Search the Community

I found the Nymph Pool by chance. I knew the waterfall cascading down the escarpment opposite must join the river somewhere opposite my place, but it was not obvious, due to undergrowth, and the other attention getting marvelous surrounds. But I used to think about it ; where does that stream join the river ? So I headed off one day, up the opposite bank and through the thick rainforest riverside. The first thing I encountered were the seedlings of stinging trees, underneath their huge forbearers. Then a bit of a lantana tangle, then more open ground buy a tangle of thigh high stinging nettles. This place is well guarded ! And I was naked from swimming and crossing the river. I came to the little creek and it was near inaccessible due to the surrounds, mostly lantana - of course it was, what was I thinking . I entered the water in the narrow space between the brambles and started wading upstream. After a little way the lantana gave way to a huge mass of large black stem cungevoi ( alocasia macrohiza) , being a 'delicate' plant (above ground - otherwise it can get pulverised to goo and grow back from river floods and underwater detritus bombardment) , so I got on all fours and was able to crawl under this strange little forest's canopy, what an unusual little world it was in there . I have never seen cungevoi grow, so large and with such thick stems and in such a huge patch like that, it was a very unusual little world in there- it was the first indication I was in a 'special place' On the other side of the little alien forest, some more lantana, I went around a little bend and the whole place opened up. The lantana was now back from the edge, with the rainforest around it exposing a large pool of crystal clear water. Around the edge where rainforest plants and tree ferns , overhung limbs with orchids and stag and elk horns . The outflow from the pool was around a slanting river gravel little beach that slanted deeply into the pool. The inflow was a small waterfall, cascading down a rock ledge, beside this at the top was a flat area of native grass, looking like it had been mowed, just big enough for two people to lie down and a bit more. This was shaded by a tree that grew next to the flat area. Where the ledge was it was deep enough to dive head first into the pool. Words cant describe how beautiful, unique and special this little hidden place was. I gave thanks for being allowed there and promised not to tell or take anyone there ...... who was not a nymph. I think, over time, about for 10 years, I only took 3 or 4 nymphs there. It was my special spot, many a wonderful 'picnic' was had there. A lot of the time, I would go myself, braving the stings , scratches and prickles, and sit there in this cool idyllic little haven, on a hot day, enjoy a smoke and melt into the environment . I had one or two very magical dreams about the place as well. Technically, this was on someone else's land. It was a big very expensive spread, and has featured, a few times in the past, on the national broadcasters (ABC) gardening show. But the property sold and two gay guys bought it and moved in and started running cattle there. Aside from a few local jokes about it now being 'Brokeback Mountain' ... I found them to be great guys, and good new neighbours. Then I went away to work for 6 months and after that there was a massive flood. The waterfall was thundering down the cliffs in a wide band of cream and brown water. Then it was autumn and changed to winter. Next spring I was over there talking to them, trying to find out where their cows where getting out and raiding our property. WE walked along the creek, that passes through their 'garden' (its huge !) and got to the paddocks and continued around a large bend and got towards where the creek meets the river. I said to them ; " Oh wow ! We are getting near the Nymph Pool ! " And I explained what I meant. They seemed eager to see it. We got around the corner and it wasn't there. We continued until we got to the river, I went back and walked it all again ... ? I am sure they thought I was nuts. All the lantana and undergrowth was gone, we were walking over , still, flood damage, big swails of twisted rotted vegetation and river gravel and sand with plants starting to go through it. Then I saw a heap of black cunjevoi shoots trying to grow through it ... over there were stinging trees, I walked along the creek bed carefully and found a little ledge, which would have been the top of the pools waterfall and next to it was a small broken tree stump. My Nymph Pool ! Yes, I suppose floods change things, but it must have taken many years for that place to develop like that, and another 8 years later, it still looks like it did after the flood, no pool, just all the lantana and nettle have grown back. But then again, I remembered my promise to only take nymphs there ... I mean, they were nice guys and good neighbours, but certainly not 'nymphs' IMO Yes, I may have broken my contract after the flood event, but ..... Anyway, like most of the great events in life, you cant get them back or relive the past .... but we have the memories . And I have great memories of that place ... and the 'picnics' . Thanks mum ( nature ) !