SBW Magazine & History Project

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
199311

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
199311 [2016/10/12 16:24] – tyreless199311 [2016/10/12 16:27] (current) – tyreless
Line 102: Line 102:
 The Ranger, possibly a genetic relation of Morag's, went on to say - "You North Islanders should forget about the rain and the mud and just enjoy the scenery and wilderness." The Ranger, possibly a genetic relation of Morag's, went on to say - "You North Islanders should forget about the rain and the mud and just enjoy the scenery and wilderness."
  
-One of my early experiences with mud (I remember vividly still) was on the track into Frenchman's Cap. It was a rainy, gloomy afternoon and we were trying to make time as we had been told the hut at Lake Vera was hard to find even in good light. As we slipped, slid and wallowed across the button-grass plains of the Lodden River (the "Sodden Lodden" is apty named) I can remember thinking "This had better be worth it." (It was.) There was some talk of re-routing this track to firmer ground by way of Pickaxe Ridge, but to my latest information, this project has been put on the back burner (pity).+One of my early experiences with mud (I remember vividly still) was on the track into Frenchman's Cap. It was a rainy, gloomy afternoon and we were trying to make time as we had been told the hut at Lake Vera was hard to find even in good light. As we slipped, slid and wallowed across the button-grass plains of the Lodden River (the "Sodden Lodden" is aptly named) I can remember thinking "This had better be worth it." (It was.) There was some talk of re-routing this track to firmer ground by way of Pickaxe Ridge, but to my latest information, this project has been put on the back burner (pity).
  
 A somewhat later encounter with the black stuff was in Blowhard Valley. On this occasion, fortunately, we had with us a wily old Hobart walker who showed us the art of the long stick. Poke and prod every suspicious-looking muddy bit. There is no way of telling, by just looking - if a muddy bit is one inch or 3 feet deep. And if you have to sidle round a deepish bit - use the stick to help you balance on the slippery button-grass tussocks on the edge of the track. The track through Blowhard has since been diverted to higher ground and is now a fast and pleasant walk through to the South Coast. A somewhat later encounter with the black stuff was in Blowhard Valley. On this occasion, fortunately, we had with us a wily old Hobart walker who showed us the art of the long stick. Poke and prod every suspicious-looking muddy bit. There is no way of telling, by just looking - if a muddy bit is one inch or 3 feet deep. And if you have to sidle round a deepish bit - use the stick to help you balance on the slippery button-grass tussocks on the edge of the track. The track through Blowhard has since been diverted to higher ground and is now a fast and pleasant walk through to the South Coast.
Line 127: Line 127:
 The Friends of Durras, in which Ainslie Morris and Mike Reynolds were very active, are to be congratulated on raising $100,000 for the purchase of 370 ha of water frontage on Durras Lake. The Bush Heritage organisation, established by Dr. Bob Brown with the proceeds of the Goldman environmental prize, has bought two blocks in Tasmania and one on the Daintree. Such purchases by groups of dedicated environmentalists would not be necessary if governments were environmentally responsible. The Friends of Durras, in which Ainslie Morris and Mike Reynolds were very active, are to be congratulated on raising $100,000 for the purchase of 370 ha of water frontage on Durras Lake. The Bush Heritage organisation, established by Dr. Bob Brown with the proceeds of the Goldman environmental prize, has bought two blocks in Tasmania and one on the Daintree. Such purchases by groups of dedicated environmentalists would not be necessary if governments were environmentally responsible.
  
-In NSW Clover Moore's South-East Forests Bill was defeated in the Upper House by the vote of the Rev. Fred. Nile, who preferred the interests of the woodchippers to the preservatiOn of God's kingdom. Clover intends to move a ceasure motion against the Government for its failure to implement the National Forest Policy.+In NSW Clover Moore's South-East Forests Bill was defeated in the Upper House by the vote of the Rev. Fred. Nile, who preferred the interests of the woodchippers to the preservatiOn of God's kingdom. Clover intends to move a censure motion against the Government for its failure to implement the National Forest Policy.
  
 ---- ----
Line 156: Line 156:
 John Tondo, of S&R advises that his skeleton was found some time later, in another search).  John Tondo, of S&R advises that his skeleton was found some time later, in another search). 
  
-The Police gescue sergeant, with such grey, gentle eyes (no suicide could resist) thanked us as he as he presented our service certificates.+The Police rescue sergeant, with such grey, gentle eyes (no suicide could resist) thanked us as he as he presented our service certificates.
  
 Driving back to Sydney I thought of the old man who had taken my sleep and given a nice day away from a boring job. He had certainly given one person joy. Driving back to Sydney I thought of the old man who had taken my sleep and given a nice day away from a boring job. He had certainly given one person joy.
Line 182: Line 182:
 It is a beautiful day to miss work and Jensens Swamp is a hive of activity. The helicopters fly in. The useful are from National Parks, Westpac and Polair. The useless are the insects of the press. I have never been close to a helicopter and gaze, rapt as the giant blades slice the air. It is a beautiful day to miss work and Jensens Swamp is a hive of activity. The helicopters fly in. The useful are from National Parks, Westpac and Polair. The useless are the insects of the press. I have never been close to a helicopter and gaze, rapt as the giant blades slice the air.
  
-As there is no team from Sydney Bush Walkers, I go with a scratch team on Boyd Range where we will act as radio relay. A helicopter carries three passengers, and I don't feel worried as, like a giant spider snspended from its silver thread, I drop gently to the ground. Then my body betrays me as I head for the nearest scrub with nervous diarrhoea.+As there is no team from Sydney Bush Walkers, I go with a scratch team on Boyd Range where we will act as radio relay. A helicopter carries three passengers, and I don't feel worried as, like a giant spider suspended from its silver thread, I drop gently to the ground. Then my body betrays me as I head for the nearest scrub with nervous diarrhoea.
  
-The dipole (aerial) is soon up and Graham, who is the expert, takes the radio for much of the day. Time passes easily in the warm sun and I think sadly of the missed work back at the officel('haaa!'). Looking into the valley, I wish I was there, scrambling down Spinebender or Wheengee Whungee Creeks. There is no use projecting. There may soon be a time when I'm in among those nettles.+The dipole (aerial) is soon up and Graham, who is the expert, takes the radio for much of the day. Time passes easily in the warm sun and I think sadly of the missed work back at the office ('haaa!'). Looking into the valley, I wish I was there, scrambling down Spinebender or Wheengee Whungee Creeks. There is no use projecting. There may soon be a time when I'm in among those nettles.
  
 At morning tea, Springwood Bush Walkers discover the first body in advanced decay, with two sets of shoes beside it. The insects of the press rise into the air. Before lunch, the same team find the second body one hundred and fifty metres down Wheengee. The sounds of insects fill the air. At morning tea, Springwood Bush Walkers discover the first body in advanced decay, with two sets of shoes beside it. The insects of the press rise into the air. Before lunch, the same team find the second body one hundred and fifty metres down Wheengee. The sounds of insects fill the air.
  
-As we are the link for the searchers below we are the last team taken out. There is a fair breeze and the sun is setting when the NP helicopter eventually locates us; then I am in thern loop. Slowly rising, the breeze takes me towards the trees. The pilot rapidly elevates and I am 150 feet above the ground, a few thousand feet above Spinebender Creek. Kanangra whirls beneath me as I synchronise slowly with the helicopter blades. Feeling very exposed, I 'think of England'.+As we are the link for the searchers below we are the last team taken out. There is a fair breeze and the sun is setting when the NP helicopter eventually locates us; then I am in the loop. Slowly rising, the breeze takes me towards the trees. The pilot rapidly elevates and I am 150 feet above the ground, a few thousand feet above Spinebender Creek. Kanangra whirls beneath me as I synchronise slowly with the helicopter blades. Feeling very exposed, I 'think of England'.
  
 Our easy-going pilots reckon there is no time for a fourth winch up so Dave comes up with three packs. With all four packages crammed in, some faces seem to say that I am not alone with my thinking. Our easy-going pilots reckon there is no time for a fourth winch up so Dave comes up with three packs. With all four packages crammed in, some faces seem to say that I am not alone with my thinking.
Line 198: Line 198:
 ---- ----
  
-=====Not Stages 14 & 15 Sydney To Lithgow But A Walk Throught History.=====+=====Not Stages 14 & 15 Sydney To Lithgow But A Walk Through History.=====
  
 Who went? Wilf Hilder (Leader), Carol Lubbers, John Hogan, John Coulson, Geoff Grace (author), and, (part of the time) - Margaret Sheens, David Trinder & John Trinder. Who went? Wilf Hilder (Leader), Carol Lubbers, John Hogan, John Coulson, Geoff Grace (author), and, (part of the time) - Margaret Sheens, David Trinder & John Trinder.
Line 243: Line 243:
 Conservation Report indicated that a Wilderness Conference has been held. Conservation Report indicated that a Wilderness Conference has been held.
  
-Confederation Report broght mention that there were three S & R call-outs during the month, that the Bushwalkers Ball has returned a profit of $1,200, and that there appears to be a continuing push for leader accreditation for walking groups.+Confederation Report brought mention that there were three S & R call-outs during the month, that the Bushwalkers Ball has returned a profit of $1,200, and that there appears to be a continuing push for leader accreditation for walking groups.
  
-General Business saw discussion of the closure by Hornsby Council of the Benowie Track in the vicinity of the Hornsby Rifle Range. It seems that a survey has indicated that the track runs through an area which could be struck by ricochets from the range. The opinion was expressed that despite there being a number of goverement bodies involved, it will all be sorted out in the near future.+General Business saw discussion of the closure by Hornsby Council of the Benowie Track in the vicinity of the Hornsby Rifle Range. It seems that a survey has indicated that the track runs through an area which could be struck by ricochets from the range. The opinion was expressed that despite there being a number of government bodies involved, it will all be sorted out in the near future.
  
 The announcements followed and the meeting closed at 2122. The announcements followed and the meeting closed at 2122.
Line 279: Line 279:
 Thus bean a year's research into Clydesdales, including visits to Carlton's stud farm as well as to other Clydesdale studs, discussions with horse show judges and so on. In addition to that side of the research Nancye also took us into her confidence about the advice she obtained about writing a book for children. Thus bean a year's research into Clydesdales, including visits to Carlton's stud farm as well as to other Clydesdale studs, discussions with horse show judges and so on. In addition to that side of the research Nancye also took us into her confidence about the advice she obtained about writing a book for children.
  
-After the research period reached its conclusion then followed a year of writing and editing, including learning how to use a personal computer based word processor. The frustratons involved with this were significant when she lost about half of the book due to a computer malfunction.+After the research period reached its conclusion then followed a year of writing and editing, including learning how to use a personal computer based word processor. The frustrations involved with this were significant when she lost about half of the book due to a computer malfunction.
  
 Nancy had the good fortune to have a group of three youngsters who were also horse lovers to whom she read each chapter as her "sounding board", including how to make the book's children more life-like. Nancy had the good fortune to have a group of three youngsters who were also horse lovers to whom she read each chapter as her "sounding board", including how to make the book's children more life-like.
Line 285: Line 285:
 With the writing effort over then followed two year's of work with Springwood based Butterfly Press leading to the publication of her book "The Clydesdale Are Waiting". The sales are proceeding quite well. With the writing effort over then followed two year's of work with Springwood based Butterfly Press leading to the publication of her book "The Clydesdale Are Waiting". The sales are proceeding quite well.
  
-Thank you for sharing yoor experience with us Nancye. We look forward to your next+Thank you for sharing your experience with us Nancye. We look forward to your next
 book. book.
  
 ---- ----
199311.txt · Last modified: 2016/10/12 16:27 by tyreless
Donate Powered by PHP Valid HTML5 Valid CSS Driven by DokuWiki