The Ghan: Australia’s greatest train journey

The Ghan is the name of the kilometre long train taking passengers from Adelaide to Darwin in the north, via Alice Springs.

The Ghan was originally known as the Afghan Express and it takes its name from the 19th century Afghan camel drivers who arrived in Australia and helped to explore the countries remote interior.

Even today, there are parts of the interior where a horse will not survive and so camels are still in use in some areas.

Although construction began in 1878, the line wasn’t completed until 1929, three years after development reached Alice Springs in 1926. Following on from his original name, the remaining leg of the journey was made by camel until the line was eventually completed.

Plans were made to extend the railway all the way to Darwin, however the Ghan was not making enough profit and these plans were put on hold. It wasn’t until as late as 2004 that the railway line was finally extended all the way to Darwin.

The earliest versions of the railway often experienced washouts and delays, which meant that the first flatcar behind the tender was always equipped with spare sleepers and tools so that crew and indeed even passengers, could repair the line and allow the train to continue its journey.

Despite the sub-par service, passengers tolerated these issues because it was the only route with enough water available to power steam trains.

The service expanded during World War II however, water supplies were limited and put under great pressure. De-mineralisation towers were built to enable the use of bore water and some of these towers survive to this day.

The need for water diminished as diesel began to replace steam and the line was redirected to a more reliable course between Alice Springs and Tarcoola.

The journey time is 54 hours and covers various scenic places in outback Australia. At certain strategic intervals, passengers are allowed to take excursions into the interior.

Passengers receive periodic commentary from the train staff about various events that have taken place historically in the area through which the train is currently passing.

Some places have had local tribes inhabiting a particular area for as long as 40,000 years.

The story of The Ghan is a reminder, for all aspiring Digital Nomads, that if you stay the course, despite the often irritating and inconvenient obstacles and delays that you may encounter, then you will reach your desired destination.

With Affiliate Marketing the Tracks to Success can often be similarly frustrating at times, but if you stick to your course, you will also experience a long and rewarding trip and experience!

If you would like to access a BluePrint to keep you on Track and ensure that you reach your destination, then download a copy of The Megabook of Affiliate Marketing Programs.

 

To your successful digital lifestyle.

Professor T.

 

 

 

I recently attended a concert at the Barbican Arts Centre in London, concerning the life and times of Dame Ethel Smyth, a very neglected female composer (1858 to 1944).

From an early age Ethel Smyth wanted to be a composer,  but she faced many battles in order to achieve success in  her chosen profession.

Her first real battle was with her father, who did not like the idea of her studying music, as he did not regard it as a suitable career for a woman.

 

However, she was undaunted and persisted, until eventually her father relented and allowed her to study music in Leipzig, Germany.

 

This was the first of many battles that she had to fight in order to overcome male prejudice.

 

Overall, critical reaction to her work was mixed.

She was alternately praised and panned, for writing music that was considered too masculine for a “lady composer”, as critics called her.

Eugene Gates notes: “Smyth’s music was seldom evaluated as simply the work of a composer among composers, but as that of a “woman composer.”

This worked to keep her on the margins of the profession, and, coupled with the double standard of sexual aesthetics, also placed her in a double bind.

 

On the one hand, when she composed powerful, rhythmically vital music, it was said that her work lacked feminine charm; on the other, when she produced delicate, melodious compositions, she was accused of not measuring up to the artistic standards of her male colleagues.”

Smyth,s also became a suffragette and was a fan of Emmeline Pankhurst.

She composed “The March of the Women” that became the anthem and marching song of the Suffragette  movement.

Other critics were more favourable: “The composer is a learned musician: it is learning which gives her the power to express her natural inborn sense of humour.

Dr Smyth knows her Mozart and her Sullivan: she has learned how to write conversations in music… [The Boatswain’s Mate] is one of the merriest, most tuneful, and most delightful comic operas ever put on the stage.”

What we can learn from Ethel Smyth’s career path is that she never gave up, even when she was faced with premature deafness in her later years.

This is an inspirational story and parallels can be drawn when embarking on a Digital Lifestyle.

The path to success with Internet marketing, is often seldom a strait line, but a winding path with twists and turns, obstacles, critics and naysayers telling you to go back… you will never make it !

However, the determined ones, alway succeed and live to enjoy the fruits, rewards and freedom that a successful digital lifestyle brings.

As with Dr Smyth .. the lesson is to ‘never give up’, but to face the inevitable hurdles and obstacles, with grit and determination.

Now, if you are just starting out on your digital internet marketing journey, a good strategy is to start with affiliate marketing, where you can start earning income, whilst you are learning the ropes, figuring out your niche, style and long-term online strategy.

A great online tool that I have found to be very useful, and still use today, is:     The Megabook Affiliate Marketing programs.

It is jammed packed with over 500 high paying and high converting programs and will cost you, much less than a good night out and be many times, more rewarding.

To your successful digital lifestyle.

Professor T.