Countdown to Australia Day Werewolf of Oz Finale

As many Australian place names seemed to fit well into the Wizard of Oz Werewolf of Oz theme, such as there being an Emerald at the end of the travel quest in Queensland, I just found out this morning that this year’s Australia Day is at the end of the week where we say goodbye to the WoO serialisation.

Australia Day Sunday 26th January 

Mist at Yellow Water billabong – Kakadu (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hi, it’s Greenygrey. Yes, I was alerted to the fact that it is Australia Day this Sunday, January 26th, by a Shooters sports bar advert.

I had already been thinking of dragging out Goodbye to WoO week as long as possible, and this gives me the perfect excuse.

So now you know, the final part of the Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps serialisation will be this Sunday.

Werewolf of Oz Real Places 

The Dame Edna Treatment (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the style of Dame Edna, we like to think we’ve done our bit to put Australia on the map, but did your Aussie abode make it into the WoO.

The easiest way to check is by looking through these geographically divided place names that Grey visited on its epic Ozyssey. Here you go:

Western Australia

Mount Barker, Denmark, Green’s Pool, Walpole, Margaret Rivers, Bunbury, Rose Hotel, Koombanna Bay, Collie, Wellington National Park, Latham, Coorow, Coorow Road, Perth, Green Head Road, Grey Road, Grey, Cervantes, Brand Highway, Badginarra National Park, Cataby, Orange Springs, Moore River National Park, Beermullah, Banksia Grove, Joondalup, Swan River, Rottnest Island, Lancelin, Kalbarri, Kalbarri National Park, Grey, Meekatharra, Newman, Karijini, Tom Price, Broome, Beagle Bay, Fitzroy Crossing, Kimberley.

Northern Territories

Nitmiluk, Kakadu, Kakadu National Park, Wildman River, Alligator River, Darwin, Humpty Doo, Alice Springs, Jabiru, Katherine, Manbulloo, Alice Springs, Uluru/Ayer’s Rock, Hugh, Rainbow Valley.

South Australia

Simpson Desert, Birdsville, Lake Eyre, Mount Dare, Lake Cadibarrawirracanna, Quorn, Whyalla, Adelaide, The Old Gum Tree, Kangaroo Island, Kingscote, Little Sahara, Flinders Chase National Park, Vivonne Bay, Robe.

Tasmania and Islands

King Island, Pearshape, Egg Lagoon, Currie, Sea Elephant, Surprise Bay, Bungaree, Disappointment Bay, Lavinia, Cowper Point, The Blowhole, Marrawah, Port Latta, Penguin, Cradle Mountain, Hobart, Tasman Bridge, Mount Wellington, Melton Mowbray, Great Lake, Arthur Lake, Central Plateau, Meander, Mole Creek, Sassafras, Beauty Point, Green Beach, Cape Barren Island, Bass Strait, Tin Kettle Island, Little Dog Island, Great Dog Island, Flinders Island, Sister Islands, Sister Islands Conservation Area.

Victoria

Port Fairy, Kirkstall, Hawkesdale, Simpson, Torquay, Geelong, Melbourne, Hamlyn Heights, Corio Bay, Geelong, Avalon, M1, Cocoroc, Hoppers Crossing, Niddrie, Sunbury, Riddells Creek, Castlemaine, Railway Hotel, Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk, California Gully, Terrick Terrick, Pyramid Hill, Kow Swamp, Wee Wee Rup, Kerang.

New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory 

Perisher Valley, Snowy Mountains, Smiggin Holes, Berridale, Canberra, Cooma, Dairymans Plains, Badja State Forest, Dampier, Nerrigundah, Eurobodalla, Bodalla, Tasman Sea, South Coast Cheese, Potato Point, Bingie, Sydney, Mollymook, Ulladulla, Bendalong, Cudmirrah, Swan Lake, Jervis Bay, Vincentia, Huskisson, Moona Moona Creek, Wollongong, Shell Cove, Warilla, Warrawong, Wollongong, Battery Park, Wombarra, Scarborough, Cronulla, Coogee, Bronte, Bondi, Paddington, Bondi Beach, Spit Reserve, Spit Road, Harbour Bridge, Little Sirius Cove, Opera House, Mosman, Sydney Harbour Bridge National Park, Greycliffe House, Watsons Bay, Barangaroo, Goat Island, Darling Harbour, Sydney Aquarium, Curl Curl, Bongin Bongin Bay, Dee Why, Mona Vale, Dolphin Bay, Cheero Point, Little Wobby, Tuggerah Lake, Norah Head, Wommara Avenue, Kalaroo Road, Corrie Island Nature Reserve, Mungo Brush, Wind Woppa Reserve, Boomerang Beach, Elizabeth Beach, The Lakes Way, Green Point, Booti Booti National Park, Yahoo Island, Wallingat National Park, Tuncurry, Forster, Ocean Dreaming Rainforest Resort, Red Head, Crowdy Head, Port Macquarie, Hat Head, Nambucca Heads, Coffs Harbour, Pacific Highway, Korora, Moonee Beach, Emerald Beach.

Queensland 

Chinchilla, The Gap, Mount Coot-Tha forest, Indooroopilly, Brisbane, Woolloongabba, Cannon Hill, Emerald, Oakey, Dalby, Roma, Orion, Springsure, Deception Bay, Bramble Bay.

 

Link for Amazon book and kindle.

Link for multiple Ereaders at Smashwords. 

Werewolf of Oz Body, Spirit and Mind

The body, mind and spirit of the Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps reacted quickly to the disappointment of the Grand Dame in the last episode, and in today’s third from last chapter in the book, they receive confirmation that they do not need any additional help: they already have the qualities they feel they lack.

Body, Mind and Spirit 

Raining Again (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At the end of the Wizard of Oz, the scatty Scarecrow receives a diploma after searching for a brain, the cowardly Lion gets a medal for courage and the Tin Man has a pocket watch after looking for a heart.

In this episode of the Werewolf of Oz Elle, Angry and Cathy are told by the Good Witch of the story, Mildly Monotheistic Moby, that they have restored all the body, mind and spirit they’ll need.

The Greenygrey world had been taken over by the Grand Council at the start of the book, but had been liberated by the end, and this is referred to at the end of this chapter/episode. The ending of this episode also throws a cat among the pigeons; or hat among the Werewolf of Ozzers in this case.

Chapter 140.  Moby tells it as it is, Which is…

We were about to leave, when a porcelain pod came around the corner, and MiMo Moby emerged from it. We were ecstatic, and greeted him with gusto; he seemed equally pleased to see us.

Beautiful (Moby song) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I told him the Dame had been a disappointment, so Angry, Cathy and Elle were uncertain of their future in Oz, and I didn’t know if I could return to the Greenygrey world.

Moby Pep Talk

MiMo looked at us all, and then back at Elle, before saying, ‘Why, Elle had body issues when she joined you; she had lost all her strength. But she has been using her body with great dexterity throughout the Ozyssey, and now has her confidence back.’

I had to agree. Elle leapt into the air with joy.

Travel iron (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

‘And Angry was letting the Neighbours’ opinions of his mind get to him; making him feel inadequate. But he has been using fantastic judgement all through the epic adventure, and working well within your travel team.’

Once more, I had to agree. Angry sang a celebratory tune he spontaneously created.

‘And Cathy was in low spirits when you met; but freedom, movement, natural space, friendship, being valued and success have helped lift her spirits since joining your epic adventure; and also raised yours at crucial times in this rousing ramble.’

porcelain heart (Photo credit: opethpainter)

Yet again, I had to agree. Cathy saluted the sun.

‘And you, Grey, you have reached your destination, and helped bring the hats of hope home to Emerald. Deep down you know you have the power to return to Green whenever you want. The Greenygrey world is free again; as free as Emerald.’

I thanked MiMo Moby for everything, and we all said hearty farewells before he disappeared around the corner in his porcelain pod. Not long after, Brian arrived from the same direction.

Link for Amazon book and kindle.

Link for multiple Ereaders at Smashwords.

Ashes Nears End, Werewolf of Oz Round the Bend

The Ashes 2013/14 series has reached its final destination, and it will soon be time for the England and Wales cricket team to say their farewells and head home. The Werewolf of Ozzers are also reaching that point in our serialisation of their epic virtual travel quest to all regions of what is known as Australia in the human world.

Sydney Memories Emerald Future 

Australia are in control of the fifth Ashes test in Sydney, while poetry seemed to take control of the Werewolf of Ozzers in Sydney, with Bronte and Greycliffe House inspiring some literary nonsense sublime rhymes.

Emerald Railway Station (Wikipedia)

This episode has final farewells to the friends made along the Oz way, before Emily the Emerald Cork Hat returns those that remain to the book’s Wizard of Oz-inspired final destination: as the Wizard of Ozzers reached their final destination in the Emerald City, the Werewolf of Ozzers end up in the real Australian town of Emerald.

Chapter 137.  Saying Goodbye, and Finding a New Path

After everybody and everything had their bellies full of buns, Emily and Brian addressed us all; it was nice of them to give us a house.

The Ashes Urn (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They also said the locality would now be known as Brisbane, and the region would be called Queensland; in memory of those who had taken part in the battle. They ended by thanking us for freeing Brian from his bane.

The Army Disperses

It was then time to say goodbye to my old friends and comrades, as they departed for home. Captain Dec and Dai were taking Dig, Aus, Vombat and the Collies back to Western Australia, and the cetaceans were swimming that way too. There were of course lots of hugs, and that’s all I’m prepared to write here.

Land of Oz (Photo credit: _rockinfree)

After they left, Emily asked us what we were doing next. I had seen the dust sandy path leading inland, but told Emily I didn’t know if we were still meant to follow it, now that she and Brian were reunited.

Emily said it looked like the dust sandy path was heading their way… to Emerald.
She invited us along,
and it felt right to go,
for in her I could see a glow;
she hadn’t been wrong yet!

Link for Amazon book and kindle.

Link for multiple Ereaders at Smashwords.

Barry Humphries’s Grumpies are Wizard (of Oz): Dame Edna and Sir Les

Hi, it’s Grey. My blog about when we met up with the Great Dame of Oz has just simultaneously arrived in my Oz blog and into the Greenygrey world, so I thought I’d post it here straight away; I’m that excited! It’s blog 139 of 142, so only three more to go…Barry Humphries’s Dame Edna Everage Image by James Cridland via Flickr

After it settled down in Emerald I asked Emily if she remembered what MiMo Moby said back in Meekatharra many moons ago; about a Great Dame of Oz at the end of the dust sandy path who could reunite me with Green once again.

Emily said she did remember, and knew exactly what MiMo had meant; she would take us to meet the Dame straight away.

Sir Les Patterson

It wasn’t far away; just a couple of blocks to a big mansion in the centre of Emerald. Emily knocked on the door with one of her corks. It wasn’t long before a large grumpy man answered it.

He bellowed, ‘What do you want?’ at us in a rude manner.

‘Ah, hello,’ said Emily, ‘MiMo Moby told this werewolf friend of mine that the Great Dame of Oz should be able to help it. Is she here?’

The man did not seem impressed, but said he’d see if she was around.

The Great Dame of Oz

A woman arrived a few minutes later; she looked like she could be the sister of the man… or even the same person!

‘Hello possums,’ she said, ‘what can I do for you?’

I told her about my conversation with MiMo Moby, and said we were all still quite lost, despite learning a lot on our epic Ozyssey.

She said she’d love to help, and used to do such things, but she was too busy now that she’d become an international giga-star.

Body, Mind and Spirit Work Together Again

I looked at my travel companions; they seemed to share my disappointment. I wondered if my epic ramble had reached an anti-climactic dead-end, and I would never see Green and the Greenygrey world again.

I was about to suggest leaving, when Cathy spoke up in a spirited way, telling the Dame that that was no way to talk to us. Angry seemed to have been thinking about it as well, because he soon added, ‘You’re not even really the Dame, you were a rude man when you answered the door just now.’ Then Elle used her body to great effect by slamming the door shut.

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Notes

Sir Les Patterson and Dame Edna Everage are Barry Humphries’s comedy characters.

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Werewolf of Ozzers say Goodbye and head to Emerald

Hi, it’s Grey. We’ve imported the latest two Werewolf of Oz blogs into the Greenygrey world. There’s quite a lot to get through, so I’ll let you start reading. I’ll just mention that we’ve included an example of the notes we’ve been including, to replace the links and images we can include in WordPress. There’s only four more blogs after these. Enjoy!

Saying Goodbye, and Finding a New Path

After everybody and everything had their bellies full of buns, Emily and Brian addressed us all; it was nice of them to give us a house.

They also said the locality would now be known as Brisbane, and the region would be called Queensland; in memory of those who had taken part in the battle. They ended by thanking us for freeing Brian from his bane.

The Army Disperses

It was then time to say goodbye to my old friends and comrades, as they departed for home. Captain Dec and Dai were taking Dig, Aus, Vombat and the Collies back to Western Australia, and the cetaceans were swimming that way too. There were of course lots of hugs, and that’s all I’m prepared to write here.

After they left, Emily asked us what we were doing next. I had seen the dust sandy path leading inland, but told Emily I didn’t know if we were still meant to follow it, now that she and Brian were reunited.

Emily said it looked like the dust sandy path was heading their way… to Emerald.

She invited us along,
and it felt right to go,
for in her I could see a glow;
she hadn’t been wrong yet!

 

Following the Dust Sandy Road to Emerald

There was a succulent start to the journey, orienteering through an okay oak forest outside Oakey before devouring a delicious dal dinner in Dalby.

Chinchilla is a Killer… Emotionally

It was Chinchilla next, and I prepared myself for an emotional return. I was not disappointed, with chinchillas lining the streets of Chinchilla as we passed. I saw an old chinchilla rush out of the crowd and hug a COG member. When the COG soldier turned around I was delighted to see the name Cilla Chinchilla on her jacket.

Cilla had survived
and achieved her task.
Now I hoped
she’d have time to bask.

Roma, Orion and Spring

We roamed through Roma, before it turned dark over Orion; which was good timing, as there was a belting night sky there. Then it seemed like it was spring for sure in Springsure, as everything was green. It became evermore evergreen as we neared Emerald.

I asked Emily how everything was so green, and she said these were the Alician Fields. They are a natural wonderland for those who have turned the world upside down to improve it before returning it the right way up; where sparkling spring water irrigates the earth from underground, and the sun always shines above.

I thought nothing could equal the Alician Fields, but Emerald sparkled like the finest precious stone; the town and fields complemented each other like a jewel on silk.

Hats filled the air when Brian and Emily reached Emerald, and our leaders soon joined in with the hatrobatics.

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The Elysian Fields of Greek mythology were a heavenly paradise for heroic warriors.
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For the Life of Brian is a Cause worth Dying

Hi, it’s Grey. I just saw that another of my posts from Oz has entered the Greenygrey world, so I wanted to post it here as soon as possible, as it was a very exciting time for me and my story. Enjoy!

Image via Wikipedia

Life of Brian’s Bane below Brisbane

We rushed into the cave, and hurtled through the narrow passages as if time was of the essence. My hat seemed to be getting stronger with every step, and provided enough glow for us to see clearly; it felt like I was wearing a green neon sign pointing ahead.

I started singing ‘Always look on the bright side of life…’ and the others quickly joined in.

Brian the Baggy Green

Then we turned a corner into a cavern complex. It was full of people, animals… and other objects. My hat suddenly flew off and headed straight for a baggy green hat. They met in mid-air, and embraced passionately.

Image via Wikipedia

We looked in awe, as the green reunion shone like a golden wonder.

Life of Brian’s Bane

When they returned to our level, my hat almost knocked me over without touching me, as it spoke for the first time.

It said, ‘Hello Grey, my name is Emily, the Emerald Cork Hat. I am sorry I couldn’t talk to you before, but it would have been too dangerous for you. I had to wait until I was reunited with my other half, Brian the Baggy Green. It was foretold in historic hatlore that a greeny werewolf Halfling would survive a hat-trick of green tasks before reuniting the hats of hope here in the Emerald Beach cave. The union of green would lead to a top hat age of unpolluted peace and prosperity.’

I said, ‘It’s nice to talk, and it’s no problem about the previous lack of communication, but there is just one thing, for I am Grey.’

Emily seemed to smile, before asking me if I’d seen myself lately.

I looked down and was totally shocked to see that I was green all over. I had become green in the Emerald Cave without even realising it. It felt like a landmark moment, and I now felt confident I could achieve anything; just like I always think Green can. I felt like bouncing around the cave like a spring green.

However, Emily quickly brought me down to earth with a warning, ‘There are still great tests ahead, and we will require your services again if you want to remain with us. We are heading north to our destiny; a war to end all wars. For Brian it is the bane of his life. If you join us, I’m sure we can win this one last great battle, and all return to the lives we desire.’

For the Life of Brian

I looked around at my travel companions, and they all nodded in unison. I had not doubted them. I told Emily we would be proud to join her in the battle of Bri’s bane.

She thanked us, before inviting us to join the crowd in the cavern. She told me she thought I’d recognise a few faces.

Meeting Old Friends

Image via Wikipedia

There were indeed some familiar faces. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Digger the Dingo and Aussie the Australian Shepherd dog, two of the first friends I made on the trip. After catching up with my old buddies I introduced them to Angry, Cathy and Elle; because I hadn’t even met them when I met ol’ Dig and Aus. It all seemed such a long time ago now, and strange to think that I had landed in Oz all alone.

I was just getting over the surprise of Dig and Aus when there was a tap on my shoulder. When I looked around it was yet another of my dear ol’ friends from early in the journey: the very venerable Vombatus Ursinus. It was great to see it looking swell. Vombat the Wombat joined our circle and soon got to know everybody and everything.

Image via Wikipedia

Mine’s a Large One

I was just about half way through telling Vombat about my journey when the walls started to rumble, and some rocks broke off. Everybody looked at the epicentre with anticipation, while beginning to take guard. I wondered if it was a bulldozing blitz by Bri’s bane.

A hole started to appear, and everybody tensed. As more rocks fell a paw emerged, and then the identity of the new arrivals was revealed. Why, it was none other than Colin and Ollie, the collie collier twins from Collie.