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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=====October News.===== | =====October News.===== | ||
- | Just to offset the tough conditions imposed by the Railway | + | Just to offset the tough conditions imposed by the Railway |
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. | 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. | ||
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The Commission' | The Commission' | ||
- | Even managed forests contribute amenity, as for instance, although in Europe the primitive Oak and Beach forests no lenger | + | Even managed forests contribute amenity, as for instance, although in Europe the primitive Oak and Beach forests no longer |
The Bush Walking Clubs could help best by defining areas of scenic content worthy of retention in the primitive." | The Bush Walking Clubs could help best by defining areas of scenic content worthy of retention in the primitive." | ||
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Am getting to see more of London, bit by bit. During a walk yesterday evening the number of churches either built by Wren or in his style was most obvious. So far they are the most pleasing features of London architecture I have seen. Some of them are only shells now but their bell-towers are generally intact and front view they look complete. St. Clemens is just in front of Australia House - you know, Oranges and Lemons the bells of St. Clemens. That's what's wrong with London - most of its charm derives from the history and literature of the place rather than from its nature. Remember the early scenes in Pygmalion - some church pillars in front of a market place. We passed by that yesterday - a dirty smellful place like Haymarket. | Am getting to see more of London, bit by bit. During a walk yesterday evening the number of churches either built by Wren or in his style was most obvious. So far they are the most pleasing features of London architecture I have seen. Some of them are only shells now but their bell-towers are generally intact and front view they look complete. St. Clemens is just in front of Australia House - you know, Oranges and Lemons the bells of St. Clemens. That's what's wrong with London - most of its charm derives from the history and literature of the place rather than from its nature. Remember the early scenes in Pygmalion - some church pillars in front of a market place. We passed by that yesterday - a dirty smellful place like Haymarket. | ||
- | Saw some fruit barrows yesterday. Peaches at 4- __each__ - not such wonderful peaches either. Grapes at 1/6 per __quarter__ lb. I bought a couple of them and they were quite good. Spme small apples were more reasonable at 8d a lb. | + | Saw some fruit barrows yesterday. Peaches at 4- __each__ - not such wonderful peaches either. Grapes at 1/6 per __quarter__ lb. I bought a couple of them and they were quite good. Some small apples were more reasonable at 8d a lb. |
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. | ||
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---- | ---- | ||
- | LETTERS FROM THE LADS AND LASSES | + | =====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' | + | |
- | 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, | + | |
- | , | + | |
+ | ===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. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Jack Adams - England - 28.6.44.=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 " | ||
+ | |||
+ | __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. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- |
194411.txt · Last modified: 2017/11/28 12:44 by tyreless