I can never quite get used to nature’s shapes that spring up during our travels in the North West.

First there is the Boab tree with its shape that looks like a child’s attempt to make a tree out of plasticine- a fat trunk and then roll out the branches and stick them in the side. In contrast there are the tall spindly snappy gums- so called because their branches break if too much weight is put on them. As a guide told us- it is not the tree to climb when trying to escape a rampaging bull! We must not forget the famous Coolabah with black trunk and white branches. Yellow and green is confirmed as Australian colours- two more varieties of Acacia (wattles) and also the kapok bush – not a native but widespread – believed to be spread when Afghan camel drivers discarded their saddle packs when they wore out.

Nature also supplies a variety of termite nests. In drier areas with lighter coloured soils the nests look like large muffins, while others are tall and some even spiky. My favourites are in the red soils between Kununurra and Halls Creek. Someone said they named them little Chinamen, but my immediate thought was the Rubin paintings or those Australian Sculptures with the wonderful curves waist and bottoms and rounded head by ??? (Help me someone with the name of the sculptor.)

Finally there is the landscape itself, flat plains to Mesa Hills and flat topped mountains and in the Mitchell Plains hills that look as if a giant tip truck has just deposited a pile of gravel – large rocks dotted with green Spinifex. Then more dramatic features born out of ancient earth movements – and gorges formed from the time of Gondwana and since then worn by rushing river torrents through any available weakness – some dry and others like Gieke Gorge near Fitzroy Crossing can only be seen from a boat. And finally the strange sandstone structures of the Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles). The stories told and untold surrounding these natural wonders are understandably full of spiritual significance and give a real sense of wonder that last long after we leave these places.