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.

Australia Win Boomerang Ashes B4 Werewolf of Oz

As 2014 gets well under way you would be forgiven for forgetting all about the serialisation of what we think was 2013’s greatest satirical comedy werewolf travel quest across Australia serial: our very own Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps (please look up ‘satire’ if you were offended by that!).

Ashes Over, Endeavour Everest Back for More 

First of all we’d like to congratulate the Aussie cricket team for winning the Ashes series 5-0. The England and Wales team had won it three times in a row, so it was becoming a bit boring. Hopefully E&W will bounce back next series.

As the E&W Ashes win in Australia during 2010/11 is remembered in the Greenygrey world as the WoO series, as it took place when Grey was on its epic Ozyssey, this series will be remembered as the Boomerang Ashes, after the Aussies returned to form with their oldest secret weapon. 

In the accompanying photo, Aussie series hero, Mitchell Johnson, is celebrating the Ashes win with the first recorded cricketing upside-down boomerang. The first photo showed Johnson in the more conventional boomerang pose.

The above was inspired by the 1932/33 Ashes being remembered as the Bodyline Ashes, because of the number of bouncers bowled by the Aussies.

Secondly, good news if you missed the third Endeavour: Everest  episode featured on this blog last week, with a balloon ride over Everest from base camp at Gokyo, because it is back on the BBC iplayer until January 14th (only available in U.K. as far as we know).

Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland 

Presbyterian Church at Springsure, Queensland. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This episode of the Werewolf of Oz, the fifth from last, combines the two biggest influences on the book, Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland, with the real Australian towns of Oakey, Dalby, Roma, Orion and Springsure between Brisbane and Emerald.

On the way, there is an emotional return to Chinchilla. Enjoy!

138.  Following the Dust Sandy Path to Emerald  

English: Dalby Regional Council customer service centre at Chinchilla, Queensland, formerly the Chinchilla Shire Council offices (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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 

Australiana: a cork hat on a sixpack of VB (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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.

Elysian Fields by Carlos Schwabe, 1903 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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.

—————————————————————————————————-

Notes

The Elysian Fields of Greek mythology were a heavenly paradise for heroic warriors.
Oakey, Dalby, Roma, Orion and Springsure are real places.

—————————————————————————————————-

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.

Werewolf of Ozzers Reach Queensland at Chinchilla

Hi, it’s Greenygrey. In my excitement about all the Greenygrey-related events happening in the human world today I forgot to mention in yesterday’s blog that the Werewolf of Ozzers’ underground march north from the Emerald Cave to Chinchilla took them from New South Wales to Queensland.

Chinchilla, Queensland 

Yes, after an epic travel quest google maps ozyssey that was blogged on the australiatraveller.wordpress.com site from July 13th, 2010, the Werewolf of Ozzers finally reached their last state/territory nearly two years later on February 24th, 2012.

The Chinchillas of Goya are the biggest allies the Werewolf of Ozzers meet, so it’s next stop Bri’s bane…

Werewolf of Oz final episode and published on Amazon

Hi, it’s Grey. I’m delighted to tell you that my last Werewolf of Oz blog has just appeared, and we’ve also managed to import it into the Greenygrey world for you. We’ve also got it published on Amazon in a digital format, and there are links at the end of the blog. There’s a preview available on Amazon.com, but not on Amazon.co.uk yet. Thanks for joining me on my journey.

And without further ado,
I’m pleased to bring you,
the last Werewolf of Oz to view.

In flight the wedged tail is clearly visible (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

142.  The End: of the Werewolf of Oz Era

It was Tazzy! I squawked with joy before flying down to meet him; whereupon I changed back into a more recognisable werewolf form. We greeted before I asked him what he was doing here.

Tazzy said he often swam up this way; after all, it is the Tasman Sea.

I laughed, before exclaiming, ‘Of course!’ The last riddle of the ramble had been solved… as far as I was concerned. What about you?
I now felt free to return to the Greenygrey world.

Tazzy was continuing north, so I shapeshifted into a dolphin-friendly tuna and swam with him.

We swam side by side
until he dived beneath
to turn around
at top of Barrier Reef;
my original Oz
landmark brief;
we happily said goodbye
finality’s welcome relief.

I jumped out of the water and shapeshifted into a wedge-tailed eagle for the long flight back to a long awaited reunion with Green in the Greenygrey world.

Two years in the writing
sometimes flying, mostly hiking
Werewolf of Oz kept moving
experiencing, shapeshifting, grooving.

I’m amazed and pleased to say that the Werewolf of Oz is now available in an edited, chronological digital format with 4000  extra words on Amazon:

Amazon co.uk

Amazon com 

Saying Goodbye to Old Friends, Before Shapeshift to Bay

Image via Wikipedia

Hi, it’s Grey. The penultimate Werewolf of Oz has just arrived on the blog and into the Greenygrey world, so I thought I’d publish it pronto. Only one more left now, and we’re expecting that on Tuesday, which is the same day as we’re hoping the book will be published on Amazon. Here’s episode 141 of 142:

141.  SOLO TRAVELLER ONCE AGAIN, LIKE WHEN IT ALL BEGAN

So my epic journey had really ended, and all was well. The Great Dame of Oz left to go on a world tour, so Angry, Elle and Cathy were going to stay in the mansion indefinitely. I’m sure they had bright Emerald futures ahead of them; now they had regained their body, mind and spirit confidence.

Once More unto the Sea

I knew I could return to the Greenygrey world now, but felt there was something else I needed to do. I thought I should visit the Tasman Sea one last time.

So I said cheerio to everybody and everything in Emerald. There were especially long farewells with my three long-term travel companions and my favourite Oz hat couple. Then it was time to go solo once more; returning to my status upon arrival in Oz.

I shapeshifted into a bird of paradise,
and set off once more for the seaside.
I flew with the wind to the east,
for an hour and a half at least,
arriving at the sea over Deception Bay,
I thought there must be another way,
so I headed south and landed next to a jay,
in a place I liked the sound of: Bramble Bay.
I asked the jay, whose name was Jay,
whether it had seen anything untoward astray.
Jay said nothing unusual had happened all day.

Seeing a Sea Commotion

Everything did seem absolutely normal, and I began to wonder if I’d wasted my time making this diversion. But then:

I saw a commotion out at sea
and wondered what it might be.

The commotion was not only there; it was approaching the beach at a phenomenal speed. I asked Jay if it could see it. It said yes, it could.

I wondered what it could be: Was it more acid-rain? Could it be the MoMo East returning from the deep? Or was it Smiggin Holes escaped from its deep hole? Was there one more test I had to put my exhausted bird-brain through?

The commotion reached the shallows. I could now make out a head and arms. I thought I recognised who it was… but surely it couldn’t be… could it?

It continued swimming to the shallows, and then emerged onto the beach.

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.

————————————————————————————————-Notes

The Elysian Fields of Greek mythology were a heavenly paradise for heroic warriors.
————————————————————————————————-