Picturesque Picnic Point

Sunday, 31st March 2024: Picnic Point, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.

A luminescent moon perched atop the massive flagpole, gazing down through the predawn gloom. Forty-six metres above lush green parkland, the blue, red and white flag hung limply. Waiting. Ribbons of mist threaded through the trees crowded along the escarpment. A soft murmur of voices crept into the hush of early morning. A damp breeze gently brushed my cheek. Shoes scraped on a stone path and soon silenced. A voice quietly greeted those gathered.

Our faces glowed by the light of artificial stars, as we peered intently at our phone screens, squinting to decipher familiar song lyrics. Strains of piano music entwined with songs set free to waft off the cliffs and across the Lockyer Valley. We shared that 'Story of Old' — the empty tomb and Jesus set free on another hillside.

We gave thanks to Him, as golden rays of sunlight finally succeed in breaking through the horizon’s cloud cover. My heart swelled with joy and thankfulness… for my Creator, Saviour and God. Grateful for a myriad of blessings: a wonderful life, world, health, family and friends. For this… and so much more! As I turned to leave, the giant flag came to life and fluttered merrily in the brisk breeze, celebrating with us on this Resurrection Sunday.

Saturday, 19th April 2025: Picnic Point.

A year has sped by! Yes! Today was Easter Saturday — a perfect morning for a sleep-in — or not!

Surely this was my chance to finally participate in the ‘new’ Picnic Point Parklands parkrun. (What a tongue twister!) This parkrun had languished on my ‘To Do’ list ever since it began, a mere two years ago. This 7 am, weekly run is not for the faint hearted, especially in sloshy weather. It’s a two and a half lap circuit down and back up an escarpment along the Great Dividing Range. This day was clear. The ground was dry, except for a light dew glistening on the ankle-deep grass slope.

A cursory check of my aging body reassured me that it seemed to be injury free. Not one single excuse lurked in my mind. What could go wrong? Today was definitely ‘The Day’! I was fit, healthy and raring to go. It was a ‘Go’! As I zipped merrily along in my little car, I spied a couple of friends striding energetically homeward… clearly, they caught ‘the worm’ while I was still lolling around back at home!

A clear blue sky and mild 16-degree C morning greeted my arrival. Parkrun volunteers and runners extended a warm welcome. ‘First Timers’ comprised one third of the sixty-three folks gathered today. We tried to listen intently to the description of the tricky track. I figured I’d just follow the person in front, since I’m not speedy enough to lead the way. That’s the ‘silver lining’ of not being super athletic! Just before we started, I noticed a good buddy from my regular parkrun. We’ve only crossed paths a few times this past year. We snuck in a quick hug just prior to the start. Friends always brighten my day.

We set off — some at a blistering speed — others, like me chose a steadier pace. This parkrun has a relaxed vibe, unlike it’s ‘Big Sister’ at Queens Park, where 650 people met today, with an Easter Egg Hunt (for the young’uns).

I appreciated the course’s gentle start on downhill paths which rolled down through cushion soft grass. My ‘Exercise’ music playlist streamed ‘shuffled’ songs into my almost blank mind. It’s a vital distraction from the prospect of strenuous physical exertion. I've always preferred accidental exercise. Amusingly, Panic! At the Disco’s “The Greatest Show” led me out, followed by Billy Joel’s “Pressure”.

What a joy to bound downhill, however… as is far too often the case… sadly, what went down, must come back up.

Steady does it! I’ve got this! Careful!

I murmured to myself.

Beware of running too close to the fence line and tripping in the bandicoot holes.

The pre-race briefing ran through my head. Yep! Sure enough, there were the holes. Not a chance they'd trip me up... not today. Relief flooded my mind. I nimbly avoided tree roots which threatened to send careless feet tumbling.

As the dry, black clay trail wound back up hill, I spied a friend out walking her dog. Such a welcome diversion! Ironically, Billy Ocean’s song “When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going” played in the nick of time to give me a much-needed boost.

Just as well I paid attention during the briefing! Near the end of Lap 1, the person I was blindly following, casually headed off in the opposite direction across the car park! I stayed the course and sped across the finish line, as Bonnie Tyler cheered me on with “Faster than the Speed of Light”!

By now, the day had warmed up. Feeling surprisingly invigorated, I bade a fond farewell to the picturesque point and promised to return before the birds flew out of their nests tomorrow.

Picnic Point Sunrise Service, here I come! I can barely wait to return and again soak in the tranquillity!

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Written for the challenge listed below:

Another parkrun tale.