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"I miss the green wet lushness of the Tarkine ... I’m almost reluctant to wash the Tarkine away... almost.
It was an incredible and profound experience for me on so many levels and I feel truly honoured to have met you all and dearly hope we will reconnect in some other landscape again.
Raymond – I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to you personally but I wanted to thank you for what you do and who you are. Without your conjuring and creating none of this would come together."
Veronica Rhodes - Director
New year in the Tarkine
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"So many jokes, so much laughter. Thanks for all your energy & vitality. Look forward to the next trip with you."
Liz Stillwell - Hypnotherapist
The Outback Choir |
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“Incredible. Did I say how incredible this journey was? Ok, you may not have understood so I’ll repeat it again – this was an incredible, amazing experience. Why? The elemental mixing of inspiring landscapes, dripping sweat, pens scratching on paper, creaking knees, soft breezes, heady laughter, warm embraces and off-beat improvisations. A sure fire recipe for an incredible experience with the finest team of people one could imagine – I’ll be signing up for the next one before the dates are even announced.“
Dr Elaine Harding - Environmental Consultant
Desert Writers |
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“The Larapinta was my second Australian walk and by far the best of any walks I have done anywhere. Why? The beauty of central Australia, the clear blue sky, the crisp clear cool nights, the leadership of the walk, the aboriginal cultural experiences and the fine company of our travelling companions has left an impression that will last forever. It is said that every time you travel you take a little something away and leave a little of yourself behind- I think I have taken and left a lot more than a little this time! Raymond, if you continue to research, plan, organise and conduct future walks in the same way as the Big Fat Desert Walk, then you will have me for life. Here's to the future. Well done.”
Andrew Rorke - Retired businessman
The Big Fat Desert Walk |
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“I wanted to write and say thank you for a wonderful and amazing week. The more I think about it and the more I discuss it with others, the more I realise what an extraordinary experience it was, and how much we have achieved as a group in winning Mary and Junette's good opinion. I don't think any of us could have foreseen the power of this, and how much fun we all had with them. I didn't expect to laugh so much!
Can't wait to see the photos - am hanging out!”
Katie Lawley - Photographer
Meditations on Mungo - 2007 + Overland & East Coast Tasmania + Meditations on Mountains & Sea |
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"Wonderful walking .. terrific tucker.. .... cracker camp... "
Phillip Gosse - Builder
Larapinta |
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"On the Larapinta Trail I decided to retire.. I realized that there was a lot more to life.. I rang when I got back to Alice Springs to tell them"
Janice Fields - Retired matron
Larapinta Trail + Overland & East Coast Tasmania |
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“A brilliant concept unfolded as a seamless blend of the word, the walk, and the landscape, putting us in touch with the earth in the most intimate way. Thank you Jan, Raymond and This Earth that owns us”.
Peter Wallace - Pharmacist
Desert Writers two years |
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“The Desert Writers was one of the best things I have ever dared to do. I find that I have only to close my eyes and I am back there in the wilderness. It dwells deeply within my psyche and I feel as if I am reconnected to something very precious. My deepest gratitude goes to Raymond, Jan and the Writer/Walker friends I journeyed with… oh, yes, and I thank my feet and legs too.”
Bridgit McKern - Sydney based writer.
Desert Writers + Mungo + Tarkine |
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I had a fab time. I didn't think it could get better than the Desert Writers but it may have been the Gospel singing that somehow has changed me inside, there's a difference that I am still processing.
Vera Herman - writer
Desert Writers and Outback Choir |
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"Meditation in the morning.. a gorgeous walk during the day... lots of fun... lots of beautiful food.. great company.. great trip AND my back feels great"
Jennifer Booth - Investment broker
Larapinta Trail + East Coast Tasmania |
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“The inaugural Desert Writers experience was simply a wonderful, invigorating, nourishing experience..... Go for it if you get the chance!!”
Nicola Carter - Clinical Psychologist
Desert Writers - 2006 + 2007 |
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“Desert Writers was a week of unadulterated enjoyment, being in the company of like-minded people, having the freedom to sit and contemplate the amazing scenery of the MacDonald Ranges, having fun experimenting, ..using too many adjectives (Central Australia is adjective heaven), as well as being looked after so well by Into the Blue. It felt safe to write and risk. It felt safe to walk.”
Rowena Harding Smith - Psychologist Desert Writers - 2006 & 2007 + Mungo |
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“As a 45 year old Chartered Accountant tied to his desk for 50 hrs a week ... I've found the structure of Into the Blue perfect for me.. I am too busy to organise walking journeys.. . So far I have walked the wilderness of Kanangra and Blue Mountains, the Overland Track , the Larapinta Trail & the Kokoda Track in 2005... "
David White - Chartered Accountant
Tasmania, Larapinta & Big Fat Desert Walk |
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"whens the next one.. I'm going"
Paula Screnci - Company director
East Coast Tasmania |
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"What an AMAZING journey it was. I can't thank you both enough for sharing your desert knowledge with me. I feel like my eyes have been opened afresh to a different world. I still carry very strong impressions from the walks. I thought I would be challenged physically but your motivation and enthusiasm, and your expert knowledge kept me moving and happy.
I was so impressed with the organisation - it seemed effortless and natural and happened like clockwork. I never once felt like I was "on tour" - but importantly for me I felt i was amongst friends on a voyage of discovery.
I shall try to write a bit more about the experience over the next week. I feel so relaxed and happy and reinvigorated. WHEN is the next trip????”
Mary O’Brien - Teacher
Desert Writers - 2007 |
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"I have walked the Overland Track, the Larapinta Trail, wild areas of the Blue Mountains, the East Coast of Tasmania.. I have camped by the Coxes River and on top of Mt Solitary.. and I didn't start walking with Raymond until I was over 60.. Into the Blue has given me a new lease on life."
Margaret Hynard - Retired teacher
Overland + East Coast Tasmania + New Zealand |
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