ISBN: 978-1-4196-6306-2

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing    

It all began with a dream - a dream that whispered “jump”.  Cynthia Clampitt had a big obsession with Australia and sold everything, quit her job, and bought a plane ticket. Then sitting in a hotel bedroom she began to write and keep a travel dairy of her new life beginning in Brisbane.

Seas of red tiled roof tops, rolling hills and green trees in a tropical atmosphere, there among the strange trees in the Botanic gardens, Cynthia affirmed to herself that coming to Australia was the right place to start. Her soul was soothed.  

What a wonderful beginning and what lies ahead the reader can hardly wait for. She felt the years fall away as she spent time with the Koalas, fantastic birds and friendly welcoming people. She took a cruise to the wonderful Whitsunday Islands where descriptions of the trees and flowers, especially if you love nature, are wonderful.

The beauty of the Barrier Reef and Cynthia’s feelings as she viewed the fish and sea creatures are so well written. 

She worried about feeling lonely but there was no chance to experience this.

Tropical Cairns was very uncomfortable for Cynthia, with broken ribs that had not healed properly.

Queensland was glorious.

The Northern Territory was next and onwards to Alice Springs - the red land and FLIES. A trip into the outback - Ayers Rock. Cynthia said she was in love with the place and camping in the outback was all she imagined and hoped for.

This book is such a good intoxicating, interesting read. The author describes everything so well with such detail. You can almost feel the warmth and absorb the scented air. Some of her expeditions and trips to camp appear quite strenuous and must take up a lot of energy in that heat but nothing seems to faze her. She enjoys it all.

Meeting up with a group of women travellers on the tours and trips was good for her - Cynthia could have company when she wanted it but also revelled in her own solitude at times.  

Perth was a lovely city but she did find it very hard to adjust somehow but still enjoyed it.

Next onto the Southern Australia which was grey and windy in Adelaide.

As I read a thought came to me that photographs would greatly enhance this book which is so addictive you really do want to see what comes up next for Cynthia . Sizing up the opals next!!

It is impossible to mention all the fabulous sights Cynthia saw but her dreams unfolded in many unbelievable places.

Onto Melbourne - here a friend on the tour put her up in his flat. Another beautiful city where she saw the Melbourne Cup horse race and rode a horse herself across part of Victoria. What an adventure and what a very brave lady.

Onwards to Tasmania which was green and very reminiscent of England

Now on to Canberra and Environs. A very organised and planned city Cynthia thought but “What no gum trees”. She did manage to buy a boomerang. Canberra didn’t hold any deep feeling in her heart though.

A bus trip to Sidney and New South Wales was spectacular and again all she had dreamed of. Beautiful jacaranda blossom, Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and Bondi beach, all splendid. Christmas as spent in the blazing sun, White Christmas playing everywhere. 

It never failed to amaze Cynthia how kind and hospitable the people were that she met.

In Maria the rain wouldn’t stop causing flooding, leaving the group isolated in a kind of island retreat - what fun it sounded. It even made the newspapers.

Cynthia writes so vividly you can easily imagine all the colours of the landscape and flowers that she writes about and I must mention the shells she loves to collect.

The adventure is over and as Australia is disappearing into the darkness for Cynthia the dream is not over. Australia is in her heart - she is in love forever. 

I have travelled with her on this journey and don’t want to leave her, please write another book Cynthia and thanks for sharing your dream.

She looks good on the cover too. Fantastic. Buy it!