PATHWAYS TO LIFE: Community On-Line

Australia and the Connection to
PATHWAYS TO LIFE:
- BARBARA LYNN

Australia as a travel destination was always a consideration over the years for myself. Finally there came a time in my life when it was important for me to go and seek the land itself.

In June of 1998 I began to hear and record the collection of quotes now compiled in "ECHOS OF WISDOM".

On the night of August 05, 1998, I heard the word Augusta loud and clear at 4:44 am and wrote it down. I had no incline at that time what it was about. On October 9, 1999, I began to write the first novel in the series: "PATHWAYS TO LIFE". It came as quite a shock to me, as I never planned of doing such a thing. I often asked questions, and through clairaudience or internal hearing and automatic writing received answers but this experience was very different.

As I continued to write the novel, I found myself questioning, does this take place in England? The answer was immediate, 'No it is Australia'. I was indeed writing about a port town, a sailing adventure and other ports of call but didn't know exactly where it was.

In May of 1999 it was settled. I was going to go to Australia and started to make accommodation arrangements. I searched the Internet looking for accommodation in Glenelg a small sea side town near Adelaide, South Australia. I found one and immediately knew it was where I was going to stay. Having to send my deposit I asked for the street address and to my shock it was on Augusta Street.

I had always known the word Augusta was important but this was almost unbelievable. After all I live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, half way around the world. I took it as a good omen and arrived in South Australia in December 1999.

I went to the RAA and purchased several maps and it wasn't long until I discovered the city named Port Augusta. Knowing the route that I had been writing about I traced it on the map and everything added up. The voyage in the novel started at Port Augusta and went on to Port Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. The novel is set in the late 1880's.

The word Augusta now had added meaning and I was to set out on the adventure to visit the city. My anticipation grew with each passing mile, which is about a three-hour drive from Adelaide. Through my writing experience I had a fair description of the main street, the docks, large ships, hotel, mercantile, spice shop, newspaper agency, and the Town Hall as it was in the 1880's.

On my arrival I expected to see a dock with large ships and couldn't believe it, as all I saw were some smaller pleasure boats. I knew what I had written and was so sure. The question was "Where had all the ships gone?"

I definitely felt the letdown but didn't give up and asked for directions to the Wadlata Outback Centre in Port Augusta. I entered the premise and knew the answer would be in there. There were many great displays of the past but I was in search of something specific. I needed to know that indeed there had been tall ships visiting the port at some time in history. About half way through the walk about, I found what I was looking for. A large sketched drawing of Port Augusta in the 1800's showing the tall ships of the time, the main streets and many buildings. What a relief! The adventure was about to begin. I stood staring at the picture in awe, as the past merged with the present through my writing.

I was overwhelmed by the whole experience and have since learned a lot about trust. Not only did I hear the word Augusta in the night, I had arrived in Glenelg and stayed on Augusta Street and had finally connected with Port Augusta.

Through writing the series, I have become very fond of the city and have returned several times. I received a very warm welcome from staff at the City Council, Flinders Hotel and the Port Augusta Library. The city has captured my heart and soul like no other place on this entire earth, for it is a city that holds all the potential, as it did in the 1800's and does once again. It is a city that is worthy of its place on the map. My wish is that through writing the series "PATHWAYS TO LIFE:" I will share in that process of having Port Augusta recognized throughout the world.

To all the residents of Port Augusta, you have chosen a very special place to live as the city holds the magic and energy of potential. May the sun always shine brightly upon this city in South Australia.

November 2003 Visit

In November, 2003, I returned to Australia to the place of origin from the Pathways Series --the visit to Port Augusta was magical to say the least.

Click here to read the Press article Published in the “Transcontinental”, Port Augusta, South Australia.

-BARBARA LYNN