Writers Retreat

WITS Writers Retreat at Bivouac Junction was just what I needed to get steam up for my next assault on the publishing world.  Over the years WITS has run ten Writers Retreats all of them highly successful, but this one was uniquely different in that there were no formal presentations, workshops or set procedures. We followed a vague outline but in the main it was spontaneous: great fun, great opportunity to network, great food & the best company.  Sitting beneath the stars, around a campfire swapping stories, having a sip or two of wine, avoiding the smoke, toasting marshmallows we watched & offered the occasional word of encouragement while fellow writer Stephen created his mainly edible dampers. Michael Fitzgerald Clarke entertained us with his cleverly devised poems commemorating the poet Thomas Hood which featured various friends.

I was blown away by the natural beauty of the Burdekin River sliding tranquilly along its tree lined pathway. And to think it’s there in all its perfection every day.

One could be excused for thinking that with all this taking in of beauty, scoffing down mountains of food & imbibing in the odd drink that we had an idle weekend. Not so. Most people actually took it literally & did some writing. I was among the indolent few. And I don’t care. I relaxed, soaked up the atmosphere & took the opportunity to cement friendships with writers that I see often but know little about.

I cannot close without mentioning the wildlife. The odd fly buzzed, (but what is life in the Australian bush without flies) wallabies grazed, little ears quivering like antennae, brush turkeys scratched around & peacocks preened. But sadly it was back to civilization Sunday lunchtime. But on a particularly busy or mundane day I can cast my mind back & revel in the memories. And what I don’t actually remember I can create. I’m a writer after all.