Waltzing Australia by Cynthia Clampitt

Published by BookSurge

ISBN  978-1-4196-6306-2

As I began reading this book, I thought the style of the author was a bit 'flowery' with lengthy, detailed descriptions of all the flora and fauna, scenery, places of interest and Homo sapiens she was encountering on her travels.  Having completed the book, I now realise that it was the enthusiasm and wonder of the writer which was being shared with the reader.  I feel I have just spent six months travelling around Australia and learning in great detail about the country and its multi-cultural population.

From day one, when Cynthia lands in Sydney, then quickly moves on to Brisbane to begin her adventure, we are swept along on the delight that each new day delivers.  We are taken on an exhaustive and exhausting tour of the country, in a roughly anti-clockwise direction.  All the major towns are visited and explored thoroughly - the locals, the sights, the museums, and as she travels about, she adds her well-researched background material to enhance our experience.

It is only when we move out of the towns and cities and into the forests, the outback, and the wilderness that Cynthia really blossoms.  She undertakes many and varied camping trips, horse trekking, hiking trips, and boat trips, but not without the odd scrape.  She began the journey with broken ribs, caused whilst horse riding in preparation for the trekking, but they gradually heal and she becomes more relaxed and able to enjoy all that Australia has to offer.

Many fellow travellers and acquaintances encountered along the way have become firm friends and many exchange visits ensued, thereby extending the adventure indefinitely.  Cynthia seems to have turned her life around by chasing the dream she had of travelling to and around Australia, and her passion for the country and its culture comes across in her writing.

A totally absorbing and entertaining book, which has been carefully researched and is very well written.