I wrote this poem when I was guiding for Tasmanian Expeditions. I was sitting on the banks of the Picton River waiting for my guests to finish their rafting trip … when I had a little moment:
Why do we guide?
Do we do it to scrape our backs on the trailers?
Or do we do it to lug huge packs on our backs?
To float down a river or to
Climb a mountain
To ride the Rossarden Hill
Or to raft the Picton?
I guide for so many reasons.
So many smiles, so much camaraderie
The tent chats at night
The hug of support
The look of pride when one summits
The letters and photos of appreciation
The smell of garlic and ginger simmering in the bush
Flavours arousing senses of simplicity.
To walk amongst the giants
To scramble across the scree
To hike in a mesmerised state.
Hard taxing panoramas
Gentle, relaxing Overlands
There are so many reasons …
The Boags at ‘The Oak’
The true smile of grubby guides
Friends, special friends
Empowering, supporting and loving
The hug and tears of goodbyes
The relief of completion
Another successful trip
Another day of prep
Another meet and greet.
This lifestyle of mine …
Feeds my soul, enlivens my spirit
And makes me smile
Larni 1999
The Poppy Files 
A beautiful ode to the guiding life!