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 Girgento is built on the heights 1000 feet above the Mediterranean and as we sat on the Terrace of our Inn looking down over the beautiful ruins of the six Greek Temples, over the Olive groves below to the blue-green sea we tried to reconstruct some of the tempetuous past, little dreaming that our own people would be the next invaders. Girgento is built on the heights 1000 feet above the Mediterranean and as we sat on the Terrace of our Inn looking down over the beautiful ruins of the six Greek Temples, over the Olive groves below to the blue-green sea we tried to reconstruct some of the tempetuous past, little dreaming that our own people would be the next invaders.
  
-Our host at the Inn owned a villa on the coast at Port Empedocle, so gave us our lunch and the key and insisted that we should go down for a picnic and swim. It was a delightful little villa gaily painted and decorative with its bright Sicilian rugs, pottery and painted furniture. The sun was all that a Mediterranean sun should be, but the sand was dull and the water still and shallow for so far that me gave up in despair.+Our host at the Inn owned a villa on the coast at Port Empedocle, so gave us our lunch and the key and insisted that we should go down for a picnic and swim. It was a delightful little villa gaily painted and decorative with its bright Sicilian rugs, pottery and painted furniture. The sun was all that a Mediterranean sun should be, but the sand was dull and the water still and shallow for so far that we gave up in despair
 + 
 +On the road back to Girgento we met peasants returning from their day's work in the fields, one little boy carelessly dangling in his hand a Roman terra cotta vase which he had just come upon as he dug. These people have (to us) quite priceless treasures in their homes. They are likely to find them just any time in the fields and should, I believe, hand one third of their spoils to the Government to be placed in Museums. 
 + 
 +The journey onwards to the East Coast took another whole day in the leisurely train. We used to spend five minutes at each station, and carriages were always being added or subtracted - but no one felt any need to hurry. Suddenly over the green hills, a dazzling, shimmering snow clad peak emerged, silhouetted against the bright blue sky. It seemed unreal, impossible. As soon as the peasants noticed it they made sure that we did too. "Etna. Etna", they 
 +cried, pointing excitedly. Gradually we came down from the mountains to the Plains of Catania, and turned North, with Etna 10,000 feet high on our left, and the Mediterranean calm and untroubled as ever on our right. The long curving beaches were separated by rocky projections or inlets, one time haven of pirates and bandits who were finally quelled only by Il Duce Mussolini, we were assured. 
 + 
 +Taormina, another picturesque little town perched on the heights was our destination, and we arrived on Good Friday in the midst of one of the most interesting celebrations in the whole Sicilian year. Our hotel in the miniature main street was decrepit but very amusing. The beds rocked like ships in storm and the floor tiles rattled when we walked. It took three days to get a hot bath, but the event was so ceremonious, necessitating as it did the escort of two maids and the handing over of three enormous bath towels, that it almost seemed worth the 1/9 it cost. The geography of the building eluded us and we never did discover its full extent, but we did find three wings opening to three different streets; two gardens with ponds and birds, three terraces and a vast glassed-in sun room furnished in wicker and decorated with palms that reached to the roof.
  
-C. 
-9. 
-On the road back to Girgento we ::ret peasant b returning from their day's work in the fields, one little boy carelessly dangling in his hand a Roman terra cotta vase which he had just come upon ao he dug. These people have(to us) quite priceless treasures in their homes, They are likely to find them just any time i the fields ana should, I believe, hand one third of their spoils to the Government to be placed in Museums. 
-The journey onwards to the East Cohst took another whole day in the leisurely train. We uied to spend five minutes at each station, and carriages were always being added or subtratted ,-;,but no one felt any need to hurry. Suddenly over the green hills, a daz7linglehimmering snow clad peak emerged, silhouetted against the bright blue sky, It seemed unreal,imPossible, As soon as the peasants noticed it they made sure that we did too. "Etna. Etna",they 
-cried, pointing excitedly.. Gradually we came down from the mountains to the 
-Plains of Catania, and turned North, with Etna 10,000 feet high on our leftt and the Mediterranean calm and untroubled as ever on our right, The long curving benches were separated by rocky projections or inlets, one time haven of pirates and bandits who were finally quelled only by II Duce Mussolini, we were assured. 
-Taormina, another picturesque little town perched on the heights was our destination, and we arrived on Good Friday in the midst of one of the 
-most interesting CelebYFIVicirs'in"theVhuoPe"SiVilTiffevae.'',10kulitIi6teloiRiV thWe 
-miniature main street was decrepit but very amusing. The beds rocked like ships in storm and the floor tiles rattled when we walked. It took three days to get a hot bath, but the avant was so cerqmonious, necessitating as it did the escort of two maids and the handing over of three enormous bath towels, that it almost seemed worth the 1/9 it cost. The geography of the building eluded us and we never did discover its full extent, but we did find three wings opening to three different streets; two gardens with ponds and birds, throe terraces and a vast glassedin sun room furnished in wicker and decorated with palms that reached to the roof. 
 As we were sitting at the street tables of our palatial residence the waiter came out and said something which was translated for us "The Italians took over Albania today. King Zog invited us to occupy it." As we were sitting at the street tables of our palatial residence the waiter came out and said something which was translated for us "The Italians took over Albania today. King Zog invited us to occupy it."
-This important announcement, however, didn't cause near74 the interest of the Via Crucis Procession which came by as night fell, with hushed rythmic tread of feet and solemn music. The Cross was carried high and a draped coffin borne by men; thn came a double line of bl ac1 robed and hooded women, one on each side of the street, each woman carrying a lighted candle. Small girls in white walked in the centre carrying symbols. Then came the draped figure of the Madonna, on a thick cushion of purple covered with white flowers, each bearer carrying a torch; the'dignitaries of the Church in scintillating vestments walked under a canopY of red, followed by the band 'and the people of the town in a dense mass. The steady trend of feet to solemn music and the long rows of candles flickering in the darkness were very irdpressive+ 
-Ester ,Saturdny howf-,wer wae .Piesta lay, so tnti smtll boys had thAr pro-ces'sicni accompanied by u tiaca. band. They beat jam tins with sticks and made castinets of Saucepan lids. +This important announcement, however, didn't cause nearly the interest of the Via Crucis Procession which came by as night fell, with hushed rythmic tread of feet and solemn music. The Cross was carried high and a draped coffin borne by men; then came a double line of black robed and hooded women, one on each side of the street, each woman carrying a lighted candle. Small girls in white walked in the centre carrying symbols. Then came the draped figure of the Madonna, on a thick cushion of purple covered with white flowers, each bearer carrying a torch; the dignitaries of the Church in scintillating vestments walked under a canopy of red, followed by the band and the people of the town in a dense mass. The steady trend of feet to solemn music and the long rows of candles flickering in the darkness were very impressive
-At night there was a Grand Ball at every restaurant, + 
-The "Taverne would have the best celebration we were told so we were +Easter Saturday however was a Fiesta Day so the small boys had their procession, accompanied by a tin-can band. They beat jam tins with sticks and made castinets of saucepan lids. 
-.=1 + 
-+At night there was a Grand Ball at every restaurant
-taken thre, It w-!s a large, grey rough w-,11ed cavern-like place, with + 
-lights in pirate lanterns, and barrels and bottles hanging from the roof. +The "Taverna" would have the best celebration we were told so we were taken there. It was a large, grey rough walled cavern-like place, with lights in pirate lanterns, and barrels and bottles hanging from the roof. A brightly costumed orchestra played gloriously from a cave in the wall to the thronging crowd seen dimly through tobacco smokeThe tiled dancing floor centre, seemed as large as a family dining table, and the spirit of carnival flourished. Waiters flew in all directions carrying delicious wines and every little while one of the orchestra turned soloist - the violonist was a fine artist, two danced the "Tarantella" another sang. 
-A brightly costumed orchestra played gloriously from a cave in the wall + 
-to the thronging crowd seen dimly through tobacco smokeThe tiled dancing floor centre, seemed as lorge as a family dining table, and the +Fashioned into a hillside, the Greek Theatre stands on the out-skirts of the town. From the rising Auditorium the audience looks down through the arches behind the stage to the beaches and the Coastal villages hundreds of feet belowBuilt in golden stone it has stood for 2500 years and we thought of the drama enacted on its stage and in the lives of the people through all those centuries
-of carnival flourished. Waiters flew in all directions carrying delicious wines and every little while one of the orchestra turned soloist - the violoniet was a fine artist, two d-nced the "Tarantella" another song+ 
-Fashioned into a hillside, the Greek Theatre stands on the out- +A very short journey along the coast brought us to Messina, where our train ran right onto the boat waiting to take us across the narrow Straits of Messina to the Italian mainland.  
-skirts of the town.. From the rising Auditorium the audience looks down through the arches behind the stage to the beaches and the Coastal villages + 
-hundreds of feet belowBuilt in golden stone it has stood for 2500 years +The Sicilians have an old saying that "God created Sicily in a moment of supreme content.
-and we thought of the drama enacted on its stage and in the lives of the people through all those centuries, + 
-A very short journey along the coast brought us to Messina, 7here ourtrain ran right onto the boat waiting to take us across the narrow +Ancient, primitive colourful, beautiful - it is an unforgettable Island. 
-Straits of Messina to the :Italian mainland. a + 
-The Sicilians hove an old saying that "God created Sicily in a +====FOOD LISTS==== 
-moment of supreme content. + 
-Ancient, Primitive colourful, beautiful - it is an unforgettable Island, +  
-FOOD LISTS  +Nightmare horrors food lists cause.  
-Nightmare horrors food lists cause. Immutable as holy laws - + 
-Juggling pounds and pennyweights, Reviving long forgotten hates, Panic when two tins of malt +Immutable as holy laws - 
-Myopic eyes have read as+ 
 +Juggling pounds and pennyweights,  
 + 
 +Reviving long forgotten hates,  
 + 
 +Panic when two tins of malt 
 + 
 +Myopic eyes have read as "salt", 
 Making lunch of even date Making lunch of even date
-As preordained as Omarls fate,+ 
 +As preordained as Omar'fate
 + 
 Can the sugar with the tea Can the sugar with the tea
 +
 Be trusted not to disagree? Be trusted not to disagree?
 +
 Will the butter miss the train Will the butter miss the train
-And hread be dry as Western plain? + 
-Will the chap who al-7ays brings +And bread be dry as Western plain? 
-Such quantities of useless things Bring of bidden quantities + 
-The party's bare neces-ities?+Will the chap who always brings 
 + 
 +Such quantities of useless things  
 + 
 +Bring of bidden quantities 
 + 
 +The party's bare necessities? 
 + 
 Comes the hour of reckoning - Comes the hour of reckoning -
-To Peter would I rather wing,.+ 
 +To Peter would I rather wing, 
 Even saints would not exact Even saints would not exact
 +
 Such punishment for our worst acts. Such punishment for our worst acts.
 +
 "Debit, credit, put and take, "Debit, credit, put and take,
-We owe you more, you brought the Cake,+ 
 +We owe you more, you brought the cake, 
 She takes that, now you owe me She takes that, now you owe me
-.A "cleaner" point six four two three,"+ 
 +A "deaner" point six four two three." 
 ONE OF TEN. ONE OF TEN.
  
-le, + 
-ONE OF THE OLD HAND3 +====ONE OF THE OLD HANDS==== 
-Maurie Berry told me in a tone which implied understanding on my part that he is one of the "8 originals"I admitted that I did not eppreciate this claim. So he unfolded to me the beginnings of our Club,back in 1927 .. the letter to the newspaper deploring the lack of a walking club and the reply by the Mountain Trails Club which brought together the first enthusiastsHowever, the "8 originals" (mostly married now, I presume, with large families) wanted a club open to both men and women and so in time the Sydney Bushwalkers was born, + 
-We bemoan even now the paucity of maps and the wartime lack of gear but walking in those days was so different that it is difficult for us to appreciete the early conditionsMeurie commenced his walking carrying a "Dungal Swag" which is something after the style of that car4pdpy the present day "swaggie"."Paddy always claims" said he, "that I hea rtg8ac but", he continued with ju,licial honesty, "I cannot confirm that to be so". It is little wonder that Meurie left Oberon for his fortnight:s walk to Yerranderie with 70 pounds aboard for,in those days, he always carried an axe, tents ot' +Maurie Berry told me in a tone which implied understanding on my part that he is one of the "8 originals"I admitted that I did not appreciate this claim. So he unfolded to me the beginnings of our Club, back in 1927 the letter to the newspaper deploring the lack of a walking club and the reply by the Mountain Trails Club which brought together the first enthusiastsHowever, the "8 originals" (mostly married now, I presume, with large families) wanted a club open to both men and women and so in time the Sydney Bushwalkers was born
-the pre-lightweight era were heavier and we have all the advantages of progress in bushwalking which is practically synonymous with lighter packs. + 
-Can you visualise the Blue Mountains when a trip to Clear Hill and return was considered to require a holiday weekend for its performance? If you can you will anpreciate the Rdventure behind those early trips down the Cox, the Shoalhaven or the Grose which sound to us so humdrum but which, to the pioneers, had the proportions of one of our trips into the most remote, unmapped country. +We bemoan even now the paucity of maps and the wartime lack of gear but walking in those days was so different that it is difficult for us to appreciate the early conditionsMeurie commenced his walking carrying a "Dungal Swag" which is something after the style of that carried by the present day "swaggie". "Paddy always claims" said he, "that I had the first rucksack but", he continued with judicial honesty, "I cannot confirm that to be so". It is little wonder that Meurie left Oberon for his fortnight's walk to Yerranderie with 70 pounds aboard for, in those days, he always carried an axe, tents of the pre-lightweight era were heavier and we have all the advantages of progress in bushwalking which is practically synonymous with lighter packs. 
-Maurie has a record of service to the Club and one which is by + 
-no means endedHe has been on committee many times, has been Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and President. His present love, to which he has +Can you visualise the Blue Mountains when a trip to Clear Hill and return was considered to require a holiday weekend for its performance? If you can you will anpreciate the adventure behind those early trips down the Cox, the Shoalhaven or the Grose which sound to us so humdrum but which, to the pioneers, had the proportions of one of our trips into the most remote, unmapped country. 
-glven four years of tireless work, is the Bushwaikers Service Committe + 
-of which 110 is Treasurer - surely an important post on a Committee filling its coffers in order to happily empty the for the benefit of Bushwalkers in the services, +Maurie has a record of service to the Club and one which is by no means endedHe has been on committee many times, has been Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and President. His present love, to which he has given four years of tireless work, is the Bushwalkers Service Committee of which he is Treasurer - surely an important post on a Committee filling its coffers in order to happily empty them for the benefit of Bushwalkers in the services
-Though Maurie first walked in 1924 his enthusiasm for the bush is greater than ever and do not imagine because of this-date, his snowy hair and growing responsibilities that he hes retired from active walking. + 
-Onlyquite recently he "discovered" Kosciusko and now talks of it with the boyish delight he has always felt for the countryside. +Though Maurie first walked in 1924 his enthusiasm for the bush is greater than ever and do not imagine because of this-date, his snowy hair and growing responsibilities that he hes retired from active walking. Only quite recently he "discovered" Kosciusko and now talks of it with the boyish delight he has always felt for the countryside. 
-You have probably heard of Morriberri Pass from the Cox River Up onto the Gangerang Range and have been deceived by its aboriginal sound. It appears that the well-known cartographer, also a member of ourClub, + 
-who mapped most of the Blue Mountains was arraigned for calling so many +You have probably heard of Morriberri Pass from the Cox River up onto the Gangerang Range and have been deceived by its aboriginal sound. It appears that the well-known cartographer, also a member of our Club, who mapped most of the Blue Mountains was arraigned for calling so many features after white people so he concocted the above name which satisfied the authorities by passing for genuine aboriginal. Maurie was one of the first walkers to go over this route. 
-features after white people so he concocted the above name which satisfied the authorities by passing for genuine aboriginal. Maurie was one of the first walkers to go over this route. + 
-Mauriels only regret at the present time is that the Club is so large he finds it impossible to know even a fraction of the members. +Maurie'only regret at the present time is that the Club is so large he finds it impossible to know even a fraction of the members. "I suppose it is partly my own fault", he admits and advises attendance at official walks as the way to overcome this shortcoming. And speaking with the authority obtained from association with the Club throughout its whole history he confirms the application to the Club of the 2,000 year old precept, "The more you give, the more you will receive". We believe you, Maurie - you ought to know. 
-"I suppose it is partly my own fault", he admits and advises attendance at official walks as the way to overcome this shortcoming. And speaking with the authority obtained from association with the Club throughout its whole history he confirms the aeplication to the Club of the 2,000 year old precept, "The more you give, the more you will receive". We believe you, Maurie - you ought to know. + 
-N.E..........M.E.M.011=111 +===="NOTHING"====  
-"NOTHING" By "Backslider" + 
-- +By "Backslider" 
-Strolling leisurely down Hunter Street in the pseudo Spring Sunshine, + 
-I met Mr.Editor toiling up, Thera was that "Shall Ishan't I speak" hesitation and then - a simultaneous "How are you"? - +Strolling leisurely down Hunter Street in the pseudo Spring Sunshine, I met Mr. Editor toiling up. There was that "Shall I shan't I speak" hesitation and then - a simultaneous "How are you"?  
-This courtesy exchanged, Mr.Editor remarked: "You don't come into Club these days, do you?" and to counter his tactlessness I replied "Er - no - but I'm "financial" you know and I've been reading the Magazine and think you are making a great jobof it," And into his eyes came that look which only a man, presented with a magazine and nothing to load in it, can wearI listened sympathetically while he 'spoke and, as he grew more eloquent, the little worm of guilt wriggled inside meBut I haven't been walking for - Yes, I can almost say years... + 
-."I know it must be hard", I muttered, "but I can't help - you see, I'm right out of touch with everything nnd lierybody and have nothing to write about"And with a "Cherio" we narted+This courtesy exchanged, Mr. Editor remarked: "You don't come into Club these days, do you?" and to counter his tactlessness I replied "Er - no - but I'm "financial" you know and I've been reading the Magazine and think you are making a great job of it." And into his eyes came that look which only a man, presented with a magazine and nothing to load in it, can wearI listened sympathetically while he spoke and, as he grew more eloquent, the little worm of guilt wriggled inside meBut I haven't been walking for - yes, I can almost say years... 
-Walking! My memory stirredAnd my first thought was of my pack. ) bow + 
-I hated that thing! Even now, when I see it squatting compl-,cently on the ton +"I know it must be hard", I muttered, "but I can't help - you see, I'm right out of touch with everything and everybody and have nothing to write about"And with a "Cheerio" we parted. 
-of the wardrobe kmte it - it was always too big and too heavy - and it never grew lighter. + 
-Straining up,perpandicular mountains, my heart bursting, my legs and shoulders racked with'Rain; glissading down perpendicular mountains on all sixes, the pack illimplale behind with malevolent intent; scrambling down steep slippery banks to :wa4Ohrough icy, rock strewn creeks because, with a pack, +Walking! My memory stirredAnd my first thought was of my pack. How I hated that thing! Even now, when I see it squatting complacently on the top of the wardrobe I hate it - it was always too big and too heavy - and it never grew lighter. 
-I could not bal.T.ncliii'log bridges; rock hopping along creek beds, apprehen- + 
-sive of snakes in ev'ery crack, fighting back tears and praying to God to end the mi sery. Never did. ChriStian stumble in his "burdened manner" as I did with my pack - and yetk.... +Straining up perpendicular mountains, my heart bursting, my legs and shoulders racked with pain; glissading down perpendicular mountains on all sixes, the pack bumping behind with malevolent intent; scrambling down steep slippery banks to wade through icy, rock strewn creeks because, with a pack, I could not balance on log bridges; rock hopping along creek beds, apprehensive of snakes in every crack, fighting back tears and praying to God to end the misery. Never did Christian stumble in his "burdened manner" as I did with my pack - and yet.... 
-Bluegum in the dawn mist; Kangaroo Valley and the incomparable soft greenness of Yeola; the majesty of Solitary, the poplars along the Cotter river; the intimacy of a small camp-fire party; bush orchids and th- wildflowers; Romance and good comrades; excitement as bush creatures are surprised; the pungency of bush smells; the satisfaction of a full tummy and a warm sleeping bag; stillness; Iponlight; and the bliss of a deep hot bath after a trip. All these and a hundred other memories crowded my brain as I + 
-continued on my way. But it's all so long ago, and, as I told Mr.Editor, there's absolutely nothing I can write for his magazine - nothing at+Bluegum in the dawn mist; Kangaroo Valley and the incomparable soft greenness of Yeola; the majesty of Solitary, the poplars along the Cotter river; the intimacy of a small camp-fire party; bush orchids and the wildflowers; Romance and good comrades; excitement as bush creatures are surprised; the pungency of bush smells; the satisfaction of a full tummy and a warm sleeping bag; stillness; moonlight; and the bliss of a deep hot bath after a trip. All these and a hundred other memories crowded my brain as I continued on my way. But it's all so long ago, and, as I told Mr.Editor, there's absolutely nothing I can write for his magazine - nothing at all... 
 + 
 +------ 
 E. (TED) CAINES PHILLIPS, Convenor of the Topographical Section of the River Canoe Club of N.S.W. writes under date 7/8/45. E. (TED) CAINES PHILLIPS, Convenor of the Topographical Section of the River Canoe Club of N.S.W. writes under date 7/8/45.
-Please note thst the following canoeists' maps have now been + 
-completed: +Please note that the following canoeists' maps have now been completed: 
-No.31 Paterson River (Paterson to Hunter River junction(Morneth)section+ 
 +No.31 Paterson River (Paterson to Hunter River junction (Morpeth) section 
 No.32 Little Manning and Manning Rivers (Gloryvale to Barrington River junction section). No.32 Little Manning and Manning Rivers (Gloryvale to Barrington River junction section).
 +
 +
 Again thanking you for your continued publicity of this section's activities, Again thanking you for your continued publicity of this section's activities,
  
194509.1397716108.txt.gz · Last modified: 2014/04/17 16:28 by apaddock2

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