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--- 194506 [2016/01/13 16:44] – tyreless
+++ 194506 [2016/01/14 08:32] (current) – tyreless
@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 No - in fact, quite ordinary. It seems we shall have to start again.
-It was mid-afternoon as eight rather ordinary males reached the top of
+It was mid-afternoon as eight rather ordinary males reached the top of the grassy saddle. The sun had long since disappeared, submerged in cloud. There was a distant peal of thunder and the clouds had already settled on the neighbouring mountain like the extra fat lady subsiding into the tram seat just vacated by the extra small school-boy. All of which means that a storm was brewing and brewing fast, the clouds were heavy, the thunder more insistent and there were some spots of rain.
-the grassy saddle. The sun had long since disappeared, submerged in cloud.
-There was a distant peal of thunder and the clouds had already settled on the neighbouring mountain like the extra fat lady subsiding into the tram seat just vacated by the extra small school-boy. All of which means that a storm was brewing and brewing fast, the clouds were heavy, the thunder more insistent and there were some spots of rain.
 The eight men stopped. Should they camp on the green sward below as recommended by the "Old Master Max" or should they go on for another hour or so and make a hole in that eighteen miles to be covered the next day? Here, at least, was a chance for one of those arguments for which "The Wizard" and his "Shadow" are so famous (or should I say infamous?).
@@ Line 179: / Line 177: @@
 Give my congrats to Edna. Your description of the Reunion brings back fond memories of past Reunions in peace time at Leonav etc. Tuggie's trip has the earmarks of a wild and wondrous time but the thought of Tumut isn't very nice for the man on the land, a most disheartening job under present circumstances.
-Well I'll go into my dance now and try and give you some of the "G.G." of
+Well I'll go into my dance now and try and give you some of the "G.G." of this place.
-this place.
 As for the Solomons I suppose by now I'm as wise as the next bloke but as for following in that gentleman's (or was he) footsteps I'll decline gracefully.
@@ Line 188: / Line 185: @@
 We have always lived under fair conditions due to us having a large number of natives working with us and when we want anything done "Orriht now 'spose you like workin' house blong me". That's all there is to it. Although we are stuck right out in the Nips, to see us during the day you'd think we were in the middle of Hyde Park. Pretentious intelligence offices (two of) and Sig. offices as large as life. Huts everywhere and all the time we wonder why "Nip" doesn't have a go at us instead of us having to go out and find him. Where this place is, used to be an old native clearing and it has waving palms and jungle scenery and a really beautiful scene of a mountain which must remain unnamed. We have about 50/50 sunshine and rain, a little more sun perhaps and the general apparel is a "lap-lap" which just covers the nether quarters and of course boots. So we work and play (very little of) making the most of life.
-I am in charge of the Int. Section under the Skinper and save the taxpayers
+I am in charge of the Int. Section under the Skinper and save the taxpayers no end of coin as I am still only a trooper - but one of these days?
-no end of coin as I am still only a trooper - but one of these days?
 I have managed to grab myself a couple of Nips but at the moment I am under a cloud (shades of former days) and I don't go out on patrol probably because if they find me and I get killed they may not be able to collect. It'll all blow over soon I hope and I can get amongst the fight again and pip a few more of them. The trouble is we've got to go out and look for them and we're sometimes wondering for days around their back areas looking for them. So much for the little brown bathplugs.
@@ Line 199: / Line 195: @@
 I notice you are still keeping I.C.I. poor using up their envelopes - and time I expect - but they can stand it for the poor boys "mopping-up" up north. If anyone tells you that Dunk, tell them for me that calling it that doesn't make a bullet any softer or a grenade any less effective. Perhaps the Jap doesn't know its mopping-up - evidently his education has been neglected. One more thing before I go. Here is the latest news - stop press in the late final extra - Right off the rollers or straight from the C.O's moustache. I have been nominated for a military intelligence school, about the only one I have ever wanted to do. It is at Southport, Queensland and starts the end of June. After that I'll probably get more leave so all in all its something to look forward to and my ugly mug may show its features around the Clubroom down in the not so far future. etc. etc.
-GUOUOGANG
+=====Guouogang=====
 by Laurie Rayner.
-It all st,-t-d bck in 1941 when J-ay and I -oer:J into the iloi)e4etrab1e mist on top of Guouogon,,; in an elide your to find th riaht ridge leading to the Zanangra PLiver. After a sort delib,r7ttion (without map end/or
-compass) we agreed on the course and -olungd into the rist. Following first a short and stee-) ridge to a ully nnd then fie-hting our way through dense undergrowth for hours, we arrived at 1,st on the banks of - believe it or not - the Cox aver.
-Now, as you may remember, this incident caused quite a controversy in the club because, accordinc, to the map, we should have climbed at least one intervening ridge to rrive at this noint. Some "nasty folk" even sug-
-gested that we did climb this ridge in a delirious state due to the effect of the stinging trees. To settle this dispute was our object l'ist King's
-Birthday weekend and to achieve this result we had to find a ride leading
-in an unbroken line from Konangaroo Clearing right to the top of Guouogang,
-As Leon and I set out from Katooelba Station for Correl Swao p we seemed to be on the wrong track. That nie.;ht, this usually quiet path was like a thoroughfare, walking partiee everywhere. The c-,epe,ite reminded u.E. of a reunion and there was fun around th- campfires in which we dare not narticipate as we hoped for an early departure next mor-rline,,
-This we achieved, ar-ived at ClJar Hill quit: early and 1-joyd the view which seems to lose none of ite ch-rm by le c-):ein7 faeliliar,'PLfter. descending the ladders, our net led us up and ov,r the intervening mountains eventually to Splendour 2ock which was our first opnortunity to study our chances. The ridge was there all right, but was "there not a
-break in it just where it should join the main mase of the mountain? Anyhow, we shall see for ourselves tomorrow; let us get on now with today's walk, for the shadows are already lengthening. Over rocky Yellow Dog and the Yellow Pup Ridge we dropped to the Cox. It was dark now and our idea of crossing on some rocks was not feasible so we had to unlace our boots and - boy, was it cold! But we were soon warm again at the cheery fire after 'Ditching camp at Konang,roo and discussing the morrow - whether or not we
-should take rucksacks was the main argument. After many pros and cons
-it was decided to shoulder them.
-In the morning, we started our leng climb with an easy slope which became pretty steep as we arproached the crest of the ridge. This ridge commences about a mile upstream on the Cox above Konangaroo and lee ds through three saddles, one of them a veritable bridge or knife edge. The rocks at this point fall sheer down to thl Kanangra River. The vie7es
-along are beautiful; on one hand, Mt.Morilla and Paralyser, on th: -)th r, Mts. Jenolan and queahgong. One lovely grass-tree covered rock plltfnrn
-provided an excellent view, both of our route of the previous day end
-right back to Medlow Bath.
-As we rushed on to the mountain we moved into thick mist which seems
-to bo,my fate on Guouogang, Lunch-time was cold and cleelly but we were
-warmed inwIrdly by the exl)eri nce and satisfaction gained on our feur hour climb. Our luck was not entirely out, however, as we were fortunate to observe the unique dancing of a lyre bird; it imitated all the well-known bird calls and this drew our attenti in to its cinding ground.
-,
-The mist still blotted out any view so we decided to follow some wallaby tracks down a very steep shale ridge droioping from the second peak of Queahgong to Mumbedah Creek. This we reached by sunset and camped at its
-unction with the Jenolan Aver. The conversation that night was exclusively of "our" ridge which became easy and well graded as the ni:ht wore on
-A late st,rt next morning c used us to put on speed to make Medlow Bath via the Jenolan River Gorge, though it seem d e-Isy folio ing upon our success of 1-.he day before. We followed the footprints of Ty,rty along the Cox River and up the Six Foot Track and lost thqm only as we cut across to the charming little church at Mealong. This day was misty too but it did not diminish the loveliness of th valley. Everything seined to cheer us - the moist, glittering gum leaves, the low clouds, even the
-pools on the road. As we plodded up th72 well graded track to the to of the cliffs at the Hydro, the view of Megalong shrouded in darkness w-,E; the finale to one of my best walks in the Blue 11:ountains.
-CAMPING IN THE RAIN
-Dramatis Personae
-"The Old " (still c-ena:,red) - John Johns n, 'jr-win:; old disgracefully,
-"The Curly Headed Boy - Colin Lloyd, whom we h-lve sen rw u - boy and man - these two yvIrs.
-More discerning peoT)le describe Ray Kirkby as like a young larch - rather than emaciated.
-As for Frank Lyden Wizard, cure thyself !
-Poor, old Bill Cosgrove - when he's too old to walk he'll at 1st an opportunity to talk.
-Mr.Edward McKinnon, budding ARCHIT7CT, who, we opine, will be ni7?ped in the bud.
-We idly wonder vhethar Ray Dargan will be as buxo.?,1 when he h ls our years and cares.
-Mr.John Hunter is employed by Imperial Chemicals etc etc. who hvwe discovered the Philosopher's Stone which turns baser metals into gad.
-BACKYoIRD BalrALKING
-+
-Apart from birds there are few wild animals which survive the overpowering destructive forces which accompany close sottlerilent, but on any common of the outer suburbs of London rabbits are squirrels may be soen. Stranfs-ly enough (or is it?) their o- or'ite numbers of the marsapial family, b3nacoots and possums frool eLt suburban g-rdens. The bondicoot is a somewhat secretive f l]ow for though his piglike grunts often betray him his erstwhile ,rooroonco is generally only Lnown by his burrowing for Lho insects and ;.rubs he lives on The possum on th,, oth3r hand is a merry chao-,, or Rs merry as tho preEence of cats and dogs and the unioredictoble will allow. Each year a ossu. ilakes a nest of twio2_;s in the
-creeper [2;rowing on th ig11 of the houseInd th. 1vfc fun the nest is tr,caLtlerr, to th end of the guttl:ing hich is under th.
-eaves. There a ,orooloi oft,n be un El:,-ing throuh the vinter
-day, but at n-Lht he joins his cobbors to a noi hbours dustbin
-whoso lid is ins cure (we to th, dustbin). Thrl they top off the 1,00l uth wottlo ceods, gum 111)ts (whatuvLr th,y do oat) und then hunger s J:icofied, hey retire to th- flat roof of our vurandoh for fun and ;faros. Judging by the noise they make the have a number of favourite games, Swinging from the ovarhanc;in..3 branches of the wattle tree and Lnding ,ith a bum on th roof is one, some form of hop-scotch or leap frog in another and (most spectacular of all) is
-P sort of glissade down th ;teep tiled slopes ending with a hondsloring over the c.).uLtoring and a double roll on tho flat roof. Special gn.1-1 nights are held when the moon is full and o good time is had by all except for those un-orodiotable humans who o re trying to slee,) below. But then of course if folks will insist on sleeping all night and working all day when all good possums are in bed, what can they expect?
-PADDY PALLIY,
-(Still makes) =
-Camp Gear for Walkers,
-George Street,
-SYDNEY. 'Phone B3101.
+It all started back in 1941 when Ray and I peered into the impenetrable mist on top of Guouogong in an endeavour to find the right ridge leading to the Kanangra River. After a short deliberation (without map and/or compass) we agreed on the course and plunged into the mist. Following first a short and steep ridge to a gully and then fighting our way through dense undergrowth for hours, we arrived at last on the banks of - believe it or not - the Cox River.
+Now, as you may remember, this incident caused quite a controversy in the club because, according to the map, we should have climbed at least one intervening ridge to arrive at this point. Some "nasty folk" even suggested that we did climb this ridge in a delirious state due to the effect of the stinging trees. To settle this dispute was our object last King's Birthday weekend and to achieve this result we had to find a ridge leading in an unbroken line from Konangaroo Clearing right to the top of Guouogang.
+As Leon and I set out from Katoomba Station for Corral Swamp we seemed to be on the wrong track. That night, this usually quiet path was like a thoroughfare, walking parties everywhere. The campsite reminded us of a reunion and there was fun around the campfires in which we dare not participate as we hoped for an early departure next morning.
+This we achieved, arrived at Clear Hill quite early and enjoyed the view which seems to lose none of its charm by becoming familiar. After descending the ladders, our path led us up and over the intervening mountains eventually to Splendour Rock which was our first opportunity to study our chances. The ridge was there all right, but was there not a break in it just where it should join the main mass of the mountain? Anyhow, we shall see for ourselves tomorrow; let us get on now with today's walk, for the shadows are already lengthening. Over rocky Yellow Dog and the Yellow Pup Ridge we dropped to the Cox. It was dark now and our idea of crossing on some rocks was not feasible so we had to unlace our boots and - boy, was it cold! But we were soon warm again at the cheery fire after pitching camp at Konangaroo and discussing the morrow - whether or not we should take rucksacks was the main argument. After many pros and cons it was decided to shoulder them.
+In the morning, we started our long climb with an easy slope which became pretty steep as we approached the crest of the ridge. This ridge commences about a mile upstream on the Cox above Konangaroo and leads through three saddles, one of them a veritable bridge or knife edge. The rocks at this point fall sheer down to the Kanangra River. The views all along are beautiful; on one hand, Mt. Morilla and Paralyser, on the other, Mts. Jenolan and Queahgong. One lovely grass-tree covered rock platform provided an excellent view, both of our route of the previous day and right back to Medlow Bath.
+As we rushed on to the mountain we moved into thick mist which seems to be my fate on Guouogang. Lunch-time was cold and clammy but we were warmed inwardly by the experience and satisfaction gained on our four hour climb. Our luck was not entirely out, however, as we were fortunate to observe the unique dancing of a lyre bird; it imitated all the well-known bird calls and this drew our attention to its dancing ground.
+The mist still blotted out any view so we decided to follow some wallaby tracks down a very steep shale ridge dropping from the second peak of Queahgong to Mumbedah Creek. This we reached by sunset and camped at its junction with the Jenolan River. The conversation that night was exclusively of "our" ridge which became easy and well graded as the night wore on.
+A late start next morning caused us to put on speed to make Medlow Bath via the Jenolan River Gorge, though it seemed easy following upon our success of the day before. We followed the footprints of Tim's party along the Cox River and up the Six Foot Track and lost them only as we cut across to the charming little church at Megalong. This day was misty too but it did not diminish the loveliness of the valley. Everything seemed to cheer us - the moist, glittering gum leaves, the low clouds, even the pools on the road. As we plodded up the well graded track to the top of the cliffs at the Hydro, the view of Megalong shrouded in darkness was the finale to one of my best walks in the Blue Mountains.
+=====Camping In The Rain=====
+====Dramatis Personae====
+"The Old ......." (still censored) - John Johnson, growing old disgracefully.
+"The Curly Headed Boy" - Colin Lloyd, whom we have seen grow up - boy and man - these two years.
+More discerning people describe Ray Kirkby as like a young larch - rather than emaciated.
+As for Frank Lyden - Wizard, cure thyself!
+Poor, old Bill Cosgrove - when he's too old to walk he'll at last have an opportunity to talk.
+Mr. Edward McKinnon, budding Architect, who, we opine, will be nipped in the bud.
+We idly wonder whethar Ray Dargan will be as buxom when he has our years and cares.
+Mr. John Hunter is employed by Imperial Chemicals etc. etc. who have discovered the Philosopher's Stone which turns baser metals into gold.
+=====Backyard Bushwalking=====
+Apart from birds there are few wild animals which survive the overpowering destructive forces which accompany close settlement, but on any common of the outer suburbs of London rabbits are squirrels may be seen. Strangely enough (or is it?) their opposite numbers of the marsupial family, bandicoots and possums frequent suburban gardens. The bandicoot is a somewhat secretive fellow for though his piglike grunts often betray him his erstwhile presence is generally only known by his burrowing for the insects and grubs he lives on. The possum on the other hand is a merry chap, or as merry as the presence of cats and dogs and the unpredictable human will allow. Each year a possum makes a nest of twigs in the virginia creeper growing on the wall of the house and when the leaves fall the nest is transferred to the end of the guttering which is under the eaves. There a possum may often be seen sleeping through the Winter day, but at night he joins his cobbers to raid a neighbour's dustbin whose lid is insecure (we refer to the dustbin). Then they top off the meal with wattle seeds, gum nuts (whatever they do eat) and then hunger satisfied, they retire to the flat roof of our verandah for fun and games. Swinging from the overhanging branches of the wattle tree and landing with a bump on the roof is one, some form of hop-scotch or leap frog is another and (most spectacular of all) is a sort of glissade down the steep tiled slopes ending with a handspring over the guttering and a double roll on tho flat roof. Special gala nights are held when the moon is full and a good time is had by all except for those unpredictable humans who are trying to sleep below. But then of course if folks will insist on sleeping all night and working all day when all good possums are in bed, what can they expect?
+Paddy Pallin
+(Still makes) Camp Gear for Walkers,
+George Street, Sydney. 'Phone B3101.