194411
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My discoveries that milk and cream have to be brought from the cows to the city and the factory and that what comes to town on wheels has usually to go back again sounds as silly as the over-simplified story of Newton and the apple. Gradually I realised that throughout the whole of South-Eastern Queensland, dairying was common and that therefore a system of trucks must be used to bring the products to town. One had only to sift the chaff from the grain. | My discoveries that milk and cream have to be brought from the cows to the city and the factory and that what comes to town on wheels has usually to go back again sounds as silly as the over-simplified story of Newton and the apple. Gradually I realised that throughout the whole of South-Eastern Queensland, dairying was common and that therefore a system of trucks must be used to bring the products to town. One had only to sift the chaff from the grain. | ||
- | For the present, however, we were restricted to near-city areas and began to receive offers of lifts though we were safeguarded by other transport arrangements. I suppose I have never been in the position to know whether my Sydney | + | For the present, however, we were restricted to near-city areas and began to receive offers of lifts though we were safeguarded by other transport arrangements. I suppose I have never been in the position to know whether my Sydney |
- | The first premeditated " | + | The first premeditated " |
At this stage of my evolution a lift arranged beforehand by inter-change of letters or spoken sentences in a reasonable approximation to the King's English seemed quite legitimate but to express one's hopes and longings by a dumb show enacted with the thumb showed how the Great Public School finishing class that one ought to have attended would have failed to convert the savage underneath. A new world of experience was opening as a new, exciting, tangible world lay just outside our Tantalus grasp. "For all experience is an arch where through gleams that untravelled world that fades for ever and forever as I move" sighed Ulysses and beyond our reach rose peak after peak dimly seen, haunting names which could become haunting memories if only.... | At this stage of my evolution a lift arranged beforehand by inter-change of letters or spoken sentences in a reasonable approximation to the King's English seemed quite legitimate but to express one's hopes and longings by a dumb show enacted with the thumb showed how the Great Public School finishing class that one ought to have attended would have failed to convert the savage underneath. A new world of experience was opening as a new, exciting, tangible world lay just outside our Tantalus grasp. "For all experience is an arch where through gleams that untravelled world that fades for ever and forever as I move" sighed Ulysses and beyond our reach rose peak after peak dimly seen, haunting names which could become haunting memories if only.... | ||
- | At last frustration became unbearable so I decided upon a " | + | At last frustration became unbearable so I decided upon a " |
My notes record a very cheap trip on May Day week-end - a very appropriate time for the working and walking classes - to wit, 40 miles by truck, 60 by train and tram home for 2/2d. | My notes record a very cheap trip on May Day week-end - a very appropriate time for the working and walking classes - to wit, 40 miles by truck, 60 by train and tram home for 2/2d. | ||
- | My having been to Cunningham' | + | My having been to Cunningham' |
Just before lunch the next day we left the Gap remarking that a lift to Mt. Edwards by lunch time would suit perfectly. Along rolled a limousine in a few minutes the driver took up to Mt. Edwards although the only indication to him of our hopes had been telepathic. Upon resuming after lunch and a diversion up the mountain we had a very barren time until transport just froze and there is nothing more annoying to a hitcher than nothing to hitch! I was just mentally calculating how long it would take to walk 29 miles when, once again just at dusk, salvation came in the form of an American Jeep which took us comfortably back to the station. Very nice (and astonishing) we thought, considering the driver had his girl friend with him. He must have been a careful driver. | Just before lunch the next day we left the Gap remarking that a lift to Mt. Edwards by lunch time would suit perfectly. Along rolled a limousine in a few minutes the driver took up to Mt. Edwards although the only indication to him of our hopes had been telepathic. Upon resuming after lunch and a diversion up the mountain we had a very barren time until transport just froze and there is nothing more annoying to a hitcher than nothing to hitch! I was just mentally calculating how long it would take to walk 29 miles when, once again just at dusk, salvation came in the form of an American Jeep which took us comfortably back to the station. Very nice (and astonishing) we thought, considering the driver had his girl friend with him. He must have been a careful driver. | ||
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It must not be assumed that hitching does not require technique. This weekend, for example, our limousine episode caused us furiously to think with the result that we put out a new method of attack for sedans which will give some idea of the psychological problems which have to be grappled with. Having gathered that a sedan is approaching from behind the best idea is not to look around until the driver is sufficiently close to be able to see you clearly. Then look back with quick expectancy giving the impression that you would have possibly hitched, had the vehicle been a broken-down truck but with a sedan it is different. This display of humility and sense of proportion has a good effect on the driver, puts him on his mettle and seems to afford him an opportunity to improve his reputation and show he can be decent to the lower economic orders. One should also watch the face of the driver out of the corner of the eye because most of them like some assurance, even the slightest, that you will not refuse a lift if they do stop. If the driver wears this look of "What about it?" you reply with a sharp forward movement of the head and a lift of the eyebrows which removes all doubt. | It must not be assumed that hitching does not require technique. This weekend, for example, our limousine episode caused us furiously to think with the result that we put out a new method of attack for sedans which will give some idea of the psychological problems which have to be grappled with. Having gathered that a sedan is approaching from behind the best idea is not to look around until the driver is sufficiently close to be able to see you clearly. Then look back with quick expectancy giving the impression that you would have possibly hitched, had the vehicle been a broken-down truck but with a sedan it is different. This display of humility and sense of proportion has a good effect on the driver, puts him on his mettle and seems to afford him an opportunity to improve his reputation and show he can be decent to the lower economic orders. One should also watch the face of the driver out of the corner of the eye because most of them like some assurance, even the slightest, that you will not refuse a lift if they do stop. If the driver wears this look of "What about it?" you reply with a sharp forward movement of the head and a lift of the eyebrows which removes all doubt. | ||
- | Unfortunstely | + | Unfortunately |
A fortnight later Frank and I wanted to catch this truck and, being a holiday weekend, we knew that WE MUST NOT FAIL. We had gained the additional information that before leaving town the driver picked up meat at a certain shop and our precarious transport having landed us in the town at a late hour there seemed to be only one course - to sleep in front of the door of the shop in order that the driver could not go without us even if only because he broke his neck as he fell over us. The town was deserted, we would be leaving at 3.30 a.m. there couldn' | A fortnight later Frank and I wanted to catch this truck and, being a holiday weekend, we knew that WE MUST NOT FAIL. We had gained the additional information that before leaving town the driver picked up meat at a certain shop and our precarious transport having landed us in the town at a late hour there seemed to be only one course - to sleep in front of the door of the shop in order that the driver could not go without us even if only because he broke his neck as he fell over us. The town was deserted, we would be leaving at 3.30 a.m. there couldn' | ||
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by Alex Colley. | by Alex Colley. | ||
- | It sometimes | + | It sometimes |
In April the mountains had been whitened by a foot of snow and again in May there was a good fall. Then something went wrong with the air currents. Week after week I waited and watched the mountains through my office window (not __all__ the time - of course) hoping a cold westerly would cover the mountains in cloud and lift to reveal deep snow. But it never happened. Sometimes clouds would settle for a day, and for a few weeks there was a thin cap on the top of Gingera - never a real fall. By August I had decided there wouldn' | In April the mountains had been whitened by a foot of snow and again in May there was a good fall. Then something went wrong with the air currents. Week after week I waited and watched the mountains through my office window (not __all__ the time - of course) hoping a cold westerly would cover the mountains in cloud and lift to reveal deep snow. But it never happened. Sometimes clouds would settle for a day, and for a few weeks there was a thin cap on the top of Gingera - never a real fall. By August I had decided there wouldn' | ||
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In the morning we followed the creek till the going became rough then struck up a spur towards Coree. Again we were lucky to find an easy ridge. Half way up we had our first view of Coree, which looked exactly like pictures I have seen of the Tasmanian mountains. The top was an almost sheer wall of bare yellow granite towering several hundred feet above the surrounding mountains. From the top we had a magnificent view in every direction, while just below nestled a little clearing on Condor Creek, our campsite for that night. But it took us nearly three hours of pushing over loose granite covered with thin wattles, and through other types of undesirable flora before we made camp in the last of the fading daylight. | In the morning we followed the creek till the going became rough then struck up a spur towards Coree. Again we were lucky to find an easy ridge. Half way up we had our first view of Coree, which looked exactly like pictures I have seen of the Tasmanian mountains. The top was an almost sheer wall of bare yellow granite towering several hundred feet above the surrounding mountains. From the top we had a magnificent view in every direction, while just below nestled a little clearing on Condor Creek, our campsite for that night. But it took us nearly three hours of pushing over loose granite covered with thin wattles, and through other types of undesirable flora before we made camp in the last of the fading daylight. | ||
- | This was the last of our never-to-be-forgotten campsites. Here we left the intrepid Jean and Joan to journey through the trackless pine forests to the Cotter Dam and thence to the Mount Stromlo turn-off where they were met by a car/ | + | This was the last of our never-to-be-forgotten campsites. Here we left the intrepid Jean and Joan to journey through the trackless pine forests to the Cotter Dam and thence to the Mount Stromlo turn-off where they were met by a car. |
Now we are back in buildings and streets, working as we must, but just around the corners of memory are visions of mountain and valley, of streams and fire-lit campsites, and, most vivid of all, our little hanging valley on Gingera still and white in the moonlight. | Now we are back in buildings and streets, working as we must, but just around the corners of memory are visions of mountain and valley, of streams and fire-lit campsites, and, most vivid of all, our little hanging valley on Gingera still and white in the moonlight. | ||
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---- | ---- | ||
- | OCTOBER NEWS | + | =====October News.===== |
- | Alust to offset the touch conditions imposed by the Railway | + | |
- | week end. This annual endurance test fixture, Holiday Handicap-Christmas | + | Just to offset the tough conditions imposed by the Railway |
- | Elimination Trials is ethink, designed by the.Railways, not as a staff entertainment as we had suloposed, but to test the strength of their rolling | + | |
- | stock and the fortituAe | + | A large party debouched-on to Honeymoon Bay and enjoyed ideal conditions, they say. But there were no fish. Silly to expect to fish we say. |
- | the fortitude test brilliantly. We did hear of a couple who having passed | + | |
- | the Barrier Trials, failed miserably in the Boarding test, No doubt the | + | Another |
- | S.B.W. Committee will deal withthe | + | |
- | A large party debouched-on to Honeymoon Bay and enjoyed ideal con- | + | The Services Committee had a picture evening in the Club Friday 20th. Natures Symphony in Kodachrome, coloured slides. Some we had seen before but enjoyed as much as ever and quite a few new ones, were shown. An appreciative audience stayed on for the auction of unwanted goods. |
- | ditions, they say. But there were no fish, Silly to expect to fish we say. | + | |
- | Another | + | Len and Dot Webb were in this night. They report the youngster as thriving. Both Len and Dot looked thriving also. |
- | he (the optimist) caught up with us that night he seemed a bit cool towards | + | |
- | us." He then had dinner alone, no not quite alone, he communed, with a dead cowl for preference perhaps. We have heard of that party before. | + | After some months strenuous training, Flo Allsworth together with Jean Harvey and Jean Moppet |
- | The Services Committee had a picture evening in the Club Friday 20th. Natures Symphony in Kodachrome, coloured slides. Some we had seen before | + | |
- | but enjoyed as much as ever and quite a few new ones, were shown. An'. | + | Wal Roots party of holiday makers returned to Sydney after a fortnight away. The five of them, Wal, Charlie Pryde, Tom Herbert, |
- | appreciative audience stayed on for the auction of unwanted goods. | + | |
- | Len and Dot Webb wore in thistight.' | + | ---- |
- | After some months strenuous training, Flo Allsworth together with | + | |
- | Jean Harvey and Jean Mop-oet | + | =====The Timber Shortage In New South Wales And Protection Of Primitive Areas.===== |
- | realised her ambition of riding her bike with her feet on the handlebars. We won't tell you any more of the trip becauae | + | |
- | trip whether you want to hear or not. | + | by the Secretary of the Federation. |
- | :. | + | |
- | Wal Roots party of holiday makers returned to Sydney after.61 fortnight away.. The five of them, Wall Charlie Pryde, Tom Herbettl : Dorothy Lawry and Phil White spent the first week on and about the | + | Bushwalkers long to be able to say, "Hands off the trees except in the State Forests where re-planting is the rule." The Federation has asked the Forestry Commission whether it needed more money, more men or more land to enable it to supply the whole of the timber needs of the State from the State Forests, and, if it had all it wanted of these things, how long it would be before we could reasonably cry "Hands off the trees except in State Forests." |
- | . , . | + | |
- | Shoalhaven (nothing said about IN the-ShoalhaVen) and theSec' | + | |
- | they were near Canons dining there -at Iiigh. They also were away while : : :, | + | |
- | , .. ., | + | |
- | the hot spe, | + | |
- | . .., , , . | + | |
- | , | + | |
- | .- ,__. | + | |
- | .. . | + | |
- | , . | + | |
- | THo] TIMB,3R SHORTAGE IN NEW SOUTH WALES AND PROnCTION OF PRIMITIVE AREAS | + | |
- | by the Secretary of the Federation, | + | |
- | Bushwalkers long to be able to say, "Hands off the trees except in | + | |
- | the State Forests where re-planting is rule," The Federation has asked the Forestry Commission whether it needed more money, more men or more | + | |
- | land to enable it to supply the whole of the timber needs of the State from the State Forests, and, if it had all it wanted of these things, how long it would be before we could reasonably | + | |
The following is the reply; perhaps it will give you some idea of the shocking devastation of our forests that has been going on, and must continue to go on unless we give up wanting houses and furniture as well as other things. | The following is the reply; perhaps it will give you some idea of the shocking devastation of our forests that has been going on, and must continue to go on unless we give up wanting houses and furniture as well as other things. | ||
- | "(1) Proper forest management would be impossible without the equiValent | + | |
- | the expenditure | + | "(1) Proper forest management would be impossible without the equivalent |
- | (2) Owing to excessive alienation in the past, the existing forest | + | |
+ | (2) Owing to excessive alienation in the past, the existing forest | ||
(3) If the Forestry CoMmission had the money, and the land, and the staff - it would take at least 50 years to recover the situation. | (3) If the Forestry CoMmission had the money, and the land, and the staff - it would take at least 50 years to recover the situation. | ||
- | Taking the Clarence Region for example of 3,000,000 acres in the five shires, 500, | + | |
- | The Forestry Commission adds the following as its attitude to -primitive areas:- | + | Taking the Clarence Region for example of 3,000,000 acres in the five shires, 500, |
- | "The Commission gathers that the Bush Walking Clubs are concerned to retain primitive areas, The Commission' | + | |
- | It is futile to declare areas primitive unless they be protected from fire, The Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury Sandstone areas are largely fire- Wrecked | + | The Forestry Commission adds the following as its attitude to primitive areas:- |
- | The Commission' | + | |
- | Even managed forests contribute amenity, as for instance, although in Europe the primitive | + | "The Commission gathers that the Bush Walking Clubs are concerned to retain primitive areas. The Commission' |
- | 10. | + | |
- | ........111.11, | + | It is futile to declare areas primitive unless they be protected from fire. The Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury Sandstone areas are largely fire-wrecked |
- | still firicasiopl. poeey. The New South Walet policy, however, would e to retain primitive areas within the pattern | + | |
- | The Bush Walking Clubs could help best by defining areas of scenic content worthy of retention in the primitive," | + | The Commission' |
- | EXTRACTS FROM A LONDON LETTER | + | |
- | LONDON. So this is London, a great big dirty place with narrow winding streets. Have not been very favourably impressed so far. The more I see of other places the more I think Au.7tralia's a very fine place. We got across the Atlantic all right, but didn't see it - have not seen it yet, | + | Even managed forests contribute amenity, as for instance, although in Europe the primitive Oak and Beach forests no longer |
- | Wandered round tonight with Noel Butlin, Got partly lost in the blackout. Wandered into a low pub down by the Thames, | + | |
- | like' | + | The Bush Walking Clubs could help best by defining areas of scenic content worthy of retention in the primitive." |
- | -r - | + | |
- | We start' Work in real earnest after tomorrow. So far we have only been making the preliminary | + | ---- |
- | Last night I went and saw Londoels | + | |
- | One certainly isn't encouraged to eat in London, but if one goes to the right places the food is quite good and in reasonable quantity if not variety. We found an interesting cafe in Soho the other day - the Comedy. The old chap who waited on us was like a waiter out of a comedy film and I could hardly refrain from open laughter every time h. us. We had a pint of beer served in huge glasses and a reasonable three course meal all very attractively prepared and in adequate quantity, We were eventually bowed out by our waiter, the head m6iter, and the doorkeeper. | + | =====Extracts From A London Letter |
- | Today (Sunday) I went to Maidenhead with Noel Butlin. We had a meal and | + | |
- | paid, a brief visit to a pub for a pint of bitter. There were some lasses | + | __London.__ |
- | there wearing gold crosses, having repaired to the pub on their way home from church. Took a boat and rowed up the Thames - about as wide as the Yarra at Studly Park - plenty of boats, barges, swans - very beautiful really, We rowed no for a couple of hours through two locks, each lock raising us some | + | |
- | five -or six feet higher up, Beautiful white swans about the river everywhere, and dnd'had a family of five large dirty grey cygnets. Many large houses had frontages right ' | + | So this is London, a great big dirty place with narrow winding streets. Have not been very favourably impressed so far. The more I see of other places the more I think Australia's a very fine place. We got across the Atlantic all right, but didn't see it - have not seen it yet. |
- | p2clIghed | + | |
- | sm y nestling among trees by the river. A pleasant landscape, but a rather | + | Wandered round tonight with Noel Butlin, Got partly lost in the blackout. Wandered into a low pub down by the Thames, |
- | s67-2F.tisfied one, A grim note to the peaceful landscape was the hundreds | + | |
- | of berobers | + | Met all the notable today. We are being given the big hand in a big way. We start work in real earnest after tomorrow. So far we have only been making the preliminary |
- | weaving across the eky, It was a beautiful sunny day. and we exposA | + | |
- | II, | + | Last night I went and saw London' |
- | Ana getting to see more of London, bit by bit, uring a walk yesterday | + | |
- | evening the number of churcheseeither | + | One certainly isn't encouraged to eat in London, but if one goes to the right places the food is quite good and in reasonable quantity if not variety. We found an interesting cafe in Soho the other day - the Comedy. The old chap who waited on us was like a waiter out of a comedy film and I could hardly refrain from open laughter every time he addressed |
- | I have seen, Some of them are only shells now but their bell-towers are gE; | + | |
- | of Australia House - you know, Oranges and Lemons the bells of St.Clemens, That's | + | Today (Sunday) I went to Maidenhead with Noel Butlin. We had a meal and paid a brief visit to a pub for a pint of bitter. There were some lasses there wearing gold crosses, having repaired to the pub on their way home from church. Took a boat and rowed up the Thames - about as wide as the Yarra at Studly Park - plenty of boats, barges, swans - very beautiful really. We rowed up for a couple of hours through two locks, each lock raising us some five or six feet higher up. Beautiful white swans about the river everywhere, and one had a family of five large dirty grey cygnets. Many large houses had frontages right to the water' |
- | whatfs | + | |
- | Pygmalion - some cilurch | + | Am getting to see more of London, bit by bit. During |
- | Saw some fruit bnrro\-s | + | |
+ | Saw some fruit barrows | ||
I still expect to be back in Australia by the end of the year. | I still expect to be back in Australia by the end of the year. | ||
- | Cheerio IRA | ||
- | LETTERS FROM THE LADS AND LASSES | ||
- | Chas. Jones. New Guinea, | ||
- | Sometimes of an evening in thet' | ||
- | places featured in the " | ||
- | drive me to climb the hills which lie around us. The native villages in the hills are the cause of several disturbances and walking in those parts is frowned upon. | ||
- | At present I an camped i a huge valley flanked by incredible steep kunai | ||
- | covered hills. I always thought the elopes of Mr,Mouin were steep but the slopes around here -Bxcer' | ||
- | The valley itself is of interest to geologists but in thep bsence of | ||
- | Grace Edgecombe I am a lay=tn to such a huge subject. The river flow has reversed | ||
- | many times I think and the valley has been tilted laterally I think making the river run over what was previously the side of the valley. It is this lateral tilting which is the cause of the terrifically steep hill sides. | ||
- | Recently I had to survey a line for a road around one bluff which jutted | ||
- | out into the river. Whilst on this job I learned the truth of some wise acre's | ||
- | observation that there are only two types of hills in New Guinea, " | ||
- | they go straight down and " | ||
- | Scrambling around the bluff itself was no mean feat as I soon discovered. Accompanied by' | ||
- | the fact that I was :net wearing Bushwalker badge) to beat a strategic withdrawal. | ||
- | Later by dint of ropes and toe holds we managed to get around the offending rock face but I am sure many walks programmes will come and go before I join | ||
- | a "rock climbing" | ||
- | Earlier in my stay in New Guinea I was fortunate to spend a while in the area around Wau, Edie Creek and Bulolo. As you may know this area lies roughly | ||
- | eighty miles south of Lae and shout thirty miles inland from Salamau on the coast. | ||
- | - Pre-war this (,):::.oa was accessible only by plap e and was considered the " | ||
- | which Wau nests and it is on one such range to the west of Wau that Edie Creek | ||
- | lies. | ||
- | - | ||
- | As one begins the ascent the famous trail is seen along which the | ||
- | Japs made their near-victorious drive on V;1au in the beginning of last year, Further east can be seen the gaps in the tree line where Australian batteries " | ||
- | Further up the road, before it Swings west into the die Creek valley, one can see the broad Diarkham valley around Nadzab and Lae, We were fortunate on most occasions in that we had clear days in which to appreciate the view, | ||
- | At Edie Creek begins the now famous Bulldog road on which this company had the honour, dubious. Or otherwise, of working. A triumph of mants ingenuity and tenacity of purpose it gives no indication of the forces involved in its beginning at Edie Creek. Like an old rutted by-way in a country shire it winds its way westward to cross the Owen Stanleys at 9800 feet to penetrate the weird mossy forest and finally to wind its way along the sides of precipitous gorges till it finally reaches Bulldog on the Lakakamu River which eventually flows into the Gulf of Papua north of Moresby, | ||
- | This narrow, dangerous road was to be the life line of Australia had the push on Lae and Nadzab failed last September. As the fortunes of war so decided the Bulldog Pod was never destined to play that part. | ||
- | I am afraid I have let my head go as the lads would say, 'Still it, would have been a poor shbw had I baltily stated my thanks in one sentence so I hope my. literary rneanderings have not taken up too much of what must be valuable time to' you, | ||
- | Up here with time on one 's hands at night the pen and letter feature large in our lives, Once upon a:time I used to write about one letter a month, since being in the army and up here in particular, I. have developed that form of activity to an annoying (to the addressee) degre e, | ||
- | Jaok Adams - England. - 28.6.44, Gla d to hear from you and now I know that my mail to the B,5 ,C,, is up to date, Noted many interesting items about fellow bushwalkers but must admit that I have not had the pleasure of meeting many of them - shall no doubt make up for that on return to a " | ||
- | 6" guns at Ouistreham at dawn on D-Day, bombing just before H-Hour. We could see the invasion fleet creeping in beneath the broken cloud and were proud | ||
- | to give them ahand. Returning from a quiet leave to blast Le l_lavre docks and | ||
- | R.yardb at Valen ceinnes and now that Jerry is sending ove-r (rocket | ||
- | propelled bombs) we have Concentrated on their launching sites,: One daylight' | ||
- | away to. Beecroft Peninsula? | ||
- | LEcLagfinati. 3 -tiolust,. Writing once again to let you know that am most definitely in the land of the living and. will be for some. considerable timq. Here's the reason, tour completed 7th July with 3 mining, 15 German and 11 | ||
- | French targets. Post-tour leave of 14 d-Jys. Perthshire was really splendid. | ||
- | Fine weather and good grull and I thougsht strawberries as big as two bob and real ice cream was almost too much for thy constitution so long deficient Of ouch luxuriet.3! Tried my hand at bit of climbing and really appreciated a scramble over Mt.Blair sca:.?ing.. a stag_ en route, probably owing to my scant shorts and finally a Magnificent panorama of loch' | ||
- | woolly highlands of Glenslea. | ||
- | 12, | ||
- | , | ||
+ | Cheerio, Ira. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Letters From The Lads And Lasses.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Chas. Jones. New Guinea, 11.8,44.=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | I wish to express my thanks to you for the number of papers and magazines I consistently receive from your committee. The arrival of my own club magazine is always particularly welcome as in it I am able to read of the doings of the club and its members among places I know. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sometimes of an evening in that quiet half hour before darkness falls I lean against the tent pole and contemplate the surrounding scene so different from the places featured in the " | ||
+ | |||
+ | At present I am camped in a huge valley flanked by incredible steep kunai covered hills. I always thought the slopes of Mt. Mouin were steep but the slopes around here exceed them. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The valley itself is of interest to geologists but in the absence of Grace Edgecombe I am a layman to such a huge subject. The river flow has reversed many times I think and the valley has been tilted laterally I think making the river run over what was previously the side of the valley. It is this lateral tilting which is the cause of the terrifically steep hill sides. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Recently I had to survey a line for a road around one bluff which jutted out into the river. Whilst on this job I learned the truth of some wise acre's observation that there are only two types of hills in New Guinea, " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Scrambling around the bluff itself was no mean feat as I soon discovered. Accompanied by a few natives I began the journey but after a while I decided there was no future in that form of entertainment. No sir! When the natives too failed to gain a grip I decided (having in the meantime mentally checked the fact that I was not wearing Bushwalker badge) to beat a strategic withdrawal. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Later by dint of ropes and toe holds we managed to get around the offending rock face but I am sure many walks programmes will come and go before I join a "rock climbing" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Earlier in my stay in New Guinea I was fortunate to spend a while in the area around Wau, Edie Creek and Bulolo. As you may know this area lies roughly eighty miles south of Lae and about thirty miles inland from Salamau on the coast. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Pre-war this area was accessible only by plane and was considered the " | ||
+ | |||
+ | As one begins the ascent the famous trail is seen along which the Japs made their near-victorious drive on Wau in the beginning of last year. Further east can be seen the gaps in the tree line where Australian batteries " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Further up the road, before it swings west into the Edie Creek valley, one can see the broad Markham valley around Nadzab and Lae. We were fortunate on most occasions in that we had clear days in which to appreciate the view. | ||
+ | |||
+ | At Edie Creek begins the now famous Bulldog road on which this company had the honour, dubious or otherwise, of working. A triumph of man's ingenuity and tenacity of purpose it gives no indication of the forces involved in its beginning at Edie Creek. Like an old rutted by-way in a country shire it winds its way westward to cross the Owen Stanleys at 9800 feet to penetrate the weird mossy forest and finally to wind its way along the sides of precipitous gorges till it finally reaches Bulldog on the Lakakamu River which eventually flows into the Gulf of Papua north of Moresby. | ||
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+ | This narrow, dangerous road was to be the life line of Australia had the push on Lae and Nadzab failed last September. As the fortunes of war so decided the Bulldog Road was never destined to play that part. | ||
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+ | I am afraid I have let my head go as the lads would say. Still it would have been a poor show had I baldly stated my thanks in one sentence so I hope my literary meanderings have not taken up too much of what must be valuable time to you. | ||
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+ | Up here with time on one's hands at night the pen and letter feature large in our lives. Once upon a time I used to write about one letter a month, since being in the army and up here in particular, I have developed that form of activity to an annoying (to the addressee) degree. | ||
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+ | ===Jack Adams - England - 28.6.44.=== | ||
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+ | Glad to hear from you and now I know that my mail to the B.S.C. is up to date. Noted many interesting items about fellow bushwalkers but must admit that I have not had the pleasure of meeting many of them - shall no doubt make up for that on return to a " | ||
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+ | __And again on 3rd August.__ Writing once again to let you know that am I most definitely in the land of the living and will be for some considerable time. Here's the reason, tour completed 7th July with 3 mining, 15 German and 11 French targets. Post-tour leave of 14 days. Perthshire was really splendid. Fine weather and good grub and I thought strawberries as big as two bob and real ice cream was almost too much for my constitution so long deficient of such luxuries! Tried my hand at a bit of climbing and really appreciated a scramble over Mt. Blair scaring a stag en route, probably owing to my scant shorts and finally a magnificent panorama of lochs, valley of Glenisla and the wild and woolly highlands of Glenslea. | ||
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194411.txt · Last modified: 2017/11/28 12:44 by tyreless