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-WOMBEYAN CAVES.
+===== Wombeyan Caves. =====
 By "The Gent in the Tent".
-The carefully prepared Walks Programme distinctly said - 26-29th January. Mittagong - car to Wombeyan Caves - Mittagong.
-Easy. Miles O. Leader - Allain-lauraie7-7"he ITva"r7C-e blurb in
+The carefully prepared Walks Programme distinctly said - 26-29th January. Mittagong - __car to Wombeyan Caves__ - Mittagong. Easy. Miles O. Leader - Allan Hardie. the advance blurb in January Magazine said, amongst other things "The distance travelled will not be "Nil" as shown, but will be a minus quantity, the walking being underground, and not on the surface". Enticing, isn't it? In fact, I found it impossible to resist such a promise of ease and luxury for the Australia Day weekend. This was a good opportunity to spend some of the recent £1 per week basic wage rise, so I paid my car fare to the leader and waited impatiently for the great day to dawn.
-January Magazine said, amongst other things "The distance travelled will not be "Nilfl'as shown, but will be a minus quarlity, the walking being underground, and not on the surface". Enticing, isn't it? In fact, I found it impossible to resist such a promise of ease and luxury for the Australia Day weekend. This was a good opportunity to spend some of the recent 1 per week basic wage rise, so I paid
-my car fare to the leader and waited impatiently for the great day to dawn.
+I joined the 8.53 a.m. train for Mittagong at Strathfield with Gwen Jewell and Don Frost and straight away ran into Ernie French. The leader, Jean and Wal Jones and Bill Borral were riding in state in the reserved portion of the train. Misty rain welcomed us to Mittagong at about 11.20 a.m. where an unusually spacious Ford taxi took 7 of our packs into the rear boot, and 8 of our persons and 1 pack, into the interior. The recent 10 inches of rain had made the road muddy with several water crossings to negotiate, but the view as we descended into the Wollondilly Valley was superb. When we reached Goodman's Ford (his river crossing, not his car) about 30 miles out, the Wollondilly was rushing madly across the concrete causeway. With such a volume of water going over, it was too risky to attempt to cross in the car, so we piled out and arranged to meet the taxi on the same spot on Monday afternoon, hoping that the river wouldn't rise any more. Then we held council to consider our next move.
-I joined the 8.53 a m. train for Mittagong at Strathfield with Gwen Jewell and Don Frost and straight away ran into Ernie French. The leader, Jean and Wal Jones and Bill Borral were riding in state in the reserved portion of the train. Misty rain welcomed us to Mittagong at about 11.20 a m. where an unusually spacious Ford taxi took 7 of our packs into the rear boot, and 8 of our persons and 1 pack, into the interior. The recent 10 inches of rain had made the road muddy with several water crossings to negotiate, but the view as we descended into the Wollondilly Valley was superb. When we reached Goodman's Ford (his river crossing, not his car) about 30 miles out, the Wollondilly was rushing madly across the concrete causeway. With such a volume of water going over, it was too risky to attempt to cross in the car, so we piled out and arranged to meet the taxi on the same spot on Monday afternoon, hoping that the river wouldn't rise any more. Then we held council to consider our next
--move.
+Rumour said that a local resident had a boat for ferrying passengers over the river, but fact said that he hadn't been at the crossing for months. Don waded out into the centre and pronounced the current fast and about 2'3" deep. The weather had improved by this time so we had some lunch and then crossed catiously followed by two cyclists who had been dubious about crossing alone. By 3 p.m. we were ready to start on the 10 mile trek to the Caves. 8 of those miles were up hill but the scenery was interesting and we finally arrived some time before 7 p.m. in a lovely grassy valley containing Wombeyan Creek and some fine Casuarina trees. As we had all brought a few extra comforts, assuming that we would motor all the way in style, it was a relief to dump our heavy packs and prepare a decent meal, and discuss the luxury tour which turned into a fairly energetic walk.
-Rumour said that a local resident had a boat for ferrying
-passengers over the river, but fact said that he hadn't been at the
+Sunday was misty early but soon came out bright. The camping area is flat and well watered. In spite of all sorts of rumours, there is definitely no accommodation at Wombeyan other than for campers or caravaners who take their own gear and stores. The acammodation house was burnt down some years ago, and has not yet been rebuilt. I did not see any provisions for sale at the Post Office.
-crossing for months. Don waded out into the centre and pronounced the current fast and about 213h deep. The weather had improved by
-this time so we had some lunch and then crossed catiously followed
+The first object of interest was the Vitoria or Grand Arch where Wombeyan Creek goes through a limestone hill. It is somewhat similar to the Jenolan Grand Arch without a motor road. There is a track into it which is well worth exploring right to the end because it affords a good view of the roof which takes on a pink glow when the sun is shining. At 10.30 a.m. we were ready to inspect the Kuringai Cave. As our party were the only starters, the guide gave us ample time to view the formations thoroughly. It is one big cavern and contains a lot within a small space - you don't have to walk far. Several columns broken by earth movements, also a lot of "mysteries" (formations which grow out sideways instead of up or down) were most interesting.
-by two cyclists who had been dubious about crossing alone. By
-p m. we were ready to start on the 10 mile trek to the Caves. 8 of those miles were up hill but the scenery was interesting and we
+For the afternoon inspection the Junction Cave was open, but about 60 visitors made conditions crowded for the guide on duty. Chalker's Blanket in this cave is the most perfect shawl formation I've ever seen. There is also a column, or mass of columns grown together, said to have the largest circumference for this type of limestone formation. In the evening we visited the Wollondilly Cave, which our party considered to be the best, particularly the miniature formations of pine-forests, etc., some fine roof formations in a cavern 85 ft. high, and the formations known as Lot's Wife and the Golden Fleece. These caves are lit by electricity. Exploration of the unlit caves is not permitted. In our journeys from the camping area to the caves entrance and in exploring the caves, we must have covered 10 miles - so much for the minus quantity (underground) walking.
-finally arrived some time before 7 p m. in a lovely grassy valley
-containing Wombeyan Creek and some fine Casuarina trees. As we had all brought a few extra comforts, assuming that we would motor all
-the way in style, it was a relief to dump our heavy packs and prepae
-a decent meal, and discuss the luxury tour which turned into a fairy energetic walk.
-Sunday was misty early but soon came cut bright. The camping area is flat and well watered. In spite of all sorts of rumours,
-,
-there is definitely no accommodation at Wombeyan other than for . campers or caravaners who take their own :gear. and stores. The acammodat:Lon house was burnt down some years ago, and has not yet, been rebuilt. I did not see any provis'Ions for sale at the Pest Office.
-The first object of interest was the Vitoria or Grand Arch where Wombeyan Creek goes through a limestone hill. It is somewhat simila12 to the Jenolan Grand Arch without a motor road, There is a track into it which is well worth exploring right to the end because it affords a good view of the roof which takes on a pink glow when the sun is shining. At 10.30 a m, we were ready to inspect the Kuringai Cave. As our party were the only starters, the guide gave us ample time to view the formations thoroughly. It is one big cavern and contains a lot within a small space - you don't have to walk far. Several columns broken by earth movements, a3so a lot of "mysteries" (formations which grow out sideways instead of up or down) were most interesting.
-For the afternoon inspection the Junction Cave was open, but about 60 visitors made conditions crowded for the guide on duty. Chalker's Blanket in this cave is the most perfect shawl formation I've ever seen. There is also a column, or mass of columns grown together, said to have the largest circumference for this type of limestone formation. In the evening we visited the Wollondilly Cavei which our party considered to be the best, particularly the miniatuziO formations of pine-forests, etc., some fine roof formations in a cavern 85 ft. high, and the formations known as Lot's Wife and the Golden Fleece. These caves are lit by electricity. Exploration of the unlit caves is not permitted. In our journeys from the camping area to the caves entrance and in exploring the caves, we must have covered 10 miles - so much for the minus quantity (underground) walking.
 I have not rhapsodised about the many beauties of the limestone formations, but have left that for the curious to go and see for themselves.
 The reader may wonder at the orgy of cave visiting at 4/- per person per time. Well, as the taxi man was unable to complete his hiring beyond Goodman's Ford, the consequent reduction in fare almost paid for our inspections. After the evening inspection the camera enthusiasts adjourned to the Grand Arch to try their luck with magnesium tape, and had an interesting time resembling a fireworks display, I hear. It was midnight before they finished.
-Monday dawned a perfect day and we would have liked to have remained longer at this pleasant spot. A signpost nearby proclaimed Taralga 19 miles and Oberon 68 miles away, and the distant tree clad ranges certainly looked inviting. However, we turned our faces Easp
-.
+Monday dawned a perfect day and we would have liked to have remained longer at this pleasant spot. A signpost nearby proclaimed Taralga 19 miles and Oberon 68 miles away, and the distant tree clad ranges certainly looked inviting. However, we turned our faces East and set out for the Ford (both) at 9 a.m. When we reached the top of the range, Big Rick, near Yerranderie, stood out plainly to the E.N.E. A leisurely trip landed us back at the Wollondilly at 1.10 p.m., where the water was now only about 18 inches over the crossing. After lunch we crossed, just as the taxi arrived. The Wollondilly Valley was looking particularly well in the sunlight as we climbed back up the winding road and was noted for future visits. At the Burragorang Lookout we stopped for the camera enthusiasts. A formation away to the North looked very much like Mt. Hay and Mt. King George over 60 miles away. To add further variety to the trip we returned on a train which came down on the Mittagong-Picton Loop Line.
-and set out for the Ford (both) at 9 a m, When we reached the top of the range, Big Rick, near Yerranderie, stood out plainly to the E.N.E. A leisurely trip landed us back at the Wollondilly at 1.10 p,m., where the water was now only about 18 inches over the crossing. After lunch we crossed, just as the taxi arrived. The Wollondilly Valley was looking particularly well in the sunlight as we climbed back up the winding road and was noted for future visits. At the Burragorang Lookout we stopped for the camera enthusiasts. A formation away to the North looked very much like Mt. Hay and Mt. King George over 60 miles away. To add further variety to the trip we returned on a train which came down on the Mittagong-Picton Loop Line.
-I had intended to make this dissertation on the trip a sort of
+I had intended to make this dissertation on the trip a sort of warning to those who may get the impression that holiday tours, advertised as luxury class, are going to be easy (in spite of 1ures held out by leaders). But as this isn't the first easy trip which has turned out more strenuous than expected, and the memories of it are all pleasant, further comment would be superfluous.
-warning to those who may get the impression that holiday tours,
-advertised as luxury class, are going to be easy (in spite of 11ures held out by leaders). But as this isn't the first easy trip which
+----
-has turned out more strenuous than expected, and the memories of it
-are all pleasant, further comment would be superfluous.
+==== Special Farewell Campfire. ====
-ilmwm .1..1.1111.111.....M.111.1111ANIMIY111.0
-SPECIAL FAREWELL CAMPFIRE.
+For those friends of Dorothy Lawry who would like to join her in a camp fire before she leaves to take up permanent residence in New Zealand, a camp fire has been arranged in the bush garden of the home of John and Laurie Wood, for the evening of Saturday, 14th April, at 7.45 p.m.
-For those friends of Dorothy Lawry who would like to join her
-in a camp fire before she leaves to take up permanent residence in New Zealand, a camp fire has been arranged in the bush garden of
+The Woods' live in Hammond Avenue, Normanhurst, and intending re-unionists should buy tickets to that station. Hammond Avenue is the second street on right on western side of line, walking back towards Sydney, the house being the last on the left.
-the home of John and Laurie Wood, for the evening of Saturday, 14th April, at 7.45 p m.
-The Woods' live in Hammond Avenue, Norman lrst, and intending re-unionists should buy tickets to that station. HamMond Avenue is the second street on right on western side of line, walking back towards Sydney, the house being the last on the left.
+----
-Imagiewwww.IftsrlimmM.M111=1111.M....11
-MAY MAGAZINE
+=== May Magazine. ===
-Readers of this magazine are requested to kindly note that the May Issue will not appear until FridLy; 11th May.
+Readers of this magazine are requested to kindly note that the May Issue will not appear until Friday, 11th May.
+----
 iTLMEJ
 RIMPAMITTZ5