New Year’s Eve Werewolf of Oz Celebrations

It’s New Year’s Eve, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate 2013 and look forward to 2014 than with another thrilling episode of Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps.

Remembering the Passing of Time 

Sydney. Fireworks Newyear 2006. Opera House and Harbour. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yes, 2013 has been the year of the WoO in the Greenygrey world, and this episode is quite appropriate for celebrating the New Year, as food and merriment inspires Grey to remember his Ozyssey all the way back to its start in Western Australia.

This blog will be posted in time for the first New Year celebrations, with New Zealand and surrounding islands’ entry into 2014 less than two hours away. The new year will then travel across Australia from east to west; the opposite way to that travelled by Grey in its epic virtual travel quest.

Thanks for your visits in 2013 from all of Team GG. Have a Happy New Year, and good luck for 2014.

Chapter 136.  Searching for Survivors after Battle of Bri’s Bane

I rose into a mix of joy and relief; sadness and loss. Many had given their lives on Greenslopes. I was relieved that Angry, Cathy and Elle quickly joined me, and to see they were all in good health.

Aussie and Digger soon turned up as well, and were looking swell; Aus said it only received a flesh wound. Then Vombat the Wombat pushed its way through the crowd, with a relieved look on its face.

English: Two Border Collies. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I could see Brian and Emily with the chinchilla survivors, but where were the Collie twins?

Searching for the Collie Twins

I asked the others if they’d seen the Collies. Digger said they’d been fighting heroically the last time it’d seen them, which was near the end of the battle. None of them had seen the Collies at the end of the battle. I started walking down the hill, looking through the bodies, dreading finding the Collies in a bad state.

A cascade of cheers rolled down from the top of the hill. I looked behind me and was filled with relief: the Collie twins were alive and well, and being carried along by a crowd of chinchillas. I rushed up the hill to them, and saw they were all eating buns.

English: Bunbury, Western Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I made my way through the munching mass, and asked the twins where they’d been.

Ollie was too busy bun-munching above the bunch to hear; but Colin said that after the fighting finished they noticed a rich bun seam had been exposed by all the disruption, so they’d straightaway started bun-mining to feed the hungry survivors. He handed me a freshly mined rough-cut bun.

I laughed and thanked him, before biting into a bun that tasted just as delicious as those I’d eaten in Bunbury.

As I savoured the taste, and memories of Ozyssey evoked, I thought how Bunbury and Bri’s bane were on different sides of Oz, but would be quite close together in a dictionary. I thought there must be a lesson there somewhere, but was too busy bun-munching to brainwave.

Mirror Poem about Summer Photos in Winter

Marc Latham’s latest Folding Mirror poem was inspired by posting Portugal summer photos on the travel25years website this morning during stormy winter weather in the U.K. It is also winter in Portugal now of course, but the photos are still summer.

Loved Moments Caught in Time, Helps to Loosen Winter Grip 

golden warmth captured on film
feeling the heat, refreshing the swim
walking with short shadow
sun’s cool you on sizzling floor
remembering sights that inspired photos
sheer cliff faces falling to sandy shores

photos more than pictures, memories stored in mind

travelling back in time helps look ahead
navigating winter hazards like mapsA-Z
human season cycles never stop spinning
like moon’s sideways grinning
savour the cold, only passing through
clouds under sky always blue

Marc Latham’s central site is the Greenygrey (http://www.greenygrey.co.uk), and he has books available on Smashwords and Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/author/marclatham).

 

Australia Win 4th Ashes Test in Gillian Taylforth

We hope you had a merry Crimbo, and congratulations to Australia for winning the fourth Ashes test in Melbourne. You may remember that the Werewolf of Ozzers thought it was called Gillian Taylforth, until great teamwork by the body, spirit and mind found its real name and worked out it wasn’t named after Mel Gibson.

Werewolf of Oz Memories 

Holly Valance 1800 Reverse Yoga TVC (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This allowed the WoOs to tuck into some scrumptious Holly Valance bubble and squeak before they entered the weird time-travel rock town of Kerang-Kerrang. Bonzo decided to stay, and didn’t return for the Battle of Bri’s bane.

Many of the old characters from the trip did return though, and they have not finished their contribution to the tale yet. Today, we have the last part of the epic battle trilogy, with seven exciting chapters of comedy fantasy still to go after that.

Chapter 135.  The Aftermath

Battle of Bri’s Bane Epic Trilogy Poem 3

I lay on the Greenslopes ground
watched by allies all around
Bri’s bane was no more
the acid rain cleansed from floor.

‘We knew not a wolf you would become,’
said Emily’s voice betraying concern,
‘for the bane was not only of Brian’s
but also of wolves and lions.’

‘So wolfsbane is inside you now
but maybe we can work out how
to make you healthy again
I’ll try counting to ten.’

Emily counted to eight
my mood improved to third-rate
on nine I sensed the right line
hearing ten I was fine.

I rose to join the others
my sisters and brothers
in arms and hats we had battled
and Bri’s Bane together tackled.

Link for Amazon book and kindle.

Link for multiple Ereaders at Smashwords.

Christmas and Mid-Winter Mirror Poem

Marc Latham’s latest Folding Mirror poem celebrates the passing of mid-winter, with the Christmas celebration ahead. In the northern hemisphere this means winter is waning and spring and summer are returning, as Earth’s tilt has reached it’s apex; as explained in this Mashable article.

I hope you have enjoy the poem, and have a great holidays!

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Happy Xmas Horizon, Mid-Winter is Over

can’t see blue today
it’s all greenygrey
but yesterday gold lined cloud
as if putting arm around
the cold shoulder
making horizon smoulder

Earth’s ultimate tilt, 23 degrees hilt

northern hemisphere’s turn
towards warming sun
every day nearer our star
although still seems so far
world seems amiss
not feeling sun’s kiss

Revolving earth at winter solstice on the northern hemisphere. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Marc Latham’s central site is the Greenygrey (http://www.greenygrey.co.uk), and he has books available on Smashwords and Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/author/marclatham).

Soap Opera Style Christmas Cracker but not Like U.K. Rain Storm

It’s Christmas Eve Eve, and our last post before Christmas. There’s no better way we can think of spending Christmas than with the second thrilling part of the Werewolf of Oz‘s Battle of Bri’s bane epic war poem trilogy.

Christmas Wishes

Hi, it’s Greenygrey, with the first episode of the week of our comedy fantasy classic Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps, available for just one £5 Amazon voucher or the equivalent in worldwide (human) currencies.

We hope you all have a great Christmas and holidays!

Battle of Bri’s bane Soap Opera Style 

bri (Photo credit: sethoscope)

As British soap operas build up their storylines towards the big Christmas episodes ratings war, the Battle of Bri’s bane epic trilogy poem reaches its peak in this second part.

There’s still lots more thrilling and funny fun ahead, so please don’t think this is the end of the end; or the beginning of the end; more like the middle of the end.

Topical Stuff

As heavy rain hits Britain, it is also quite topical in that part of the human world. Thankfully, it’s just normal rain falling on the U.K.: not acid rain! 

Brian and Kevin (Photo credit: Tim Patterson)

Australia has not yet renamed Brisbane to Kevsbane, but this accompanying photo shows what the change might mean to its visual appearance.

Chapter 134.  Will a Hat-trick be Enough for Rain

Battle of Bri’s Bane Epic Trilogy Poem 2

The COG commandos lost legions
fur and skin torn to lesions
rolling back down the slope in heroic death
Chinchillas of Goya drawing their last breath.

I reached the top after an hour of struggle
and saw Bri’s bane officers in a huddle
Emily and Brian were flying a pincer attack
Emerald from the front, Baggy from back.

My travel companions and I rushed to help
an arrow glanced Aussie and it gave out a yelp
we continued on through a battlefield royal
the chinchillas and allies staying loyal.

As Brian and Emily approached Bri’s bane
the huddle suddenly opened into acid rain
seeming to scent Brian it turned sharply
and flew screeching like a demented harpy.

I shapeshifted into a wolf and raced to Brian
distracting Bri’s bane rain as Emily leapt like a lion
Brian jumped for joy as the hats converged
soaking up the acid rain until it was purged.

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Notes

The harpy was a winged spirit in Greek mythology.

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Link for Amazon book and kindle.

Link for multiple Ereaders at Smashwords.

Graeme Swann Oz Swansong Shock Announcement

As we once again near the end of Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps, which took over two years of virtual travelling, the England and Wales Ashes tour of Oztralia has claimed its second casualty. Graeme Swann has announced his retirement from cricket.

Graeme Swann Swansong 

English: Graham Swann at Lord’s Cricket Ground 20th July 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hi, it’s Martin ‘Werewolfie’ Adams, satirical comedy sports correspondent at the Greenygrey.

Unfortunately Graeme Swann has announced his immediate retirement from all forms of cricket.

Swann is getting on in cricketing age, and has been out of form on the England and Wales Ashes tour, which the Aussies lead 3-0 (just realised that now won makes a nice palindrome… before then realising it was a mistake… but didn’t want to waste it!).

Swann becomes the second travelling casualty of the Ashes tour, after Jonathon Trott returned home due to mental health issues.

Werewolf of Oz Swan Lake Tragedy 

Swan Lake (Photo credit: Cindy Andrie)

Swann’s retirement is poignant for the Greenygrey, after the Werewolf of Oz featured a Swan Lake tragedy, with the loss of Kalbarri Barry and family in Swan Lake, N.S.W.

The 5th Ashes test will be in N.S.W., but before that, there’s the 4th test in Melbourne, Victoria.

 

Link for Amazon book and kindle.

Link for multiple Ereaders at Smashwords.

Epic Poem Trilogy 1: Battle of Bri’s Bane Beginning

Nearly two years and 132 (short) chapters/episodes after Grey landed on the west coast of Oz all alone it finds itself in the middle of the east coast, where Brisbane in Australia is in the human world.

Hope and Glory 

bri (Photo credit: sethoscope)

After dozens of adventures and escapades it finds itself only ten chapters from the end, but it’s looking up at the full force of Bri’s bane.

However, there is hope, as it is part of the Hats of Hope army led by Emily the Emerald Cork Hat and Brian the Baggy Green (he’s the one with the bane).

South Park and Simpsons Inspiration 

Towelie from South Park holding a bong. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hi, it’s Greenygrey. While I’ve paid tribute to Monty Python recently, the Hats of Hope reminds me more of South Park, what with its life-giving characterisation of what are normally inanimate objects in the human world: such as Towelie (seen here in a greenygrey pose) and Mr. Hanky.

It also has a Mr. Hat of course, but it is not alive, although Mr. Garrison seems to think it is.

While we really liked South Park’s clever humour, and tried to emulate it, we kept the more personal and cutting edge aspects out of the Werewolf of Oz, and treated the celebrity guests nicer; more like The Simpsons in that regard.

Lord of the Rings and Hobbit Influence 

Anyway, here’s the first part of the Battle of Bri’s Bane poem trilogy, which contains some classic comedy, but is more epic travel quest inspired by Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

Bane (Photo credit: ElDave)

I should also mention that Batman: Dark Knight Rises was released during the writing of the book, and also features a Bane, which fitted together with the baggy green hat for the book’s end baddie hat nemesis. That Bane originated in DC Comics, and was played in the movie by Tom Hardy.

Have a serene Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere, and a wonderful Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere.

Chapter 133.  Ascending Greenslopes

Battle of Bri’s Bane Epic Trilogy Poem 1

Dead men tell no tales
only the competitive fails
in war there is no sport
to survivors the lesson is taught.

We had not long assembled
before Greenslopes trembled
as balls of fire landed at will
shot from high on Cannon Hill.

Our allies the Woolloongabba
met their Waterloo like Abba
falling in multiple millions
history’s cannon fodder minions.

The COG commandos led the counter-attack
up Greenslopes watching each other’s back
chinchillas, dogs, humans, wombats and hats
above us flew eagles, dolphins and bats.

Yes, I did say dolphins above us
for a spirit appeared without fuss
and I’m sure it was Kalbarri Barry
riding the sky waves with his family.

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Notes

Woolloongabba is a district of Brisbane.
Abba and song: Waterloo.

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Link for Amazon book and kindle.

Link for multiple Ereaders at Smashwords.

Sunrise Inspired Winter Solstice Poem

Crepuscular Rays and over (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Iridescence makes more sense,
After flying clouds of white n grey
Showed a purple n green hue
Passing through the sunrise’s
Crepuscular rays.
Before, I only saw still clouds brightened this way.
It made me think sun is the dominant member in the partnership.
Before, I had thought it was clouds.
Clouds are the canvas. Sun is the painter.

Cloud Iridescence No. 5 (Photo credit: ikewinski)

New Greenygreyism found by Susie Dent Werewolf

There’s a saying in French Google: Oo le GG.

Susie Dentinfang,
Word Expert at the Greenygrey and Countdown to the Full Moon.

Google 貼牌冰箱（Google Refrigerator） (Photo credit: Aray Chen)

Oz Werewolf Brisbane B4 Perth Ashes Finish

Reports that Australia is changing the Queensland capital’s name from Brisbane to Kevsbane after Kevin Pietersen said nobody had heard of it outside Australia before the first Ashes test (and well after the momentous Battle of Bri’s bane) may never surface into the human world.

English: Brisbane at night from Mount Coot-tha (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We think it would be a shame anyway, now that everybody must finally know about Brisbane!

Ashes Series Nearly Burnt Out

Hi, it’s Martin ‘Werewolfie’ Adams, satirical comedy sports correspondent at the Greenygrey, with a wacky pitch-side report from the Waca, Perth, Western Australia; WA where the WoO all began; before the latest episode of the Werewolf of Oz begins.

cog (Photo credit: plenty.r.)

Yes, the Ashes series could be all over tomorrow (later today in human Oz), with England and Wales needing to bat out the day to have a chance of drawing the series. Australia are 2-0 up, and in the ascendancy in the third test.

So we thought we’d rush this week’s (not the This Week featured in yesterday’s episode!) first thrilling episode of Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps out today.

Brisbane, Brisbane So Good They Named it Bri’s Bane

I hope you like the headline’s little pastiche of the New York, New York song. Yes, in this thrilling episode you will not only get to know Brisbane, but also some of its coolest named neighbourhoods.

I think it provides the perfect warm-up for the cricket’s tense situation, as Emily the Emerald Cork Hat and Brian the Baggy Green lead the Werewolf of Ozzers and COG on the final march to battle with Bri’s bane.

Chapter 132.  The Climb to Bri’s Bane Greenslopes without Ropes

Three hours after leaving Chinchilla we received word that a rock fall had blocked the tunnel. Colin and Ollie were informed, and soon raced ahead to clear the way. Their colliering skills meant we surfaced at The Gap gap on schedule. The sun was reaching its apex as the COG led us into the daylight of our destiny. I had faded to grey, and felt comfortable that way.

English: Mt Coot-tha and the television towers – as seen from The Gap, Brisbane ( this photograph was taken by Figaro ) Category:Images of Brisbane (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Emily and Brian led the COG commandos at the head of our line; I had never seen such courage from a pair of hats. Although they shone with a golden hue when first meeting again, nobody could accuse them of being yella in a cowardly way.

Talking of yellow, I was missing Emily not being on my head, with the scorching sun sizzling my sight and cooking my cranium! It was a relief when we reached some tree cover.

We covertly met a covert of coots in the Mount Coot-Tha forest, and they escorted us easterly to rendezvous with a python called Pilly; it showed us a short-cut through a secret door at Indooroopilly.

indooroopilly bridges (Photo credit: bertknot)

Arriving at Greenslopes for the Battle of Bri’s bane 

Emerging through the outdoor, a river lay below us. Churchilla said it was Bri’s bane’s main defensive line. I couldn’t imagine how all the furry little chinchillas were going to cross the river. I was in for another nice surprise.

When we arrived at the river I saw that more of my West Coast friends were in it: Winona, Walter, Wendy, William and Dweezil whale sharks; and Dolly the Dolphin. Moreover, there was also a ship moored there that seemed to ooze decorum amongst all the bedlam. I should have guessed who was skippering it, but I hadn’t seen him for a few months.

Greenslopes SCIP – after (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)

‘Hello, Grey, my ol’ matey, how’s it going?’ roared a voice from the deck. It was none other than our ol’ skipper, Captain Dec O’ Rum. I told him I was doing fine, and it was great to see him, before asking where Dai ‘on the Seas’ was. Dec said Dai’d sailed in with him the previous day, but had gone into town looking for wine and women, and hadn’t returned yet.

It was a magnificent morale booster to see them all again, and a renewed confidence surged through me. After introductions and hugs they helped us cross the river.

Although it was a relief that we’d all traversed the water safely, arriving on the other side felt like being on the sharp end of a double-edged sword; because we were now at the foot of Greenslopes, with battalions of Bri’s bane protecting the peak.

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Notes

The Gap is a Brisbane suburb; as is Indooroopilly.

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Link for Amazon book and kindle.

Link for multiple Ereaders at Smashwords.