Stars align
23 Jan. 2016
News on TV, in newspapers and social media were reporting on an astronomical event that will not be seen in the night sky again until July 2020, and who knows when on the 23rd of January again. LP was now joining the dots relating to the Glass House Mountains and the sun setting on the peak of Mt.Beerwah.
From Bulcock Beach vantage point at the mouth of Pumicestone Passage, LP spent many an evening there over the years capturing sunsets across Pumicestone Passage; looking to the Glass House Mountains on the horizon, in the laid back beach-side town of Caloundra. Those mountains formed from volcanic plugs, remnants of volcanic activity twenty six million years ago. Or as Brownie tells it from Dreamtime folklore.
‘His mob lived by the sea, but retreated inland as the great waters swallowed up the rivers and streams. They took sanctuary in the deep forest. But there, Beerwah, Tibrogargan, Coonowrin and his brothers and sisters who were turned to stone after Tibrogargan turned his back on his son, Coonowrin, for disobeying him, by not helping his mother who was pregnant, and his siblings get to higher ground. Coonowrin only thinking of saving himself, caused the Rainbow Serpent of Dreamtime to turn them into stone, as a warning to all.’
Now, LP had another story, and it goes like this -
‘In the beginning, he and his mates were entrusted with a Scroll at an ancient aboriginal ceremonial site in outback Australia, that involved the numbers, zero and one. Zero and one relating to a date in time, an image that some could see, and the secret knowledge that would unfold over time.’
It was only in 2010 after the upload of the Scroll on New Years Eve that LP discovered the sun set on the peak of Mt Beerwah on the 23rd of January looking from Bulcock Beach. Another coincidence relating to numbers. But now, aware that the planets were aligning on the 23rd January 2016 as well as a full moon, things started to fall into place relating something he had sketched many years earlier - A triangle drawn over a drawing of the setting sun on the peak of Mt. Beerwah exactly fitting over the sun. It was an equilateral triangle measuring twenty three millimetres. This sketch foretold the alignment of - Planets and Sun, as well as a full Moon rising on the 23rd January 2016. It was becoming clear these events were more than coincidence. And what was becoming clearer based on signs in heaven above, and on Earth, encompassed one thing - The peak of Mt Beerwah. Not only did the sketch reveal something new. It also revealed a facial image on whatever angle you moved the page. It was a strange drawing LP had done, since he didn’t intentionally draw the image. It just appeared as a ghostly aberration.
What had been on his mind for more than a year was to reach the peak of Mt.Beerwah, and make known what else could be revealed from the Scroll? That time was approaching. All would be revealed on 23rd. But obstacles arose causing LP to contact his mates, days before they planned to climb to the summit.
Bear wasn’t impressed when he heard the news, since he’d already booked his flight, and wanted to know what date, he could change his ticket too. LP told him to hold off booking another flight just yet, because his daughter was about to arrive from Cairns on the same day of their planned climb, and he had to pick her up.
What he didn’t tell everyone, Ingrid reminded him their granddaughter’s birthday party was on the 23rd. This was about to become an issue on reaching the summit by sunset, and being there when the planets align.
It was made perfectly clear by Ingrid; he was to be present for their granddaughter’s party, and pick up their daughter from the Brisbane airport that morning. There will be no time for going off with his mates climbing Mt. Beerwah.
LP tossed over in his mind how he could get a compromise out of Ingrid, and still reach the peak of Mt. Beerwah as the sun set on the 23rd. January. Impossible he concluded, but he had a light-bulb moment - ‘Pick up his daughter at the airport, drive to the car park at the base of the mountain. Walk and climb a third of the way and leave his latest book - I Am The 0ne, Lewis Philips with a hand- written message on the inside cover for someone to find.’
He hoped when someone removed the shrink wrap and read the message inside, it would go viral through social media for all the wrong reasons. It needed something more added. But it would get his book noticed and potentially a book deal beyond been self published. All he needed was someone to take it up the mountain.
He’d already penned a few words on a yellow post-it note, and stuck it on the cover before shrink wrapping. It read -
please take it up the mountain
and leave it there.
Thanks, Lewis Philips
So if he couldn’t climb it, he was going to be there one way or another. What he would do is ring around to get a flight over the mountain on sunset. Helicopters no go, but he managed to contact a pilot whom he had flown with before in a Waco replica 1938 single engine open cockpit bi-plane. It seated two in the front and one behind for the pilot.
Rodney remembered the last time he flew with him, and gave instructions on what time to be at the airstrip. Weather permitting, take-off would be 4:45pm. The forecast was for thunder storms in the afternoon. Rodney only gave a fifty, fifty chance of taking off from the tarmac if the weather didn’t improve, as well, he would be pushed for time with an engagement party to attend later.
The day arrived to pick up Nicky from the airport, about a one-hour drive from the Sunshine Coast. Ingrid and LP would pass the Glass House Mountains on the way to the airport, following the Bruce Highway and turn off for the domestic terminal. Minutes from the airport the phone rings.
LP pressed speaker and answered, “Hi Nicky, are you at the pick up area?”
“Almost,” she answered.
“We’re just about to pull up in the black Cruse. I’ll flick my lights on.” LP said.
No time for small talk, Nicky quickly opened the back passenger door, threw her carry-on case in, and followed, slamming the door shut.
“Let’s get out of here. It’s bedlam,” she said, “Love you for doing this. You know I could have caught the bus.”
“Wouldn’t have it. Anyway, I’ve got a surprise for you.” LP replied.
What is it? Nicky asked.
“I’ll tell you when we get to the base of Mt. Beerwah.” LP said.
“Mum, what he up to?”
“I’ll let him explain,” Ingrid said.
“It’s not dangerous so long you follow me and don’t touch anything you’re not suppose too.” LP said while looking at Nicky in the rear vision mirror, giving her a reassuring wink and smile.
Ingrid was not sure what he was up too either, but it better not interfere with their granddaughter’s birthday party, or she’ll not be happy.
The pick up area had only one rule. Don’t park and wait. Just pick up or get fined by over-zealous traffic controllers. Forget about road rules it was every man for himself or woman. Road rules went out the window there. The only thing that mattered was, pull over, pick up, and get out as quickly as possible.
“Hang on,” LP said in a loud voice, ‘While thinking it’s like driving dodgems at the local theme park.’
He accelerated from the gutter swerving to miss in coming and out going traffic chaos, and headed back onto the highway heading north. First stop Mt. Beerwah.
Mother and daughter chatted while LP drove, tossing over in his mind his plan when they reached Mt. Beerwah.
“Anyway, what happened about Mitchie‘s vehicle? Nicky asked.
“Insurance crowd are slow on paying out. Its been eight weeks and still no payout. We’ll know more next week.”Said Ingrid.
After crossing the Pine River bridge on the outskirts of Brisbane, traffic congestion was still heavy. By the time they approached the Steve Ewin Way, to fork left, it wasn’t long before they passed the car park at Mt Tibrogargan. Turning left at the next intersection, and sharp right at an old ‘homestead’ and they’d be almost there. Little traffic now, just woodland with a sprinkling of homes, cattle properties and macadamia plantations; a photographer’s paradise to drive through. While passing Mt. Coonowrin on their right, suddenly LP crossed to the opposite side of the road braking hard on loose gravel. Cattle had moved up close to the fence line twenty metres from the roadway. He quickly stepped out from behind the wheel with his Olympus camera in hand, and trodded his way through long grass, while keeping a sharp eye out for any surprises - snakes under foot, and spider webs at eye sight level. The cattle were inquisitive and approached closer. LP aimed his camera, and clicked off in rapid fire to capture a perfect shot of good breeding stock, with Mt. Coonowrin in the distance.
Back in the Navara LP said to Nicky, “ That would be a top photo to paint. I’ll send it to you.”
“Thanks Dad, I’ve almost finished painting the one you texted last month. You know it’s nicknamed - Crookneck.” She opened her phone and showed him the painting she was working on.
LP nodded and said, “ Looking good, I’ll buy it when finished. ”
Twisting bends on narrow bitumen lay ahead as LP accelerated away whipping up a trail of dust behind him.
“We’re almost there. The mountain turnoff is just past that macadamia plantation, where the dirt road forks.” LP said with confidence.
LP stopped in front of a sign depicting what you can and can’t do when climbing the mountain, or walking the trails.
He turned to Nicky and said, “It’s your birthday on the 23rd of March, so just in case we don’t catch up then, here’s a birthday surprise. We’re going to climb up part of the mountain. I know how you love hiking, and then, in the arvo we’ll fly over Mt Beerwah on sunset. It’s an early birthday present for you. How goods that?”
I can see how we’ll walk the mountain trail, but fly over it, in what?
‘If I tell you, I’ll spoil the surprise. Let’s do this first.” LP said.
What he didn’t say as well, was, why he put his novel titled - I Am the 0ne, in his small backpack along with his camera and bottled water. He would fill Nicky in on what he planned to do, after they walked and climbed the trail to a location that presented a challenge, to climbers to proceed to the peak. There he would explain what his intentions were, then and only then.
Ingrid said to her daughter, as she, and LP started to walk away. “If it gets dangerous don’t listen to your father, turn back.”
“It won’t be a problem. I’ve done plenty of back-packing on trails in Asia. You wouldn’t want to know about the obstacles encountered there. Don’t worry.” Nicky replied, as she gave her mother a reassuring hug before walking away.
Nothing was going to stand in LP’s way. He was following through in getting his book with the message written on the inside cover to the peak. The hand-written message contained inside the cover made a statement - for what he knows, you will know, but there's more to be revealed in his book. All he needed to do was get it noticed in a big way, one way or another.
Even though LP buried the original book titled - Image of the Past, in the desert hoping that would end it - it was not over. He was motivated to write again and continue his story in the new book titled - I Am The 0ne - Lewis Philips, detailing his journey of discovery relating to the Scroll, spanning four decades. Firstly, travelling down south to Bells Beach with his mates for a surf contest in Australia, while been perused by bikies that wanted to kill them. Bear and Brownie confronted the Bad Meadows bikie gang on a lonely stretch of highway. Outnumbered big time, surviving to tell the tail. George disappeared mysteriously after been shot by Herbertsin, a crooked cop. Red was never seen again after his canoe capsized in rapids at Big River, after discovering a gold nugget weighing over three kilos. Cassa, LP’s albino mate didn’t make it out of Asia alive. And Kato, inventor, hindered by government once authorities found his invention saved eighty percent off power bills, was always the skeptic. He kept LP grounded and not let him get too over excited with his mission in life - to finish what was started back at the ancient aboriginal site in ‘Outback’ Queensland - to save and deliver the Scroll.
LP’s journey to New York to stand at Ground Zero and deliver the Scroll, in the end, didn’t go exactly as planned.
Mason helped with advice with his connection to Masonic beliefs, and how to achieve his brand of glorious immortality.
Without Brownie’s Dreamtime connection with the legend of the Glass Mountains, LP would not be standing before the mountain to climb it.
LP travelled through many parts of the world, but his journey always ended back at the mountain. Now destiny awaits again.
LP and Nicky trekked through dense forest, following the trail to a place on the mountain LP had visited many times before. He knew the lay of the land to that point. Three hundred paces from the car park to a clearing, and BBQ area, then another seven hundred before a full assault on the mountain.
Brimming with confidence, LP pushed on followed by Nicky, after stepping up some well placed stones, where fresh water trickled down. And there it was, the peak in sight, with low cloud moving across the top of the mountain.
LP said to Nicky as they stepped onto flat ground, “We can’t stay long. Read that sign over there.”
Nicky repeated what she saw, “Beware, rock falls, do not wait in this area.”
LP went on to say,” Let’s make it quick. I want you to take a short video of why I’m leaving this book here. And hopefully someone will pick up the book and take it up the mountain.”
He pulled out his camera and book from his backpack, and handed Nicky the camera while he held his book in his right hand. LP then said, “Nicky turned the camera on to video and when I say start, click the left hand top button to record.”
As Nicky was about to film, three strangers approached from where they had just walked. LP thought, ‘This could be good or bad. Are they Herbertsin’s cohorts or just blokes out to climb the mountain? Paranoia was stating to set in. He needed to act fast.’
“Hey guys, are you planning on climbing to the peak,” LP asked cautiously.
The answer was what he wanted to hear. All three answered, “Yes.”
“Can you do me a favour. Take this book to the peak and leave it there,” asked LP.
They looked puzzled as they watched on, as LP explained why he was doing what he was doing, as Nicky filmed. He then handed the book to one of them entrusting its contents to reach the peak before sunset on the 23rd. January 2016. LP and Nicky walked back the way they came, with LP hoping what he had put in play would make a difference, in a world he saw spinning out of control.
In eye sight of his vehicle, he heard Ingrid shout out, “Hurry up. About time, We’ve got a birthday party to attend, and help prepare some party food for the kids. Are you satisfied now? I don’t want to hear any more about the mountain?”
“ Not quite satisfied. You well know. I have a second surprise. Me and Nicky are going to fly over the peak of Mt. Beerwah on sunset. Happy Birthday for the 23rd.
“What’s dad on about, Nicky asked.
“ I’ll let him explain.”
“I’ve booked a flight for both of us in a 1938 Waco open air cockpit bi-plane. This is your birthday present for March. We’ll fly over the peak of Mt.Beerwah on sunset after your niece’s birthday party, weather permitting. How goods that?” LP said with a confident smile.
“I’m up for it.” Nicky replied with a wide grin.
Everything was starting to fall into place, and it looked like he and his mates wouldn’t need to climb to the peak after-all. LP hoped this would be enough, by just leaving someone else to take his book up the mountain, and when opened, reveal what was hand-written in the book for all to know, and get some publicity for his book.
LP placed his backpack back on the back seat leaving the rear left door open for Nicky to get in. He was back behind the wheel and heading home, happy that his first part of his mission was completed. Later, if the pilot gives the OK, Nicky and LP would be flying over Mt. Beerwah on sunset. Mission accomplished. So he thought.
LP was starting to get impatient. As much as he wanted to be there for his granddaughter, his thoughts were fixated on flying over Mt. Beerwah on sunset. Time was running out. It was nearly four-thirty in the arvo with thunderstorm heads brewing in the north, and south west. BOM weather radar on his phone confirmed storms approaching from the west, and it looked unlikely they would clear, for take off from Caloundra airstrip. Luck would be on their side. The weather gods shone on them as they stood on the tarmac, with their pilot, as they looked for clear sky over the Glass House Mountains. No radar or weather report would dictate a decision by the pilot. It was his call based upon the weather conditions as he saw it at that time. LP and the pilot remained on the tarmac waiting until the sun broke through storm clouds on the horizon, while Ingrid and Nicky exchanged small talk just inside the hanger. It was forty-five minutes before the setting sun could be seen through the low menacing storm clouds.
“Right, we’re good to go.” Rodney, their pilot said.
He instructed his passengers to climb up and squeeze into the front cockpit with just enough room for two people.
He then followed and positioned himself in the rear cockpit and would fly the plane from there. The instruments in front of LP and Nicky were disengaged, but the pilot still warned not touch anything, or he could lose control of the plane. Rodney waved over his mechanic to give the propeller one big heave down to crank over the engine, that sounded like a car backfiring as it started to roar. Moments later, they were in the air heading a straight course to Mt. Beerwah. The storm clouds had now dissipated somewhat and within five minutes they were flying around the mountain, and over it, as the sun sunk below the distant horizon. LP got what he wanted. An incredible sunset full of colour, and Nicky was really excited at witnessing a spectacular display of nature, as thunder and lightning strikes could be seen to the south and north as Rodney turned the plane around, pointing it in the direction of Caloundra Airstrip. LP continued to snap photos by holding his camera in reverse and hoped he’d capture the amazing colours of sunset and engulfing storm.
There was no room to turn around in the front cockpit. It was just guess work if he’d capture anything worthwhile for posting on Twitter or Facebook. After looking at one photo as the plane was about land, it looked like they were not alone at that moment in time.
Landing with a smooth touchdown and taxiing down the runway brought their day to a magic ending. Nicky was over the moon, a full moon at that, with what she had experienced, and LP was thankful everything ended almost to plan.
They thanked Rodney for a great flight, and he replied, “I should be thanking you. I’ve never seen a more spectacular sunset ever in all the time I’ve been flying over the Glass House Mountains. Email me a couple of photos. I’d love to add then to my Facebook page.”
