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193312 [2016/12/06 08:49] – [The Log of the Joy.] vivien193312 [2016/12/06 09:41] (current) – [The Log of the Joy.] vivien
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-====== The Log of the "Joy". ======+===== The Log of the "Joy" =====
  
 H. Chardon. H. Chardon.
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 (To be continued) (To be continued)
 +
  
  
 ===== Question: When is a Test Walk not a Test Walk? ===== ===== Question: When is a Test Walk not a Test Walk? =====
-\\ 
-===== Answer: When it is not marked on the Walks Programme with an asterisk. ===== 
    
- +**Answer: When it is not marked on the Walks Programme with an asterisk.**  
 + 
  
 This "chestnut" refers to Eric Moroney's official walk of 12th. & 13th. August - Kurrajong - Colo River - Little Wheeny Creek - Kurrajong. This "chestnut" refers to Eric Moroney's official walk of 12th. & 13th. August - Kurrajong - Colo River - Little Wheeny Creek - Kurrajong.
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 By now we knew that there was plenty of time to keep our appointment with the Lorry driver at Wholohan's, so the last few miles were a gentle stroll, briskening occasionally as the evening air grew chill. Once more we piled on the lorry, and wise were they who had put on all their warm garments, as the winter wind was much more unkind than man's ingratitude - it's a habit it has in the middle of August. By now we knew that there was plenty of time to keep our appointment with the Lorry driver at Wholohan's, so the last few miles were a gentle stroll, briskening occasionally as the evening air grew chill. Once more we piled on the lorry, and wise were they who had put on all their warm garments, as the winter wind was much more unkind than man's ingratitude - it's a habit it has in the middle of August.
  
-We .arrived at the station in due course, and there was our old friend "Pansy" awaiting us. The driver, or fireman, or somebody very nice, volunteered to make a couple of billies of tea for us. This offer, of course, Aunty accepted with alacrity and a smile. As Wally would say: "And so to Richmond", where we picked up the train for home, and gave our fellow travellers an exhibition of how bushwalkers can eat when hungry. Well, this may not have been a "test walk" according to specification, but ask anyone who was there and the answer will be: "It plurry+We arrived at the station in due course, and there was our old friend "Pansy" awaiting us. The driver, or fireman, or somebody very nice, volunteered to make a couple of billies of tea for us. This offer, of course, Aunty accepted with alacrity and a smile. As Wally would say: "And so to Richmond", where we picked up the train for home, and gave our fellow travellers an exhibition of how bushwalkers can eat when hungry. Well, this may not have been a "test walk" according to specification, but ask anyone who was there and the answer will be: "It plurry
 well felt like one".  well felt like one".
  
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 Clang! clang! Clang! "Get up" I roar at my tent mate. "Brek's ready and if you don't want to eat turtle you'd better get a move on." "Yes" murmurs Kath sleepily - very sleepily - from the midst of our suit cases. They were stacked round the bed. "What's all the noise about?" "Oh, wake up" I growled. "We're off to Nor' West. Clang! clang! Clang! "Get up" I roar at my tent mate. "Brek's ready and if you don't want to eat turtle you'd better get a move on." "Yes" murmurs Kath sleepily - very sleepily - from the midst of our suit cases. They were stacked round the bed. "What's all the noise about?" "Oh, wake up" I growled. "We're off to Nor' West.
-Would you like a drop or two of cold water?" The sleepy delinquent decided in the negative. There is a glimmer of intelligence - a gathering of the scattered wits and lo! Here is my nymph, fresh as the dewy morn, already with one foot fair on my pet corn. She reaches abstractedly for her basin. "Here" I say, pushing her out of the tent. "Eat first and wash after if there's time - if you've got to leave either, better your face than your food." We both ate heartily despite the turtle, for we were too late for anything else. There was a glorious odour of fish, but upon mentioning this Sting remarked that you can't expect a mere potato-peeler to have the oil about the "loaves and fishes act." We decided to leave the poor fellow in peace. Back we scrambled to the tent. Out came the little rubber bags, 7.5d. at Coles and oh! so handy on the trip; now a towel, powder compact, comb, - "might meet someone interesting m'dear" murmurs Kath, "and you mightn't want to look too much like a ship wreck." We had, in fact, been looking like ship wrecks for over a week now. "Oh, going in for turtle butchers now, are you?" I asked; as she dropped her mirror into her bag. "Well, you'll not have a heavy wash on Mondays, but, my dear, won't you find the climate trying?" She was about to make some caustic reply when Uncle Alfie's voice was heard: "Hurry up you two - everyone's on board." Down we rushed into the dinghy. The corals were gorgeous and look! there was a perfectly blue sea-star! Kath wanted to dive in and get it but Charon wasn't having any - not even for a mermaid! Up over the sides we went, willing +Would you like a drop or two of cold water?" The sleepy delinquent decided in the negative. There is a glimmer of intelligence - a gathering of the scattered wits and lo! Here is my nymph, fresh as the dewy morn, already with one foot fair on my pet corn. She reaches abstractedly for her basin. "Here" I say, pushing her out of the tent. "Eat first and wash after if there's time - if you've got to leave either, better your face than your food." We both ate heartily despite the turtle, for we were too late for anything else. There was a glorious odour of fish, but upon mentioning this Sting remarked that you can't expect a mere potato-peeler to have the oil about the "loaves and fishes act." We decided to leave the poor fellow in peace. Back we scrambled to the tent. Out came the little rubber bags, 7.5d. at Coles and oh! so handy on the trip; now a towel, powder compact, comb, - "might meet someone interesting m'dear" murmurs Kath, "and you mightn't want to look too much like a ship wreck." We had, in fact, been looking like ship wrecks for over a week now. "Oh, going in for turtle butchers now, are you?" I asked; as she dropped her mirror into her bag. "Well, you'll not have a heavy wash on Mondays, but, my dear, won't you find the climate trying?" She was about to make some caustic reply when Uncle Alfie's voice was heard: "Hurry up you two - everyone's on board." Down we rushed into the dinghy. The corals were gorgeous and look! there was a perfectly blue sea-star! Kath wanted to dive in and get it but Charon wasn't having any - not even for a mermaid! Up over the sides we went, willing hands pulling us aboard, and the little craft moved forward, her white sails ballooning in the breeze. Mont made for a shady corner. "If I can get to sleep before I get sick I'll be tickled to death" was his explanation. Out an hour and Pat made a cup of tea. Ah! the fragrant herbs The milk was tinned and the sugar had been forgotten, but how delicious. It was nice to lie on deck and sip his brew from an old cracked mug - to feel the gentle roll of the little ship and deep, restful blue above with cool green below - "Rolled to starboard, rolled to larboard and the tide is swirling free." How natural all thisThe primitive is really very close to the surface. It varies. Some forget they are civilised in a few days away from it. The cities were far beyond. It didn'matter if one lazed that day or the next for there were three more glorious open-air weeks. Three more weeks of Halcyon forgetfulness. Could we have any troubles? Could we ever have had any troubles? A dozen seagulls circled above my head. A Cawk! Cawk! Cawk! and they were off. Oh! to be a bird! There was a two-hour trip ahead! All was still, the lions, having fed, were dozing. A wild idea entered my head and I turned to Kath. She was trying to mend a huge rent in the khaki shorts which happened as she cleared the top rails. "Wouldn't it be funny if we all suddenly disappeared - this boat and all of us. We could make for an island, settle there, forget everyone and everything: No one need ever know. There's enough food round these islands to feed a regiment of soldiers. Wouldn't it be strange if we started a new life and made a new race?" "Funny thing", said Kath, "I was thinking much the same myself. Everything is so quiet and peaceful, nothing seems to matter. My mind seems almost a blank. Yet it's not a blank - for it's never been clearer. I know - we've lost the weight of that pettifogging detail that clogs the mind so in the city." She looked at me earnestly. "Do you know I feel so well that at times during this week I've felt I've had almost too much energy." - I marvelled at this - from a girl who had had far from the best of health during the past year. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if everybody on this boat decided to do what you suggest - Oh, it seems almost too divine. Just a completely natural existence. There's a magic about these islands, they give you new and abounding health and make you feel you want to keep it. Imagine what we'd look like after even a couple of years.here. Tons of food!" "Yes" I returned gloomily, "it's a wonder the Japs haven't taken advantage of all that ere now. What darling little stepping stones these islands could provide and a splendid fish diet at the same tine." We stopped our philosophizing for there was a stir. The Island of Dreams had been sighted. We were almost on her. There she was - another little plum-pudding, bobbing up out of the sea of blue sauce. Kath clutched my hand. "I wonder what'll happen here," she exclaimed. I had told her ham on a previous trip We had reached an island only to find a police boat in charge. They were, in fact, looking for buried treasure. They had reason to believe stolen goods had been planted there and before we left some were recovered. 
-hands pulling us aboard, and the little craft moved forward, herwhite sails ballooning in the breeze. Mont made for a shady corner. "If I can get to sleep before I get sick I'll be tickled to death" was his explanation. Out an hour and Pat made a cup of tea. Ah! the fragrant herbs The milk was tinned and the sugar + 
-had been forgotten, but haw delicious. It was nice to lie on deck and sip his bre* from an old cracked mug - to feel the gentle roll of the little ship and deep, restful blue above with cool green below - "Rolled to starboard, rolled to larboard and +How often the fairy tales come true! The cry "Photographers first" rang out and when all the really important folk had left, we nondescript "and others" filed over the side. But there was a little craft at the jetty. Kath was tense with excitement. "It's not likely to be a police boat though," I warned her -"That sort of thing doesn't happen every day." We were soon informed that it merely belonged to a turtle trader. He met us on the beach. I have never seen a healthier specimen, big and bronzed and handsome. Of course, everybody talks to everybody in places like this. There is never any need for introductions. We donned bathers and had a swim. These waters are like crystal. Our turtle man joined us, told us he was a Swede and little by little we began a very interesting conversation. We sat on the side of his little boat and dangled our legs over and he made us delicious tea. Then he sat dawn too and told us wonderful tales about the sea. He had been a sailor all his life and looking at those clear blue eyes I felt I had never seen anything quite like them on the land. They seemed to search out horizons. He told us haw he had served at the mast round Cape Horn. We became like little children, breathless with excitement at his tales - and then We would all laugh. It was all so strange and yet so natural! He appeared very amused at us. He said he hadn't met any little school-ma'ams for years - that he only had visions of the basilisk type who wielded a cane with a very strong forearm. But all good things have to come to an end and at 4 p.m., having spent the whole day chatting with our new found friend it was time to make for 'home'. We felt like babies when the circus is overHow we wanted to stay and hear more sea-tales. He was of the sea as is the very salt itself. He too was loth to say "Good-bye". It was a long time, I think, since he had exchanged schoolboy jokes and listened to such a deal of giggling! We all had had such a happy day! "He's a real Viking" whispered Kath and after that we always referred to him as "The Viking". And then, thrill of thrills: He said he would accompany us some distance of the way home. So both little ships were gliding through the foam. It was a perfect afternoon. We
-the tide is swirling free." Haw natural all this The primitive is really very +
-close to the surface. It varies. Some forget they are civilised in a few days +
-away from it. The cities were far beyond. It didntt matter if one lazed that day or the next for there were three more glorious open-air weeks. Three more weeks of Halcyon forgetfulness. Could we have any troubles? Could we ever have had any troubles? A dozen seagulls circled above my head. A Cawk! Cawk! CawkI and they +
-were off. Ohl to be a bird! There was a two-hour trip ahead! All was still, +
-he lions, having fed, were dozing. A wild idea entered my head and I turned to Kath. She was trying to mend a huge rent in the khaki shorts which happened as she cleared the top rails. "Wouldn't it be funny if we all suddenly disappeared - this boat and all of us. We could make for an island, settle there, forget everyone and everything: No one need ever know. There's enough food round these islands to feed a regiment of soldiers. Wouldn't it be strange if we started a new life and +
-made a new race?" "Funny thing", said Kath, "I was thinking much the same myself. +
-Everything is so quiet and peaceful, nothing seems to matter. My mind seems almost +
-a blank. Yet it's not a blank - for it's never been clearer. I know - we've lost +
-the weight of that pettifogging detail that clogs the mind so in the city." She +
-looked at me earnestly. "Do you know I feel so well that at times during this week I've felt I've had almost too much energy." - I marvelled at this - from a girl who had had far from the best of health during the past year. "'Wouldn't it be wonderful if everybody on this boat decided to do what you suggest - Oh, it seems almost too divine. Just a completely natural existence. There's a magic about these islands, they give you new and abounding health and make you feel you want to keep it. Imagine what we'd look like after even a couple of years.here. Tons of +
-food!" "Yes" I returned gloomily, "it's a wonder the Japs haven't taken advantage +
-of all that ere now. What darling little stepping stones these islands could pro- +
-vide and a splendid fish diet at the same tine." We stopped our philosophizing for there was a stir. The Island of Dreams had been sighted. We were almost on her. There she was - another little plum-pudding, bobbing up out of the sea of +
-blue 1-1!.!geg. Kath clutched my hand. "I wonder what'll happen here," she exclaimed. I had told her ham on a previous trip We had reached an island only to find a police boat in charge. They were, in fact, looking for buried treasure. They had reason to believe stolen goods had been planted there and before we left some were recovered. +
--19- +
-ow often the fairy tales come true! The cry "Photographers first" rang out and when all the really important folk had left, we nondescript "and others" filed over the side. But there was a little craft at the jetty. Kath was tense with excite- +
-ment. "It's not likely to be a police boat though," I warned her -"That sort of +
-thing doesn't happen every day." We were soon informed that it merely belonged to +
-a turtle trader. He met us on the beach. I have never seen a healthier specimen, +
-big and bronzed and handsome. Of course, everybody talks to everybody in places +
-like this. There is never any need for introductions. We donned bathers andhad +
-a swim. These waters are like crystal. Our turtle man joined us, told us he was a Swede and little by little we began a very interesting conversation. We sat on the side of his little boat and dangled our legs over and he made us delicious tea. +
-rhen he sat dawn too and told us wonderful tales about the sea. He had been a +
-sailor all his life and looking at those clear blue eyes I felt I had never seen +
-anything quite like them on the land. They seemed to search out horizons. He +
-told us haw he had served at the mast round Cape Horn. We became like little children, breathless with excitement at his tales - and then We would all laugh. It +
-was all so strange and yet so naturall He appeared very amused at us. He said he +
-hadn't met any little school-ma'ams for years - that he only had visions of the +
-basilisk type who wielded a cane with a very strong forearm. But all good things +
-have to come to an end and at 4 p.m., having spent the whole day chatting with our new found friend it was time to make for 'home'. We felt like babies when the circus is averHaw we wanted to stay and hear more sea-tales. He WAS of the sea +
-as is the very salt itself. He too was loth to say "Good-bye". It was a long +
-time, I think, since he had exchanged schoolboy jokes and listened to such a deal of giggling! We all had had such a happy day! "He's a real Viking" whispered Kath +
-mad after that we always referred to him as "The Viking". And then, thrill of thrills: He said he would accompany us some distance of the way home. So both +
-little ships were gliding through the foam. It was a perfect afternoon. We+
 stood hanging to the mast and fresh winds fanned our sunburnt cheeks as we occasionally shouted a remark to our fellow traveller. stood hanging to the mast and fresh winds fanned our sunburnt cheeks as we occasionally shouted a remark to our fellow traveller.
 +
 But the shades of night began to fall and he shouted a last Good-bye. Of course we were going to write. We were just full of our new found sailor-hero! Before long we were forbidden to mention his name in camp, so tired were the other male members of our party at hearing our eulogies. "What's wrong with the men on this island?" laughingly asked the leader. But the shades of night began to fall and he shouted a last Good-bye. Of course we were going to write. We were just full of our new found sailor-hero! Before long we were forbidden to mention his name in camp, so tired were the other male members of our party at hearing our eulogies. "What's wrong with the men on this island?" laughingly asked the leader.
-Then Home in the Shape of Sydney. Another sea-trip and a big long dirty train + 
-trip and we were dropped at dusty Central Station. It was all over: Back to the +Then Home in the Shape of Sydney. Another sea-trip and a big long dirty train trip and we were dropped at dusty Central Station. It was all over: Back to the drab and the ordinary. "Do you know" said Rath, "if I told my people our experiences I don't think they'd believe them." 
-drab and the ordinary. "Do you know" said Rath, "if I told my people our experiences I don't think they'd believe them." + 
-It was about three months later that I got a telegram from a friend in Qlland. +It was about three months later that I got a telegram from a friend in Q'land"Your Viking shot dead. Letter following." And so just another ship passed in the night. 
- Your Viking shot dead. Letter following." And so just another ship passed in +
-the night.+
 The Sea - dark and mysterious had added just another mystery to its toll. The Sea - dark and mysterious had added just another mystery to its toll.
-Now Kath has a little boy to tell stories to and at night in the winter in the country, in front of the glowing embers, she tells him about a wonderful sailor man who climbed the masts around the Horn and who, tiring of this, carried turtle soup in his little boat from Nor' Nest Islet. + 
--20-- +Now Kath has a little boy to tell stories to and at night in the winter in the country, in front of the glowing embers, she tells him about a wonderful sailor man who climbed the masts around the Horn and who, tiring of this, carried turtle soup in his little boat from Nor' West Islet. 
-TEE JOUNIMA PEAKS YARRANGOBILLY. + 
-As we stood an the summit of Mount Bimberi in the Federal Capital Territory, we saw the pointed tops of the Jounima Range rising clear and challengingly across the blue intervening hills and valleys L. few weeks later we had answered their challenge, and were hastening by car from Yass up the lovely vale of Tumut, up the renowned Talbingo mountains to the turn off to the Jounima State Forest, just before + 
-Yarrangobilly. The car was parked at the cottage of the officer in charge of the + 
-plantation, and we set off through the young pine trees and thence by the blazed track through the bush to the Jour-Jima (branch) creek, where we camped amid the desolation of burnt trees and dead sticks. + 
-The forester had predicted rain in a little over twenty-four hours, but there +===== The Jounima Peaks Yarrangobilly ===== 
-was nothing to show the truth of his prophecy as we scrambled up the hillsides next way throuthe burnt bush with blue sky showing between the brown branches overhead. + 
-?in +As we stood an the summit of Mount Bimberi in the Federal Capital Territory, we saw the pointed tops of the Jounima Range rising clear and challengingly across the blue intervening hills and valleys. few weeks later we had answered their challenge, and were hastening by car from Yass up the lovely vale of Tumut, up the renowned Talbingo mountains to the turn off to the Jounima State Forest, just before Yarrangobilly. The car was parked at the cottage of the officer in charge of the plantation, and we set off through the young pine trees and thence by the blazed track through the bush to the Jounima (branch) creek, where we camped amid the desolation of burnt trees and dead sticks. 
-6ventually we emerged an the first bare rocky top, but it VAS the lower end, and so + 
-we walked to the highest part. We searched in vain for the cairn and then discovered on looking acfosa, the next valley that Jounima proper, a bunch of heaped, black rocks, +The forester had predicted rain in a little over twenty-four hours, but there was nothing to show the truth of his prophecy as we scrambled up the hillsides next way through burnt bush with blue sky showing between the brown branches overhead. Eventually we emerged on the first bare rocky top, but it was the lower end, and so we walked to the highest part. We searched in vain for the cairn and then discovered on looking across the next valley that Jounima proper, a bunch of heaped, black rocks, lay still a long way off. Down the slopes we went, across the col and up the rocks, and surely now we were on top. The snow-gum excluded the view, and we climbed each highest group of rocks, still to find there was no cairn. On the final group we caught a glimpse outwards, and there was the elusive Jounima still across yet another valley. Down we plunged through the criss-cross of dead and living snow-gum, mixed up with undergrowth and huge boulders. We were glad to get out onto the heaped up boulders which formed the final route to the top. They provided quite good rock- scrambling, but we were not sorry when we eventually heaved our rucksacks out in front of the cairn. From here, the Jounima Range spread out northward, while away to the east was our old friend, Mount Bimberi, a rounded summit wholly lacking in distinction, and away on the south western horizon lay the crystal snows of Jagungal and the Kosciusko (Kosciuszko) Plateau. 
-lay still a long way off. Down the slopes we went, across the col and up the rocks, and surely now we were on top. The snow-gum excluded the view, and we climbed each highest group of rocks, still to find there was no cairn. On the final group we caught a glimpse outwards, and there was the elusive Jounima still across yet another valley. Down we plunged through the criss-cross of dead and living snow-gum, mixed up with undergrowth and hugh boulders. We were glad to get out onto the heaped up boulders which formed the final route to the top. They provided quite good rock- scrambling, but we were not sorry when we eventually heaved our rucksacks out in + 
-front of the cairn. From here, the Jounima Range spread out northward, while away to the oast was our old friend, Mount Bimberi, a rounded summit wholly lacking in distinction, and away on the south western horizon lay the crystal snows of Jagungal and the Kosciusko Plateau. +We left our camping gear at the bottom of the next deep col, and then climbed the steep rocks of Big Plain Bogong. I succeeded in getting one or two quite hair-raising photos of my friend clinging by her eyelids from the face of impossible precipices, just like they do in the pictures of mountaineering journals. Below us lay the marsh and grass of Bull's flats, a delightful upland glade whose choice indicated admirable taste on the part of the bulls who presumably gave it its name, while it in turn apparently gave its name to Bogong above the Big Plain. 
-We left our camping gear at the bottom of the next deep col, and then climbed the steep rocks of Big Plain Bogong. I succeeded in getting one or two quite hair- raising photos of my friend clinging by her eyelids from the face of impossible +From Bull's Flats we climbed the Pillared Rocks, not a peaky summit like the other two, but providing the very best rock scrambling we had done in Australia. 
-precipices, just like they do in the pictures of mountaineering journals. Below us + 
-lay the marsh and grass of Bull's flats, a delightful upland glade whose choice indicated admirable taste on the pa-t of the bulls who presumably gave it its name, while it in turn apparently gave its name to Bogang above the Big Plain. +We had used the limit of our daylight and there was a rush to get back to camp before dark. The wind had risen in the afternoon and we tied an extra stay to the back of the tent, but there was still nothing to show the fulfilment of the forester's prophecy. We woke about 4 a.m., to a howling tempest which threatened to carry the tent away. The rain dribbled in freely where out backs touched its sides, and, while the back stay held, the back tent poles had fallen down, so that our feet protruded together with eiderdown sleeping bags. When we put our heads out we found we were in a wilderness of driving mist. There was nothing for it but to pack up and set back by compass, and it takes a lot of faith in science to follow the compass blindly when all your commonsense urges you another way. Once we stopped on the top of some slimy, slippery moss-covered boulders wondering if we dare venture from the direct route to find an easier one for our rubber-soled shoes, when a dreadful thing happened. The mist-curtain parted for a few moments in the valley beneath, and we saw a series of unknown ridges and gullies which were certainly not there when we came, and yet the compass needle pointed inexorably across them. Were we about to plunge down into the pathless gullies between Jounima and Canberra? Ought we to go to the right or the left of the way the compass pointed us? An awful feeling of utter loneliness came over us, alone with the drifting mist, the fury of the storm and the desolate, trackless heights. Then for the fraction of a second the mist parted on the further hill, and we saw the familiar flat-topped rocks across the unknown ridges and valleys, and right in the direction of the compass! Our teeth were chattering in the wet and icy wind, our feet frozen in the snow-drifts, but the feeling of desolation had gone, and a warm faith in the compass lighted the way over the phantasmal, non-existent ridges that the mist had conjured up. It is unnecessary to give the details of that wet and windy tramp home, or the hail that came dawn like small bullets when we crossed the flat-topped rocks. We reached the forest plantation in less time than it had taken to come out, feeling that the compass was the most wonderful thing an had ever invented - next to fire! 
-From Bull's Flats we climbed the Pillared Rocks, not a peaky summit like the other two, but providing the very best rock scrambling we had done in 4ustralia+ 
-We had used the limit of our daylight and there was a rush to get back to camp before dark. The wind had risen in the afternoon and we tied an extra stay to the back of the tent, but there was still nothing to show the fulfilment of the forester's prophecy. We woke about 4 a.m., to a howling tempest which threatened to carry the tent away. The rain dribbled in freely where out backs touched its sides, and, while the back stay held, the back tent poles had fallen down, so that our feet protruded together with eiderdown sleeping bags. When we put our heads out we found we were in a wilderness of driving mist. There WAS nothing for it but to pack up +Our bedraggled appearance caused peals of laughter on the part of Mrs.-the-forester, but her husband, who had long since resigned himself to heading a search party on the morrow, was too relieved to do more than smile. Needless to say, they were hospitality itself, and two hours later, with their chains on the tyres of our car, we were warm and dry, and on our way home. 
-and set back by compass-, and it takes a lot of faith in science to follow the compass blindly when all your commonsense urges you another way. Once we stopped on the top of some slimy, slippery moss-covered boulders wondering if we dare venture from the direct route to find an easier one for our rubber-soled shoes, when a dreadful thing happened. The mist-curtain parted for a few moments in the valley beneath, and we saw a series of unknown ridges and gullies which were certainly not there when we came, and yet the compass needle pointed inexorably across them. Were we about +
--21- +
-to plunge dawn into the pathless gullies between Jounima and Canberra? Ought we to +
-go to the right or the left of the way the compass pointed us? An awful feeling of utter loneliness came over us, alone with the drifting mist, the fury of the +
-storm and the desolate, trackless heights. Then for the fraction of a second the +
-mist parted on the further hill, and we saw the familiar flat-topped rocks across the unknown ridges and valleys, and right in the direction of the compass! Our teeth were chattering in the wet and icy wind, our feet frozen in the snow-drifts, but the feeling of desolation had gone, and a warm faith in the compass lighted the +
-way over the phantasmal, non-existent ridges that the mist had conjured up. It is unnecessary to give the details of that wet and windy tramp home, or the hail that +
-came dawn like small bullets when we crossed the flat-topped rocks. We reached +
-the forest plantation in less time than it had taken to come out, feeling that the compass was the most wonderful thing an had ever invented - next to firel +
-Our bedraggled appearance caused peals of laughter on the part of Mrs.-theforester, but her husband, who had long since resigned himself to heading a search party on the morrow, was too relieved to do more than smile. Needless to say, they +
-were hospitality itself, and two hours later, with their chains on the tyres of our car, we were warm and dry, and on our way home.+
 Marie B. Byles. Marie B. Byles.
-SOCIAL NOTES. + 
-The previous two months have been, from a social point of view, the most + 
-important in the Club's year, awing to the 6th. Annual Concert, and this year we +===== Social Notes ===== 
-repeated same in aid of the Garawarra Primitive Area Scheme. + 
-Mr. Colefax came along from the Australian Museum and gave a most interesting +The previous two months have been, from a social point of view, the most important in the Club's year, awing to the 6th. Annual Concert, and this year we repeated same in aid of the Garawarra Primitive Area Scheme. 
-and illuminating address to the Members on the Marine Life around Sydney. This + 
-was Mr. Colefaxls first visit to our Club Rooms, but we hope it will not be his last. +Mr. Colefax came along from the Australian Museum and gave a most interesting and illuminating address to the Members on the Marine Life around Sydney. This was Mr. Colefax'first visit to our Club Rooms, but we hope it will not be his last. 
-Perhaps one of the most enjoyable evenings we have spent was that on which Bob Savage showed us his photos taken during his Canoe trip down the Kawmung River. This river is probably the most popular with Bush Walkers, and they are never tired of locking at pictures of it and talking about it, to say nothing of making trips there as frequently as they can manage. + 
-Our 6th. Annual Concert was from every point of view a great success-. The +Perhaps one of the most enjoyable evenings we have spent was that on which Bob Savage showed us his photos taken during his Canoe trip down the Kowmung River. This river is probably the most popular with Bush Walkers, and they are never tired of looking at pictures of it and talking about it, to say nothing of making trips there as frequently as they can manage. 
-consensus of opinion is that from a point of view of entertainment, the 6th. Annual was by far the best the Bush Walkers have produced to date. The Members of the Boys' Ballet were voted quite the dearest little things, and added further to the Laurels gained last year. The attendance was the largest we have had so far, and + 
-bhe profits are expected to be considerable. On the lath. November the concert +Our 6th. Annual Concert was from every point of view a great success. The consensus of opinion is that from a point of view of entertainment, the 6th. Annual was by far the best the Bush Walkers have produced to date. The Members of the Boys' Ballet were voted quite the dearest little things, and added further to the Laurels gained last year. The attendance was the largest we have had so far, and the profits are expected to be considerable. On the 16th. November the concert was repeated in aid of the Garawarra, as mentioned above, and the concert party had he pleasure of playing to another appreciative audience. There will probably be a profit of £7 odd to give to this fund. 
-was repeated in aid of the Garawarra, as mentioned above, and the concert party had he pleasure of playing to another appreciative audience. There will probably be a profit of odd to give to this fund. + 
-The 17th. was spent by Members "Twirling the Light Fantastic," the evening being a Social and Gift Book Night in aid of our Library. What with Community Singing and the usual small talk at which the Bush Walkers are not backward, they spent a very +The 17th. was spent by Members "Twirling the Light Fantastic," the evening being a Social and Gift Book Night in aid of our Library. What with Community Singing and the usual small talk at which the Bush Walkers are not backward, they spent a very pleasant evening. Mr. F. Rice's Snapshots entitled "Familiar Scenes" were extremely
-pleasant evening. Mr. F. Rice's Snapshots entitled "Familiar Scenes" were extremely+
 beautiful, and rather gained than lost by being true to title and in every way indeed familiar. The River Scenes were lovely, and some of the 'photos of the Outback Homesteads were delightfully rural. beautiful, and rather gained than lost by being true to title and in every way indeed familiar. The River Scenes were lovely, and some of the 'photos of the Outback Homesteads were delightfully rural.
--22 - + 
-The Club extends its hearty congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Roots on the latest elddition to their family, Miss Daphne Vivian; we hope she will prove as good a Aush4Talker as Gweneth and Walter junior. +The Club extends its hearty congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Roots on the latest edition to their family, Miss Daphne Vivian; we hope she will prove as good a Bush Walker as Gweneth and Walter junior. 
-The latest epidemic, as reported by our First Aid Expert, is marriage. Those + 
-suffering from the complaint are:+The latest epidemic, as reported by our First Aid Expert, is marriage. Those suffering from the complaint are: Jess & Tom (Mr. & Mrs. Williams); Oscar & Esme (Mr. & Mrs. Armstrong); Dorman & Jean (Mr. & Mrs. Hardie). We wish these three couples the very best that life has to give, and may they live long to enjoy their wedded happiness. 
-Jess & Tom (Mr. & Mrs. Williams); Oscar & Esme (Mr. & Mrs. Armstrong); Dorman & Jean (Mr. & Mrs. Hardie). + 
-We wish these three couples the very best that life has to give, and may they live long to enjoy their wedded happiness. +The Social Secretary draws Membersattention to the forthcoming Annual Xmas Treat for Poor Children to take place on the 17th. December. Subscriptions are urgently needed - 3/- pays one Child'train fare and also feeds it for the day; also help with the children on the day is necessary, and if some of the men would come along and help it would be greatly appreciated. 
-The Social Secretary draws Membersattention to the forthcoming Annual Xmas Treat for Poor Children to take place on the 17th. December. Subscriptions are urgently needed - 3/- pays one Childts train fare and also feeds it for the day; also help with the children on the day is necessary, and if some of the men would come along and help it would be greatly appreciated. + 
-The Federation of Bushwalking Clubs arranged an outing on Sunday 26th. Nov. + 
-to the Garawarra Fiimitive Area. There were quite a number of people invited to be +The Federation of Bushwalking Clubs arranged an outing on Sunday 26th. Nov. to the Garawarra Primitive Area. There were quite a number of people invited to be the guests of the Federation. The cars left the G.P.O. Sydney at 2 p.m., and took the party to the Governor Game Lookout, where they walked along the track - a distance of about 2.5 miles - to Bulgo. Here they were given afternoon tea by your Social Secretary, ably assisted by a band of helpers including the 1st. Concord Boy Scouts. There were some short and interesting speeches delivered, and Mr.Atkinson, the Secretary of the Federation, read a letter in which he was informed of the grant of 1300 acres to us as a reserve. Cheers
-the guests of the Federation. The cars left the G.P.O. Sydney at 2 p.m., and took + 
-the party to the Governor Game Lookout, where they walked along the track - a +After the speeches, the party, numbering about 50, walked-to Lilyvale where they were given tea, and they generally seemed to enjoy the alfresco meals and atmosphere of good comradeship which abounded. 
-distance of about 2i- miles - to Bulgo. Here they were given afternoon tea by your +
-Social Secretary, ably assisted by a band of helpers including the 1st. Concord Boy +
-Scouts. There were some short and interesting speeches delivered, and Mr.Atkinson, the Secretary of the Federation, read a letter in which he was informed of the grant of 1300 acres to us as a reserve. Cheers: +
-later the speeches, the party, numbering about 50, walked-to Lilyvale where they were given tea, and they generally seemed to enjoy the al-fresco meals and atmosphere of good comradeship which abounded.+
 This outing was also on the Official Programme for Health Week, and from that point of view was an innovation for Walking Clubs. This outing was also on the Official Programme for Health Week, and from that point of view was an innovation for Walking Clubs.
 +
 The Social Secretary extends her very best wishes to all for the happiest of Christmas Seasons and hopes we will all have good weather and good camping. The Social Secretary extends her very best wishes to all for the happiest of Christmas Seasons and hopes we will all have good weather and good camping.
-FOR THE SOCIAL, COMMITTEE,+ 
 + 
 +For the Social Secretary,
 Rene D. Browne, Rene D. Browne,
 Hon. Social Secretary. Hon. Social Secretary.
  
193312.1480974559.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/12/06 08:49 by vivien

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