Bush trip

Last Wednesday we went on a bush trip. Now many of you might think that I live in the bush already. But trust me it is possible to go further bush than Mulga Bore. In fact going bush for them means driving out to some very special hunting grounds. I have been there twice now and still dont think I could find it by myself. The track to get there winds through scrub, creek beds and rocky outcrops. Often there is only a faint set of old tyre tracks to guide the way. Luckily for me I just have to follow someone else when I go.
The kids were so excited about our bush trip - running to school when they saw my Toyota arrive and excitedly reconfirming 'We going bush today Lisa?'
After the regular amount of pfaffing around and sorting out who would travel in which cars and which adult members of the community would be coming with us and which of their cars had enough petrol to get there and back - we set off. The kids in my car took control of the tape player immediately and put in the Utopia Songs tape - a complilation of songs the kids have written and recorded during my time at the school. They sang along at great volume the entire way!
About half way to our final destination we stopped at a significant rocky hill and the old men and women took pleasure is showing certain special features to the children - the piece of rock that had been made smooth long ago when the 'dreamtime people' sharpened their stone knives there, the rocks leaning together in the shape of a roof that used to provide shelter for people, the water hole where animals can drink.
Then it was back in the cars and on to the hunting ground. Once we arrived there the kids made a beeline for the huge rock hill and climbed it at great speed eagerly anticipating the views that awaited them at the top. Then back down they came and it was time to do some hunting. Some people went off looking for echidna and goanna tracks. Others took axes and went looking for sugarbag, some took shovels and crowbars to look for honey ants. I went with Maggie to look for witchetty grubs (Tyape). A gaggle of small boys trailed after us. Usually boys don't look for tyape -it's womens work. But these were young boys and still learning all the bush arts so it was OK. It didn't take long for Maggie to spot the first sign of possibility - the shed skin of a grub left at the base of the tree as it has entered the root system. Maggie dug up the roots like a pro but alas only found old cocoons - the grub had long since moved on. Same story at the next couple of trees but eventually we were luckly and dug up some nice, fat juicy tyape.
After a while we got tired and decided to head back to 'camp' where the BBQ was being cooked and two of the old ladies had decided to make damper. Egged on by myself and the kids this quickly turned into a race to see who could make the best damper and in the shortest time. Everyone had a great laugh as these two matriachs of the Community folded and kneaded their damper as quick as they could. Out of deference to both we declared the competition a draw. Both dampers were very good eating!
We found some bush fruits and bush medecine but unfotunately the creatures with feet managed to avoid capture so no goanna or perentie for us that day.
Never mind, I'm sure it wont be our last bush trip!