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- | 2N). tttNuL. | + | ======THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER====== |
- | /-1 I)) | + | |
- | \ : | + | A Journal devoted to matters of interest to Members of the Sydney Bush Walkers, Sydney, New South Wales. |
- | -k1-1 | + | |
- | z | + | |
- | GLi | + | |
- | "THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER" | + | |
- | A Journal devoted to matters of interest to Members of | + | |
- | the Sydney Bush Walkers, Sydney, New South iliTales. | + | |
No. 13. June 1933. | No. 13. June 1933. | ||
+ | |||
Publishing Committee: | Publishing Committee: | ||
Misses Brenda White, (Editor), Marjorie Hill, Dorothy Lawry, Rene Browne and Mr. Myles Dunphy. | Misses Brenda White, (Editor), Marjorie Hill, Dorothy Lawry, Rene Browne and Mr. Myles Dunphy. | ||
- | EDITORIAL | + | |
+ | =====EDITORIAL===== | ||
When the Publishing Committee brought out the first issue of "The Bushwalker" | When the Publishing Committee brought out the first issue of "The Bushwalker" | ||
+ | |||
We are greatly indebted, as are so many others, to Myles Dunphy for lots of the spade work - in fact, on looking through No.1 we find that it was entirely written by Marj, Rene Browne, Taro and the ever obliging and capable Myles, who also made arrangements for the printing. | We are greatly indebted, as are so many others, to Myles Dunphy for lots of the spade work - in fact, on looking through No.1 we find that it was entirely written by Marj, Rene Browne, Taro and the ever obliging and capable Myles, who also made arrangements for the printing. | ||
- | Marj. said in her editorial: "This first publication is brought forward with the hope of future continuous help and patronage of our members; and in this respect the Publishing Committee invites them to consider their various experiences in the light of common interest to fellow members, and to hand in clearly written accounts, in serious or humourous vein, together with personal items or jokes concerning members or walking. Constant features of future issues will be reports of social events and equipment section." | + | |
- | for the best - and, as sometimes happens to optimists, we were not disappointed. So we gaily went our way, worrying long-suffering people for contributions, | + | Marj. said in her editorial: "This first publication is brought forward with the hope of future continuous help and patronage of our members; and in this respect the Publishing Committee invites them to consider their various experiences in the light of common interest to fellow members, and to hand in clearly written accounts, in serious or humourous vein, together with personal items or jokes concerning members or walking. Constant features of future issues will be reports of social events and equipment section.” We did not know what kind of a reception our little one would get, but hoped |
- | At length we arrived at our little one's first birthday, which we celebrated in a fitting manner by issuing our First Annual Number. A few weeks later we received a nasty jolt - a little pink paper made its appearance in Sydney - free, mark you - and it bore on its title page the legend - "The Hiker ushwalker." Seeing we had not registered that pet word of ours, " | + | for the best - and, as sometimes happens to optimists, we were not disappointed. So we gaily went our way, worrying long-suffering people for contributions, |
- | "BARRINGTON TOPS" | + | |
- | By Jean Austen. | + | At length we arrived at our little one's first birthday, which we celebrated in a fitting manner by issuing our First Annual Number. A few weeks later we received a nasty jolt - a little pink paper made its appearance in Sydney - free, mark you - and it bore on its title page the legend - "The Hiker & Bushwalker." Seeing we had not registered that pet word of ours, " |
- | You have asked me for some impressions of Barrington Tops. Well, the " | + | |
- | I think it is the absolute change from the rugged and hostile country in the Kowmung-Kanangra district to the soft rolling hills of the Allyn and | + | =====BARRINGTON TOPS===== |
- | Paterson Rivers and the fairy-like charm of the jungles or ' | + | By Jean Austen |
- | to the uncleared 'green timber,' | + | |
- | one is welcome, the countryside as well as its people seems to open its arms and breathe a soothing welcome. | + | You have asked me for some impressions of Barrington Tops. Well, the " |
+ | |||
+ | I think it is the absolute change from the rugged and hostile country in the Kowmung-Kanangra district to the soft rolling hills of the Allyn and Paterson Rivers and the fairy-like charm of the jungles or ' | ||
In contrast to these impressions, | In contrast to these impressions, | ||
- | Arrived at Eccleston late on a Friday afternoon, we made camp by the | + | |
- | roadside. It rained a little but we were quite comfortable. Next day we walked through occasional showers to the head of the Allyn and made camp at | + | Arrived at Eccleston late on a Friday afternoon, we made camp by the roadside. It rained a little but we were quite comfortable. Next day we walked through occasional showers to the head of the Allyn and made camp at the Hancock home; after the 15 crossings of the Allyn we were glad of a warm welcome and tea with cakes and scones in the early afternoon. Dick Hancock and his wife are indeed friends to walkers and will do anything in their power to ensure for a party the best of trips and comfort while camped at their place. |
- | the Hancock home; after the 15 crossings of the Allyn we were glad of a warm welcome and tea with cakes and scones in the early afternoon. Dick Hancock and his wife are indeed friends to walkers and will do anything in their power | + | |
- | to ensure for a party the best of trips and comfort while camped at their place. | + | They told us of a party of boys who had preceded us by some days and who had very bad equipment |
- | They told us of had very bad equipment in sugar bags. Their arrival had been a bad | + | |
- | There had been a heavy in the sunlight. | + | I had promised Ernie that I would take Dick's advice upon the advisability of our crossing the tops. This is, of course, regarding the weather. There come sometimes fogs that are very dense, and consequently very dangerous to travelers. However, this gentleman has a very high opinion of my capabilities |
- | a party of boys who had preceded us some days and who and rations which seemed to be mainly loaves of bread | + | |
- | shelter was a tent fly, and as the night before our | + | It is best to travel through these places without a hat as the brim hides the beauty of the tall trees, most of them potential telegraph poles draped and garlanded with Bird's Nest ferns, orchids, staghorns and creeping ferns and lichens too numerous to be comprehended |
- | one, there was some anxiety as to the boys' safety0 | + | |
- | I had promised, Ernie that I would take Dick's advice upon the advisability of our crossing the tops. This is, of course, regarding the weather. | + | Arrived at the second crossing we sat for a while in the sunshine and admired the vines, ferns, |
- | There come sometimes fogs that are very dense, and consequently very dangerous to travellers. However, this gentleman has a very high opinion of my capa- | + | |
- | bilities | + | Having come to the point where our track meets the Williams River and Dungog track, we grasped an opportunity for a rest while I told of my first trip with Ernie, when we had our lunch at this spot sitting on our haunches in the dense mist and heavy rain. On that occasion we went no further but returned to Sydney via the Williams to Dungog in pouring rain for two days and lucky to miss one of their greatest floods. |
- | tions about what to do in all sorts of emergencies, | + | However, back to our trip. Dick Hancock assured us that we would strike the first snow at about 50 yds. before our proposed camp spot for that night, and lol it was so. Anice was quite peeved because I pounced on the first particle and ate it myself. We were frightfully thirsty. However, there was plenty more, We camped on a small saddle in the ridge (Williams Range) where there is a spring, The ground was hard and stony and the space very limited and exposed to all winds, as we found to our despair later. We could not get away from it anywhere and it seemed to be working itself into a fury. Early to bed, We were very uneasy as this was our first night out really alone, in the wilderness. Suddenly our slumbers were rudely disturbed by a crash and the flopping of the tent around our heads. How I cursed Mouldy and his ridiculous tent poles which he had, with all good intentions I am sure, prevailed upon us to take, (A word here to the unwary - Beware of Mouldy' |
- | potential telegraph poles draped and garlanded with Bird's Nest ferns, orchids, staghorns and creeping ferns and lichens too numerous to be oomprehended | + | |
- | strewn with fallen lags covered with mosses and all kinds of ferns struggling up between them, the track is a path of fallen leaves. The Brush alwaym | + | There was a dear little Robin who was very interested in our doings and he looked lovely against the snow. It was piled in drifts all about the camp. We were not sorry to leave this spot, although our way continued ever upward and we were soon walking through snow up to our ankles. Our track now led us to the other side of the ridge away from the wind, over undulating country |
- | from the trees. Our track now lad straight up out of the brush and we climbed for the rest of the day through groves of treeferns and sometimes just ordinary climbing with an occasional pass on the side of the mountain with beautiful moss,-covered rocks to give us min excuse to stop and rest our weary backs. I will mention here that my pack was in the vicinity of 48 lbs. Anioe, who is not so strong as I, had something under that, | + | |
- | Having come to the point where our track meets the Williams River and Dungog track, we grasped an opportunity for a rest while I told of my first trip with Ernie, when we had our lunch at this spot sitting on our haunches- in the dense mist and heavy rain. On that occasion we went no further but returned to Sydney via the Williams to Dungog in pouring rain for two days and lucky to miss one of their greatest floods. | + | After some miles of this I began to get uneasy about the direction we were following. You see we had no track to follow in the snow, or rather it seemed we had a hundred tracks to follow. After a while we came out on the edge of a valley and I knew we were wrong before we took our map and compass and found we were heading North instead of West. So hastily consuming some chocolate and raisins we retraced our footsteps and made for the ridge we now knew we should be on. I am amazed at myself now for taking the direction we did but these mistakes are sent to try us. We suddenly stumbled on the track where we hoped to cross it and great was the joy in our hearts, after visions of being lost in the mist and all the terrible things that had been predicted for us by the people in Eccleston. We burst into song, and I found myself singing the 'Mad Scene' from Lucia. Anice was convulsed at my effort. We soon had a fire, in fact we were amazed at the ease with which we were able to get a fire going when everything was apparently saturated. But with some bark and some thin sticks that were standing upright and dry, we soon had some coffee. 'Snow Coffee' |
- | However, back to our trip. Dick Hancock assured us that we would strike the first snow at about 50 yds. before our proposed camp spot for that night, and lol it VW so. Anice was quite peeved because I pounced on the first particle and ate it myself* We were frightfully thirsty. However, there was plenty more, We camped on a small saddle in the ridge (Williams Range) where there is a spring, The ground was hard and stony and the space very limited and exposed to all winds, as we found to our despair later. We could not get away from it anywhere and it seemed to be working itself into a fury. Early to bed, We were very uneasy as this was our first night out really alone, in the wilderness, Suddenly our slumbers were rudely disturbed by a crash and the flopping of the tent around our heads. How I cursed Mouldy and his ridiculous tent poles which he had, with all good intentions I am sure, prevailed upon us to take, (A word here to the unwary - Beware of Mouldy' | + | |
- | weight" | + | On and upward again. Our next point to be located was Careys |
- | torch and tomahawk into the night which seemed to be filled with swaying demons roaring in derision at our predicament, | + | In due course we had our meal, and as darkness came we turned the table over an its side (the legs immediately sank to the floor) |
- | stomach was doing SOMB queer convulsions, | + | |
- | myself sternly and denied that I wished we had a spare husband somewhere handy. I could not find any tree or branch fallen or standing suitable for our requirements:, | + | Next morning came clear and beautiful and the sun shone warm and bright. Everything looked glorious. We only had to step outside our door and scoop up a billy of snow and melt it for water. I had developed a terrific headache overnight and could hardly see. A.P.C. |
- | terrified because we were in close proximity to a barbed-wire fence and in | + | |
- | danger of being ripped thereon. However, the pole secured, we were not long in fixing the tent again. But our peace of mind was gone for that night, and we were up early in the chilling wind sorambling | + | The track to Stewarts |
- | ' | + | |
- | thought how much nicer to have pushed on to here last night and camped an level ground away from the wind. However, on we plodded, very excite& | + | The track from here goes steeply down to the North Arm of Stewarts |
- | and the second occasion for me in py whole life. It was very beautiful in the sunlight with the treefems and lower growth showing clearly against the pure white background and the tall gums castimg | + | |
- | After some miles of this I began toiket | + | |
- | On and upward again. Our next point to be located was Cary' s Peak, which I knew was not far off on our left. Came at last to the spot where the track swings away for the climb to the peak. Arrived there we had a marvellous view of the Allyn Valley and the surrounding ranges, but the wind was so strong that we mere almost afraid to stand upright. Here, as in several other spots, we found fresh orange peel presumably left by the boys ahead of us. We did not stay too long here but got back again to the track over the more or less level plateau towards the "Hut.'" | + | |
- | to the swamps it is a much longer trip than at first expected. We were almost exhausted when at last we dragged our weary legs through the last drift and | + | |
- | across to the Hut. After a short rest we set about making a fire. It is a marvellous thing haw a change of occupation is as good as a rest. On arrival we thought we could not move another ounce, but it became apparent that to eat | + | |
- | and sleep in this place we must do extensive repairs. So while Anice was struggling with the worst smoky fire I have ever seen, I struggled with sheets of galvanised iron and logs of wood to prop them up with. In the wind that howled around the place this was no easy task and at one time I expected to find myself in two halves upon the snow. Poor Anice still struggled with the smoke. Of the two jobs I preferred my awn although it required more energy. | + | |
- | In due course we had our meal, and as darkness came we turned the table over an | + | |
- | its side (the legs immediately sank to the floor) | + | |
- | tearing at our abode, we were so fagged out that we actually slept. I really | + | |
- | think it was a state of unconsciousness from exhaustion. My last thought, as | + | |
- | a loose sheet of iron clattered on the roof, was the hope that we should be killed outright if something collapsed and not be left maimed to a slaw death in that bleak spot. | + | |
- | Next morning came clear and beautiful and the sun shone warm and bright. Everything looked glorious. We only had to step outside our door and scoop up a billy of snow and melt it for water. I had developed a terrific headache overnight and could hardly see. A.P.C. powders had no effect. We dallied here for a long time enjoying the sunshine. | + | |
- | retired early. Next morning, we were surprieed | + | |
- | covered with light snow, and as it was still very dull and cold, we decided to push on although my head was still roaring. We had camped on the spot where the motor road comes in from Scone via Tomalli. | + | |
- | The track to Stewart' | + | |
- | The track from here goes steeply down to the North Arm of Stewart' | + | |
- | and the soft gentleness of the different trees and the birds. Everything seemed | + | |
- | the snow. It is terribly steep from Mt. Barrington to Stewart' | + | |
(Further adventures; next issue.) | (Further adventures; next issue.) | ||
+ | |||
Ed. | Ed. | ||
- | "REFLECTIONS" | + | |
- | The sunlight | + | |
- | A haze of shimmering blue; | + | =====REFLECTIONS===== |
- | Through mighty gorge .by hidden creek | + | The sunlight |
- | A. winding path pursue. | + | A haze of shimmering blue;\\ |
- | The river bubbles on ite bed, | + | Through mighty gorge by hidden creek\\ |
- | Its rippling waters gleam; | + | A winding path pursue.\\ |
- | All that my pen has left unsaid | + | |
- | My soul reflects in dream. | + | The river bubbles on its bed,\\ |
+ | Its rippling waters gleam;\\ | ||
+ | All that my pen has left unsaid\\ | ||
+ | My soul reflects in dream.\\ | ||
T.W. | T.W. | ||
- | wups GOLD FOSSICKMG STUNT. | ||
- | All plans set in my head, no compass or maps, I set off with twc good pack barriers9 Les Hadfield and Alex Ritchie, for Katoombat with over 60 lbs0 each including a heavyweight pick, shovel and dish. We arrived at Katoomba at 11 o' | ||
- | we decided to have our first wash here and brought out the soap and had a good clean up, dinner and another sunbake and dream till tea time. Next day Good Sunday we decided to collect some of the gold instead of going to church although | ||
- | we heard the bell-birds ringing. We washed here and there along the creek, chased a rabbit, fell over and took a chip out of my knee, and then decided it was dinner time. Alec had a ready cooked fowl which we soon made a mess of and told him he ought to have brought two instead of one. Les shot two cookies for tea. T put them an at once to stew as they looked about 100 years old. I was right, they turnedloutkougher than my crepe soles. So we never interfered with Cooky anymore, only when we were asleep he troubled us after a heavy tea. We decided there was no gold there and packed up on Good Monday and made tracks for the back of Mt.Mouin. Very rough and poor camp sites. We camped on a ridge with a small waterhole in the creek. Tuesdvwe explored the creek down for about a mile before we struck water and had dinner, then triedbur hand with the dish. I had a powerful magnifying glass but could not see any colour. Back to camp and set off in the morning for Mt. Marrigal; we did not like the look of him and went off dawn a creek to try and get to Breakfast Creek; first water we camped. You know I have a weakness for water so can't go past any. Lem and Alec explored the creeks around and said it was too rough to take our packs dawn. I cooked them a full course tea. In the morning set off to find a way dawn and had to climb over some very rough country. I never blazed any trees as I did not know when I WAS going to get lost and did not want other Bushwalkers to follow me. After 2 hours, hard going we slipped down between two creeks, first water of course I oanped. Usual sunbake and exploration and washing for gold and ourselves took up the afternoon. Are saw 6 Wallabies and shut our eyes when a flock of Cookies went past - no more cooky-stew. Next morning we arrived in Breakfast Creek, not far from Canons. Washed a few dishes but no reaalt, dined and made tracks down the creek to a well-known camping ground. We had to stuff the food away as it did not appear to be getting lighter quickly enough. I had overstocked in the hope of getting lost, but no such luck in that part. There are too many landtarks, you can't dodge them. Saturday being the end of the week we decided to wash ourselves instead of washing dirt. I had my bath and | ||
- | dry when Alec asked me to get Lack in the water to take my photo. It was a bit too much, you know the temperature of Breakfast Creek at this time of the year. I | ||
- | obliged lad got rheumatics. Sunday we went in to the Cox and found our first gold | ||
- | under that part of the mountains named after me - Knight' | ||
- | Witf. THE CARILLON | ||
- | "May is here," came the message, | ||
- | liraited from the mountain dells, | ||
- | " | ||
- | It is time you came, Hell's Belles." | ||
- | So those five maids in the city, | ||
- | Heard the message, loud and clear, Hoisted packs, and sang this ditty, | ||
- | "We are coming, mountains dear." | ||
- | "Soon wet 11 walk along your bush tracks, | ||
- | Climb your rock mountain peaks, | ||
- | Scramble down through gorge and rock cracks, | ||
- | Bathe in your dear crystal creeks." | ||
- | ":18y the camp fire, laze each evening, | ||
- | Listening to the night birds call; | ||
- | Countless stars above us gleaming, 'Tis the life that will not pall." | ||
- | W.B.L. | ||
- | There was a young lady named Fannie | ||
- | Whose ways were most uncanny; | ||
- | She went down the Grose | ||
- | And injured her toes, | ||
- | And now she walks like a grannie. | ||
- | Ken Matthews. | ||
- | M:_TTP-GONG WOLMNDILLY RIVER WARRAGAMBA PENRITH. EASTER 1929. . | ||
- | _ | ||
- | This was a very early trip in the annals of. the Club; a very good one, with Much excitement The party elltrained on Thursday afternoon for Mittagong and a dark camp was struck an the border of the Municipality We were escorted there, together with another Club party, which was going down the Upper Nattai, by the Town Clerk of Mittagang, who saw us safely emmmped and then departed. | ||
- | The first night: Very unpleasant, waterymoon, light & | ||
- | Our first job was to identify the ' | ||
- | We reached the river shortly after lunch when the pleasure of our trip commenced. After a mile of rock hopping the river banks widened out and cattle tracks made the going pleasant. The end of the first day found us at Burnt Flat Creek, which is a good camp site abounding in rabbits and covered in thick grass which makes good beds. The second day found us following the Wollondilly which is an extremely beautiful river and the going was good. Towards evening, we care to signs of civilization, | ||
- | close by. The third morning was heralded with a dense fpg. awing to the ravages of blisters it was necessary tc leave three of the party behind. This day | ||
- | was really most interesting. Our way led from the Upper Burragorang to the lower, through country known, but still beautiful, on hard roads, the saving feature of the day being a meal of stewed quinces and cream obtained by various means from farms passed en route. The fourth day found us early on the track down the famous Warragamba Gorge which hitherto had been described as impossible. We hugged the Western bank and fought gamely for some hours with all that nature could provide in | ||
- | the form of obstacles-. To add to our discomfort we were hunting three steers, in a dubious state of health, which kept about three yards ahead of us all the way. | ||
- | Monkey Creek was reached about 11 a.m. after a very hard struggle. Here we were to cross the river and follow the track into Silverdale, but awing to the amount of water in the river, it was impossible to cross. Many methods were triedi We used every ounce of ingenuity and took many risks but still the river won.. Whet all seemed lost a canoe was discovered high up a tree where some flood had depositec it. When it was finally landed it was full of holes and consequently useless; we were back where we started until someone thought of the brilliant idea of placing the canoe in the tent. It worked The remaining part of the trip was tragedy, caused by lost time & tiredness. We missed the last car from Silverdale, caught till last train from Penrith and finally got home. It was a wonderful trip and one in which we were well pleased and satisfied. PEDO. | ||
- | LITERARY EXPLORATIONS. | ||
- | Now that the cool weather has set in, most people on long trips will spend more time climbing hills than bathing in our mountain streams, so I think the following verses, which express so well what we have all felt on conquering a | ||
- | height, are most appropriate to the present season. Brenda White. | ||
- | I never loved your plains, Your gentle valleys, | ||
- | Your drowsy, country lanes And pleached alleys. | ||
- | I want my hills! - the trail That scorns the hollow. Up, up the ragged shale Where few will follow. | ||
- | Up - over wooded crest And. mossy boulder | ||
- | With strong thigh, heaving chest And swinging shoulder. So let me hold. my way | ||
- | By nothing halted, | ||
- | Until at close of day | ||
- | I stand, exalted | ||
- | High on my hills of dream - Dear hills that know meI And then how fair will seem The lands below me. | ||
- | How pure, at vesper-time, | ||
- | God gave me hills to climb And strength for climbing. | ||
- | Arthur Guiterman. | ||
- | H E | ||
- | 0 A R | ||
- | HAVE U D of the enthusiast who, rather than miss the | ||
- | train for a walk on a recent Sunday, did a thing that, as far as we know, has not been done before in the annals of the Club, even by those who do things that are "not done"? This young man left home in a swanky Northern Suburb, attired only in shirt, shorts, and bedroom slippers! | ||
- | 0 | ||
- | R | ||
- | of the other young man who went out in the dark to chop wood and marvelled at the | + | |
- | bluntness of the axe? Its owner found it next morning with its leather sheath chopped | + | =====WIFF’S GOLD FOSSICKING STUNT===== |
- | - 10 - | + | |
- | KATOOMBA | + | All plans set in my head, no compass or maps, I set off with two good pack carriers - Les Hadfield and Alex Ritchie for Katoomba, with over 60 lbs each including a heavyweight pick, shovel and dish.\\ |
- | OUR EASTER TRIP. By One of the Trippers. | + | |
- | The trip may be said to have commenced with the journey from Sydney to Katoomba in a painfully overcrowded train - so much so, in fact, that when the passengers were piled on top of each other three deep (believe it or not), there was still no room for all their luggage, despite the generous facilities provided by the Government in the shape of about a dozen luggage racks quite 15" long. The train conductor had nothing but scorn for those sarcastic individuals who maintained that fifty or sixty suit cases could not be placed thereon, and, to show what he thought of the capacity of a carriage, even went so far as to order all the ladies inside off the train platform, under penalty of being put off. Three of our party of eight responded to this edict, and travelled warmly in the carriage - the other five travelled incognito (a Latin term meaning "out in the cold" | + | We arrived at Katoomba at 11 o' |
- | There are several interesting tales we could tell, if we chose, regarding that train trip. Have you heard the one about the commercial traveller and that Aythological | + | |
- | Ratoomba | + | Up early and reduced our weight a couple of lbs. I mean the packs. We set our course for Glen Raphael and arrived in time for dinner.\\ |
- | It was a beautiful, glittering night - clear as a mountain stream, and the stars seemed to snap with the cold. We made our way along Narrow Neck, while the wind blew up from the valleys and made our noses and ears tingle, and the spray from an adjacent waterfall blew up from the dark depths, to descend on UB like rain. The gleam of the camp fires up the hill in the distance welcomed us to our camp site, and we were soon encamped and tucke& | + | |
- | (This latter remark refers to our bedding, and not to cur evening meal. or the sake of brevity I have left out the eating and tooth cleaning details and packed the whole party off to bed straightaway.) Nor will I do more than lightly touch on the fact that one of our party - a novice - spent practically the whole of the night " | + | We counted 42 Hikers going over Clear Hill, so the hill will soon be worn away. A solitary tent was there and I knew it belonged to the Duke of Clear Hill as everything was square. He was out.\\ |
- | hole. | + | |
- | The early bird arose and whet his bill -- The early worm arose, an easy prey -- But, early as they were, we on the Hill Arose 'ere bird or worm arose next daye | + | After dinner I took my pals over to the edge and explained the country, told them what to do if they got lost and also told them where the gold was and all they had to do was to go back to camp and peel of their clothes and lay on the ground sheet in the sun and dream about all the gold that was in the Mountains.\\ |
+ | |||
+ | Just on dusk the Duke arrived with all his clothes in his pack and only his boots on. Informal greetings were exchanged and he told me that a certain Bushwalker was annoyed because he was making the bush safe for the Hikers. I wonder who sold this Pommy our bush so he could have it for himself. I think it a splendid action of the Duke to consider other people and let them enjoy the pleasures of his domain.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | We set off on Good Saturday morning over Clear Hill and down the Duke's ladders (Tarros Ladders) and along the ridge until we got thirsty, so we headed down to Carlons Crossing at Breakfast Creek. As it was too cold on top we decided to have our first wash here and brought out the soap and had a good clean up, dinner and another sunbake and dream till tea time.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Next day, Good Sunday, we decided to collect some of the gold instead of going to church although we heard the bell-birds ringing. We washed here and there along the creek, chased a rabbit, fell over and took a chip out of my knee, and then decided it was dinner time. Alec had a ready cooked fowl which we soon made a mess of and told him he ought to have brought two instead of one. Les shot two cockies for tea. I put them on at once to stew as they looked about 100 years old. I was right, they turned out tougher than my crepe soles. So we never interfered with Cocky anymore, only when we were asleep he troubled us after a heavy tea.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | We decided there was no gold there and packed up on Good Monday and made tracks for the back of Mt. Mouin. Very rough and poor camp sites. We camped on a ridge with a small waterhole in the creek. Tuesday we explored the creek down for about a mile before we struck water and had dinner, then tried our hand with the dish. I had a powerful magnifying glass but could not see any colour. Back to camp and set off in the morning for Mt. Merrigal; we did not like the look of him and went off down a creek to try and get to Breakfast Creek; first water we camped.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | You know I have a weakness for water so can't go past any. Les and Alec explored the creeks around and said it was too rough to take our packs dawn. I cooked them a full course tea. In the morning set off to find a way dawn and had to climb over some very rough country.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | I never blazed any trees as I did not know when I was going to get lost and did not want other Bushwalkers to follow me. After 2 hours hard going we slipped down between two creeks, first water of course I camped. Usual sunbake and exploration and washing for gold and ourselves took up the afternoon. We saw 6 Wallabies and shut our eyes when a flock of Cockies went past - no more cocky-stew.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Next morning we arrived in Breakfast Creek, not far from Carlons. Washed a few dishes but no result, dined and made tracks down the creek to a well-known camping ground. We had to stuff the food away as it did not appear to be getting lighter quickly enough. I had overstocked in the hope of getting lost, but no such luck in that part. There are too many landmarks, you can't dodge them. Saturday being the end of the week we decided to wash ourselves instead of washing dirt.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | I had my bath and was dry when Alec asked me to get back in the water to take my photo. It was a bit too much, you know the temperature of Breakfast Creek at this time of the year. I obliged and got rheumatics.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sunday we went in to the Coxs and found our first gold under that part of the mountains named after me - Knight' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Over-eating made me call off food for two meals and I don't want to see any rice and bacon until next camp I go on. Our mission of locating gold carried out, Monday we set off upstream until we got bushed at the junction of Little River. A very annoyed chap came along and told us we had no right on his private property and did we see the notice " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Rabbits by the hundreds here, shot two for a stew. Another bath in the morning and the razor was got to work on two weeks' growth. I looked 85 before I took it off and did not want to go home a grandfather. Next experience I got when I left the Church in Megalong. I got lost and found myself going out to Carlon’s again. I cut across the paddocks for about a mile before we struck the road to the old Pub site. We came up Nellies Glen in the morning and home to Sydney. I have earned more gold in day in Sydney than I would make in the Mountains in a year. So ends my first gold hunt. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | =====THE CARILLON===== | ||
+ | "May is here," came the message,\\ | ||
+ | Wafted from the mountain dells,\\ | ||
+ | " | ||
+ | It is time you came, Hell's Belles." | ||
+ | |||
+ | So those five maids in the city,\\ | ||
+ | Heard the message, loud and clear, | ||
+ | Hoisted packs, and sang this ditty, | ||
+ | "We are coming, mountains dear." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Soon we’ll walk along your bush tracks,\\ | ||
+ | Climb your rock mountain peaks,\\ | ||
+ | Scramble down through gorge and rock cracks,\\ | ||
+ | Bathe in your dear crystal creeks." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "By the camp fire, laze each evening,\\ | ||
+ | Listening to the night birds call;\\ | ||
+ | Countless stars above us gleaming,\\ | ||
+ | 'Tis the life that will not pall." | ||
+ | |||
+ | W.B.L.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | There was a young lady named Fannie\\ | ||
+ | Whose ways were most uncanny;\\ | ||
+ | She went down the Grose\\ | ||
+ | And injured her toes,\\ | ||
+ | And now she walks like a grannie.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ken Matthews.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ======MITTAGONG WOLLONDILLY RIVER WARRAGAMBA PENRITH====== | ||
+ | ====EASTER 1929==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | This was a very early trip in the annals of the Club; a very good one, with much excitement. The party entrained on Thursday afternoon for Mittagong and a dark camp was struck on the border of the Municipality. We were escorted there, together with another Club party, which was going down the Upper Nattai, by the Town Clerk of Mittagong, who saw us safely encamped and then departed.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | The first night: Very unpleasant, waterymoon, light showers, cold wind, no fire. It might be worth mentioning that camping was not as luxurious as it is these days. Eiderdowns were unheard of, ruck sacks had just made their appearance, Billy hooks were still fencing wire, and consequently space was at a premium and luxuries few. The morning ushered in a beautiful day and the party clambered aboard a motor lorry which conveyed them 8 miles to Burragorang Lookout. This is a very good lookout. The valley lies at ones feet and unfolds itself into the distance to be arrested by the walls of Kings Tableland.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Our first job was to identify the immediate foreground with the parish map in our leader' | ||
+ | |||
+ | We reached the river shortly after lunch when the pleasure of our trip commenced. After a mile of rock hopping the river banks widened out and cattle tracks made the going pleasant. The end of the first day found us at Burnt Flat Creek, which is a good camp site abounding in rabbits and covered in thick grass which makes good beds.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | The second day found us following the Wollondilly which is an extremely beautiful river and the going was good. Towards evening, we came to signs of civilization, | ||
+ | |||
+ | The third morning was heralded with a dense fog. Owing to the ravages of blisters it was necessary to leave three of the party behind. This day was really most interesting. Our way led from the Upper Burragorang to the lower, through country known, but still beautiful, on hard roads, the saving feature of the day being a meal of stewed quinces and cream obtained by various means from farms passed en route. \\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | The fourth day found us early on the track down the famous Warragamba Gorge which hitherto had been described as impossible. We hugged the Western bank and fought gamely for some hours with all that nature could provide in the form of obstacles. To add to our discomfort we were hunting three steers, in a dubious state of health, which kept about three yards ahead of us all the way.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Monkey Creek was reached about 11 a.m. after a very hard struggle. Here we were to cross the river and follow the track into Silverdale, but owing to the amount of water in the river, it was impossible to cross. Many methods were tried. We used every ounce of ingenuity and took many risks but still the river won. When all seemed lost a canoe was discovered high up a tree where some flood had deposited it. When it was finally landed it was full of holes and consequently useless; we were back where we started until someone thought of the brilliant idea of placing the canoe in the tent. It worked.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | The remaining part of the trip was tragedy, caused by lost time & tiredness. We missed the last car from Silverdale, caught the last train from Penrith and finally got home. It was a wonderful trip and one in which we were well pleased and satisfied.\\ | ||
+ | //PEDO.// | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | =====LITERARY EXPLORATIONS===== | ||
+ | Now that the cool weather has set in, most people on long trips will spend more time climbing hills than bathing in our mountain streams, so I think the following verses, which express so well what we have all felt on conquering a height, are most appropriate to the present season. | ||
+ | //Brenda White.// | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====HILLS==== | ||
+ | I never loved your plains,\\ | ||
+ | Your gentle valleys,\\ | ||
+ | Your drowsy, country lanes\\ | ||
+ | And pleached alleys.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | I want my hills! - the trail\\ | ||
+ | That scorns the hollow.\\ | ||
+ | Up, up the ragged shale\\ | ||
+ | Where few will follow.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Up - over wooded crest\\ | ||
+ | And mossy boulder\\ | ||
+ | With strong thigh, heaving chest\\ | ||
+ | And swinging shoulder.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | So let me hold my way\\ | ||
+ | By nothing halted,\\ | ||
+ | Until at close of day\\ | ||
+ | I stand, exalted.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | High on my hills of dream -\\ | ||
+ | Dear hills that know me\\ | ||
+ | And then how fair will seem\\ | ||
+ | The lands below me.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | How pure, at vesper-time, | ||
+ | The far bells chiming\\ | ||
+ | God gave me hills to climb\\ | ||
+ | And strength for climbing.\\ | ||
+ | //Arthur Guiterman.// | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **HAVE YOU HEARD** of the enthusiast who, rather than miss the train for a walk on a recent Sunday, did a thing that, as far as we know, has not been done before in the annals of the Club, even by those who do things that are "not done"? This young man left home in a swanky Northern Suburb, attired only in shirt, shorts, and bedroom slippers!\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | OR\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | of the other young man who went out in the dark to chop wood and marvelled at the bluntness of the axe? It’s | ||
+ | |||
+ | ======KATOOMBA CLEAR HILL COX RIVER KEDUMBA | ||
+ | =====OUR EASTER TRIP=====\\ | ||
+ | //By One of the Trippers.// | ||
+ | |||
+ | The trip may be said to have commenced with the journey from Sydney to Katoomba in a painfully overcrowded train - so much so, in fact, that when the passengers were piled on top of each other three deep (believe it or not). There was still no room for all their luggage, despite the generous facilities provided by the Government in the shape of about a dozen luggage racks quite 15" long. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The train conductor had nothing but scorn for those sarcastic individuals who maintained that fifty or sixty suit cases could not be placed thereon, and, to show what he thought of the capacity of a carriage, even went so far as to order all the ladies inside off the train platform, under penalty of being put off. Three of our party of eight responded to this edict, and travelled warmly in the carriage - the other five travelled incognito (a Latin term meaning "out in the cold" | ||
+ | |||
+ | There are several interesting tales we could tell, if we chose, regarding that train trip. Have you heard the one about the commercial traveller and that mythological | ||
+ | |||
+ | Thinking he was beseeching coppers a kindly fellow-sufferer threw him a penny. It is worthy of note that he scorned | ||
+ | |||
+ | We could also tell the tale of the three men who dashed off the train at every stopping place and raced up and dawn the platform in an endeavour to bring back the warmth of life to their chilled anatomy. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Katoomba | ||
+ | |||
+ | A discreet manager ushered | ||
+ | |||
+ | It was a beautiful, glittering night - clear as a mountain stream, and the stars seemed to snap with the cold. We made our way along Narrowneck, while the wind blew up from the valleys and made our noses and ears tingle, and the spray from an adjacent waterfall blew up from the dark depths, to descend on us like rain. The gleam of the camp fires up the hill in the distance welcomed us to our camp site, and we were soon encamped and tucked | ||
+ | |||
+ | (This latter remark refers to our bedding, and not to our evening meal. or the sake of brevity I have left out the eating and tooth cleaning details and packed the whole party off to bed straightaway.) Nor will I do more than lightly touch on the fact that one of our party - a novice - spent practically the whole of the night " | ||
+ | |||
+ | The early bird arose and whet his bill | ||
+ | The early worm arose, an easy prey | ||
+ | But, early as they were, we on the Hill | ||
+ | Arose 'ere bird or worm arose next day. | ||
Which little poetic divagation is meant to convey to the mind of the :reader that we were up before the dawn, breakfasted and away bright and early. | Which little poetic divagation is meant to convey to the mind of the :reader that we were up before the dawn, breakfasted and away bright and early. | ||
- | An interesting and exciting little interlude in our morning' | + | |
- | After leaving this child of Nature (who, I bight state, barely waited for us to be out of sight before reverting to his back-to--Nature garb), we followed the trail to Clear Hill and had a highly exciting time getting the party and the packs over the edge of the precipide | + | An interesting and exciting little interlude in our morning' |
- | The next day was spent following the Cox along, till we reached Kanangra Clearing early in the afternoon. Here we pitched camp and spent the afternoon swimming in the many beautiful pools of the Cox and the Kanangra. Then the girls | + | |
- | of the party sunbaked on the warm rocks, while the Yiddish males exerted themselves | + | After leaving this child of Nature (who, I might state, barely waited for us to be out of sight before reverting to his back-to-Nature garb), we followed the trail to Clear Hill and had a highly exciting time getting the party and the packs over the edge of the precipice |
- | chopped down a tall dead tree, for firewood, and when it dropped a dear little bat, smelling strongly of musk, fell out of the hollow trunk. He was uninjured and soon flew away in the gloom. | + | |
- | Next day saw us again proceeding along the Cox. Time and space will not allow me to tell of the beauties of this walk. Those who have been there will be | + | The next day was spent following the Cox along, till we reached Kanangra Clearing early in the afternoon. Here we pitched camp and spent the afternoon swimming in the many beautiful pools of the Cox and the Kanangra. Then the girls of the party sunbaked on the warm rocks, while the Yiddish males exerted themselves |
- | ale to visuaiise | + | |
- | might was pitched down by Kills' | + | Next day saw us again proceeding along the Cox. Time and space will not allow me to tell of the beauties of this walk. Those who have been there will be able to visualise |
- | lope we are not unchristian, | + | |
- | Time flies, and this is the last day of our trip. We spent to-day climbing up the Kedumba Pass, and revelled | + | Our camp on the last night was pitched down by Kills' |
- | for the others to arrive. Then we made our way to the Wentworth Falls Sanatorium | + | hope we are not unchristian, |
- | where we "wet our whistles", | + | |
- | - 12 - | + | Time flies, and this is the last day of our trip. We spent to-day climbing up the Kedumba Pass, and reveled |
- | I mean the tank, -- the marble bar came later when we reached Wentworth Palls and made a bee-line for the hotel. Our mythological lady here made us well aware that she belonged to a day and generation not our own by asking for malted milk in the bar. The bar-tender | + | |
- | I'll GOING DOWN THE GROSE. | + | Then we made our way to the Wentworth Falls Sanatorium where we "wet our whistles", |
- | (Tune: "PM going to Maximo' | + | |
- | I'm going down the Grose, | + | Our mythological lady here made us well aware that she belonged to a day and generation not our own by asking for malted milk in the bar. The bartender |
- | I'm through with work and woes.. The flies will buzz and greet me, | + | |
- | The ' | + | |
- | Tramp, | + | =====I'M GOING DOWN THE GROSE===== |
- | Look outl Hop upl Can do . I'm going off a-Grose-bag, | + | |
- | And you may all come toot D.L. | + | //Tune: "I’m going to Maxime' |
- | 41.M.11.41, | + | |
- | THE EASTER QUASI-OFFICIAL ALONG THE /WM. | + | I'm going down the Grose,\\ |
- | By Dorman Long. | + | I'm through with work and woes\\ |
- | "Quasi-" is a very convenient prefix, with its apologetic meaning of as it were", and is used especially by lawyers, when either they do not mean exactly what they say, or else know not what to say. Be that as it may, Vic. Thorsen' | + | The flies will buzz and greet me,\\ |
- | To my mind, two incidents of the trip commend themselves above all others | + | The ' |
- | -13 - | + | Tramp, |
- | for special mention. The first was that of the midnight walk from Aylmerton, on the Main Southern Line, to Hilltop, on the Loop Line, rendered necessary | + | Look out, Hop up Can do\\ |
- | Speed in walking was a subject which engaged my more serious meditation during a large part of the journey. Why does not the speed-demon | + | I'm going off a-Grose-ing\\ |
- | Nor were we without our minor misfortunes. One of them befell Vic. Thorsen himself, ' | + | And you may all come too!\\ |
- | -14- | + | //D.L.// |
- | night ' | + | |
- | resat was a limping figure, with only one shoe an, and a leg swollen with bandages | + | =====THE EASTER QUASI-OFFICIAL ALONG THE NATTAI==== |
- | and Books, like that of a frost-bitten, | + | //By Dorman Long// |
- | rendered conspicuous. At once he got to work, and from the innermost recesses of | + | |
- | his pack produced the strangest compounds, applying each in turn to his submissive victim, who endured all with remarkable fortitude, I thus came to be reminded of a certain charlatan who, after giving me a potion to drink ostensibly for the purpose of curing a cold, suddenly apologized for administering a remedy intended for in-growing | + | " |
- | Camp-fire | + | |
- | " | + | Then, again, there was strongly apparent that outstanding feature of an official trip, that it collected the residuum of the Club's membership after the private parties had taken their toll. Right from the very inception the party gained in numerical strength, until at the close of the journey it had increased almost onehundredfold, |
- | insist on being carried across the river, A snapshot, taken by one of our more enterprising photographers, | + | |
- | her guilt. The weather, moreover, was mperfect | + | First of all, Jean Malcolm and I, having had to abandon the visit to Michelago by reason of an untimely accident to Marie Byle's ambulatory |
- | occupants preferring to sleep around the camp fire, thereby causing much chagrin | + | |
- | to the few conscientious tent-duellers, who had to wake with them at dawn, because of their infernal chatter. | + | To my mind, two incidents of the trip commend themselves above all other for special mention. The first was that of the midnight walk from Aylmerton, on the Main Southern Line, to Hilltop, on the Loop Line, rendered necessary |
- | old story about the joke the Irish once played on the Scotch, the humour of which the latter have to this day failed to see. | + | |
- | 15 - | + | The second incident was that of the first morning' |
- | HOW MUCH DOES YOUR KIT WEIGH? | + | |
- | Some folks do not mind a bit if their packs weigh about 60 lbs for a week-end | + | Nature' |
- | The problem is, - how can it be reduced? | + | |
- | The best plan is to spend an evening weighing your camping gear. Pack your rucksaok | + | Speed in walking was a subject which engaged my more serious meditation during a large part of the journey. Why does not the speed-demon |
- | You will probably find that the weight can be reduced in one, or both, of two ways, namely:.. | + | |
- | 1, By leaving non-essentials at home. | + | Nor were we without our minor misfortunes. One of them befell Vic. Thorsen himself. After dinner, |
- | 2. By cutting | + | |
- | With a little care and judicious pruning, several pounds can generally be cut off the weight of one's gear without sacrificing safety or comfort. When two are working in together, it is possible to get the weight down to | + | It was while we were preparing the night’s camp that Vic all of a sudden remembered depositing his purse at the dining-place. Consequently, |
- | 17 lbs and less. The average person can live quite well on 2 pounds of food per day (provided the right stuff is taken) so that there is really no necessity to carry enormous loads for a week-end, or even a week' | + | |
- | Paddy Pallin is only too pleased to discuss the problem of weight with anyone who is interested, His gear is designed to give the lightest weight for the maximum utility, and he will tell you the weight of any article he sells, from a tent peg to a rucksack. | + | At once he got to work, and from the innermost recesses of his pack produced the strangest compounds, applying each in turn to his submissive victim, who endured all with remarkable fortitude. I thus came to be reminded of a certain charlatan who, after giving me a potion to drink ostensibly for the purpose of curing a cold, suddenly apologized for administering a remedy intended for in-growing |
- | "Count every ounce every ounce counts," | + | |
- | COLD WEATHER SPECIALS: | + | Campfire |
- | A Word, to Married Couples: Double Sleeping Bags are very snug this cold weather. One-stuffed with pure dawn costs 0:10:0 and weighs 5 lbs. This makes an excellent single bed quilt. | + | |
- | A double bed quilt covered in a plain coloured material is useful at home or in camp, Pure Down - 3:5:0. | + | Nevertheless, |
- | PALLIN, | + | |
- | 312 George St. SYDNEY. | + | " |
- | PHONE - B3101. (Above Hallam' | + | |
- | -16- | + | The weather, moreover, was so perfect |
- | TRAVELLING DE-LUXE-O. | + | |
- | "Oh, to think of it - oh, to dream of it". Cruising the Pacific Ocean an a 22,000 ton liner! Of course, to us seasoned | + | =====HOW MUCH DOES YOUR KIT WEIGH?===== |
- | We boarded the boat at about 3.30 p.m., and then started a round of handshakes and "Haw-do-you-do' | + | Some folks do not mind a bit if their packs weigh about 60 lbs (27kg) |
- | As the chimes of 4 p.m. floated down from the G.P.O., an almost imperceptible widening of the gap between the boat and the wharf Commenced. -III- We are now | + | |
- | under way! Watching the tugs turn the boat round - seeing Sydney from a new angle - and the realisation that we had actually started! All this, unfortunately, | + | The problem is, how can it be reduced? |
- | afternoon tea out of one's mind, and one realised this when it was too late. More | + | |
- | folk one knew kept bobbing up, and greetings were exchanged. | + | The best plan is to spend an evening weighing your camping gear. Pack your rucksack |
- | Soon we were passing Garden Island, | + | |
- | Watson' | + | You will probably find that the weight can be reduced in one, or both, of two ways, namely: |
- | into the dinghy. Next came lifeboat drill. All the passengers were lined up with the lifebelts from their cabins securely tied around their shoulders in the | + | |
- | approved style. We were all given instructions what to do in case of emergency and haw to prepare for a sudden wreck or fire. A few more of the 1200 passengers came into view, in which one met one or two more friends. The boat already seemed chock-a-block with friends and aoquaintftances. After watching the gulls flying round for some while, we went dawn below to spruce up for dinner. | + | 1. By leaving non-essentials at home. |
- | Dinner was quite a delightful affair, being served in the palatial dining saloon, with its cream wooden panels, | + | By cutting |
- | Now one repaired to the free talkies. These were shown in an enclose& | + | |
- | Breakfast | + | With a little care and judicious pruning, several pounds can generally be cut off the weight of one's gear without sacrificing safety or comfort. When two are working in together, it is possible to get the weight down to 17 lbs (7.7kgs) |
- | Mr. Mallardi, of Harrington' | + | |
- | - 17 - | + | Those who are new to tramping camps should watch with care the weight of any new gear that they purchase and should go carefully into the pros and cons of every proposed addition, for too often does it happen that new gear is bought and has later to be replaced on account of its excessive weight or some other defect. |
- | breaking on to the ceiling. During the pool was filled to its normal depth of 7 swimming pool was a constant attraction, | + | |
- | The rest of the day was spent in eating, | + | Paddy Pallin is only too pleased to discuss the problem of weight with anyone who is interested. His gear is designed to give the lightest weight for the maximum utility, and he will tell you the weight of any article he sells, from a tent peg to a rucksack. |
- | The next day was Sunday. On Sunday everyone was feeling bright and cheery., The sea had calmed down, but it had started to rain lightly. A choir was enlisted to assist with the Christmas morning service, The choir very shortly developed into a community singing effort, with ballet as an interlude. Those who were pacing the deok were asked would they join the choir or the ballet. If it was the ballet they had their legs measured, and were put aside for further reference. | + | |
- | This interlude was broken up rather hastily by the serving of morning tea. The prospects of having three or four,, ice creams, or as many as one wanted, simply for the asking, tempted us all. | + | "Count every ounce every ounce counts." |
- | At 11 o' | + | |
+ | **COLD WEATHER SPECIALS:** Down Sleeping Bags have less bulk and weight than blankets and much more warmth. Complete in waterproof bag - 40/- and 45/- | ||
+ | |||
+ | **A Word, to Married Couples:** Double Sleeping Bags are very snug this cold weather. One-stuffed with pure down costs 3 pounds:10:0 and weighs 5 lbs (2.2kgs). This makes an excellent single bed quilt. | ||
+ | |||
+ | A double bed quilt covered in a plain coloured material is useful at home or in camp. Pure Down 3pounds:5:0.\\ | ||
+ | //F. A. PALLIN//\\ | ||
+ | //312 George St. SYDNEY.//\\ | ||
+ | //PHONE - B3101.//\\ | ||
+ | //(Above Hallam' | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | =====TRAVELLING DE-LUXE-O===== | ||
+ | "Oh, to think of it - oh, to dream of it". Cruising the Pacific Ocean on a 22,000 ton liner! Of course, to us seasoned | ||
+ | |||
+ | We boarded the boat at about 3.30 p.m., and then started a round of handshakes and "How-do-you-do' | ||
+ | |||
+ | As the chimes of 4 p.m. floated down from the G.P.O., an almost imperceptible widening of the gap between the boat and the wharf commenced!! | ||
+ | |||
+ | Soon we were passing Garden Island, | ||
+ | Watson' | ||
+ | |||
+ | A few more of the 1,200 passengers came into view, in which one met one or two more friends. The boat already seemed chock-a-block with friends and acquaintances. After watching the gulls flying round for some while, we went down below to spruce up for dinner. | ||
+ | ‘ | ||
+ | Dinner was quite a delightful affair, being served in the palatial dining saloon, with it’s | ||
+ | |||
+ | Now one repaired to the free talkies. These were shown in an enclosed | ||
+ | |||
+ | Next came dancing | ||
+ | |||
+ | Breakfast | ||
+ | |||
+ | Mr. Mallard, of Harrington' | ||
+ | |||
+ | At about 7.30 there was 3 ft, of water in the pool which created a boiling surf, the dumpers breaking on to the ceiling. During | ||
+ | |||
+ | The rest of the day was spent in eating, | ||
+ | |||
+ | The next day was Sunday. On Sunday everyone was feeling bright and cheery., The sea had calmed down, but it had started to rain lightly. A choir was enlisted to assist with the Christmas morning service, The choir very shortly developed into a community singing effort, with ballet as an interlude. Those who were pacing the deck were asked would they join the choir or the ballet. If it was the ballet they had their legs measured, and were put aside for further reference. | ||
+ | |||
+ | This interlude was broken up rather hastily by the serving of morning tea. The prospects of having three or four ice creams, or as many as one wanted, simply for the asking, tempted us all. | ||
+ | |||
+ | At 11 o' | ||
Christmas Dinner. At the foot of the stairs, and outside the dining room, tables were arranged literally covered with the viands of all kinds. Boars' heads, barons of beef, pheasants, complete with heads, feathers and tails; hams decorated with edible sugar flowers; and some of the 69 Christmas cakes, and in the middle of it all, a large Santa Claus, with traditional decorations of holly, etc. | Christmas Dinner. At the foot of the stairs, and outside the dining room, tables were arranged literally covered with the viands of all kinds. Boars' heads, barons of beef, pheasants, complete with heads, feathers and tails; hams decorated with edible sugar flowers; and some of the 69 Christmas cakes, and in the middle of it all, a large Santa Claus, with traditional decorations of holly, etc. | ||
- | Here it WAS that I asked the waiter for lemon ice, being a brand of ice cream. He promptly sent the drinks waiter to me, whom I did not want, so called the steward again and explained that it was food, not drink, that I required. The waiters are all Indians from Goa. The afternoon passed quietly, and then about 5 o' | + | |
- | We dressed for dinner, and then went down to the saloon. Here the Christmas spirit was abroad. Large paper caps for all and bch-boas on the tables. Again we had traditional Christmas fare, roast pork, plum puddings, mince pies, and a host of other delicacies.. During dinner, tiny streamers were distributed. These the diners used to loop themselves together, and then to loop the neighbouring tables in with them also. Dinner and all its fun being over, we retired for coffee in the lounge, and then, as the carpet had been taken up from the centre of the room, we dame& | + | Here it was that I asked the waiter for lemon ice, being a brand of ice cream. He promptly sent the drinks waiter to me, whom I did not want, so called the steward again and explained that it was food, not drink, that I required. The waiters are all Indians from Goa. |
- | A. busy but delightful Xmas Day was over. | + | |
- | Mouldy. | + | The afternoon passed quietly, and then about 5 o' |
- | day, however, the sea calmed down, and the ft. of water, sloping down to 9 ft. The | + | |
- | Trit'z practically always some folks enjoy | + | We dressed for dinner, and then went down to the saloon. Here the Christmas spirit was abroad. Large paper caps for all and bon-bons on the tables. Again we had traditional Christmas fare, roast pork, plum puddings, mince pies, and a host of other delicacies. During dinner, tiny streamers were distributed. These the diners used to loop themselves together, and then to loop the neighbouring tables in with them also. |
- | - | + | |
- | - 18 - | + | Dinner and all its fun being over, we retired for coffee in the lounge, and then, as the carpet had been taken up from the centre of the room, we danced |
- | EASTER HOLIDAY TRIP, 1933. (From the Diary of Chas Pryde), | + | |
- | THURSDAY, | + | A busy but delightful Xmas Day was over. |
- | FRIDAY, | + | |
- | SATURDAY, | + | //Mouldy.// |
- | SUNDAY, 16th. - Broke camp at 9 a.m. and started up the Cox in good form. Just beyond Breakfast Creek we cane on Paddy and Mrs. Pallia | + | |
- | -19- | + | |
- | landed them on Breakfast Creek. One of their party had been on the lookout for the pack as it belonged to a friend of his and recovered 30/- and some other odds and ends. What a blow that we did not go through it systematically. It had fallen over the cliffs and the owner could not find it. Paddy' | + | =====EASTER HOLIDAY TRIP, 1933===== |
- | We pushed on to Harry' | + | ====From the Diary of Chas Pryde==== |
- | MONDAY, 17th. - All up about 6.15 a.m. as I made a big noise with a billy & stick. All revelled in a good bath with nice sparkling water running over granite rocks. Left camp at 9.15 and made good time to the Junction and then started leisurely up Black Jerry' | + | |
- | THE RISE AND DECLINE OF THE BEGEMILKERS. | + | **THURSDAY, |
- | By Historioa. | + | Left home at 4.45 p.m with about a 40lb (18kg) |
- | I was unfortunately not in Australia when the Sydney Bushwalkers' | + | |
- | ano a& i made a big noise with a billy & stick. ______, | + | Our lot - W & P. Roots, W & E. McQueen, Peter & Ray besides myself got together. Terrible jam in train (6.12pm) which started some minutes late. Everybody however, seemed to get in and we took spells of standing and sitting. At Katoomba the train almost emptied and the station was crowded with people arriving and those looking for friends. |
- | All revelled in a good bath with nice sparkling water running over granite rocks. Left camp at 9.15 and made good tine to the Junction and then started leisurely up Black Jerry' | + | |
- | THE RISE AND DECLINE OF THE BUSHWALKERS. | + | Wally Roots and I weighed our packs, he had 42 lbs (19kgs) |
- | By Historica. | + | |
- | was unfortunately not in Australia when the Sydney Bushwalkers' | + | **FRIDAY, |
- | Although their numbers were few, their thoughts, manners and actions were widely known and noted and their fame very soon became firmly established. One story alone will suffice. | + | Got a start on about 7 a.m. and went for a couple of miles to a gully where we saw Joe Perritt of MTC (Mountain Trails Club) and had breakfast there. Quite a number of parties passed us there, among them Wiff and two others going for a fortnight’s |
- | it was starting to drizzle. In a short while they perceived a party of true blue he-man hikers approaching in the opposite direction. They were dressed in shorts and had business-like | + | |
- | drew nearer the Flannel Flower badge marked them as being of the famous Bushwalkers Immediately this was perceived, " | + | Taro started to put up his wire ladder down the chimney |
- | When the two parties met, the leader of the Bushwalkers ceased beating his chest, put a severe frown upon his face and spoke forth: " | + | |
- | -20 - | + | **SATURDAY, |
- | Audley north six degrees west Ili- miles, thence Bundeena direction not yet chartedAll | + | Did not get a start on until about 11 a.m. as all slept well and we had a long way to go for water, and then made our way round the foot of Mt Mouin and Mt Warrigal where we lunched. Very poor country about here - trees small and stunted - there is a great mixture of rock sandstone, conglomerate and up-ended shale with occasional patches of gravelly |
- | attendng the theatre in the company of one of the umbrella-bearers and chancing to look over the heads of those in front, she remarked pleasantly: "Why, I do believe that that is a party of Bushwalkers | + | |
- | I quote this little incident just to show you haw great was the fame and wonder of the early Bushwalkers. It is sad to relate that the seriousness of the pioneers was not followed faithfully in after years when walking became only one of the minor functions of the Club, subservient entirely to the major ones of camping, cooking, eating and bathing. It is true that certain members still went for strenuous tramps carrying enormous packs, but these were the exceptiont | + | Just below Knights |
- | One of their poets, | + | |
- | "Place me on Era's rocky steep, | + | **SUNDAY, 16th March**\\ |
- | Where nought beside the waves and I | + | Broke camp at 9 a.m. and started up the Cox in good form. Just beyond Breakfast Creek we came on Paddy and Mrs. Pallin |
- | May hear our mutual murmurs weep. | + | |
- | There swanlike let me sing and diet | + | We pushed on to Harrys (Jenolan) |
- | And Club of cooks accursed shall bet | + | |
- | Dash down you frying pan and teal" | + | At Little River, on Peter' |
- | . . . | + | |
- | ON THE SHDALHAVEN. | + | **MONDAY, 17th March** |
+ | |||
+ | Started off again at 2 p.m. and made up the "Devils | ||
+ | |||
+ | ======THE RISE AND DECLINE OF THE BUSHWALKERS====== | ||
+ | //By Historica// | ||
+ | |||
+ | I was unfortunately not in Australia when the Sydney Bushwalkers Club was founded, but various faithful reports were given to me on my return and there is no doubt that in its inception its members were serious and earnest in outlook. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It was probably for this reason that they chose the Flannel Flower for their badge, the white blossom of a pure and blameless life, which was to cause them so much concern when it was afterwards taken by a certain religious body as the symbol for Mothers Day. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Although their numbers were few, their thoughts, manners and actions were widely known and noted and their fame very soon became firmly established. One story alone will suffice. | ||
+ | |||
+ | When the two parties met, the leader of the Bushwalkers ceased beating his chest, put a severe frown upon his face and spoke forth: " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Later, a certain Miss Smith was attendng the theatre in the company of one of the umbrella-bearers and chancing to look over the heads of those in front, she remarked pleasantly: "Why, I do believe that that is a party of Bushwalkers | ||
+ | |||
+ | I quote this little incident just to show you haw great was the fame and wonder of the early Bushwalkers. It is sad to relate that the seriousness of the pioneers was not followed faithfully in after years when walking became only one of the minor functions of the Club, subservient entirely to the major ones of camping, cooking, eating and bathing. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It is true that certain members still went for strenuous tramps carrying enormous packs, but these were the exception | ||
+ | |||
+ | Then in the evening the camp fire would be enlarged and they would all lounge round it listening to various members singing | ||
+ | |||
+ | One of their poets, | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Place me on Era's rocky steep,\\ | ||
+ | Where nought beside the waves and I\\ | ||
+ | May hear our mutual murmurs weep.\\ | ||
+ | There swanlike let me sing and diet\\ | ||
+ | And Club of cooks accursed shall bet\\ | ||
+ | Dash down you frying pan and tea!\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ======ON THE SHOALHAVEN====== | ||
It strikes me that a representative of nearly every Easter trip has sent in a write-up so, as none of the other Bargers has had the time, energy or whatnot (as our friend Mouldy would say) I suppose it's up to me to say what we did and where we went. | It strikes me that a representative of nearly every Easter trip has sent in a write-up so, as none of the other Bargers has had the time, energy or whatnot (as our friend Mouldy would say) I suppose it's up to me to say what we did and where we went. | ||
- | In the first place, we were honoured by the presence of the Club's President in the party, but did you ever see a less " | + | |
- | Of course, on Easter Thursday night the Railway authorities excelled themselves as regards | + | In the first place, we were honoured by the presence of the Club's President in the party, but did you ever see a less " |
- | -21 - | + | |
- | little four-legged chappie joined us right at the start. It really | + | Of course, on Easter Thursday night the Railway authorities excelled themselves as regards |
- | (yes, Phil, including your canned horse), and Jove, he was game on the "rough stuff" | + | |
- | The weather was glorious, and so were some of the sandy beaches on the river - we took every opportunity to bathe and sunbake. As frequently happens, we had no map with Ws but that only added a blissful uncertainty to the many other attractions. | + | |
+ | The weather was glorious, and so were some of the sandy beaches on the river - we took every opportunity to bathe and sunbake. As frequently happens, we had no map with us but that only added a blissful uncertainty to the many other attractions. | ||
We killed a large death adder on Bundanoon Creek, but did not see a single black snake on the Shoalhaven, where they usually abound. | We killed a large death adder on Bundanoon Creek, but did not see a single black snake on the Shoalhaven, where they usually abound. | ||
- | We left the river at Yalwal Creek on Easter Sunday morning and went up the ridge and finally on to an old road through Grassy. Gully, where we had a look at the quartz-crushing plant with which a family of optimists hope to make their fortune in gold. We rejoined the Shoalhaven that night and camped not far from Burriar. Next day we had a long hot walk on the road into Nowra, delightfully relieved on one occasion by glasses of milk ad lib. at the ideal dairy farm - "Darrenjelle | + | |
+ | We left the river at Yalwal Creek on Easter Sunday morning and went up the ridge and finally on to an old road through Grassy Gully, where we had a look at the quartz-crushing plant with which a family of optimists hope to make their fortune in gold. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We rejoined the Shoalhaven that night and camped not far from Burriar. Next day we had a long hot walk on the road into Nowra, delightfully relieved on one occasion by glasses of milk ad lib. at the ideal dairy farm - "Barrenjella | ||
The end of the story is just sun, dust, road and more dust, plus thirst and a few blisters, and the final tragedy - the loss of our little pal " | The end of the story is just sun, dust, road and more dust, plus thirst and a few blisters, and the final tragedy - the loss of our little pal " | ||
- | Brenda White. | + | //Brenda White// |
- | SOCIAL NOTES. | + | |
- | We have rarely had a more enjoyable talk than that which was given us by Mr. A.J. (Jock) Marshall, on the 20th. April last. We were glad to welcome Jock along and are looking forward to his next appearance with pleasure and interest | + | |
- | April the 29th. was for the many Boat Race Day, but for the " | + | |
- | The Social Secretary had left May 19th. free, for a dance and frolic at the Club Rooms and despite the deluge that persisted, over 50 members turned up to trip the light fantastic and to see if they could forget how wet it well outside. | + | |
- | May the 26th. will be memorable among Bushwalkers as an entertaining evening | + | |
- | during which they listened to Tom Herbert telling of his and Harold Chardon' | + | |
- | A little bird - not so little either -whispered to me that Bushwalkers may be seeing pictures of another Canoe trip very soon. This time down the Kawmung. | + | |
- | Now that these Canoeists have been down nearly all the rivers, I would very much like | + | |
- | to suggest that they Canoe up the next one for a change. I am sure it would be ever | + | |
- | so much harder work and very likely much more thrilling. Also I would like to tell Tom and Harold that the really latest and best way of catching a duck, is in a hat a la Dunk. | + | |
- | -22 - | + | |
- | The first S.B.W. Dance of the 1933 Season was a glorious success. The | + | |
- | pretty Ballroom of the Arts Club is a very good setting for such functions and the many beautiful frocks of the girls helped to make a very pleasing scene. All were, as usual at Bushwalker Dances, in the mood to get the best possible out of the evening, and a matter for congratulation is that the attendance was one of the largest we have had for a very long time. That grasping Social Seo. of yours Will have a little more cash to add to the account in consequence. | + | |
- | We he congratulate our friend " | + | |
- | Our congratulations are extended very sincerely to Joe and Kath Turner on the recent addition to their Home and Hearth. We hope to be allowed the privilege very soon of making the acquaintance of Elizabeth Jay. Long life and happiness to her are our wishes. | + | |
- | We were surprised and pleased to see Albert Crandon - a very old one-time member and his wife - an old friend of the Bnshwalkers - in the Club Rooms an Friday last. We would like to see then there more often0 We value our old members and friends. | + | |
- | Don't neglect the 5th0 Annual Sports Day. Como and see how fast you can boil the billy (The Social Sec. will be only too glad to use the water) and run | + | |
- | . round in circles and other entertaining.things. It has been rumoured that uGriff" | + | |
- | we are looking forward to a large roll up. | + | |
- | The Social Secretary wishes Members to bear in mind the forthcoming First Annual Bushwalkerst Ball to be held at Hordern Bros. Ballroom an Thursday, July the 27th. Tickets will be available at 6/6d. each from the Social Secretary in a fortnight. | + | |
- | Rene D. Browne, | + | |
- | Social Secretary. | + | |
- | Our Social activities are extending further afield and so Walks have been arranged with the Hiking Club of Sydney and The Mountain Trails Club. The first on 9th. and 10th. September, to Lilyvale, starting from Bundeena via Marley, Garb e and Era, the leader for the week-end being Mouldy. A party led by Vie. Thorsen will leave an Sunday and join the campers. | + | |
- | The Mountain Trails Club joint walk will be led by Myles Dunphy and will take place on the 16th. and 17th. September - Way Woy to Mt. Patonga. | + | |
- | It is hoped that many will turn up an these walks and meet the members of our Companion Clubs. | + | |
- | Ed. | + | |
+ | =====SOCIAL NOTES===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | We have rarely had a more enjoyable talk than that which was given us by Mr. A.J. (Jock) Marshall, on the **20th April last.** We were glad to welcome Jock along and are looking forward to his next appearance with pleasure and interest. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **April the 29th** was for the many, Boat Race Day, but for the " | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Social Secretary had left **May 19th free**, for a dance and frolic at the Club Rooms and despite the deluge that persisted, over 50 members turned up to trip the light fantastic and to see if they could forget how wet it was outside. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **May the 26th** will be memorable among Bushwalkers as an entertaining evening | ||
+ | during which they listened to Tom Herbert telling of his and Harold Chardon' | ||
+ | |||
+ | A little bird - not so little either - whispered to me that Bushwalkers may be seeing pictures of another Canoe trip very soon. This time down the Kowmung. Now that these Canoeists have been down nearly all the rivers, I would very much like to suggest that they Canoe up the next one for a change. I am sure it would be ever so much harder work and very likely much more thrilling. Also I would like to tell Tom and Harold that the really latest and best way of catching a duck, is in a hat a la Dunk. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The first SBW Dance of the 1933 Season was a glorious success. The pretty Ballroom of the Arts Club is a very good setting for such functions and the many beautiful frocks of the girls helped to make a very pleasing scene. All were, as usual at Bushwalker Dances, in the mood to get the best possible out of the evening, and a matter for congratulation is that the attendance was one of the largest we have had for a very long time. That grasping Social Secretary of yours will have a little more cash to add to the account in consequence. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We heartily congratulate our friend " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Our congratulations are extended very sincerely to Joe and Kath Turner on the recent addition to their Home and Hearth. We hope to be allowed the privilege very soon of making the acquaintance of Elizabeth Joy. Long life and happiness to her are our wishes. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We were surprised and pleased to see Albert Crandon - a very old one-time member and his wife - an old friend of the Bushwalkers - in the Club Rooms on Friday last. We would like to see them there more often. We value our old members and friends. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Don't neglect the 5th Annual Sports Day. Come and see how fast you can boil the billy (The Social Secretary will be only too glad to use the water) and run round in circles and other entertaining things. It has been rumoured that “Griff" | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Social Secretary wishes Members to bear in mind the forthcoming First Annual Bushwalkers’ Ball to be held at Hordern Bros. Ballroom an Thursday, July the 27th. Tickets will be available at 6/6d. each from the Social Secretary in a fortnight. | ||
+ | //Rene D. Browne// | ||
+ | //Social Secretary// | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Our Social activities are extending further afield and so Walks have been arranged with the Hiking Club of Sydney and The Mountain Trails Club. The first on 9th and 10th September, to Lilyvale, starting from Bundeena via Marley, Garie and Era, the leader for the weekend being Mouldy. A party led by Vic Thorsen will leave on Sunday and join the campers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Mountain Trails Club joint walk will be led by Myles Dunphy and will take place on the 16th and 17th September - Woy Woy to Mt. Patonga. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It is hoped that many will turn up an these walks and meet the members of our Companion Clubs. | ||
+ | //Ed.// |
193306.1361674693.txt.gz · Last modified: 2014/03/13 21:50 (external edit)