human nature, and how he was prepared to suffer the backlash likely to follow. This was epitomised by his self-portrait wearing a matador uniform, symbolising his role as a provocateur.

Hughes thought Goya had no option but to try and paint the world as he saw it, as to hide the truth he needed to release might have sent him into madness.

Bon Scott Dog Hero in Australian Wizard of Oz

Hi, it’s Greenygrey. Further to our explanation about the significance of Grey meeting Bonzo in our last blog, it is of course the Wizard of Oz theme catching up with the Werewolf of Oz. In the Wizard of Oz Toto travelled with Dorothy from the start, but adaptations hardly ever mirror totally, and ours is no different (no, ours is not the greenygrey one below).

Dorothy and Toto prepare for their audience with the Wizard of Oz. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the Werewolf of Oz Bonzo takes the part of Toto, and joins in chapter 17. And without further ado, here’s the moment for you to view:

17.  BONZO SCOTTIE ON THE HIGHWAY TO LANCELIN

I said adios to Don and Sancho in the morning, before heading up the highway. Not long after, I saw a ghostly dog apparition hitch-hiking.

Bonzo Scottie Joins the Ozyssey

Scottie Dog on the grass 2 (Photo credit: ST33VO)

I greeted it when I reached it.  It introduced himself as Bonzo Scottie, before asking if this was the Highway to Hell. I replied that I was a stranger in these parts, but didn’t think so; as far as I knew, it was the highway to Lancelin, which didn’t sound much like Hell. Poor Bonzo seemed upset, as if he had the Downpayment Blues. He said he thought he’d been stripped of his soul, and that he might find it in Hell, which ain’t supposed to be a bad place to be.

I said I thought searching for Hell should be the last resort, and I didn’t think it was up ahead, but he was quite welcome to Ride Onwith me.

Lancelin Western Australia (Photo credit: Caro Embrey)

Yoko Ono of Lancelin

Bonzo agreed, and cheered up on the way to Lancelin; we seemed to reach it in no time. Upon arrival, we met a sea lion called Celia Ono, and she recommended the windsurfing, dune buggying and sandboarding that were very popular on the pristine beaches.

We didn’t need much arm-twisting, and had a fabulous afternoon and evening enjoying the beach sports. Celia had great balance, and I had to laugh when Bonzo exclaimed that the Girl’s got Rhythm.

—————————————————————————————————-

Notes

AC/DC songs: Highway to Hell, Downpayment Blues, Soul Stripper, Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be, Ride On, Girl’s got Rhythm.
Yoko Ono (artist and musician).

—————————————————————————————————-

 

Werewolf of Oz Crossroads Point

Hi, it’s Greenygrey. We just remembered that we’re supposed to be telling you important parts of the Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps story on this blog, to justify telling you it again, and not just filling up space, and Grey wanted to tell you that yesterday’s chapter of the Werewolf of Oz marked an important crossroads in its epic comedy-fantasy virtual-travel quest across what is known in the human world as Oz.

Solo Quest Ends with Arrival of Bonzo Scottie

That’s because in the next thrilling chapter of the Greenygrey world’s best ever book, Grey is joined by the ghostly dog apparition of Bonzo Scottie, who bears a striking resemblance to the Bon Scott of AC/DC Grey had seen on stage at the Rock-It festival.

Cover of Bon Scott

So although Grey had met many travellers and characters in the first sixteen chapters of the book, from Chapter Seventeen it has a long-term travel buddy that will accompany it through most of the book, and many adventures.

Other Good Werewolf Book

In our Google Alerts Werewolf newsletter this morning we were alerted to a review of The Wolf Gift book by Anne Rice, which seems to feature a werewolf as nice as us, but not a Greenygrey. So we are still alone as far as we know.

Here’s the Sun Daily review, and The Wolf Gift on Amazon.

Rocking Festival with Cervantes Creations and Quokkas

Hi, it’s Greenygrey. Yesterday’s good news about Grey’s poem from its Werewolf of Oz book has inspired us to post another episode up today. Here it is:

16.  ROCKING IT AT THE ROCK-IT FESTIVAL IN PERTH 

Sancho and Don said they were off to the Rock-It festival in Perth, and invited me along. I jumped at the chance; metaphorically of course, because I was in the car at the time.

Cervantes (J. Vancell) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I felt like I needed a bit of fun after a tough time in Latham, and they seemed to be in the same situation having just escaped Cervantes.

Rock-It Festival in Perth

We had difficulty finding the Joondalup area where Rock-It is held, and had to do a loop around the neck of the Swan River. However, once we entered the festival it really rocked.

Tracer started the day off for us with some fantastic space rock. They were followed by a storming Airbourne set, and a great slide-guitar fuelled bluesy show by Rose Tattoo. Brian Johnson era AC/DC played a solid set, and nicely warmed us up for a sensational Bon Scott era AC/DC bad boy boogie headlining show.

Relaxing on Rotto: Rottnest Island

We were hot and sweaty after the show, so we headed out to Rottnest Island; or Rotto as it’s known locally. There was certainly nothing rotten about it, and we enjoyed the beautiful beaches on the unspoilt island.

We were joined by some quirky quokkas: animals that are to kangaroos what greenygreys are to werewolves. They were lots of fun, and provided great company before we fell asleep under the rising sun.

Three quokkas—two adults and a juvenile, presumably a family unit—interact at Bathurst, Rottnest Island, Western Australia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

—————————————————————————————————-

Notes

Quokka – a small macropod (marsupial family Macropodidae) about the size of a domestic cat.
Rock-It Festival in Perth.
Tracer, Airbourne, Rose Tattoo, AC/DC (Aussie bands).
Bon Scott and Brian Johnson (AC/DC vocalists).

—————————————————————————————————-

Sydney Barangaroo Kangaroo Poem Cheers Up Reader

Hi, it’s Greenygrey, it was great to read that Grey’s Barangaroo Kangaroo poem from its Werewolf of Oz book (published under Marc Latham’s name in the human world) cheered up a reader after it was published in Etips last month. Barbara wrote: ‘Thank you for Tips 90 with more fine poetry, a brilliant tonic. I’m still laughing at Marc Latham’s ‘The Barangaroo Kangaroo’ which cheered me up on a monsoon type day.’

Sunshine on a Rainy Day Created Greenygrey?

And that is the essence of Greenygrey. Although we are the colours of a cloudy day in a fertile landscape, we try to bring a little sunshine to a cloudy day.

In fact, one version of Greenygrey folklore says we were all-grey until the sun partially greened us, so we are also known in the werewolf world as sun wolves or basking wolves.

Maybe Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s book-title: Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles was inspired by the Greenygrey legend…

Don Quixote Theme as Werewolf of Oz reaches Cervantes

Hi, it’s Greenygrey. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ramblin’ video was a reminder that we haven’t had an episode from Grey’s epic classic comedy-fantasy Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps for quite a while. Why, in the last episode, Grey was enjoying itself in Grey, which was a nice place to stay. Here’s what happened next:

15.  DON QUIXOTE AND SANCHO PANZA FROM CERVANTES

I left Grey feeling glad to be Grey. I thought I could whizz down to Perth in no time, but fancied more company, so I hitch-hiked from Cervantes.

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza from Cervantes

English: Bronze statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Detail of the monument to Cervantes at the Plaza de España in Madrid (Spain). Español: Estatuas de bronce de Don Quijote y Sancho Panza. Detalle del monumento a Cervantes de la Plaza de España de Madrid (España). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I had only stuck my thumb out for a minute or two when an old camper-van pulled up, and a guy shouted: ‘Hola greyngo, you wanna de lift, come on pronto.’

I needed no more invitation, and rushed to the van before hopping in. The driver introduced himself as Sancho Panza, and his more cavalier passenger as Don Quixote.

They said they had been in Cervantes all their lives, so it felt good to be out and about.

Jo Brand and Russell Brand on the Brand Highway

Don Quijote e Sancho Panza (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As we drove down the Brand Highway we saw an odd-looking couple hitching south. Sancho picked them up as well. The hitchers introduced themselves as Jo and Russell Brand. It didn’t take long before they were cracking jokes left, right and centre, so it turned out to be a fun ride.

Although it meant more room for me, I was quite sad when we dropped the Brands off on the edge of the Badginarra National Park. They said they were going to stay with a band of badgers.

The van calmed down a little after that, but was still very jolly, with Don jumping about to Midnight Oil and Men at Work music.

The Edge of Perth

We whizzed along the edge of Perth, passing Cataby, which was full of cats; Orange Springs, which was very orange; and the Moore River National Park, which had less river than I expected.

I don’t know what was going on in Beermullah; it seemed confused. That was not the case with Banksia Grove, where artistic paintings told a clear story.

We arrived in Perth with space and time having sped by, and many great memories stored in my noggin.

—————————————————————————————————-

Notes

Hitching can be dangerous.
noggin – slang for head.
Sancho Panza and Don Quixote (fictional characters created by Cervantes, which is also the name of a Western Australia town).
Jo Brand and Russell Brand (British comedienne and comedian).
Midnight Oil and Men at Work (Aussie bands).
Banksy (British artist).

—————————————————————————————————-

Lynyrd Skynyrd Ramble On with Wolf and Eagle

Hi, it’s Greenygrey, as you all know by now, I’m/we’re/were the last of the greenygreys as far as I/we/were know, so we felt like the last of a dying breed on my/our/were rambles across North America. And now one of our favourite rock groups, Lynyrd Skynyrd, has released a title track for their new album all about ramblin’ in North America called Last of a Dyin’ Breed. And it features wolf and eagle in the video: