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======The Sydney Bushwalker.====== | ======The Sydney Bushwalker.====== | ||
- | A monthly Bulletin of The Sydney Bush Walker, The N.S.W. Nurses' | + | A monthly Bulletin of The Sydney Bush Walker, The N.S.W. Nurses' |
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|The Conquering of the Kowmung|S. Brooks| 8| | |The Conquering of the Kowmung|S. Brooks| 8| | ||
|Who Killed the Gourmets and the Epicyclic Walker|Eff See Wun|14| | |Who Killed the Gourmets and the Epicyclic Walker|Eff See Wun|14| | ||
- | |The Tin Carpe Trip - Part II|A. Kenway|17| | + | |The Tin Canoe Trip - Part II|A. Kenway|17| |
|Federation Report - December 1962| |20| | |Federation Report - December 1962| |20| | ||
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Bawley Point, which the Brooks family is presently gracing, is not a place one would exchange precipitately just for the purpose of an editorial with some purpose. 160 odd miles from Sydney, one leaves the Prices Highway at Termeil and trawls 4 miles coastwards to the said B.P. | Bawley Point, which the Brooks family is presently gracing, is not a place one would exchange precipitately just for the purpose of an editorial with some purpose. 160 odd miles from Sydney, one leaves the Prices Highway at Termeil and trawls 4 miles coastwards to the said B.P. | ||
- | The area is largely undeveloped and one can camp in relative solitude amidst natural timber within a stones throw (if you're a Neil Harvey) of a safe surfing beach and its attendant lagoon - a lovely spot and more particularly so if you have an up and coming generation of nature lovers to cater for. There is no fresh water occurririg | + | The area is largely undeveloped and one can camp in relative solitude amidst natural timber within a stones throw (if you're a Neil Harvey) of a safe surfing beach and its attendant lagoon - a lovely spot and more particularly so if you have an up and coming generation of nature lovers to cater for. There is no fresh water occurring |
Before dragging the fami1y off southwards, I had the extreme pleasure of being conducted on a tour of the Morong Deep by two experienced Kowmungers - my initiation to this awe-inspiring area - and unless my zeal evaporates, or the fish start to bite a bit better, my impressions will be recorded elsewhere in this issue (this is perhaps the only advantage of being Editor). | Before dragging the fami1y off southwards, I had the extreme pleasure of being conducted on a tour of the Morong Deep by two experienced Kowmungers - my initiation to this awe-inspiring area - and unless my zeal evaporates, or the fish start to bite a bit better, my impressions will be recorded elsewhere in this issue (this is perhaps the only advantage of being Editor). | ||
- | Half-may through the Morong Deep, over a cup of heroic coffee one evening, the expeienced | + | Half-may through the Morong Deep, over a cup of heroic coffee one evening, the experienced |
- | In my present detached geographical situation I have no way of checking up on whether this exorbitant promise is being honoured, but if it is, it will be worth the time and effort of reading, as he has the literary ability and integrity (rather lacking in yours-truly) to record his impressions with insight and accuracy. His particular choice of pseudonym for the oftasion | + | In my present detached geographical situation I have no way of checking up on whether this exorbitant promise is being honoured, but if it is, it will be worth the time and effort of reading, as he has the literary ability and integrity (rather lacking in yours-truly) to record his impressions with insight and accuracy. His particular choice of pseudonym for the occasion |
We trust the January editorial seeds fell on fertile ground and you the financial questions there raised your undivided mental concentration, | We trust the January editorial seeds fell on fertile ground and you the financial questions there raised your undivided mental concentration, | ||
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It was nearly 9 p.m. when the President, with hardly time to draw breath after the Committee meeting, which had to be held on the same evening, summoned us to the General Meeting. It was not surprising, in view of the pressure of business, that the meeting commenced somewhat irregularly with a dong on the Assistant Secretary instead of the gong, and the admission of two members with defective Constitutions. The members were Margaret McLeod and John Holly, and the trouble with their Constitutions was that they were out of date, a matter which would be rectified by the Secretary. | It was nearly 9 p.m. when the President, with hardly time to draw breath after the Committee meeting, which had to be held on the same evening, summoned us to the General Meeting. It was not surprising, in view of the pressure of business, that the meeting commenced somewhat irregularly with a dong on the Assistant Secretary instead of the gong, and the admission of two members with defective Constitutions. The members were Margaret McLeod and John Holly, and the trouble with their Constitutions was that they were out of date, a matter which would be rectified by the Secretary. | ||
- | In correspondence was a letter from Brian Harvey informing us that the recent registration of the magazine as a periodicial | + | In correspondence was a letter from Brian Harvey informing us that the recent registration of the magazine as a periodical |
- | Maly Rodgers told us that many famous characters had attended the Christmas party, including Dr. Barbara Moore, Sir Lancelot, Samson and Delilah and Julius Caesar. It had been both a social and financial success, netting £l.3.3 profit. This was mainly because John Holly had donated a cake and provided the other supper items at cost, while Molly and Bill Rodgers, John Holly, Edna Stretton and Jack Gentle had prepared the supper. The meeting voted its thanks for their work. | + | Molly Rodgers told us that many famous characters had attended the Christmas party, including Dr. Barbara Moore, Sir Lancelot, Samson and Delilah and Julius Caesar. It had been both a social and financial success, netting £l.3.3 profit. This was mainly because John Holly had donated a cake and provided the other supper items at cost, while Molly and Bill Rodgers, John Holly, Edna Stretton and Jack Gentle had prepared the supper. The meeting voted its thanks for their work. |
- | The reunion site was chosen Woods Creek again, with Burning Palms as an alternative for flood weather. Bill Burke, Edna. Stretton, Dick Childs, Jack Gentle, Helen and George Gray and David Brown were chosen | + | The reunion site was chosen Woods Creek again, with Burning Palms as an alternative for flood weather. Bill Burke, Edna Stretton, Dick Childs, Jack Gentle, Helen and George Gray and David Brown were chosen |
In view of the lack of test walks on the programme for the next two months, it was announced that Committee had decided to extend the prospective membership period of all prospectives by two months. | In view of the lack of test walks on the programme for the next two months, it was announced that Committee had decided to extend the prospective membership period of all prospectives by two months. | ||
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The President told us that it was time to start thinking of office bearers for next year. One office that would need filling was that of Secretary, because David Ingram would be away for some time in the U.S. | The President told us that it was time to start thinking of office bearers for next year. One office that would need filling was that of Secretary, because David Ingram would be away for some time in the U.S. | ||
- | In his Walks Report, Wilf Hi1der told us that the Christmas period had been a very active one for both official and private trips. On Nov. 30 arid Dec 1 & 2, Bill Burke and Ron Knightley had 15 starters on their walk from Long Point Lookout to King Pin, Shoalhaven River, | + | In his Walks Report, Wilf Hi1der told us that the Christmas period had been a very active one for both official and private trips. On Nov. 30 arid Dec 1 & 2, Bill Burke and Ron Knightley had 15 starters on their walk from Long Point Lookout to King Pin, Shoalhaven River, |
There were several trips over the Christmas period. Frank Leyden with a party of 4, did an 11 day Kowmung trip, starting from Boss Mountain on the new fire road and returning from Lannigan' | There were several trips over the Christmas period. Frank Leyden with a party of 4, did an 11 day Kowmung trip, starting from Boss Mountain on the new fire road and returning from Lannigan' | ||
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But a closer look at this apparently robust and healthy exterior reveals some undesirable and even unhealthy symptoms. You may hasten to ask how I, as a non-contributer, | But a closer look at this apparently robust and healthy exterior reveals some undesirable and even unhealthy symptoms. You may hasten to ask how I, as a non-contributer, | ||
- | Returning to my poiht, I have noticed ever the last year or so, a growing use of a number of devices which serve to ameliorate an otherwise unhappy situation - a form of editorial cosmetic for a tired old magazine if you like. The presentation of articles under various pseudonyms (all probab1y written by the same person), the use of cartoon figures (reminiscent of certain magazines? | + | Returning to my point, I have noticed ever the last year or so, a growing use of a number of devices which serve to ameliorate an otherwise unhappy situation - a form of editorial cosmetic for a tired old magazine if you like. The presentation of articles under various pseudonyms (all probab1y written by the same person), the use of cartoon figures (reminiscent of certain magazines? |
Over my long and erstwhile active association with this club, the mainstay of the magazine has always been the accounts of walks written by enthusiastic members. These serve a twofold purpose - passing on information of tracks, routes, conditions etc. to newer members, and reviving memories for the non-active group (who probably constitute the large part of your reading public anyway). | Over my long and erstwhile active association with this club, the mainstay of the magazine has always been the accounts of walks written by enthusiastic members. These serve a twofold purpose - passing on information of tracks, routes, conditions etc. to newer members, and reviving memories for the non-active group (who probably constitute the large part of your reading public anyway). | ||
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The dancers came in fancy dress\\ | The dancers came in fancy dress\\ | ||
And represented, | And represented, | ||
- | Great charactersfrom | + | Great characters from history' |
The brave, the fair, all down the ages.\\ | The brave, the fair, all down the ages.\\ | ||
We could not help but glance a lot\\ | We could not help but glance a lot\\ | ||
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And Esme Biddulph was her name\\ | And Esme Biddulph was her name\\ | ||
Toga'd Tiberius was there,\\ | Toga'd Tiberius was there,\\ | ||
- | And Nero, vine laeaves | + | And Nero, vine leaves |
The scrapings of his toy violin\\ | The scrapings of his toy violin\\ | ||
Were heard (or were they?) in the din.\\ | Were heard (or were they?) in the din.\\ | ||
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It is not often that the ' | It is not often that the ' | ||
- | But I found the presenoe | + | But I found the presence |
The Xmas rains had made the Kanangra road a quagmire and we feel justified in claiming the first sideways car trip from Jenolan Caves to Kanangra. Certainly I was able to frustrate any desire for sleep my two passengers may have nurtured. We boiled as we toiled crab-wise up the Jenolan hill and the final act of ignomy was to bog the car at Kanangra. We abandoned it where it sat, deep in mud, and grabbed a few hours sleep in the small cave. | The Xmas rains had made the Kanangra road a quagmire and we feel justified in claiming the first sideways car trip from Jenolan Caves to Kanangra. Certainly I was able to frustrate any desire for sleep my two passengers may have nurtured. We boiled as we toiled crab-wise up the Jenolan hill and the final act of ignomy was to bog the car at Kanangra. We abandoned it where it sat, deep in mud, and grabbed a few hours sleep in the small cave. | ||
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To the squeak of block and cordage, grunts (self), racing motor (Kef) and the maddening click of camera shutter (Kem) the car was de-bogged and pointed round the other way. Kef manouvered the car back along the road, while I studied the map and Kem threw in the odd sonnet for spiritual comfort. | To the squeak of block and cordage, grunts (self), racing motor (Kef) and the maddening click of camera shutter (Kem) the car was de-bogged and pointed round the other way. Kef manouvered the car back along the road, while I studied the map and Kem threw in the odd sonnet for spiritual comfort. | ||
- | By 10.30 a.m. we were close to Dungalla Heights and with pack and parkam | + | By 10.30 a.m. we were close to Dungalla Heights and with pack and parka, |
Finally, we deserted our road and headed virtuously through the scrub. We lunched on a sidestream, pressed on and hit another fire-trail, which we followed and followed at it twisted and turned. Just when we would, in exasperation, | Finally, we deserted our road and headed virtuously through the scrub. We lunched on a sidestream, pressed on and hit another fire-trail, which we followed and followed at it twisted and turned. Just when we would, in exasperation, | ||
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We camped early, determined to pick up the hours of sleep that the trip out had denied us. | We camped early, determined to pick up the hours of sleep that the trip out had denied us. | ||
- | A couple of judiciously placed kicks and a cup of tea extracted Kem at a respectable hour and we were on our way by 7.30 a.m. Our creek rapidly assumed a more rugged, deeper look and our two K's, E., felt sure we were realiy | + | A couple of judiciously placed kicks and a cup of tea extracted Kem at a respectable hour and we were on our way by 7.30 a.m. Our creek rapidly assumed a more rugged, deeper look and our two K's, E., felt sure we were really |
The water babies soon joined me, mouths agape. "Not Chardon Canyon" | The water babies soon joined me, mouths agape. "Not Chardon Canyon" | ||
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Soon, the walls closed in and the river became a series of large pools, bounded by steeply sloping rock. The K's (E) hit the drink, but water-shy, I started skirting the walls. My new sandshoes and Laver-socks must be kept dry at all costs! I wasn't very far along when I slipped and performed a running, sitting, involuntary glissade into a deep pool. There was some conflict as to how far I'd fallen. Conservatively, | Soon, the walls closed in and the river became a series of large pools, bounded by steeply sloping rock. The K's (E) hit the drink, but water-shy, I started skirting the walls. My new sandshoes and Laver-socks must be kept dry at all costs! I wasn't very far along when I slipped and performed a running, sitting, involuntary glissade into a deep pool. There was some conflict as to how far I'd fallen. Conservatively, | ||
- | An hour and a half found us at a sizeable sidestream | + | An hour and a half found us at a sizeable sidestream |
Over dinner that evening, a 'new philosophy' | Over dinner that evening, a 'new philosophy' | ||
- | 9.30 a.m. next morning found us, nylon clad, padd1ing down the Morong Deep, The river was running strongly and our numerous crossings | + | 9.30 a.m. next morning found us, nylon clad, padd1ing down the Morong Deep, The river was running strongly and our numerous crossings |
A spot was soon located, complete with swimming pool and thundering cascades. Kem modestly assessed the V.G. at £5,000 - and no rates! | A spot was soon located, complete with swimming pool and thundering cascades. Kem modestly assessed the V.G. at £5,000 - and no rates! | ||
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We ate, talked and climbed into the bag; it was still remarkably light. " | We ate, talked and climbed into the bag; it was still remarkably light. " | ||
- | Thereafter, we sauntered downstream, eating and camping as the mood struck us and eventually found a sizeable creek that did us for Werong Creek. Climbing out oiposite | + | Thereafter, we sauntered downstream, eating and camping as the mood struck us and eventually found a sizeable creek that did us for Werong Creek. Climbing out opposite |
- | Next day, we were once more on fire trails, and, with the Gods of the Kowmung smiling upon us, found the car in the late morhing. Liquid supplies were running low, so we headed for Oberon which boasted the closest garage. A picnic lunch at Oberon dam, the map on the grass, bright sunlight - the new philosophy was rampant. | + | Next day, we were once more on fire trails, and, with the Gods of the Kowmung smiling upon us, found the car in the late morning. Liquid supplies were running low, so we headed for Oberon which boasted the closest garage. A picnic lunch at Oberon dam, the map on the grass, bright sunlight - the new philosophy was rampant. |
We dragged ourselves away and headed for Ginkin. Despite a cool reception from the farmer' | We dragged ourselves away and headed for Ginkin. Despite a cool reception from the farmer' | ||
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From here on in, Kem was in his element. This was his country. We were conducted on an exuberant tour of Tuglow Creek, Tuglow Falls, Tuglow Hole, up through Chardon Canyon, Hollanders Creek and cross-country back to Tuglow. | From here on in, Kem was in his element. This was his country. We were conducted on an exuberant tour of Tuglow Creek, Tuglow Falls, Tuglow Hole, up through Chardon Canyon, Hollanders Creek and cross-country back to Tuglow. | ||
- | Ablutions in the schoolhouse with Tuckers | + | Ablutions in the schoolhouse with Tuckers |
In the flush of our new philosophy, we drove quietly home via Abercrombie River, Goodman' | In the flush of our new philosophy, we drove quietly home via Abercrombie River, Goodman' | ||
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Do you need new roof, guttering and downpipes?? | Do you need new roof, guttering and downpipes?? | ||
- | Or does the roof and cuggering | + | Or does the roof and guttering |
Or perhaps a new water service or hot water installation?? | Or perhaps a new water service or hot water installation?? | ||
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Speedy 6 or 8 passenger cars available.. Large or small parties catered for. | Speedy 6 or 8 passenger cars available.. Large or small parties catered for. | ||
- | __Fares__ (Minimum 5 passengers): | + | __Fares__ (Minimum 5 passengers): |
We will be pleased to quote trips or special parties on application. | We will be pleased to quote trips or special parties on application. | ||
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"After the evening meal, we retired to our tents - a little hail had fallen, but the storm had not yet broken. | "After the evening meal, we retired to our tents - a little hail had fallen, but the storm had not yet broken. | ||
- | What a surious | + | What a serious |
- | We listened | + | We listened |
- | All of you who have experiericed | + | All of you who have experienced |
When your time comes make sure your adventure is complete with Paddymade Camp Gear. Gear that has given warmth and protection to thousands of adventurers. | When your time comes make sure your adventure is complete with Paddymade Camp Gear. Gear that has given warmth and protection to thousands of adventurers. | ||
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Eff See Wun | Eff See Wun | ||
- | When I was commencing my career I had the good fortune to be a member of a group whose chief member was not only an excellent navigator but a superlative cook. She had the added advantage of having access to one of those mechanical ledger machines which provide information under fifty different headings. Food lists were issued to members of a walk not only with the exact amount of food to be taken but in a form which would not disgrace the stowing diagram of the First Officer of an Antartic | + | When I was commencing my career I had the good fortune to be a member of a group whose chief member was not only an excellent navigator but a superlative cook. She had the added advantage of having access to one of those mechanical ledger machines which provide information under fifty different headings. Food lists were issued to members of a walk not only with the exact amount of food to be taken but in a form which would not disgrace the stowing diagram of the First Officer of an Antarctic |
- | Naturally the beauty of such arrangements depends on the presence at the cooking fire of all the members of the food list. The cook was only once, in my recollection put out. Five of the party of ten or twelve appeared to be so caught on a ride that there was a strong possibility of their being benighted. This in itself was no cause for alarm; it was only a day walk from a base or food; camp and all the inredients | + | Naturally the beauty of such arrangements depends on the presence at the cooking fire of all the members of the food list. The cook was only once, in my recollection put out. Five of the party of ten or twelve appeared to be so caught on a ride that there was a strong possibility of their being benighted. This in itself was no cause for alarm; it was only a day walk from a base or food; camp and all the ingredients |
Much as one would like to remain a lotophagi the really adventurous gourmet moves on. An offshoot of the ledger machine group was semi-vego, and it was pleasant, indeed healthy, to dally among their strange dishes for a while. Aromatic ghoulashes, pemmicans, wholemeal dampers and a technique for the preparation and consumption of porridge were the crowning glories of this group. The porridge technique was to place the amount required of scotch cut oats in a billy with a handful of dried fruit for each person. This was soaked overnight, warmed in the morning and then eaten directly from the billy. The convention was that each had a spoon of approximately the same capacity and one stirred the fruit and oats thoroughly at each dip. The leading spirits of the group carried this togetherness to its logical conclusion and cooked and ate every course from the same billy. One could thus enjoy tomato custard and appled coffee. It is a long while since I had appled coffee. | Much as one would like to remain a lotophagi the really adventurous gourmet moves on. An offshoot of the ledger machine group was semi-vego, and it was pleasant, indeed healthy, to dally among their strange dishes for a while. Aromatic ghoulashes, pemmicans, wholemeal dampers and a technique for the preparation and consumption of porridge were the crowning glories of this group. The porridge technique was to place the amount required of scotch cut oats in a billy with a handful of dried fruit for each person. This was soaked overnight, warmed in the morning and then eaten directly from the billy. The convention was that each had a spoon of approximately the same capacity and one stirred the fruit and oats thoroughly at each dip. The leading spirits of the group carried this togetherness to its logical conclusion and cooked and ate every course from the same billy. One could thus enjoy tomato custard and appled coffee. It is a long while since I had appled coffee. | ||
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The mobile meals of this group were particularly good. One such meal was taken standing in a crowded swaying train and consisted of crisp-bread sandwiches, pemmican pieces, handfu1ls of nuts and thirds of oranges. Since the party boarded the train from either end of a corridor carriage the source of these delicacies and their point of ingestion were rather separated. My share of the meal passed through ten pairs of strange hands, but such is the honesty of train travellers I believe I received every piece that was intended for me. | The mobile meals of this group were particularly good. One such meal was taken standing in a crowded swaying train and consisted of crisp-bread sandwiches, pemmican pieces, handfu1ls of nuts and thirds of oranges. Since the party boarded the train from either end of a corridor carriage the source of these delicacies and their point of ingestion were rather separated. My share of the meal passed through ten pairs of strange hands, but such is the honesty of train travellers I believe I received every piece that was intended for me. | ||
- | Occasionally we had all-fruit trips on which the skins, pips and peel were savred | + | Occasionally we had all-fruit trips on which the skins, pips and peel were saved and simmered to a thin syrup which was drunk instead of an early morning cup of tea. The rind of a pineapple, but not the rough end was especially |
The decline and fall of the great standards of my youth I now place on the invention of a plastic that is at once transparent, | The decline and fall of the great standards of my youth I now place on the invention of a plastic that is at once transparent, | ||
- | While the collating of a food list has thus been opened to people of little imagination the margin of safety in the bush has been immensely increased. By blowing air into these scroggin holders and whipping a rubber band over the neck a collection of bouyant chambers can be stuffed into a pack making a pack far more stable than the Titanic or the ill-fated Andrea Dorea. Equipped with such a pack even the weakest swimmer can now face with equanimity the Kowmung canyons. By leaving the glucose | + | While the collating of a food list has thus been opened to people of little imagination the margin of safety in the bush has been immensely increased. By blowing air into these scroggin holders and whipping a rubber band over the neck a collection of bouyant chambers can be stuffed into a pack making a pack far more stable than the Titanic or the ill-fated Andrea Dorea. Equipped with such a pack even the weakest swimmer can now face with equanimity the Kowmung canyons. By leaving the glucose |
Such is the way of the world. One trades the delights of a deep billy for the certainty of a meal. And the Epicyclic walker. He owes me the bus fare from the Quay to the Railway. But that is another story. | Such is the way of the world. One trades the delights of a deep billy for the certainty of a meal. And the Epicyclic walker. He owes me the bus fare from the Quay to the Railway. But that is another story. | ||
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Frank and Jean Ashdown were down early, but didn't stay for New Year. The camp fire on New Year's Eve was a beaut. Some food work was done in getting in a supply of fuel and the entertainment was an all-in effort. The weather was mainly fine with a fair bit of cloud and the surf was very cold for the time of the year. | Frank and Jean Ashdown were down early, but didn't stay for New Year. The camp fire on New Year's Eve was a beaut. Some food work was done in getting in a supply of fuel and the entertainment was an all-in effort. The weather was mainly fine with a fair bit of cloud and the surf was very cold for the time of the year. | ||
- | On New Year's Eve the camp fire revellers included Edna Stretton and nephew, Evan Williams, Kath, Jim and Christine Brown, Bill and Ruby Hall and family, Phil tnd Betty Hall and family round from South Era for the night, Bob and Christa Younger and family, Bill Burke and his four boys and a mate of theirs, Ei1een and Jack Wren, Mr & Mrs. Taylor (Eileen' | + | On New Year's Eve the camp fire revellers included Edna Stretton and nephew, Evan Williams, Kath, Jim and Christine Brown, Bill and Ruby Hall and family, Phil and Betty Hall and family round from South Era for the night, Bob and Christa Younger and family, Bill Burke and his four boys and a mate of theirs, Ei1een and Jack Wren, Mr & Mrs. Taylor (Eileen' |
---- | ---- | ||
- | THE TIN CANOE TRIP-Part II. | + | =====The Tin Canoe - Part II.===== |
Audrey Kenway. | Audrey Kenway. | ||
- | After a final burst of building we had two canoes built and on the train in time for the trip. They were taken to Darling Harbour on top of | ||
- | a Comer van, and two members Were seen holding up peak: hour traffic carrying two 17 foot canoes across 'Six lanes of traffic at. Pyrmont Bridge. | ||
- | The rain had not started when the boats left Sydney. We still thought it mould all be over before we started the trip when we hoarded, the' on the night of the 26th, everyone loaded up with paddles, seat backs for the canoes etc. We had good luck in finding the mail van at Wauchope was just the right kind of vehicle, a van with a large luggage rack capable of taking two boats plus all of us and gear in comfort. The driver did not appear at all suxprised to see the gear. We met Len Young with his car and canoe on board and the whole party moved off up the Hastings through Ellenborough, | ||
- | On the third day, the river looked less fierce and much clearer, so with Len going ahead we pushed off down stream. The first mile included some bad spots we had seen while walking along the banks, so we vent very carefully to the first bend. The canoes surprised UB with the way they handled. They proved very stable once tested in rough water. We soon came to a spot where the pressure waves were a bit high for us, as it was too easy for them to break over the front and fill the open boats. The two tin canoes were roped round the roagh patch -without too much trouble, with the women and Children walking along the banks. A lunch spot was found at the top of a long stretch of rocks and small falls, so the gear was unpacked and carried about half | ||
- | 18 The Sydney Bushwelker. February 1963 | ||
- | a mile and the boats brought down along the shallows on a rope. So far we had only had to carry them a few yards. The rest of the day went well, and a very pleasant camp spot was found. There is no Shortage of good- camp sites along the Hastings. It is a beautiful river, and would make an interesting walk when the water level was normal. We saw it at a time when the river was certainly well above normal, but of course made very exciting canoeing. By this time we were beginning to enjoy the fast sections and to have more confidence in handling the boats. | ||
- | Another nice camping spot was reached on New Year's Eve j and the party spent the evening (#ying washing and eating. The highlight of the evening was Keith' | ||
- | During the night the river rose again and the next day proved the fastest and most exciting of all - a little too exciting. The first mishap was when we turned a bend and found we were on the wrong side to f_-o ashore and check:the next rapid which was making quite a noise ahead. We crept upstream along the bank, then turned out into the current. Bob gave a good heave with his paddle against the bank, and pushed Us Well out, leaving his paddle sticking like an arrow in the mud. That left Ruth and me paddling furiously as we drifted downstream, with nobody steering from the back. It was a breathless few minutes until we were back against the far bank and hauling upstream hanging on to grass and -willows to where the paddle was. The rapid proved a hard one, with channels everywhere among the sheoaks and the water going very fast. Len went through on his own, parked the boat and came back to help. We were going along well till we found a log across the river near the bank with no way of roping, round it and not enough room for the boat to go under. We lifted ours out and carried it round. Just above this spot Keith and Jean were roping round a tree when one of the packs caught in a tree, tangled in the rope, pulling the boat out into the current, and snapping the light rope on the froht. Keith hung on and vent downstream with the boat, :till it came to the log, and he decided not to go under with it. The boat went down under the log, popped up on the other side and continued | ||
- | half full of water downstream. We were horrified to see it coming down towards us all on its own and with that maze of trees ahead. Len dived in and grtbbed the end and Bob grabbed Len and they managed to pull it ashore. The back seat had been ripped out by the force of thw water but nothing was lost. Keith appeared very wet and glad to see his gear again. After that Len and Bob took the two boats down the rest of the way as the first had gone, with the two of them in it paddling and steerinc, between the trees. They disappeared very quiclay, and we had a long walk to catch up to them for lunch. It was raining heavily during lunch as usual. We had some good | ||
- | February 1963 The Sydney Bushwalker 19 | ||
- | fast canoeing and more getting quite game, when we came to a sharp bend where the river divided and pressure waves were coming from two directions. None of us like the look of it. We roped round it and then found trouble in a steep bank with deep water and small trees: half under water, which made roping along the sides impossible. The pressure waves were still rather high and the current fast, so Bob Climbed into the back of the boat and was working his way along the edges hanging on to the trees when the current swung the boat round, throwing him out an sending the boat broadside into the rough patch. He was in again very smartly, knocking his paddle overboard in the scramble. In a spot where we thought the boat might fill up in the waves, he climbed up to the front and grabbed a spare paddle, then scrambled back over the gear and turned the canoe in the right direction. | ||
- | . By the time we caught up Bob was bailing out the boat on the bank and mourning over his met tobacco and matches. He had managed to catch the lost paddle in the middle of the rough water. | ||
- | On the third night we c'.me to the Ellenborouch River and went up to the house to get the car. vIre were invited in to a cap of tea, in sadte of | ||
- | our wet and muddy clothes, and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas cake and pucl din,a. Robyn was invited to stay at thu house with the children, and the rest of us loaded Len's canoe on his car and went back to camp. The weather forecast was for even worse conditions, and the family at Ellenborough warned us that the river could rise very quickly, and we might be caue-ht several miles from the road if the flood rose and we were half way down towards WauchoDe. We decided to wait till next day and get some fresh supplies when the shops opened, and then see how the river looked. By this time the tents were beginning to drip from being packed up wet every day. They just never did get dry. We were given a lift into Long Flat, where there was a general store, a butcher' | ||
- | The brothers who ran the mail car and buses in Wauchope offered us the use of an old cottage at the depot to camp in while we waited for next day's train. It looked like a palace to us after a week in the rain, but they said it was only a tool store room now, and insisted on sweeping it out for us. During the evening one brother brought over a projector and showed us movies of the distriOt. These included some scenes of the mountains at the back of CoMboyne, where there are some really impressive falls on the | ||
- | 20 The Sydney Bushwalker. February 1963 | ||
- | Ellenborough River, and interesting walking country. We were sorry to hear there has been a lot of damage done by shooters nd cam-,Ders, who have ldlled cattle and even dogs. However, we found everyone we met very telpfUl once they lmew we were not. shooting. It was just as well we had approached the. first farmer before camping, and that the driver had been with us to assure him we were harmless. Vqe even managed a tot bath by | ||
- | | ||
- | . because we finished the trip home in a first class carriage on the airsonditioned train. This was an accident, of c.-)urse, due to late change of booking and the railways being swamped with holiday travellers and having to convert a first class, carriage to second. We booked our packs and canoe paddles in the baggage car, not having the nerve to take them in on the carpeted floors, and in our clean clothes nobody would have guessed where we had spent the last week. They must have wondered why I was carrying a waterproof tin instead of a handbag: | ||
- | (-the party' consisted of 1ter#b Renwick, Jean Ba3four, Ramon U' | ||
- | FED-MI.1' | ||
- | SIGNS IN NATIONAL PARK. Objection was raised to the recent erection of | ||
- | large advertising signs regarding the " | ||
- | WARRAGAMBA CATMENT AREA.. A letter and map were received from the Water | ||
- | Board showing details of parmissable areas in the Warracamba Catchment Area. The letter will be duplicated and circulated to all Clubs and the map displayed on Paddy' | ||
- | SEARCH liND ascuE. A. party of 3 school boys delayed in the Grose Valley, Blackheath -early in December walked out under their own steam at 5.15 p m. on the Monday before any search was organised. Members of all Clubs are irxvited to participate in the practice in the use of two-way radio communication to be arranged early in the New Year. | ||
- | TRACKS AND ACCESS. Starlight' | ||
- | Lovett Ba Pockle7, | ||
- | REUNION 1963. Last week end in March Will be the date. | ||
- | " | ||
+ | After a final burst of building we had two canoes built and on the train in time for the trip. They were taken to Darling Harbour on top of a Commer van, and two members were seen holding up peak hour traffic carrying two 17 foot canoes across six lanes of traffic at Pyrmont Bridge. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The rain had not started when the boats left Sydney. We still thought it would all be over before we started the trip when we boarded the train on the night of the 26th, everyone loaded up with paddles, seat backs for the canoes etc. We had good luck in finding the mail van at Wauchope was just the right kind of vehicle, a van with a large luggage rack capable of taking two boats plus all of us and gear in comfort. The driver did not appear at all surprised to see the gear. We met Len Young with his car and canoe on board and the whole party moved off up the Hastings through Ellenborough, | ||
+ | |||
+ | On the third day the river looked less fierce and much clearer, so with Len going ahead we pushed off down stream. The first mile included some bad spots we had seen while walking along the banks, so we vent very carefully to the first bend. The canoes surprised us with the way they handled. They proved very stable once tested in rough water. We soon came to a spot where the pressure waves were a bit high for us, as it was too easy for them to break over the front and fill the open boats. The two tin canoes were roped round the rough patch without too much trouble, with the women and children walking along the banks. A lunch spot was found at the top of a long stretch of rocks and small falls, so the gear was unpacked and carried about half a mile and the boats brought down along the shallows on a rope. So far we had only had to carry them a few yards. The rest of the day went well, and a very pleasant camp spot was found. There is no shortage of good camp sites along the Hastings. It is a beautiful river, and would make an interesting walk when the water level was normal. We saw it at a time when the river was certainly well above normal, but of course made very exciting canoeing. By this time we were beginning to enjoy the fast sections and to have more confidence in handling the boats. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Another nice camping spot was reached on New Year's Eve and the party spent the evening drying washing and eating. The highlight of the evening was Keith' | ||
+ | |||
+ | During the night the river rose again and the next day proved the fastest and most exciting of all - a little too exciting. The first mishap was when we turned a bend and found we were on the wrong side to go ashore and check the next rapid which was making quite a noise ahead. We crept upstream along the bank, then turned out into the current. Bob gave a good heave with his paddle against the bank, and pushed us well out, leaving his paddle sticking like an arrow in the mud. That left Ruth and me paddling furiously as we drifted downstream, with nobody steering from the back. It was a breathless few minutes until we were back against the far bank and hauling upstream hanging on to grass and willows to where the paddle was. The rapid proved a hard one, with channels everywhere among the sheoaks and the water going very fast. Len went through on his own, parked the boat and came back to help. We were going along well till we found a log across the river near the bank with no way of roping round it and not enough room for the boat to go under. We lifted ours out and carried it round. Just above this spot Keith and Jean were roping round a tree when one of the packs caught in a tree, tangled in the rope, pulling the boat out into the current, and snapping the light rope on the front. Keith hung on and went downstream with the boat, till it came to the log, and he decided not to go under with it. The boat went down under the log, popped up on the other side and continued half full of water downstream. We were horrified to see it coming down towards us all on its own and with that maze of trees ahead. Len dived in and grabbed the end and Bob grabbed Len and they managed to pull it ashore. The back seat had been ripped out by the force of the water but nothing was lost. Keith appeared very wet and glad to see his gear again. After that Len and Bob took the two boats down the rest of the way as the first had gone, with the two of them in it paddling and steering between the trees. They disappeared very quickly, and we had a long walk to catch up to them for lunch. It was raining heavily during lunch as usual. We had some good fast canoeing and more getting quite game, when we came to a sharp bend where the river divided and pressure waves were coming from two directions. None of us liked the look of it. We roped round it and then found trouble in a steep bank with deep water and small trees half under water, which made roping along the sides impossible. The pressure waves were still rather high and the current fast, so Bob climbed into the back of the boat and was working his way along the edges hanging on to the trees when the current swung the boat round, throwing him out an sending the boat broadside into the rough patch. He was in again very smartly, knocking his paddle overboard in the scramble. In a spot where we thought the boat might fill up in the waves, he climbed up to the front and grabbed a spare paddle, then scrambled back over the gear and turned the canoe in the right direction. By the time we caught up Bob was bailing out the boat on the bank and mourning over his wet tobacco and matches. He had managed to catch the lost paddle in the middle of the rough water. | ||
+ | |||
+ | On the third night we came to the Ellenborough River and went up to the house to get the car. We were invited in to a cup of tea, in spite of our wet and muddy clothes, and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas cake and pudding. Robyn was invited to stay at the house with the children, and the rest of us loaded Len's canoe on his car and went back to camp. The weather forecast was for even worse conditions, and the family at Ellenborough warned us that the river could rise very quickly, and we might be caught several miles from the road if the flood rose and we were half way down towards Wauchope. We decided to wait till next day and get some fresh supplies when the shops opened, and then see how the river looked. By this time the tents were beginning to drip from being packed up wet every day. They just never did get dry. We were given a lift into Long Flat, where there was a general store, a butcher' | ||
+ | |||
+ | The brothers who ran the mail car and buses in Wauchope offered us the use of an old cottage at the depot to camp in while we waited for next day's train. It looked like a palace to us after a week in the rain, but they said it was only a tool store room now, and insisted on sweeping it out for us. During the evening one brother brought over a projector and showed us movies of the district. These included some scenes of the mountains at the back of Comboyne, where there are some really impressive falls on the Ellenborough River, and interesting walking country. We were sorry to hear there has been a lot of damage done by shooters and campers, who have killed cattle and even dogs. However, we found everyone we met very helpful once they knew we were not shooting. It was just as well we had approached the first farmer before camping, and that the driver had been with us to assure him we were harmless. We even managed a hot bath by boiling kerosene tins of water, and we could hardly recognise each other as we emerged from the bathroom in clean clothes. It was just as well, because we finished the trip home in a first class carriage on the air-conditioned train. This was an accident, of course, due to late change of booking and the railways being swamped with holiday travellers and having to convert a first class carriage to second. We booked our packs and canoe paddles in the baggage car, not having the nerve to take them in on the carpeted floors, and in our clean clothes nobody would have guessed where we had spent the last week. They must have wondered why I was carrying a waterproof tin instead of a handbag! | ||
+ | |||
+ | (The party consisted of Keith Renwick, Jean Balfour, Ramon U' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Federation Report - December 1962.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Signs in National Park.=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Objection was raised to the recent erection of large advertising signs regarding the " | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Warragamba Catchment Area.=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | A letter and map were received from the Water Board showing details of permissible areas in the Warragamba Catchment Area. The letter will be duplicated and circulated to all Clubs and the map displayed on Paddy' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Search and Rescue.=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | A party of 3 school boys delayed in the Grose Valley, Blackheath early in December walked out under their own steam at 5.15 p.m. on the Monday before any search was organised. Members of all Clubs are invited to participate in the practice in the use of two-way radio communication to be arranged early in the New Year. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Tracks and Access.=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Starlight' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Lovett Bay Tracks.=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Pockley' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Reunion 1963.=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Last week end in March will be the date. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===" | ||
+ | |||
+ | The new issue is in the hands of the publishers and should soon be ready for distribution. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- |
196302.txt · Last modified: 2018/03/12 13:51 by tyreless