198906
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| June 1989 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 7 | June 1989 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 7 | ||
| - | FAMOUS LAST WORDS | + | |
| + | =====Famous Last Words===== | ||
| by Bill BUrke | by Bill BUrke | ||
| - | , | + | |
| - | (First published in the magazine January 1977) | + | Chris rang on Thursday to check up that the trip was going - " |
| - | Chris rang on Thursday to check up that the trip was going - " | + | |
| - | over three cars set out on an ordinary routine easy weekend walk. | + | Advance car (mine) arrived at Goodman' |
| - | Advance car (mine) arrived at Goodman' | + | |
| - | spots of rain shortly afterwards hastened the erection of our tents and soon to bed to be lulled | + | Morning |
| - | to sleep by the steady drum of rain on the tent. Faintly heard some of the others arrive and had a momentary twinge of sympathy over thoughts of putting up tents in the rain before slumber reclaimed me. | + | |
| - | %ming dawned with the rain continuing in a steady stream, the ground soggy and running with water, but memories of a pile of driftwood from a previous trip proved accurate and I soon had a pile of dry firewood. A quick look at the Wollondilly River - low and clear showed | + | Breakfasted to the accompaniment of steady rain and then into the cars and on our way to Barralier, only to have a flat tyre and then second thoughts about the possible condition of the road. Second thoughts were best and so we left the cars high and reasonably dry near the old stone house. Lucky, as we would never have made it over the grassy road, and even if we had the road was subsequently cut by flooding and a fall of large boulders. |
| - | that all was well. | + | |
| - | Breakfasted to the accompaniment of steady rain and then into the cars and on our way to Barralier, only to have a flat tyre and then second thoughts about the possible condition of the road. Second thoughts were best and so we left the cars high and reasonably dry near the | + | No trouble at the river crossing at Barrallier - only knee deep - dropped in on the Cousins who now occupy Tony Carlon' |
| - | old stone house. Lucky, as we would never have made it over the grassy road, and even if we | + | |
| - | had the road was subsequently cut by flooding and a fall of large boulders. | + | Wet rocks slowed some of the party and these together with cold saturated |
| - | No trouble at the river crossing at Barrallier - only knee deep - dropped in on the Cousins who now occupy Tony Carlon' | + | |
| - | Lunch and Wattley Hollow at 4 pm for the night camp. | + | Lunch was to be a 20 minute stand and eat; a fire would have taken too long and it was too cold and miserable to stand around. Revived memories of a similar lunch break at the junction |
| - | Wet rocks slowed some of the party and these together with cold saturated | + | |
| - | Lunch was to be a 20 minute stand and eat; a fire would have taken too long and it was too cold and miserable to stand around. Revived memories of a similar lunch break at the junction | + | |
| had traversed the Tonalli Range and had seen nothing but mist and driving rain for 21 days on that occasion. | had traversed the Tonalli Range and had seen nothing but mist and driving rain for 21 days on that occasion. | ||
| - | I was half-way through my lunch when the tail-enders arrived. Two soaked and shivering | + | |
| - | with gear totally unsuitable for wet weather, and the third to quote " | + | I was half-way through my lunch when the tail-enders arrived. Two soaked and shivering with gear totally unsuitable for wet weather, and the third to quote " |
| - | at a soaking wet campsite on the highlands just on dusk was out of the question. We promptly | + | at a soaking wet campsite on the highlands just on dusk was out of the question. We promptly suspended lunch, got a fire going, and put our freezing member to bed. |
| - | suspended lunch, got a fire going, and put our freezing member to bed. | + | |
| - | It was an unfriendly, wet afternoon. Some slept and the remainder spent their time | + | It was an unfriendly, wet afternoon. Some slept and the remainder spent their time collecting firewood and standing around a fire built to withstand any amount of rain. A half-hour break in the rain gave us an opportunity to dry out wet groundsheets and other gear. Plans were made by the more energetic for a 7 am start to complete the trip as per program. Tea was cooked in the rain and eaten standing up in the rain. Dark closed in with the rain, and bodies rapidly disappeared into the green, gold and red tents dotting the grassy flat. |
| - | collecting firewood and standing around a fire built to withstand any amount of rain. A | + | |
| - | half-hour break in the rain gave us an opportunity to dry out wet groundsheets and other gear. Plans were made by the more energetic for a 7 am start to complete the trip as per program. | + | |
| - | Tea was cooked in the rain and eaten standing up in the rain. Dark closed in with the rain, | + | |
| - | and bodies rapidly disappeared into the green,gold and red tents dotting the grassy flat. | + | |
| - | Page 8 The Sydney Bushwalker June 1989 | + | |
| Murruin Creek was still shallow and clear and Bindook Creek still hidden beneath the boulders lining its mouth. | Murruin Creek was still shallow and clear and Bindook Creek still hidden beneath the boulders lining its mouth. | ||
| + | |||
| Stacked some wet wood between some sheets of old iron on the fire, and so, after 6 hours standing round in the rain, Chris and I - the last two - wished each other a cheery goodnight and off to bed. Not for long, however. My drying system worked only too well, and within | Stacked some wet wood between some sheets of old iron on the fire, and so, after 6 hours standing round in the rain, Chris and I - the last two - wished each other a cheery goodnight and off to bed. Not for long, however. My drying system worked only too well, and within | ||
| half an hour the wood was not only dry but burning brightly. A hurried dash to scatter the burning wood in all directions and then stand on one of the burning sticks, before restacking the precious morning firewood. | half an hour the wood was not only dry but burning brightly. A hurried dash to scatter the burning wood in all directions and then stand on one of the burning sticks, before restacking the precious morning firewood. | ||
| + | |||
| Awoke to the sound of roaring water down the creek. Other noises around the fireplace indicated that some at least were prepared to move off at 7 am as planned. Some remaining coals and the dry wood made firelighting easy; soon all were up bright and energetic, even if not brimming over with enthusiasm. Laurie had spent most of the night in a soaking wet bag due to the heavy rain. Murruin Creek was now a muddy torrent and Bindook had well and truly swallowed up the boulders at the mouth. Beyond, the junction was a wide yellow river covering the valley floor. | Awoke to the sound of roaring water down the creek. Other noises around the fireplace indicated that some at least were prepared to move off at 7 am as planned. Some remaining coals and the dry wood made firelighting easy; soon all were up bright and energetic, even if not brimming over with enthusiasm. Laurie had spent most of the night in a soaking wet bag due to the heavy rain. Murruin Creek was now a muddy torrent and Bindook had well and truly swallowed up the boulders at the mouth. Beyond, the junction was a wide yellow river covering the valley floor. | ||
| + | |||
| I had hoped to send the tail-enders back down the creek, but one look was enough to raise doubts as to the wisdom of attempting to cross Murruin Creek at the Wollondilly junction, so decided to cross here and follow the right bank all the way down. Pat, Dick and Mal called for volunteers to continue on, and finding none decided to go anyway. | I had hoped to send the tail-enders back down the creek, but one look was enough to raise doubts as to the wisdom of attempting to cross Murruin Creek at the Wollondilly junction, so decided to cross here and follow the right bank all the way down. Pat, Dick and Mal called for volunteers to continue on, and finding none decided to go anyway. | ||
| - | Trip back was uneventful. Rain had stopped but a waist-deep crossing of the first side | + | |
| - | creek, together with constant contact with wet bushes and the numerous sidlings soon had the | + | Trip back was uneventful. Rain had stopped but a waist-deep crossing of the first side creek, together with constant contact with wet bushes and the numerous sidlings soon had the party soaked again. We did actually have a dry (overhead) lunch break. |
| - | party soaked again. We did actually have a dry (overhead) lunch break. | + | |
| - | Arriving back at the Cousins home to be greeted with, "You look a miserable lot. YQU | + | Arriving back at the Cousins home to be greeted with, "You look a miserable lot. You won't be able to cross the Wollondilly - the river is 5 feet over the bridge." |
| - | won't be able to cross the Wollondilly - the river is 5 feet over the bridge." | + | |
| - | shed down there where we used to live; you are welcome to that - has a stove and there is plenty of firewood." | + | Inspection revealed a palace; carpet on the floor, two stoves, a pot-belly and a cooker no less, and with the assistance of Mr. Cousins the party was soon settled in; fires were going, wet gear draped round and the inevitable cup of tea in the making. Time passed, numerous phone calls were made to acquaint all at home about our late arrival, and we wondered about Pat and his party. The creek was checkednand |
| - | with the ultra pure environmentalists. Sensible | + | |
| - | land use both for recreational use and to earn a living is the best we can expect unless we are all prepared to go and jump immediately into the hereafter. | + | Roll call on the provision front revealed that we had enough for at least one meal. Two heavy-weights produced a loaf of vogel bread each, and others contributed an assortment of riso-rica, a potato, peas, soups and dried fruit, all of which ended up in a first class stew. Mr. Cousins offered us chops and biscuits which we declined, and on another visit fresh milk, weetbix and biscuits for breakfast, which we accepted with pleasure. John Redfern went up to the house to collect the goodies and numerous cups of tea, cakes, scones, jam and cream; later returned to describe all this to us with great gusto. |
| - | Inspection revealed a palace; carpet on the floor, two stoves, a pot-belly and a cooker no less, and with the assistance of Mr. Cousins the party was soon settled in; fires were going, wet gear draped round and the inevitable cup of tea in the making. Time passed, numerous phone calls were made to acquaint all at home about our late arrival, and we wondered | + | |
| - | about Pat and his party. The creek was checked | + | Both Chris and Pat were anxious to get back to work and so a dawn start was planned in the hopes that the river would have dropped sufficiently to allow a crossing. Breakfast was a cold affair and we hurried away without even disturbing the dogs - they had more sense. A check of our river marker revealed that the bridge would be still under water and so it proved to be. No sign even of the guide posts at either end. |
| - | and looked none too promising. Mr. Cousins | + | |
| - | had mentioned the possibility of using his boat. And lo! there they were; had crossed and | + | Cup of tea was declared - marvellous thing, a cup of tea - whilst we considered our position. Was soon consumed and as the rain started to sprinkle again I decided to head for the verandah of the Jock Creek Hut, information by courtesy of Mr. Cousins, whilst the others stayed to wish the river down. Was soon comfortable in a cane armchair midst the cow dung and other assorted paraphernalia. The rain continued and one by one the others drifted in. Dick was the last and finding all chairs occupied did a little furter exploration to find an open room with - wonder of wonders - a double bed complete with mattress. A proposal by him and Pat that all should head for Wombeyan Caves receiving little support, he promptly retired to bed for several hours. |
| - | were on their way to the bridge when the Cousins directed them down to the shed. | + | |
| - | Roll call on the provision front revealed that we had enough for at least one meal. Two | + | |
| - | heavy-weights produced a loaf of vogel bread each, and others contributed an assortment of riso-rica, a potato, peas, soups and dried fruit, all of which ended up in a first class stew. Mr. Cousins offered us chops and biscuits which we declined, and on another visit fresh milk, | + | |
| - | weetbix and biscuits for breakfast, which we accepted with pleasure. John Redfern went up to the house to collect the goodies and numerous cups of tea, cakes, scones, jam and cream; later returned to describe all this to us with great gusto. | + | |
| - | Both Chris and Pat were anxious to get back to work and so a dawn start was planned in the | + | |
| - | hopes that the river would have dropped sufficiently to allow a crossing. Breakfast was a | + | |
| - | cold affair and we hurried away without even disturbing the dogs - they had more sense. A | + | |
| - | check of our river marker revealed that the bridge would be still under water and so it proved | + | |
| - | to be. No sign even of the guide posts at either end. | + | |
| - | June 1989 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 9 | + | |
| - | Cup of tea was declared - marvellous thing, a cup of tea - whilst we considered our position. Was soon consumed and as the rain started to sprinkle again I decided to head for the verandah of the Jock Creek Hut, information by courtesy of Mr. Cousins, whilst the others stayed to wish the river down. Was soon comfortable in a cane armchair midst the cow dung and other assorted paraphernalia. The rain continued and one by one the others | + | |
| - | drifted in. Dick was the last and finding all chairs occupied did a little furter exploration to find an open room with - wonder of wonders - a double bed complete with mattress. A proposal by him and Pat that all should head for Wombeyan Caves receiving little support, he promptly retired to bed for several hours. | + | |
| The weather was getting bleaker and colder and my burnt foot was starting to make its presence felt, so I slipped into my sleeping bag and made myself even more comfortable in the armchair. A trick I learnt in the army; if you have no place to go, then lie back and | The weather was getting bleaker and colder and my burnt foot was starting to make its presence felt, so I slipped into my sleeping bag and made myself even more comfortable in the armchair. A trick I learnt in the army; if you have no place to go, then lie back and | ||
| enjoy what you can of the situation. | enjoy what you can of the situation. | ||
| - | And so the morning passed. The ever restless Chris and Pat decided to head for Wombeyan Caves without packs and bring back taxis; made a further lengthy inspection of the river, reported a Police Car and much waving of arms and shouting which indicated that a lengthy wait was in progress, and then changed their minds and headed back to Barrallier for | + | |
| - | news via the phone. Laurie Quaken - wandering in circles - was cajoled into lighting a | + | And so the morning passed. The ever restless Chris and Pat decided to head for Wombeyan Caves without packs and bring back taxis; made a further lengthy inspection of the river, reported a Police Car and much waving of arms and shouting which indicated that a lengthy wait was in progress, and then changed their minds and headed back to Barrallier for news via the phone. Laurie Quaken - wandering in circles - was cajoled into lighting a fire for another cuppa. Mal, John and Alan Fall rechecked the river. |
| - | fire for another cuppa. Mal, John and Alan Fall rechecked the river. | + | |
| - | Lunch was served. One sweet bixie, one dry bixie and one very small piece of cheese | + | Lunch was served. One sweet bixie, one dry bixie and one very small piece of cheese per person. |
| - | per person. | + | |
| Come 3 pm, even I got restless and the whole party proceeded to the river to perform obtuse mathematical calculations as to the rate of fall and other probabilities or possibilities. The top half of the guide posts were now visible and an obvious pressure wave had | Come 3 pm, even I got restless and the whole party proceeded to the river to perform obtuse mathematical calculations as to the rate of fall and other probabilities or possibilities. The top half of the guide posts were now visible and an obvious pressure wave had | ||
| - | formed over the bridge. Dick, the ever ambitious - the crossing of Murruin Creek must have | + | formed over the bridge. Dick, the ever ambitious - the crossing of Murruin Creek must have gone to his head - contemplated swimming the river. As we had no wish to lose a good friend this was vetoed. Back to the fire to wonder over the fate of our restless duo who raced in |
| - | gone to his head - contemplated swimming the river. As we had no wish to lose a good friend | + | |
| - | this was vetoed. Back to the fire to wonder over the fate of our restless duo who raced in | + | |
| at 6 pm more intent on regaling us with stories of sao biscuits thick with butter and cheese, tea with milk and sugar, etc, than with the information that the river would not fall at least before Wednesday and possibly not before Saturday. | at 6 pm more intent on regaling us with stories of sao biscuits thick with butter and cheese, tea with milk and sugar, etc, than with the information that the river would not fall at least before Wednesday and possibly not before Saturday. | ||
| - | Decision made, we threw on our parkas and raced off the ten or somiles | + | |
| - | and the remainder half an hour later. The manager of the kiosk remained guardedly behind | + | Decision made, we threw on our parkas and raced off the ten or so miles to Wombeyan Caves. The first party consisting of Pat, Dick, Mal, Alan and myself arrived at 9.45 pm and the remainder half an hour later. The manager of the kiosk remained guardedly behind |
| - | his fly-screen door and who can blame him. The arrival of five dirty, smelly, dripping | + | his fly-screen door and who can blame him. The arrival of five dirty, smelly, dripping bodies encased in parkas out of the dusk would be enough to scare anyone. No, there was no local transport available. No, he didn't think we could ring Goulburn, the exchange was closed. "You people certainly get yourselves in a mess, don't you?" Yes, he would try to ring Goulburn - the atmosphere was thawing all the time - didn't we want to know the cost? Yes, he would open up the kiosk and let us buy some food. The flydoor actually opened. A slight delay and then the taxis were on the way, kiosk opened, food purchased between much talk and laughter and then a friendly, affable soul raced off down the road to open up a public shelter shed complete with electric light and water hot enough to make the inevitable tea and this time, coffee. |
| - | bodies encased in parkas out of the dusk would be enough to scare anyone. | + | |
| - | No, there was no local transport available. No, he didn't think we could ring Goulburn, | + | Had barely finished eating and cleaning up when the taxis arrived and we were off to Goulburn. The driver was friendly and talkative, the others dozed off to sleep and I was regaled with stories of the odd types of men and women who hire taxis. He was dubious about getting down to the Wollondilly on the other side, but after I mentioned the police car, promptly replied, "Where the ' |
| - | the exchange was closed. "You people certainly get yourselves in a mess, don't you?" | + | |
| - | Yes, he would try to ring Goulburn - the atmosphere was thawing all the time - didn't we | + | |
| - | want to know the cost? Yes, he would open up the kiosk and let us buy some food. The | + | |
| - | flydoor actually opened. A slight delay and then the taxis were on the way, kiosk opened, | + | |
| - | food purchased between much talk and laughter and then a friendly, affable soul raced off down the road to open up a public shelter shed complete with electric light and water hot enough to make the inevitable tea and this time, coffee. | + | |
| - | Had barely finished eating and cleaning up when the taxis arrived and we were off to Goulburn. The driver was friendly and talkative, the others dozed off to sleep and I was | + | |
| - | regaled with stories of the odd types of men and women who hire taxis. He was dubious about getting down to the Wollondilly on the other side, but after I mentioned the police car, | + | |
| - | promptly replied, "Where the ' | + | |
| - | B.P. garage in Goulburn whilst the drivers reported to base and then we were on our way again. | + | |
| - | By 2 am we were back at our cars. A hurried whip around to raise the necessary cash, | + | |
| - | equally hurried start up of motors and we were on our way for a 5.30 am homecoming - some to work and others to catch up on lost sleep. | + | |
| In retrospect, a lovely extended weekend with an extra ten mile walk, a 130 mile taxi drive and $14 per head must go on record as the longest, costliest crossing of the Wollondilly ever. | In retrospect, a lovely extended weekend with an extra ten mile walk, a 130 mile taxi drive and $14 per head must go on record as the longest, costliest crossing of the Wollondilly ever. | ||
| - | * * * * * * * * | + | |
| THE SYDNEY BUSHWA E | THE SYDNEY BUSHWA E | ||
| CANOE & CAMPING | CANOE & CAMPING | ||
198906.txt · Last modified: 2019/05/14 12:54 by tyreless