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197410 [2014/10/02 18:27] helen197410 [2014/11/15 16:57] (current) helen
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 A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers, 4 Atchison Street, St. Leonards. A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers, 4 Atchison Street, St. Leonards.
 POSTAL ADDRESS: Box 4476, G.P.O., Sydney, N.S.W. 2001.  POSTAL ADDRESS: Box 4476, G.P.O., Sydney, N.S.W. 2001. 
-Meetings at the Club Rooms on Wednesday evenings after 7.30 pm.  + 
 +Meetings at the Club Rooms on Wednesday evenings after 7.30 pm.  
 + 
 Enquiries regarding the Club - Mrs. Marcia Shappert, Tel. 30-2028. Enquiries regarding the Club - Mrs. Marcia Shappert, Tel. 30-2028.
  
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 |Duplication|Frank Tadker| |Duplication|Frank Tadker|
 |Business Manager| Bill Burke| |Business Manager| Bill Burke|
 +
 +Box 4476 G.P.O. Sydney, 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7.30 pm at the Cahill Community Centre (Upper Hall), 34 Falcon Street, Crow's Nest.
  
 =====In This Issue===== =====In This Issue=====
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 Then we were up to Walks Report. The first weekend under review being August 16-18, when a proposed car swap trip in the Wolgan/Capertee area was amended by George Gray to a Kangaroo Valley setting in view of the likely scarcity of petrol. Various evidences of the Shoalhaven water supply project were found before the journey wound up after dark on Sunday. Bill Hall's Sunday walk was amended owing to curtailed rail operations but was still in the Waterfall area where heavy bush growth made the going solid enough to merit its classification as a test walk. Then we were up to Walks Report. The first weekend under review being August 16-18, when a proposed car swap trip in the Wolgan/Capertee area was amended by George Gray to a Kangaroo Valley setting in view of the likely scarcity of petrol. Various evidences of the Shoalhaven water supply project were found before the journey wound up after dark on Sunday. Bill Hall's Sunday walk was amended owing to curtailed rail operations but was still in the Waterfall area where heavy bush growth made the going solid enough to merit its classification as a test walk.
  
-For the following weekend (23-25 August) it was understood Tony Denham's Myall Lakes trip went forward but details were not avai1ab1e. Wilf Hilder's ski tour was postponed, while Helen Gray's day trip into+For the following weekend (23-25 August) it was understood Tony Denham's Myall Lakes trip went forward but details were not availab1e. Wilf Hilder's ski tour was postponed, while Helen Gray's day trip into
 Dharug also failed because flooding of the Hawkesbury made the river crossing impossible. Meryl Watman's alternative Sunday walk from Heathcote went as programmed and was reported as uneventful. Dharug also failed because flooding of the Hawkesbury made the river crossing impossible. Meryl Watman's alternative Sunday walk from Heathcote went as programmed and was reported as uneventful.
  
-Thus to the end of August, and first a cancellation of Mike Short's proposed Nattai River trip. The other Friday nighter was Peter Miller's venture on to the plateau downstream from Glen Davis: there were six starters, but the way down into the Wolgan valley proved elusive and they retraced their path along the Capertee. Phil Butt expressed surprise that this trail, regarded as the cattle-duffers' Hume Highway, was not located. Sunday was a two-day-walk occasion, with Gladys Roberts taking 14 to the Kuring-gai Wildflower Garden - a very easy jaunt, while 11 appeared on David Ingram's Bundeena-Audley day test through another garden of bush flowers.+Thus to the end of August, and first a cancellation of Mike Short's proposed Nattai River trip. The other Fridaynighter was Peter Miller's venture on to the plateau downstream from Glen Davis: there were six starters, but the way down into the Wolgan valley proved elusive and they retraced their path along the Capertee. Phil Butt expressed surprise that this trail, regarded as the cattle-duffers' Hume Highway, was not located. Sunday was a two-day-walk occasion, with Gladys Roberts taking 14 to the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden - a very easy jaunt, while 11 appeared on David Ingram's Bundeena-Audley day test through another garden of bush flowers.
  
 The new programme began with the Sept. 6-8 weekend, when Bob Hodgson conducted a team along the lower part of the Colo Gorge, finding recent floods had prostrated the scrub in a downstream direction. Instead of The new programme began with the Sept. 6-8 weekend, when Bob Hodgson conducted a team along the lower part of the Colo Gorge, finding recent floods had prostrated the scrub in a downstream direction. Instead of
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 A Federation Report was not available so the President sought nominations for a replacement Lady Committee Member - and newly enlisted member Fazeley Read stepped into the breach. He was unable to get a taker for the other vacancy of Federation Delegate. A Federation Report was not available so the President sought nominations for a replacement Lady Committee Member - and newly enlisted member Fazeley Read stepped into the breach. He was unable to get a taker for the other vacancy of Federation Delegate.
  
-So we reached the Constitutional Amendments on the agenda and it soon became evident that the support for changes was pretty meagre. Committee had considered the first proposal, but had not come up with any recommendation. Judith Rostron referred to other walking clubs which catered for people who did not wish to undertake overnight trips. Ray Hookway believed it maintained the Club's status that all members must participate in some activity lasting more than one day, and it gave some assurance to leaders that members should be capable of completing a trip. Kath Brown felt that the present membership qualifications set a Pattern for the Club - everyone at least knew what it was like to join in weekend walking trips, and Alex Colley said the weekend test walk had been adopted early in the Club's history to sort out walkers from people doing mass "mystery hikes" in the depression era. Alastair Battye agreed that the amendment could destroy the long-established character of the Club. The mover, Frank Roberts, in reply felt this was too drastic an assessment of the probabilities, and suggested that it should be left to Committee to decide in each case whether an overnight trip should be required: the proposal was put to the vote and lost.+So we reached the Constitutional Amendments on the agenda and it soon became evident that the support for changes was pretty meager. Committee had considered the first proposal, but had not come up with any recommendation. Judith Rostron referred to other walking clubs which catered for people who did not wish to undertake overnight trips. Ray Hookway believed it maintained the Club's status that all members must participate in some activity lasting more than one day, and it gave some assurance to leaders that members should be capable of completing a trip. Kath Brown felt that the present membership qualifications set a Pattern for the Club - everyone at least knew what it was like to join in weekend walking trips, and Alex Colley said the weekend test walk had been adopted early in the Club's history to sort out walkers from people doing mass "mystery hikes" in the depression era. Alastair Battye agreed that the amendment could destroy the long-established character of the Club. The mover, Frank Roberts, in reply felt this was too drastic an assessment of the probabilities, and suggested that it should be left to Committee to decide in each case whether an overnight trip should be required: the proposal was put to the vote and lost.
  
 Immediately the bush lawyers began to operate on the second listed Constitutional change (that test walks be not obligatory) by proposing that such relaxation apply only to members of recognised walking clubs. The mover of the original proposal accepted this amendment and its inclusion was carried, but the whole project was cast out after further debate. Immediately the bush lawyers began to operate on the second listed Constitutional change (that test walks be not obligatory) by proposing that such relaxation apply only to members of recognised walking clubs. The mover of the original proposal accepted this amendment and its inclusion was carried, but the whole project was cast out after further debate.
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 Our half of Louisa Beach stretched out in a big concave curve, with our freshwater supply in the middle of the curve, us at the western end (roughly) and Louisa Island joined by a broad flat spit of sand to the other end of the curve. Our half of Louisa Beach stretched out in a big concave curve, with our freshwater supply in the middle of the curve, us at the western end (roughly) and Louisa Island joined by a broad flat spit of sand to the other end of the curve.
  
-After tea (about 6 p m. Daylight Saving Time), some of us went to investigate reports of penguins on Louisa Island. On the way we met Peter and Bob coming back with a suspiciously down-covered beanie. They had found plenty of "nests" (i.e. holes in the ground); we came across only one inhabitant, but only investigated down near the beach because of nettles growing on the slopes. Our legs, thoroughly zer-scratched by fierce bushes during the morning, had been subjected to further ordeals as we waded to the island. Shallow waves swept over the spit from both sides, meeting in the middle (where we were) in beautiful, complex patters of compression and rarefaction, and flinging salt-spray of considerable potence at our wounds in the process. A "Chinese-torture type" tingle persisted for about 5 minutes after completing the crossing, and no one felt like risking any remaining of their overworked nerve+After tea (about 6 p m. Daylight Saving Time), some of us went to investigate reports of penguins on Louisa Island. On the way we met Peter and Bob coming back with a suspiciously down-covered beanie. They had found plenty of "nests" (i.e. holes in the ground); we came across only one inhabitant, but only investigated down near the beach because of nettles growing on the slopes. Our legs, thoroughly zer-scratched by fierce bushes during the morning, had been subjected to further ordeals as we waded to the island. Shallow waves swept over the spit from both sides, meeting in the middle (where we were) in beautiful, complex patters of compression and rarefaction, and flinging salt-spray of considerable potency at our wounds in the process. A "Chinese-torture type" tingle persisted for about 5 minutes after completing the crossing, and no one felt like risking any remaining of their overworked nerve
 cells on the nettles. cells on the nettles.
    
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 in the end and retreated, and it seems Rosemary was elected to push them forward again from the other side of the hole.  in the end and retreated, and it seems Rosemary was elected to push them forward again from the other side of the hole. 
  
-The earlier part of the morning was fine with the occasional patch of sun, and by mid-morning there was more sun than otherwise. The plan was to head back to the track (bearing slightly left, to cut corners a bit), have lunch on top, and camp at the further campsite at Coxs Bight, which is the larger one. We expected to pick up the track on the flat, but bashed button-grass for at least an hour before eventually discovering it winding through the foothills. It was hot work, and at rest stops there was always a couple of people with their protective nylon overpants down round their ankles, cooling off after a mini-sauna of the nether regions. We were all sure that coming in to the beach the day before had been easier, despite (or perhaps because of) the miserable weather, but that just goes to show how quickly the mind modifies or forgets unpleasantness.+The earlier part of the morning was fine with the occasional patch of sun, and by mid-morning there was more sun than otherwise. The plan was to head back to the track (bearing slightly left, to cut corners a bit), have lunch on top, and camp at the further campsite at Coxs Bight, which is the larger one. We expected to pick up the track on the flat, but bashed button-grass for at least an hour before eventually discovering it winding through the foothills. It was hot work, and at rest stops there was always a couple of people with their protective nylon over-pants down round their ankles, cooling off after a mini-sauna of the nether regions. We were all sure that coming in to the beach the day before had been easier, despite (or perhaps because of) the miserable weather, but that just goes to show how quickly the mind modifies or forgets unpleasantness.
  
 Lunch at Louisa Creek was enlivened by the sighting, during the latter part of the meal, of a large Black-Bodied, Red-Legged, Black-and-White-Crested (the classification can be tailored as desired) French-Canadian Photo-Bird busily emitting its characteristic "click click" sound from a tree above us. Lunch at Louisa Creek was enlivened by the sighting, during the latter part of the meal, of a large Black-Bodied, Red-Legged, Black-and-White-Crested (the classification can be tailored as desired) French-Canadian Photo-Bird busily emitting its characteristic "click click" sound from a tree above us.
  
-This was the shortest lunch yet - it began at 1.00, and ended at 1.30 when Gem, as soon as she had finished, set off so as to get a head start before the fast ones started. Naturally, a few other people who would have been content to sit for at least another hour (among them some of the party'de facto leaders, who shall, however, remain nameless) immediately rushed to their packs and were several yards along the track before their packs had properly settled on their backs.+This was the shortest lunch yet - it began at 1.00, and ended at 1.30 when Gem, as soon as she had finished, set off so as to get a head start before the fast ones started. Naturally, a few other people who would have been content to sit for at least another hour (among them some of the party'defacto leaders, who shall, however, remain nameless) immediately rushed to their packs and were several yards along the track before their packs had properly settled on their backs.
  
-There was an interesting bridge over Louisa Creek to the lunch spot: two 5" logs, and "handrail" above and slightly to the side of the actual walking-on log, and the whole setup about l0ft. above the water.+There was an interesting bridge over Louisa Creek to the lunch spot: two 5" logs, and "handrail" above and slightly to the side of the actual walking-on log, and the whole setup about l0 ft. above the water.
  
 On the way out, Theo (who was having trouble with his shoes; they needed retreads and restringing, daily or oftener) slipped on another network of branches (an entire tree lying across the creek this time) and almost went in but took it all with his usual good humour. From Louisa Creek we walked about an hour to the top of a saddle providing panoramic vistas all round, comparable (with a bit of imagination and slight adjustment) to Wyoming, Kosciusko, etc. etc., depending on where you had been. After that it was all downhill except for the occasional rise of a couple of metres. The Party was very widely spaced, enabling one to enjoy the scenery rather than contemplate the back view of the walker in front. A new method of drinking from streams, without the tiresome bother of removing and replacing the pack, was perfected (subject to width and depth of watercourse): kneel in stream facing upstream, then bend forward to drink, using hands for support. Needless to say, this method is suitable only for situations where immersion of feet, knees and hands (and nose and chin) in the water is not objectionable such as in the case of reasonably clear S.W. Tassie water of bearable temperature on a hot day. Care must also be taken that one is not accidentally mistaken for a colourful steppingstone by following walkers; or worse still, for a large, exotic turtle by some trigger happy photographer; or even (worst of all) for both simultaneously! On the way out, Theo (who was having trouble with his shoes; they needed retreads and restringing, daily or oftener) slipped on another network of branches (an entire tree lying across the creek this time) and almost went in but took it all with his usual good humour. From Louisa Creek we walked about an hour to the top of a saddle providing panoramic vistas all round, comparable (with a bit of imagination and slight adjustment) to Wyoming, Kosciusko, etc. etc., depending on where you had been. After that it was all downhill except for the occasional rise of a couple of metres. The Party was very widely spaced, enabling one to enjoy the scenery rather than contemplate the back view of the walker in front. A new method of drinking from streams, without the tiresome bother of removing and replacing the pack, was perfected (subject to width and depth of watercourse): kneel in stream facing upstream, then bend forward to drink, using hands for support. Needless to say, this method is suitable only for situations where immersion of feet, knees and hands (and nose and chin) in the water is not objectionable such as in the case of reasonably clear S.W. Tassie water of bearable temperature on a hot day. Care must also be taken that one is not accidentally mistaken for a colourful steppingstone by following walkers; or worse still, for a large, exotic turtle by some trigger happy photographer; or even (worst of all) for both simultaneously!
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 The threats of Mud-Bogs-In-Which-To-Sink-To-The-Waist were finally given some credence by a very boggy patch just before the dunes of Coxs Bight. Just as well that we were so dispersed and not following in one another's footsteps, since the method of crossing was to find a leaping off place which provided tussocks or branches at leap-able distances from one another (for oneself, not necessarily someone else). This enabled one to cross without actually sinking in above the knee (though of course one got muddy there), if reasonable caution was exercised and momentum maintained, and one didn't stay too long on the one foothold. Since resistance of a water-laden clump of grass three inches below the surface was much less than usual, leverage was minimal and progress consequently dangerously slow. Hence the sudden credibility of the previously discounted bog-horror-stories. The threats of Mud-Bogs-In-Which-To-Sink-To-The-Waist were finally given some credence by a very boggy patch just before the dunes of Coxs Bight. Just as well that we were so dispersed and not following in one another's footsteps, since the method of crossing was to find a leaping off place which provided tussocks or branches at leap-able distances from one another (for oneself, not necessarily someone else). This enabled one to cross without actually sinking in above the knee (though of course one got muddy there), if reasonable caution was exercised and momentum maintained, and one didn't stay too long on the one foothold. Since resistance of a water-laden clump of grass three inches below the surface was much less than usual, leverage was minimal and progress consequently dangerously slow. Hence the sudden credibility of the previously discounted bog-horror-stories.
  
-On emergence onto the beach, the same stream (doubtless) which was responsible for all the mud, now handy to rinse out dirty shoes and sox. By the look of it we are now back to "cold tea" freshwater; for one +On emergence onto the beach, the same stream (doubtless) which was responsible for all the mud, now handy to rinse out dirty shoes and socks. By the look of it we are now back to "cold tea" freshwater; for one 
-day at Louisa Beach the brackish water from the soak was slightly coloured and the fresh water from a drip off the cliff was clear (very confusing after over a' week of Tassie coldtea fresh water and clear saltwater). From here there was a walk of about l½miles (? distances can be deceptive), to the near side of Point Eric, which divided the Bight in two. Arrived there about 4 (?), to find a nice camp spot, sheltered under trees and bushes but with plenty of headroom and tentroom, and bracken bedding by previous campers.+day at Louisa Beach the brackish water from the soak was slightly coloured and the fresh water from a drip off the cliff was clear (very confusing after over a' week of Tassie cold-tea fresh water and clear saltwater). From here there was a walk of about l½miles (? distances can be deceptive), to the near side of Point Eric, which divided the Bight in two. Arrived there about 4 (?), to find a nice camp spot, sheltered under trees and bushes but with plenty of headroom and tent room, and bracken bedding by previous campers
  
 A few of us went in for a swim, but soon came out and rinsed off the salt in the nearby stream. The sun is getting too low for it to be warm enough, and besides, we've got out of the habit of swimming after all these grey days - perhaps the best idea would be to spend a large chunk in the middle of the day swimming, and walk in the early mornings and evenings but that requires tiresome things like early starts and tea cooked in the dark. A few of us went in for a swim, but soon came out and rinsed off the salt in the nearby stream. The sun is getting too low for it to be warm enough, and besides, we've got out of the habit of swimming after all these grey days - perhaps the best idea would be to spend a large chunk in the middle of the day swimming, and walk in the early mornings and evenings but that requires tiresome things like early starts and tea cooked in the dark.
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 **Wednesday 27th.** Up late (yes again, but after all, this is a bludge trip), but was lucky enough to get the last of the porridge as an alternative to beans for breakfast. Most people had gone off fishing or exploring (George, **Wednesday 27th.** Up late (yes again, but after all, this is a bludge trip), but was lucky enough to get the last of the porridge as an alternative to beans for breakfast. Most people had gone off fishing or exploring (George,
-with the hatchet, amidst admonitions to return it before he went and got lost). It was a beautiful sunny morning, but too breezy for swimming (I was too used to clothes and my windjacket), so I eventually compromised with a skivvy over my costume. It was a very lazy day with nothing to do, and we wouldn't be leaving for another day or so - the exact how and when hadn't been decided yet. I couldn't work-up the motivation to go exploring +with the hatchet, amidst admonitions to return it before he went and got lost). It was a beautiful sunny morning, but too breezy for swimming (I was too used to clothes and my wind-jacket), so I eventually compromised with a skivvy over my costume. It was a very lazy day with nothing to do, and we wouldn't be leaving for another day or so - the exact how and when hadn't been decided yet. I couldn't work-up the motivation to go exploring 
-by myself, but was beginning to feel bored, when Heather strolled up witha handful of blackberries. Tina and I set off with jeans, shoes, windjackets and huge billies and picked the remaining ones - about two handfuls+by myself, but was beginning to feel bored, when Heather strolled up with a handful of blackberries. Tina and I set off with jeans, shoes, wind-jackets and huge billies and picked the remaining ones - about two handfuls
 at most. By the time we'd tasted a few it seemed undiplomatic to take the remaining small amount back, so that we returned, as we'd set out, with empty billies (I hope we didn't have purple lips and fingers). at most. By the time we'd tasted a few it seemed undiplomatic to take the remaining small amount back, so that we returned, as we'd set out, with empty billies (I hope we didn't have purple lips and fingers).
  
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 I was further fortunate in that a small expedition left a few minutes thereafter, for a look at some mullock-heaps (visible on the way down from yesterdays saddle as whitish patches on the hillside above Pt. Eric - I was further fortunate in that a small expedition left a few minutes thereafter, for a look at some mullock-heaps (visible on the way down from yesterdays saddle as whitish patches on the hillside above Pt. Eric -
-or reddish where there was ironstone). Mainly there were heaps of loam and quartzite, divided by channels and races (one sluice-channel was a deep narrow chasm with a recess for sitting in cut into one of the walls). There was a terrifically eroded creek, with white soil all around, it seems in retrospect, though, that would not have been quite the situation. Every so often we'd come across sections of old, rusted metal pipes, rivetted(!) and soldered where they were joined at all. Further up the hillside the aqueducts became more prevalent - the run-off of the entire hillside was collected by contour channels above the workings. Just about here there was also a horizontal mineshaft into the hill following a quartz vein (evident in the floor of the entrance cutting and in the "lintel" of the entrance itself). Then we headed downhill again, around the diggings to investigate a sole (and therefore very unusual) and un-Australian-looking tree. I think it turned out to be a banksia or bottlebrush, but we discovered some interesting water-filled sinkholes in the area.+or reddish where there was ironstone). Mainly there were heaps of loam and quartzite, divided by channels and races (one sluice-channel was a deep narrow chasm with a recess for sitting in cut into one of the walls). There was a terrifically eroded creek, with white soil all around, it seems in retrospect, though, that would not have been quite the situation. Every so often we'd come across sections of old, rusted metal pipes, riveted(!) and soldered where they were joined at all. Further up the hillside the aqueducts became more prevalent - the run-off of the entire hillside was collected by contour channels above the workings. Just about here there was also a horizontal mine-shaft into the hill following a quartz vein (evident in the floor of the entrance cutting and in the "lintel" of the entrance itself). Then we headed downhill again, around the diggings to investigate a sole (and therefore very unusual) and un-Australian-looking tree. I think it turned out to be a banksia or bottlebrush, but we discovered some interesting water-filled sinkholes in the area.
  
-Apparently these diggings dated from 50 years ago (e g. rivetted pipes, wooden sluice boxes) but there was evidence of later work too, such as a shovel and pick, a galvanized iron "bridge", the broken-off top half of a glass jar with the lid firmly screwed on, tied with plastic to a stake (apparently once containing the claim). There were even some prospectors (or so we assumed them) camping there at the time. We never saw them except in the distance, coming down to the stream each evening for a coupleof minutes. They had some kind of vehicle with caterpillar treads, but they must have had to chop down every slightly largish bush that was in the way by hand. We walked along the road to their camp (they were off prospecting every day) on our way to the mullock-heaps; it must have taken them hours to cut it, through at least 100 yards of thick bush and saplings, well above head height. It would have been impenetrable even to someone on foot without a pack.  +Apparently these diggings dated from 50 years ago (e g. riveted pipes, wooden sluice boxes) but there was evidence of later work too, such as a shovel and pick, a galvanized iron "bridge", the broken-off top half of a glass jar with the lid firmly screwed on, tied with plastic to a stake (apparently once containing the claim). There were even some prospectors (or so we assumed them) camping there at the time. We never saw them except in the distance, coming down to the stream each evening for a couple of minutes. They had some kind of vehicle with caterpillar treads, but they must have had to chop down every slightly largish bush that was in the way by hand. We walked along the road to their camp (they were off prospecting every day) on our way to the mullock-heaps; it must have taken them hours to cut it, through at least 100 yards of thick bush and saplings, well above head height. It would have been impenetrable even to someone on foot without a pack.  
  
 On our return, after 2 hours of investigations, we discovered that Rod had caught a small (grey nurse?) shark it was only a baby - it still had a roll of "sandpaper" where it would eventually have developed several rows On our return, after 2 hours of investigations, we discovered that Rod had caught a small (grey nurse?) shark it was only a baby - it still had a roll of "sandpaper" where it would eventually have developed several rows
-of teeth. This little delicacy was eaten for breakfast next day and the leftovers used to make a delicious (if you like fish soup) Spiro-shark-soup (heh! hehi you should see the photos - the resemblance is uncanny).+of teeth. This little delicacy was eaten for breakfast next day and the leftovers used to make a delicious (if you like fish soup) Spiro-shark-soup (heh! heh! you should see the photos - the resemblance is uncanny).
  
 Tonight was a comparatively early night, the last leaving at 11.30.  Blame it on Bob - he undertook to entertain us without once repeating himself, and he didn't either, but he only lasted 4 or 5 hours. Tonight was a comparatively early night, the last leaving at 11.30.  Blame it on Bob - he undertook to entertain us without once repeating himself, and he didn't either, but he only lasted 4 or 5 hours.
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 The bus moved slowly down the hill, past tall hedges partly hiding two-storied houses. Occasionally we glimpsed formal gardens, many "gone-to-seed" with old rose bushes running wild. As we drove past tiny well-kept churches with their surrounding graves, I wondered what size congregations attended these days. The centre of the town then The bus moved slowly down the hill, past tall hedges partly hiding two-storied houses. Occasionally we glimpsed formal gardens, many "gone-to-seed" with old rose bushes running wild. As we drove past tiny well-kept churches with their surrounding graves, I wondered what size congregations attended these days. The centre of the town then
-came into sight, with its narrow streets, terraced houses, tiny shops, and beyond we could see the small lake and a boatshed with its brightly painted little pleasure boats. Overlooking the lake could be seen the holiday mansions of the very rich, with winding stone paths, beautiful shrubs, greenhouses, gazebos, boatsheds. It was mid-winter and all was quiet now; the race course at one end of the lake was looking rather overgrown, and the edges of the lake had become choked with water lilies.+came into sight, with its narrow streets, terraced houses, tiny shops, and beyond we could see the small lake and a boat-shed with its brightly painted little pleasure boats. Overlooking the lake could be seen the holiday mansions of the very rich, with winding stone paths, beautiful shrubs, greenhouses, gazebos, boat-sheds. It was mid-winter and all was quiet now; the race course at one end of the lake was looking rather overgrown, and the edges of the lake had become choked with water lilies.
  
 It wasn't hard to believe we were in Southern India. It wasn't hard to believe we were in Southern India.
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 Paradoxically, within a few miles of the centre of town, lives the Todas, the last remains of the aboriginal race of India. We saw a group of Toda men in the town, easy to distinguish by their long robes and hair in ringlets. Paradoxically, within a few miles of the centre of town, lives the Todas, the last remains of the aboriginal race of India. We saw a group of Toda men in the town, easy to distinguish by their long robes and hair in ringlets.
  
-After the dust and heat of the plains, the cold air of Ooty was a shock to our systems. (There was yet another shock to our systems on our arrival. Amid so much "Britain", and with a uniformed band playing "Auld Lang Syne", came a Hindu funeral complete with body exposed and surrounded by flowers and burning incense.) The Public Works Dept. bungalow that was our home for the next two days is a large house on the lake edge, with views across the water of the town and surrounding mountains. The house, costing a total of 90 c. Australian for two days, has two large bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms and verandahs, and a living room. The furniture is large, heavy and dark-stained there are also 23 doors!+After the dust and heat of the plains, the cold air of Ooty was a shock to our systems. (There was yet another shock to our systems on our arrival. Amid so much "Britain", and with a uniformed band playing "Auld Lang Syne", came a Hindu funeral complete with body exposed and surrounded by flowers and burning incense.) The Public Works Dept. bungalow that was our home for the next two days is a large house on the lake edge, with views across the water of the town and surrounding mountains. The house, costing a total of 90 c. Australian for two days, has two large bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms and verandas, and a living room. The furniture is large, heavy and dark-stained there are also 23 doors!
  
-We arrived at 3 p m., but Owen, Frank and Marion decided the beds needed testing immediately, while George and I walked around the shore, passing the occasional canoist or horseman out for an afternoon canter. Back at the bungalow at dusk, we found our friends still in bed, Owen snoring heavily. I suggested we climb the nearest hill to see if the comet Kahoutec was visible; George said it was a fools errand and Frank agreed, so naturally that decided me. I wandered up the hill, through an old cemetery, and along tiny hedge-lined lanes to the top. And there in the western sky was the comet, faint but plainly visible in the still orange sky.+We arrived at 3 p m., but Owen, Frank and Marion decided the beds needed testing immediately, while George and I walked around the shore, passing the occasional canoeist or horseman out for an afternoon canter. Back at the bungalow at dusk, we found our friends still in bed, Owen snoring heavily. I suggested we climb the nearest hill to see if the comet Kahoutec was visible; George said it was a fools errand and Frank agreed, so naturally that decided me. I wandered up the hill, through an old cemetery, and along tiny hedge-lined lanes to the top. And there in the western sky was the comet, faint but plainly visible in the still orange sky.
  
 Owen snored peacefully on as I told the others of the comet. Finally the snoring ceased for about two minutes and Owen sat up and said, "I don't know what's wrong with me tonight - I haven't slept a wink". Owen snored peacefully on as I told the others of the comet. Finally the snoring ceased for about two minutes and Owen sat up and said, "I don't know what's wrong with me tonight - I haven't slept a wink".
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 Queen Victoria's reign will indeed be over when the old lady and her friends are gone. I'll certainly not easily forgot my glimpses of that era. Queen Victoria's reign will indeed be over when the old lady and her friends are gone. I'll certainly not easily forgot my glimpses of that era.
  
-====N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs=====+=====N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs=====
 **Proposed Policy on Camping in National Parks etc. - Draft 3** **Proposed Policy on Camping in National Parks etc. - Draft 3**
  
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 4. The recommendation of (3) above is subject to the following conditions: 4. The recommendation of (3) above is subject to the following conditions:
  
-(a) That in the allocation of funds and manpower to the development of visitor amenities, there shall be no reduction in the priority afforded to acquisition of lands. (b) That in no case shall visitor amenities significantly impair the natural values of the place.+(a) That in the allocation of funds and manpower to the development of visitor amenities, there shall be no reduction in the priority afforded to acquisition of lands.   
 +   
 +(b) That in no case shall visitor amenities significantly impair the natural values of the place.
  
 5. That if in the administration and protection of natural areas the responsible authority finds it necessary to require permits for access to such areas, then permits should be granted according to the following 5. That if in the administration and protection of natural areas the responsible authority finds it necessary to require permits for access to such areas, then permits should be granted according to the following
 principles:- principles:-
  
-(a) Permits may be conditional on the applicant providing evidence of fitness, suitable equipment, ability and adherence to regulations. (b) Membership of a club affiliated to the Federation shall be regarded as sufficient evidence to satisfy 5(a) above. (c) That any fee payable shall be based upon a realistic appraisal of the cost of services provided. (d) The necessity for permits should be restricted to trip leaders. (e) Permits should, wherever possible, be available on a perpetual or failing that, an annual basis for broad areas, rather than for a certain time and place. (f) Revocation of permits, in the event of the holder being caught in breach of regulations, shall be subject to appeal. (g) Subject only to 5(a) above and the prevention of overuse, permits shall be allocated by impartial means to any citizen. (h) Wherever permits are required on a particular time and place basis, then club officials should be empowered to gather and present applications, preferably-by telephone or mail, in lieu of individual applications.+(a)  Permits may be conditional on the applicant providing evidence of fitness, suitable equipment, ability and adherence to regulations. 
  
-6. Following any reprimand or revocation of permits, the Federation may represent or provide counsel for financial club member to present an appeal.+(b) Membership of a club affiliated to the Federation shall be regarded as sufficient evidence to satisfy 5(a) above
  
 +%%(c)%% That any fee payable shall be based upon a realistic appraisal of the cost of services provided.  
 +
 +(d) The necessity for permits should be restricted to trip leaders. 
 +
 +(e) Permits should, wherever possible, be available on a perpetual or failing that, an annual basis for broad areas, rather than for a certain time and place. 
 +
 +(f) Revocation of permits, in the event of the holder being caught in breach of regulations, shall be subject to appeal. 
 +
 +(g) Subject only to 5(a) above and the prevention of overuse, permits shall be allocated by impartial means to any citizen. 
 +
 +(h) Wherever permits are required on a particular time and place basis, then club officials should be empowered to gather and present applications, preferably-by telephone or mail, in lieu of individual applications.  
 +
 +6. Following any reprimand or revocation of permits, the Federation may represent or provide counsel for a financial club member to present an appeal.
  
 =====Walk Secretary's Notes for November===== =====Walk Secretary's Notes for November=====
197410.1412238476.txt.gz · Last modified: 2014/10/02 18:27 by helen

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