83. Lazy by the Lake.

When we arrived in Australia in the early 1970s I was enchanted by Lake Macquarie. We had left South Africa, with its glorious mountains, and I never expected to enjoy such beauty again. But Australia and its lakes proved a wonderful surprise. This continent is often described as 'harsh' and most people think 'beaches' when they think of it, but we also enjoy lakes, rivers, gorges, rain-forests and much more.Our lake is named after one of the first Governors of New South Wales, a gentleman named Lachlan Macquarie. Lachlan is still a popular name for boys in Australia. This poem started life as a song; hence the refrain.

On my Clickpicks blog you will discover the reason for my enthusiasm.

LAZY BY THE LAKE.

The Lake lies limpid on a lazy afternoon.

If we don't get there soon

We'll be sorry.

With trees surrounding

And boats abounding,

It's quite astounding!

It's our Lake MacQuarie.

We can stop a while beneath a sunny summer sky

And watch the seabirds fly

With easy grace.

It's all so gentle

And elemental

I'm sentimental

About the place.

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The paths wind pleasantly beneath the shady trees

And we can take our ease

Simply strolling.

Where Dads and Mothers

And baby Brothers

And all the others

Need no cajoling.

If we spy a seat we can simmer in the sun

There's nothing to be done,

But have a ball.

It's all so gentle

And elemental

I'm sentimental

About it all.

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The evening comes. The sun's a ball of rosy flame

And aren't we glad we came

From the city!

The light is fading

And birds are wading

And their parading

Looks oh so pretty.

Our skin is salty from the softly-blowing air

And still we stand and stare, goodness sake!

It's all so gentle

And elemental

I'm sentimental

About the Lake.

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