193312
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193312 [2016/01/08 22:30] – vivien | 193312 [2016/12/06 09:41] (current) – [The Log of the Joy.] vivien | ||
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- | "THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER" | + | **THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER** |
- | A Journal devoted to natters | + | A Journal devoted to matters |
No. 16. December 1933. | No. 16. December 1933. | ||
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Publishing Committee: Misses Brenda Mite, (Editor), Marjorie Hill, Dorothy Lawry, Rene Browne and Mr. Myles Dunphy. | Publishing Committee: Misses Brenda Mite, (Editor), Marjorie Hill, Dorothy Lawry, Rene Browne and Mr. Myles Dunphy. | ||
- | EDITORIAL | + | ===== Editorial ===== |
It certainly does not seem a year since I wrote the Editorial for the last Christmas Number, but the calendar, like the camera, never lies, so it must be. | It certainly does not seem a year since I wrote the Editorial for the last Christmas Number, but the calendar, like the camera, never lies, so it must be. | ||
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Since then we have wiped off the debt on the Blue Gum Forest, and that lovely tract of land is safe from destruction for all time. | Since then we have wiped off the debt on the Blue Gum Forest, and that lovely tract of land is safe from destruction for all time. | ||
- | Our new project, and one that is just as close to our hearts , is the preservation of the Garawarra area. | + | Our new project, and one that is just as close to our hearts, is the preservation of the Garawarra area. |
We could not with equanimity think of a promenade and week-end cottages, with attendant motor cars and rubbish, at Era or Burning Palms, so, by steady perseverance, | We could not with equanimity think of a promenade and week-end cottages, with attendant motor cars and rubbish, at Era or Burning Palms, so, by steady perseverance, | ||
- | Most of the hard work in this connection was cheerfully done by Joe Turner, to whom our warmest thanks are due | + | Most of the hard work in this connection was cheerfully done by Joe Turner, to whom our warmest thanks are due. |
- | Now that the holidays are coming, lots of you will be taking on trips ranging from a few days to several weeks, and I am sure many of these will be well worth writing up for the February issue of "The Sydney Bushwalker," | + | |
- | A party of girls, including two members of the publishing committee, will shortly be sailing for Tasmania as the guests of our friend and fellow-walker, | + | |
+ | Now that the holidays are coming, lots of you will be taking on trips ranging from a few days to several weeks, and I am sure many of these will be well worth writing up for the February issue of "The Sydney Bushwalker" | ||
+ | |||
+ | A party of girls, including two members of the publishing committee, will shortly be sailing for Tasmania as the guests of our friend and fellow-walker, | ||
It does more; while up, it goes up and down several times, as you will discover when you finish the climb up the Knife Edge. Unless you have been there, you will hardly credit the diversity of scenery that mountain packs into its small compass - about 2 miles by half-a-mile, | It does more; while up, it goes up and down several times, as you will discover when you finish the climb up the Knife Edge. Unless you have been there, you will hardly credit the diversity of scenery that mountain packs into its small compass - about 2 miles by half-a-mile, | ||
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While I know of three lots of permanent water on Mt.Solitary, | While I know of three lots of permanent water on Mt.Solitary, | ||
- | And, then, the sheer cliffs that wall this "Happy Hunting Ground" | + | And then, the sheer cliffs that wall this "Happy Hunting Ground" |
- | I haven' yet climbed to the top of that sheer cliff you see from Katoomba - the one just east of the big " | + | I haven' yet climbed to the top of that sheer cliff you see from Katoomba - the one just east of the big " |
You photographers above all, when you go, give yourselves lots of time; take lots of film and gadgets; and pray hard for misty mornings and fine days. Then you'll get some wonderful " | You photographers above all, when you go, give yourselves lots of time; take lots of film and gadgets; and pray hard for misty mornings and fine days. Then you'll get some wonderful " | ||
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D.Lawry. | D.Lawry. | ||
- | + | ===== "Barrington Tops" (Concluded) | |
- | "BARRINGTON TOPS" (Concluded) | + | |
by Jean Austen. | by Jean Austen. | ||
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I was given the privilege of riding home. We had been presented with a rabbit, and I had it in one hand and started off up the hill. My horse, as is the way with horses, on finding his head towards home, made his own pace and found his own place on the road. He chose the very outside edge overhanging a very steep bank, and after about 50 yards I had dropped the rabbit and was wondering how soon I should follow it. We flew up the hill. I clung on somehow and we came to a standstill at the gate. I fondly imagined I had guided him thence, and after a few breaths I gathered up some more courage and opened the gate, and of again went the horse towards the stable, which is situated, like the house, on the top of a high bank. The river is a long way below, across a flat. I had visions of galloping or sliding down this bank, and tugged hard on the reins; the horse in his surprise almost sat down, and I really don't know how I stayed in the saddle. I did my best to assure the horse that I was not nervous, but always arrived in that manner, and dismounted with as much dignity as I could muster, and found great lengths of turf ripped up where we had skid. | I was given the privilege of riding home. We had been presented with a rabbit, and I had it in one hand and started off up the hill. My horse, as is the way with horses, on finding his head towards home, made his own pace and found his own place on the road. He chose the very outside edge overhanging a very steep bank, and after about 50 yards I had dropped the rabbit and was wondering how soon I should follow it. We flew up the hill. I clung on somehow and we came to a standstill at the gate. I fondly imagined I had guided him thence, and after a few breaths I gathered up some more courage and opened the gate, and of again went the horse towards the stable, which is situated, like the house, on the top of a high bank. The river is a long way below, across a flat. I had visions of galloping or sliding down this bank, and tugged hard on the reins; the horse in his surprise almost sat down, and I really don't know how I stayed in the saddle. I did my best to assure the horse that I was not nervous, but always arrived in that manner, and dismounted with as much dignity as I could muster, and found great lengths of turf ripped up where we had skid. | ||
- | The rest of the party arrived and were surprised to see that the horse and I had arrived together. There was great laughter at the sight I had presented flying up the hill and much chaffing at the evidence of my panic in the torn-up turf. How was I to know that the horse always gallops over to the stable and would on no account have gone down the bank? These horses know a mug and I believe he enjoyed the fright he gave me. | + | The rest of the party arrived and were surprised to see that the horse and I had arrived together. There was great laughter at the sight I had presented flying up the hill and much chaffing at the evidence of my panic in the torn-up turf. How was I to know that the horse always gallops over to the stable and would on no account have gone down the bank? These horses know a mug and I believe he enjoyed the fright he gave me. |
There came some visitors one night to play cards. Anice sat in but I have no fancy, for cards so played on the piano. Bertha' | There came some visitors one night to play cards. Anice sat in but I have no fancy, for cards so played on the piano. Bertha' | ||
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The night before we planned to leave, we had a message from Mr. & Mrs. Ninness, Bertha' | The night before we planned to leave, we had a message from Mr. & Mrs. Ninness, Bertha' | ||
- | We left early in the morning and had called at the Post Office to say good-bye and were out on the road again when we heard wheels on the road and looking back saw a lovely waggon coming towards us. This must be Peter, so we decided to be polite and open the next gate, so we hurried thence, Not being at all uppish on a hard road and a hot day, we gratefully accepted Peter' | + | We left early in the morning and had called at the Post Office to say good-bye and were out on the road again when we heard wheels on the road and looking back saw a lovely waggon coming towards us. This must be Peter, so we decided to be polite and open the next gate, so we hurried thence. Not being at all uppish on a hard road and a hot day, we gratefully accepted Peter' |
- | It was very amusing to sit high up on the front of the waggon, on a seat which was too high to allow our feet to touch the floor, and at each urge given by the driver to the horses, | + | |
- | At midday we stopped and Peter took the horses out of the waggon while Anice | + | It was very amusing to sit high up on the front of the waggon, on a seat which was too high to allow our feet to touch the floor, and at each urge given by the driver to the horses, |
- | and I made a fire and some tea. We had a nice lunch by the river. The road follows the river all the way, and it was a delightful trip winding along and across. The Paterson is a very twisty river and we made many crossings. We passed Mr. Bird's farm and I was reminded of the time when Ernie, Mouldy and I were invited up by the master and we found ourselves not quite so welcome, Mr. B. had asked us for tea and to spend the night, but his lady is a shy quiet little soul and the sight of my very short white shorts and sleeveless shirt left her absolutely speechless. In fact it was not until that occasion did I ever realise that I had legs, but I certainly became conscious of them that evening, so I chose a safe subject and talked of my hone and mother, and the dear lady thawed on finding that I was an ordinary daughter after all. I made such good headway that before we left I had been shown the pantry and store of preserves etc., and invited to come up after tea when we "got Some clothes on." | + | |
- | We collected some milk and tomatoes and departed for the River, where we had our tea. and " | + | At midday we stopped and Peter took the horses out of the waggon while Anice and I made a fire and some tea. We had a nice lunch by the river. The road follows the river all the way, and it was a delightful trip winding along and across. The Paterson is a very twisty river and we made many crossings. We passed Mr. Bird's farm and I was reminded of the time when Ernie, Mouldy and I were invited up by the master and we found ourselves not quite so welcome, Mr. B. had asked us for tea and to spend the night, but his lady is a shy quiet little soul and the sight of my very short white shorts and sleeveless shirt left her absolutely speechless. In fact it was not until that occasion did I ever realise that I had legs, but I certainly became conscious of them that evening, so I chose a safe subject and talked of my hone and mother, and the dear lady thawed on finding that I was an ordinary daughter after all. I made such good headway that before we left I had been shown the pantry and store of preserves etc., and invited to come up after tea when we "got Some clothes on." |
- | -6- | + | |
- | drawing timber for the mill. Mrs. J. is a Londoner who came to the Paterson as a young bride and chose a spot in the bUsh to be cleared for the home. Their youngest son Colin and his family now occupy the house. We said good-bye and thanks to Peter, the lift had saved us a day. | + | We collected some milk and tomatoes and departed for the River, where we had our tea and " |
- | Next day after lunch we set off over the range to find Ninness' | + | |
- | Ninness' | + | Next day after lunch we set off over the range to find Ninness' |
- | Anice quite well. We lived on pork and eggs here - Anice had lost her vegetarian outlook for the time being. Mr. Ninness drove us to West Maitland and we caught a | + | |
- | bus to Newcastle where we had several hours to fill in. So we gave the Newcastle | + | Ninness' |
- | residents a treat in our knickers. I nearly bought a fight on the beach. | + | bus to Newcastle where we had several hours to fill in. So we gave the Newcastle residents a treat in our knickers. I nearly bought a fight on the beach. |
- | We inspected Nobby' | + | |
- | train to Sydney and thus ends a most varied walking trip and one of the most enjoy- | + | We inspected Nobby' |
- | elple. I can thoroughly recommend the Allyn, and Paterson Rivers for hospitality and beauty, with the Barrington Tops for solitude and mists. | + | |
- | ERA | + | |
+ | |||
+ | ===== Era ===== | ||
In her article on Mt. Solitary Dorothy Lawry refers to it as being "on the map." For the information of those who were not present at our 6th. Annual Concert or the repeat performance, | In her article on Mt. Solitary Dorothy Lawry refers to it as being "on the map." For the information of those who were not present at our 6th. Annual Concert or the repeat performance, | ||
- | "Put me on the train for Era. Pack me on the train for Era. Era by the sea, | + | |
- | That's the place for me. Put me there and I shall be As happy as can be. | + | "Put me on the train for Era. Pack me on the train for Era. Era by the sea,\\ |
- | When I leave my work behind me, | + | That's the place for me. Put me there and I shall be As happy as can be.\\ |
- | That's the place where you will find me. | + | When I leave my work behind me,\\ |
- | Tha-splacezie | + | That's the place where you will find me.\\ |
+ | There' | ||
For Era's just the place for me." | For Era's just the place for me." | ||
- | -7- | + | |
- | "old Billy - battered, brown and black, "With many days of camping, | + | |
- | " | + | |
- | "And friend in all our tramping." | + | |
+ | "old Billy - battered, brown and black,\\ | ||
+ | "With many days of camping,\\ | ||
+ | " | ||
+ | "And friend in all our tramping." | ||
- J.L. Cuthbertson. | - J.L. Cuthbertson. | ||
- | Mat better wish could walkers have than that they might continue to be on good terms with their billies? | + | |
- | May your Billy continue to be - companion of the bulging sack and friend in all your tramping" | + | What better wish could walkers have than that they might continue to be on good terms with their billies? And so Paddy' |
+ | May your Billy continue to be\\ | ||
+ | companion of the bulging sack\\ | ||
+ | and friend in all your tramping" | ||
+ | this Christmas and in 1934. | ||
And turning to mundane things, Paddy would remind you that a visit to his place might solve some of your gift problems, and of course you know where to go for last minute odds and ends for yourself. | And turning to mundane things, Paddy would remind you that a visit to his place might solve some of your gift problems, and of course you know where to go for last minute odds and ends for yourself. | ||
- | Concerning gear generally, Paddy has laid up good stocks of tents and rucksacks, groundsheets, | + | Concerning gear generally, Paddy has laid up good stocks of tents and rucksacks, groundsheets, |
" | " | ||
- | It contains a specimen gear list and food lists for different periods. It is profusely illustrated. It should prove of interest to old hands as well as beginners in walking. | + | |
+ | It contains a specimen gear list and food lists for different periods. It is profusely illustrated. It should prove of interest to old hands as well as beginners in walking. | ||
The price is 6d. | The price is 6d. | ||
- | F.A. PALLIN, | + | |
- | 321 George Street, (Opp. Wynyard Stn.) SYDNE Y. | + | F.A. Pallin,\\ |
+ | 321 George Street, (Opp. Wynyard Stn.) SYDNEY. | ||
Phone: B 3101. | Phone: B 3101. | ||
- | -8- | + | |
- | A SEQU7L. | + | |
- | After reading the adventvresof | + | ===== A Sequel ===== |
- | Anole-mem and Doo-mem had arrived at the age of responsibilit7, so on the fifth evening of the fortieth week of the year 1933 they shouldered | + | |
- | Waters. Strengthened somewhat they fared forth into the deluge, disguised as camels by large covers. | + | After reading the adventures of Ay-noo-men, |
- | In this wise did they proceed, until in the late hours they did arrive, after Much arduous travel, at the ruins of an old public house. Here they pitched That-Which4fas-Their-House, | + | |
- | The sun was in the zenith, indicating that a meal was necessary, and they fell upon their supplies like hungry men. When they did recover from the orgy, ThatWhich-Was-Their-House was erected against the threatening of the elements, and they did .then go about the business of conquering the torrential flood. Anole-mem, Doo-mem and Anon-mom did succeed. | + | Anole-mem and Doo-mem had arrived at the age of responsibility, so on the fifth evening of the fortieth week of the year 1933 they shouldered |
- | Anon.mem, being a mat with a middle of iron, did brava and conquer with the aid of a steely wire. Anole-mem and Doo-mem did fight with all the skill and agility they did possess. Many times did Anole-mem | + | |
- | Elated by their prowess they gambolled and sported up through mellow fields, | + | In this wise did they proceed, until in the late hours they did arrive, after much arduous travel, at the ruins of an old public house. Here they pitched That-Which-Was-Their-House, |
- | amid abundant nettles, and along granite gorges of Little River, till the approach | + | |
- | of darkness drove them to retrace their steps. Anon-mom again breasted the steely wire, while Anole-mem and Doo-mem crossed the raging torrent once again by employing feats of balancing on fallen logs, and by prodigious labour did they regain ThatWhich-Was-Their-House. | + | The sun was in the zenith, indicating that a meal was necessary, and they fell upon their supplies like hungry men. When they did recover from the orgy, That-Which-Was-Their-House was erected against the threatening of the elements, and they did then go about the business of conquering the torrential flood. Anole-mem, Doo-mem and Anon-mom did succeed. |
- | Early an the afternoon of the sixth day did another member of the tribe join them, providing an abode for the, till now, homeless ones. The drying of raiment | + | |
- | and the preparation of the evening meal made their harem a hive of industry until | + | Anon-mem, being a man with a middle of iron, did brave and conquer with the aid of a steely wire. Anole-mem and Doo-mem did fight with all the skill and agility they did possess. Many times did Anole-mem |
- | darkness fell upon them. Then did the elements vent their wrath upon the intruders, belching forth much water. But of such stoutness was their equipment that Anole-mem and Doo-mem and their brethren did enjoy a sound sleep for many hours, even until the noon of the seventh day, when they did arise much refreshed. They did then cast off much spare raiment, emerging from That-Which-Was-Their-House like descendants of | + | |
- | Apollo. Still the heavens wept, but Anole-mem and Doe-men fared forth, following | + | Elated by their prowess they gambolled and sported up through mellow fields, amid abundant nettles, and along granite gorges of Little River, till the approach of darkness drove them to retrace their steps. Anon-mom again breasted the steely wire, while Anole-mem and Doo-mem crossed the raging torrent once again by employing feats of balancing on fallen logs, and by prodigious labour did they regain ThatWhich-Was-Their-House. |
- | the banks of the turbulent river until they saw a mighty torrent join forces with the Cook8 River. was the river of Henry. Intrepidly did these two breast and again | + | |
- | -9- | + | Early an the afternoon of the sixth day did another member of the tribe join them, providing an abode for the, till now, homeless ones. The drying of raiment and the preparation of the evening meal made their harem a hive of industry until darkness fell upon them. Then did the elements vent their wrath upon the intruders, belching forth much water. But of such stoutness was their equipment that Anole-mem and Doo-mem and their brethren did enjoy a sound sleep for many hours, even until the noon of the seventh day, when they did arise much refreshed. They did then cast off much spare raiment, emerging from That-Which-Was-Their-House like descendants of Apollo. Still the heavens wept, but Anole-mem and Doe-men fared forth, following the banks of the turbulent river until they saw a mighty torrent join forces with the Cocks River. |
- | conquer the mighty Cocks, until they were on the banks of the Henry. | + | |
- | Here they did again gird up their loins and venture into the treachery of the roaring waters, fighting the strength of the tide until at last they did find themselves an the other bank, exhausted. | + | Here they did again gird up their loins and venture into the treachery of the roaring waters, fighting the strength of the tide until at last they did find themselves an the other bank, exhausted. The gorge did then get narrow, so by the aid of fallen trees they did cross and re-cross the waters and did travel most laboriously along the hazardous sides of the torrent until sheer walls made them relinquish their exploration. Wherefore they did turn and retrace their footsteps until the tumult of water meeting water did assail their ears. Great was their rejoicing when again Anole-mene and Doo-mem did stand on the home side of the Cocks. Here they did consult with the prophets and did decide to follow the Cocks river until a certain |
- | then the creek itself was before them. It was the Creek of the Morning Meal, never had Anole-mem or Doo-mein seen it so, and great was their wonder. The hours were passing and they had to make all haste to return. Again, through the leafy darkness and over the treacherous bluffs did they clamber and, with the fall of dusk, did come in sight of the glowing embers of cooking fires, and their brethren at task | + | |
- | with the evening meal. | + | |
Then did Doo-mem don fresh raiment, and turn to the cooking fires, to put forth all her skill in the preparing of a toothsome dish with which to appease the pangs of hunger. Ravenously did they gorge themselves and then did cast forth the silver eating dishes and compose themselves to rest. | Then did Doo-mem don fresh raiment, and turn to the cooking fires, to put forth all her skill in the preparing of a toothsome dish with which to appease the pangs of hunger. Ravenously did they gorge themselves and then did cast forth the silver eating dishes and compose themselves to rest. | ||
- | Early on the morning of the eighth day did they rise. Beneath large spreading | + | |
- | trees they did bathe in the river and anoint their bodies in sweet smelling unguents. Wherefore they did then go each to his separate tasks, Doo-mem to dry spare raiment, | + | Early on the morning of the eighth day did they rise. Beneath large spreading trees they did bathe in the river and anoint their bodies in sweet smelling unguents. Wherefore they did then go each to his separate tasks, Doo-mem to dry spare raiment, Anole-mem to dismantle That-Which-Was-Their-House, |
- | Anole-mem'to dismantle That-Which-Was-Their-House, | + | |
- | and did skate much upon their extremities over slimy granite. | + | Valiantly did Doo-mem, after a short rest, attack the long weary hills; |
- | Valiantly did Doo-mem, after a short rest, attack the long weary hills; | + | |
- | while their brethren came slowly but surely behind them. At length, as the sun reached the zenith, Anole-mein. and Doo-mem came to a small house of worship in a large valley. Here they didst put down their burdens and regale themselves with a | + | Through the darkness of leafy caverns, over stony hills, |
- | strong potion while they awaited the rest of the tribe. One by one came their | + | |
- | brethren, and when the last had come Anole-mem | + | Like large camels they did come again to the port of Kat-oom-bah, where they did proceed to enwrap themselves in fresh dry raiment, and did then foregather |
- | again over green hills and through leafy glades till they did come again to the | + | |
- | ruins of the Old Public House. Here did Anole-mem and Doc-mem leave their brethren, going by way of Glen Nelly, their brethren preferring the Haunt of the Evil One. | + | |
- | Through the darkness of leafy caverns, over stony hills, | + | |
- | waterfalls, trudging through running streams, did they climb ever upward, till a wondrous scene came before them, and they did see large mountains and deep valleys overhung by gathering storm, and they did stand in awe at the beauty of it till the | + | |
- | deluge did make them tramp back to a civilised world. | + | |
- | Like large camels they did come again to the port of Kat-oom.bah, where hey did proceed to enwrap themselves in fresh dry raiment, and did then foregather | + | |
Thus endeth the tale of Anole-mom and Doo-mem. | Thus endeth the tale of Anole-mom and Doo-mem. | ||
- | EIGHT HOUR DAY HOLIDAY TRIP | + | |
- | 29th. Sept. to 2nd. October 1933. (From the diary of Chas. Pryde.) | + | |
- | Morrie, Fred and I had decided some time ago to have a trip, but until recently | + | ===== Eight Hour Day Holliday Trip ===== |
- | nothing definite was settled, but we thought of going to Blackheath, Blue Gum Forest | + | |
- | made out. We planned to get the 7.15 p.m. train on 'Friday night, and I got to the | + | 29th. Sept. to 2nd. October 1933. |
- | platform in very good time (about 6.35) and tried to keep two other seats. At 6.45 Morrie came a.long | + | |
- | couple of days had been bad and there was a prospect of it lasting. We went to the | + | (From the diary of Chas. Pryde.) |
- | barrier and the three of us talked across it - to go or not to go. However, | + | |
- | decide, we tossed, and to go won. Then there was a scramble as the other two had | + | Morrie, Fred and I had decided some time ago to have a trip, but until recently nothing definite was settled, but we thought of going to Blackheath, Blue Gum Forest |
- | not brought their packs along, so Morrie rushed for a taxi and went to his office | + | platform in very good time (about 6.35) and tried to keep two other seats. At 6.45 Morrie came along and we had an argument about going, as the weather for the last couple of days had been bad and there was a prospect of it lasting. We went to the barrier and the three of us talked across it - to go or not to go. However, to decide, we tossed, and to go won. Then there was a scramble as the other two had not brought their packs along, so Morrie rushed for a taxi and went to his office for them while Fred got their tickets. We saw several membersof S.B.W. and other walkers and hikers, and had a few words with some of them. Got seats luckily |
- | for them while Fred got their tickets. We saw several membersof S.B.W. and other walkers and hikers, and had a few words with some of them. Got seats luckily | + | Blackheath Morrie and Fred changed into bush wear and packed their own clothes into a port which I took to the station master' |
- | gether | + | |
- | opposite me was interested in our packs and asked me if I "knew the road to Babylon." | + | Sept. 30th. (Saturday):\\ |
- | coloured nails. Next to Morrie was a young fellow in a corner who played patience. | + | Left Station about 6.30 a.m. and went about 1.5 miles along road where we had breakfast and a wash. Great trouble |
- | Morrie had been working almost continually for 36 hours and had a short sleep while | + | and was much impressed with the curious formations. It's really a canyon within a canyon. Some wonderful ferns and tree-ferns. Very wet in parts and plenty of drips from overhead. Fred and I each got a couple of photos. We again had a terrible job in getting a fire going for lunch, but eventually got the billies boiled. A party we'd seen on Evan's Lookout |
- | I worked out a crossword puzzle. The patience man saw us watching him and suggested playing Euchre or 500, and told us he was spending the week-end at Leura with | + | a swim and lost his soap. Had a good big camp fire and sat at it until about 9 p.m. Morrie had his mouth organ going and Fred and I sang. |
- | four girls, and gave us some details of his family history. Getting up on the | + | |
- | mountains there was a very thick mist. At Katoomba the train nearly emptied. At | + | October 1st. (Sunday):\\ |
- | Blackheath Morrie and Fred changed into bush wear and packed their awn clothes into a port which I took to the station master' | + | Through the night I was wakened by something moving over me and I soon wakened the others. By torchlight we saw it was a little bandicoot which got quite as big a scare as we did. It was raining pretty steadily then (2.30 a.m.) and at daylight was still at it and looked very dirty. We argued until about 8.30 about what we would do, without coming to any decision, so Fred turned out and after a big struggle, in which he used a number of " |
- | in the waiting room over night, as it was such dirty weather outside. This was | + | which he manfully did. Argued |
- | kindly granted. There was a bit of a fire there that we soon improved, and after some supper all stretched out on the floor and slept between the trains. It was a scrappy sort of sleep, but we were warm and dry. | + | |
- | Sept. 30th. (Saturday): | + | October 2nd. (Monday):\\ |
- | Left Station about 6.30 a.m. and went about miles along road where we had | + | All slept well through the night and there was no excitement. While I made breakfast Morrie built a huge fire to dry out our things. Got on the way about 9 a.m. and left our packs at a cave at the junction of Govett' |
- | breakfast and a wash. Greattrouble | + | |
- | -11- | + | Whilst near the big ladder there was some very vivid lightning and heavy thunder right overhead, and the valley got inky black. We wondered how a man and woman we'd seen well down the glen were getting on. The mist was driving up the valley against the cliffs like great clouds. Just as we made the top rain started in earnest, and we hoped some of the cars there would offer us a lift, but our luck was out. One car, however, had a ribald crowd who tried to poke fun at us. Changed |
- | rooks overhead. At the junction with the Grand Canyon I nearly got a ducking through losing my balance on a rock. I had not been through the Canyon before, | + | |
- | and was much impressed with the curious formations. It' | + | |
- | a canyon. Some wonderful ferns and tree-ferns. Very wet in parts and plenty of | + | ===== Litterature and Bushwalking. ===== |
- | drips from overhead. Fred and I each got a couple of photos. We again had a terrible job in getting a fire going for lunch, but eventually got the billies | + | |
- | 'boiled. A party we'd seen on Evan'i-s1Lookout | + | On considering such a subject the first thing that came to my mind was; "What has literature to do with bushwalking?" |
- | Beauchamp Falls were a magnificent sight. From here on the travelling was good: | + | |
- | We made camp on a nice grassy flat about 4 p.m., I changed my wet shoes and socks and went down to creek for a wash and some water, and slipped in, so had to sit | + | Nevertheless, |
- | before the fire to dry out. Then Fred slipped in the creek, and Morrie says he had | + | |
- | a swim and lost his soap. Had a good big camp fire and sat at it until about 9 p.m. | + | |
- | Morrie had his mouth organ going and Fred and I sang. | + | |
- | October 1st. (Sunday): | + | |
- | Through the night I was wakened by something moving over me and I soon wakened the others. By torchlight we saw it was a little bandicoot which got quite as big | + | |
- | a scare as we did. It was raining pretty steadily then (2.30 a.m.) and at daylight | + | |
- | was still at it and looked very dirty. We argued until about 8.30 about what we would do, without coming to any decision, so Fred turned out and after a big struggle, | + | |
- | in which he used a number of " | + | |
- | ually discarded one garment after another until --. Three fellowd bound for the | + | |
- | Blue Gum Forest passed us about 1 o' | + | |
- | Fred there was no sense in us all getting wet, and that he had best get lunch going, | + | |
- | which he manfully did. Argued | + | |
- | 9 with the rain still coming steadily dawn. | + | |
- | October 2nd. (Monday): | + | |
- | All slept well through the night and there was no excitement. While I made | + | |
- | breakfast Morrie built a huge fire to dry out our things. Got on the way about | + | |
- | 9 a.m. and left our packs at a cave at the junction of Govett' | + | |
- | on down to the Blue Gum light. Met several parties on the way. The rain had | + | |
- | stopped and the sun broke through. All were delighted with the trees and got | + | |
- | several photos. | + | |
- | Morrie left us, as he wanted to catch a train about 4.30, of which more later. | + | |
- | Fred and I took it easily up the glen and admired some of the view spots and got a couple of photos of falls. The main Gavett' | + | |
- | flaw of water coming over and drifting about like smoke. Fred was in very bad form and at times could hardly make the grade, particularly up some of the steps | + | |
- | and ladders near the top. | + | |
- | Whilst near the big ladder there was some very vivid lightning and heavy thunder right overhead, and the valley got inky black. We wondered how a man and woman we'd seen well down the glen were getting on. The mist was driving up the valley against the cliffs like great clouds. Just as we made the top rain started in earnest, and we hoped some of the cars there would offer us a lift, but our luck was out. One car, however, had a ribald crowd who tried to poke fun at us. Changpd | + | |
- | -12 - | + | |
- | LITERATURE AND BUSHWALKING. | + | |
- | On considering such a subject the first thing that came to my mind was; "-What has literature to do with bushwalking?" | + | |
- | Nevertheless, | + | |
- | of the old letter-writing habit, whereby you tell your experiences, | + | |
Certainly there is now a definite literature of walking and at that no one can cavil, but there is one danger in this conjunction of literature and walking, for with so much talk it may develop into a cult pursued by queer people not for itself alone but in some weird worship of the Road, the Wind on the Heath or the Great Open Spaces, whereby an unkind African poet said, was most likely meant the gaping mouths of the farmers. | Certainly there is now a definite literature of walking and at that no one can cavil, but there is one danger in this conjunction of literature and walking, for with so much talk it may develop into a cult pursued by queer people not for itself alone but in some weird worship of the Road, the Wind on the Heath or the Great Open Spaces, whereby an unkind African poet said, was most likely meant the gaping mouths of the farmers. | ||
- | The world is too full of such fads, quasi religions and obsessions already. This simple life business can Income | + | |
+ | The world is too full of such fads, quasi religions and obsessions already. This simple life business can become | ||
If you would have a philosophy for your Bushwalking, | If you would have a philosophy for your Bushwalking, | ||
- | "These Times were very good times only I cannot but smile tco look at thee; to my mind thou reseMblest Saul, the son of Kish, who went out to seek his father' | + | |
- | Life has that engaging quality of unexpectedness. We do not do half of what we planned but we do things of which we never dreamed. We arrive at unimagined adventures by accidental routes. So it is with Bushwalking. But do not think I am belittling Bushwalking in comparing it to seeking for one's father' | + | "These Times were very good times only I cannot but smile to look at thee; to my mind thou reseMblest Saul, the son of Kish, who went out to seek his father' |
- | JUNIUS JUNIOR. | + | |
- | THE LOG OF THE "JOY". | + | Life has that engaging quality of unexpectedness. We do not do half of what we planned but we do things of which we never dreamed. We arrive at unimagined adventures by accidental routes. So it is with Bushwalking. But do not think I am belittling Bushwalking in comparing it to seeking for one's father' |
- | H. CHARDON. | + | |
- | Final plans were made on Friday night 16th. December 1932, the meeting place for the morrow being the Luggage Booking Office at Central Station and the time 7.15 a.m. Tom arrived a bit late awing to a slight mishap with his car but still | + | Junius Junior. |
- | -13- | + | |
- | in good time to catch the 8.10 a.m. train to Tallong. The canoe was weighed with | + | |
- | all due ceremony and the freight (12/-) paid, then all aboard and away We went. Seventeen glorious days ahead of us and not a care in the world. | + | ===== The Log of the "Joy" |
- | Shortly after leaving Sydney we took an inventory of our gear to make sure | + | |
- | nothing was left behind. The axe, one pair of sand shoes and one toothbrush failed | + | H. Chardon. |
- | to answer the roll call. The axe we decided to dispense with as this was a summer | + | |
- | trip but the other articles being indispensable had to be made good at Moss Vale. During the ten minutes stay Tom did some high speed shopping whilst I laid in a stock of eats for lunch. | + | Final plans were made on Friday night 16th. December 1932, the meeting place for the morrow being the Luggage Booking Office at Central Station and the time 7.15 a.m. Tom arrived a bit late awing to a slight mishap with his car but still in good time to catch the 8.10 a.m. train to Tallong. The canoe was weighed with all due ceremony and the freight (12/-) paid, then all aboard and away we went. Seventeen glorious days ahead of us and not a care in the world. |
+ | |||
+ | Shortly after leaving Sydney we took an inventory of our gear to make sure nothing was left behind. The axe, one pair of sand shoes and one toothbrush failed to answer the roll call. The axe we decided to dispense with as this was a summer trip but the other articles being indispensable had to be made good at Moss Vale. During the ten minutes stay Tom did some high speed shopping whilst I laid in a stock of eats for lunch. | ||
Tallong was reached at 12.10 p.m. without mishap and after a wait of a few minutes our transport arrived in the form of Mr. Kettle' | Tallong was reached at 12.10 p.m. without mishap and after a wait of a few minutes our transport arrived in the form of Mr. Kettle' | ||
- | We had one close shave on the way out to the Lookdown when the stern of our boat grazed the branch of a dead tree. Had the bough been two inches longer our trip would have ended there. It gave us a sense of satisfaction to see our boat and loose gear on the ground at the start of the trail down to Badgeryts | + | |
- | Having paid for the lorry (8/-) we said good-bye to Mr. Kettle and went for a walk out to the Lookdawn. There is a marvellous view of the Shoalhaven Gorge to | + | We had one close shave on the way out to the Lookdown when the stern of our boat grazed the branch of a dead tree. Had the bough been two inches longer our trip would have ended there. It gave us a sense of satisfaction to see our boat and loose gear on the ground at the start of the trail down to Badgerys |
- | be obtained from here, with the river a blue thread broken in places by short patches of white which were rapids. Two thousand feet to the bottoms and the distance barely two miles of rough track. | + | |
- | We started the descent at 1.20 p.m. It was hell carrying the canoe and all out gear dawn that shaly slope, devoid of vegetation save for stunted gums and Burrawang Palms. The first load consisted of our packs and the two kerosene tins of food. This made an awkward as well as a heavy load but WAS nothing compared with the awkwardness of the canoe. All possible ways of carrying were tried with little success. Our arms were nearly breaking by the time We reached the gear, so we sat down to think it over. It was at this stage that I was struck with a large idea. | + | Having paid for the lorry (8/-) we said good-bye to Mr. Kettle and went for a walk out to the Lookdown. There is a marvellous view of the Shoalhaven Gorge to be obtained from here, with the river a blue thread broken in places by short patches of white which were rapids. Two thousand feet to the bottoms and the distance barely two miles of rough track. |
- | I explained it to Tom and he thought it worth trying so we selected a suitable tree, tore it dawn and commenced operations. The stern of the boat was rested in the fork, the two sides of which were lashed along the gunwales of the boat. This left the trunk of the tree poking out astern to act as a tail skid. A few more lashings | + | |
- | and we were ready for a trial. It | + | We started the descent at 1.20 p.m. It was hell carrying the canoe and all out gear down that shaly slope, devoid of vegetation save for stunted gums and Burrawang Palms. The first load consisted of our packs and the two kerosene tins of food. This made an awkward as well as a heavy load but was nothing compared with the awkwardness of the canoe. All possible ways of carrying were tried with little success. Our arms were nearly breaking by the time We reached the gear, so we sat down to think it over. It was at this stage that I was struck with a large idea. I explained it to Tom and he thought it worth trying so we selected a suitable tree, tore it dawn and commenced operations. The stern of the boat was rested in the fork, the two sides of which were lashed along the gunwales of the boat. This left the trunk of the tree poking out astern to act as a tail skid. A few more lashings |
+ | and we were ready for a trial. It worked! | ||
The gear was now the hardest load and as the distance was covered the halts increased in length. At length we reached the top of the final steep descent to the river. We lay down and Tom immediately fell asleep. After resting for a bit I set off alone with my pack and the two tins and after a number of spells reached the bottom utterly exhausted. I peeled off and waded out to the centre of the rapid and lay in the cool bubbling water until in danger of getting a chill. While drying off Tom hove in sight and on reaching me repeated my performance. | The gear was now the hardest load and as the distance was covered the halts increased in length. At length we reached the top of the final steep descent to the river. We lay down and Tom immediately fell asleep. After resting for a bit I set off alone with my pack and the two tins and after a number of spells reached the bottom utterly exhausted. I peeled off and waded out to the centre of the rapid and lay in the cool bubbling water until in danger of getting a chill. While drying off Tom hove in sight and on reaching me repeated my performance. | ||
- | The time was now 5.30 and the boat was still halfway up the hill. Camp must be made immediately if we were to get settled before dark and the canoe would have to wait until to-morraw. There are some other folk camping down here, but as the camp site we eventually selected is some way from them we have not made their | + | |
- | acquaintance. Food was now the order of the day, after which we smoked a pipe and turned in at 8.45 tired out and aching in every muscle. | + | The time was now 5.30 and the boat was still halfway up the hill. Camp must be made immediately if we were to get settled before dark and the canoe would have to wait until tomorrow. There are some other folk camping down here, but as the camp site we eventually selected is some way from them we have not made their acquaintance. Food was now the order of the day, after which we smoked a pipe and turned in at 8.45 tired out and aching in every muscle. |
- | Sunday - A dqv of rest - save for bringing down the canoe. | + | |
- | We set off at 10.30 aim. and reached the " | + | Sunday - A day of rest - save for bringing down the canoe. |
- | -14- | + | |
- | called and it was not until 11,10 that we commenced the descent. The tail skid | + | We set off at 10.30 a.m. and reached the " |
- | still worked well although the trail was considerably rougher. Some very awkward parts had to be negotiated and it was not until 12,26 p.m. that our boat floated for the first time on the Shoalhavan River, We got aboard and paddled to the top of the one and only rapid between us and camp. There not being a great deal of water in the river, we had to disembark and float the boat through empty. The tail end of the rapid seemed narrower and deeper so we had a go at it. We managed it | + | |
- | alright except for a minor graze on the gravel just at the last. Two hundred yards | + | The balance of the day was lazed away in the shade of the trees smoking and talking, with a dip in the river to wake us up just before tea. The weather had been perfect so far, bright sunny days tempered by a fairly strong cool breeze, with white fleecy clouds chasing one another across the azure dome of the sky. We intend sleeping out tonight |
- | paddling brought us to our camp which is situated in a beautiful little grove of casuarinas a little way downstream from Badgery' | + | |
- | The balance of the day was lazed away in the shade of the trees smoking and talking, with a dip in the river to wake us up just before tea. The weather had | + | Monday - An early start after a good breakfast saw us facing the problem of stowing ourselves together with our camping gear and a fortnight' |
- | been perfect so far, bright sunny days tempered by a fairly strong cool breeze, with white fleecy clouds chasing one another across the azure dome of the sky. We intend sleeping out to-night | + | |
- | cool in the shade of the trees. The flies are rather a trial but as there are no | + | The river proved to be a series of pools anything up to 200 yds. long, linked |
- | sandflies | + | |
- | Monday - An early start after a good breakfast saw us facing the problem of | + | After negotiating the ninth rapid we sighted the tall rocky spire at the junction of Tallowal |
- | stowing ourselves together with our camping gear and a fortnight' | + | |
- | little twelve foot craft. Two attempts were made before we succeeded in stowing | + | The river from Tallowal Gully to our camp was most beautiful, especially when seen as we saw it with a low afternoon sun glinting on the stretches of broken water and forming a golden pathway over the broad stretches of deep water between. Whilst lazing in the warmth of an ample camp fire, I noticed what I thought to be a spark on the ground sheet. When just about to brush it off, it went out. A second later it flashed up again and again went out. I drew Tom's attention to the phenomenon and got my torch. Our spark turned out to be an insect about the size and shape of a small blowfly, and the flashing was coming from a yellowish white patch on the underside of the abdomen. Later we found out that it was a firefly, one of the stages |
- | the stuff so that the centre of gravity was sufficiently law for comfort. We went | + | |
- | aboard at 10 a.m. and headed away downstream. The day was perfect, a replica of | + | Tuesday - 10 a.m. saw us on our way again. Three rapids in quick succession then a deep, rocky pool. The rock formation at this point is rather interesting. The strata on the left bank being quite horizontal, whilst on the right it is folded out of all recognition. This nonconformity would seem to indicate that the river is following a fault line at this point. |
- | Sunday, clear blue sky and warm sun. | + | |
- | The river proved to be a serieOf | + | On again at 1.50, negotiating five rapids or rather, falls, in quick succession, which brought us to the 26th. rapid, the largest so far, which took a great deal of care to negotiate. The river now flowed |
- | After negotiating the ninth rapid we sighted the tall rocky spire at the junction of Tallawal | + | |
- | way again at 2.9 p.m. At 2.50 we passed the mouth of Iron Pot Gully and after the 13th. rapid came to Tallowal Gully. We both remembered this spot, having been there with Maurie Berry in October 1929. The spire previously mentioned is a splendid landmark and is situated at the junction and on the right hand banks of both Taaowal | + | |
- | The river from Tallowal Gully to our camp was mott beautiful, especially when seen as we saw it with a low afternoon sun glinting on the stretches of broken water and forming a golden pathway over the broad stretches of deepluvater | + | |
- | Tuesday - 10 a.m. saw us on our way again. Three rapids in quick succession | + | |
- | then a deep, rocky pool. The rock formation at this point is rather interesting. | + | |
- | The strata on the left bank being quite horizontal, whilst on the right it is folded out of all recognition. This nonconformity would seem to indicate that the river | + | |
- | -15- | + | |
- | One more rapid, the 19th., and we | + | |
- | is following a fault line at this point, | + | |
- | paddled into our first really large pool, a fine sheet of water flanked en the left by the heavily timbered slope of the mountain which runs sheer into the water, and on the right by an extensive sand-bank an which we landed for a spell, After the 20th. rapid, the river widened out and large boulders made their appearance. The inner man was now calling so we stopped for lunch on the right bank just back of a clump of reeds. | + | |
- | On again at 1.50, negotiating five rapids or rather, falls, in quick succession, which brought us to the 26th. rapid, the largest so far, which took a great deal of care to negotiate. The river now flawed | + | |
- | be making camp. Not a promising outlook but a surprise | + | |
- | wood laid on and quite close to the river. The sort of camp one dreams of but | + | |
- | seldom sees. The sky had been overcast but the weather mild, and as I write this | + | |
- | the clouds are clearing away and the sun is breaking through and gilding the lofty crags surrounding us on all sides. The while a Lyre Bird entertains us with his liquid notes from the mountain opposite. | + | |
(To be continued) | (To be continued) | ||
- | QUESTION: When is a Test Walk not a Test Walk? | + | |
- | ANSWER: | + | |
- | When it is not marked on the Walks Programme with an asterisk. | + | |
+ | ===== Question: When is a Test Walk not a Test Walk? ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Answer: | ||
+ | |||
This " | This " | ||
- | As a matter of fact, it was marked " | + | |
- | We caught the 1.37 p.m. train from Sydney to Richmond on the Saturday, and went per " | + | As a matter of fact, it was marked " |
- | destination, A motor lorry met us at the station. We piled our packs and selves aboard, then did some more rattling for 5 or 6 miles along the Comleroy Road, passing gardens of sweet-smelling stock, till we came to Wholohan' | + | |
+ | We caught the 1.37 p.m. train from Sydney to Richmond on the Saturday, and went per " | ||
+ | destination. A motor lorry met us at the station. We piled our packs and selves aboard, then did some more rattling for 5 or 6 miles along the Comleroy Road, passing gardens of sweet-smelling stock, till we came to Wholohan' | ||
Here we left the lorry, changed into shorts, and started down the road 13 strong- we staggered up that road next day, 13 very weak! | Here we left the lorry, changed into shorts, and started down the road 13 strong- we staggered up that road next day, 13 very weak! | ||
- | When we reached the bridge over Wheeny Creek, we thought it a bit early to camp, and decided to follow the Creek down for a while till we came to the next good camp site. " | + | |
- | eleared | + | When we reached the bridge over Wheeny Creek, we thought it a bit early to camp, and decided to follow the Creek down for a while till we came to the next good camp site. "There aint no such animal" |
- | but concentrated on collecting sufficient firewood to keep us from what the locals had predicted, namely, freezing to death. Wood was far from plentiful, but We scratched round among the thick bracken and undergrowth, | + | |
- | . Eric said in his description of the route that the way " | + | Eric said in his description of the route that the way " |
- | mainly occupied by large mosquitoes and semi-wild cattle. He quite forgot to mention the " | + | |
- | -16- | + | We were up and away bright and early next morning, the " |
- | We were up and away bright and early next morning, the " | + | |
- | reminding one somewhat of the Nattai. | + | We had several rather interesting crossings, mainly on logs of varying stages of infirmity. At another crossing, just as we were getting towards the swampy part of the Creek, Richard carried me over his shoulder - and my nose was much closer than his to the smell of something very, very dead!! |
- | We had several rather interesting crossings, mainly on logs of varying stages of infirmity. At another crossing, just as we were getting towards the swampy part | + | |
- | of the Creek, Richard carried me over his shoulder - and my nose was much closer than his to the smell of something very, very dead!: | + | On we went, and shortly after, came upon the advance guard sitting admiring a swamp (not Dunc), and eating oranges. We joined in, and after an eat and a smoko moved on, the rest of the party having now arrived. At last we reached an elbow of the Creek, where the track, according to Eric, "is generally hidden beneath very muddy water." |
- | On we went, and shortly after, came upon the advance guard sitting admiring a swamp (not Dune), and eating oranges. We joined in, and after an eat and a smoko moved on, the rest of the party having now arrived. At last we reached an elbow of the Creek, where the track, according to Eric, "is generally hidden beneath very muddy water." | + | |
- | have mentioned | + | Be that as it may, it was well above the belts of all except the very tall members of the party. Some got into bathing costumes, others crossed in their walking clothes and changed into dry things on the other side, while I was in luck's way again as Richard crossed, dumped his pack and returned to do the St.Christopher act on my behalf. All this had, of course, taken a fair amount of time, and we were told that lunch was still a long way off, so we set out manfully to cover as many miles as we could before the afternoon. We came to a house, and the parting of the ways. Our road led to the left, but there was no sign that those ahead of us had gone that way, so more time was occupied in trailing them up - their unerring instinct had led them to an orange orchard, hence their failure to appear. |
- | Be that as it may, it was well above the belts of all except the very tall members of the party. Some got into bathing costumes, others crossed in their walking clothes and changed into dry things on the other side, while I was in luck's way again as Richard crossed, dumped his pack and returned to do the St.Christopher act on my behalf. All this had, of course, taken a fair amount of time, and we were told that lunch was still a long way off, so we set out manfully to cover as | + | |
- | many miles as we could before the afternoon. We came to a house, and the parting | + | Never, I think, in the annals of the Club has lunch been despatched in such short order - the usual hour or so was cut down to less than 20 minutes! Think of it! And all because there was a last train to catch many miles away! And |
- | of the ways. Our road led to the left, but there was no sign that those ahead of us had gone that way, so more time Was occupied in trailing them up - their unerring instinct had led them to an orange orchard, hence their failure to appear. | + | all road miles, too, except a few hundred yards through a cornfield and over a paddock to the little school on the hill. Here we slaked our thirst at the tank, to some of the mandarins we had acquired earlier, and waited for the tail of the procession. Then, |
- | Never, I think, in the annals of the Club has lunch been despatched in such short order - the usual hour or so was cut down to less than 20 minutes: | + | |
- | Think of it And all because there was a last train to catch many miles away: And | + | By now we knew that there was plenty of time to keep our appointment with the Lorry driver at Wholohan' |
- | all road miles, too, except a few hundred yards through a cornfield and over a | + | |
- | paddock to the little school on the hill. Here we slaked our thirst at the tenk, | + | We arrived at the station in due course, and there was our old friend " |
- | to some of the mandarins we had acquired earlier, and waited for the tail of the | + | well felt like one" |
- | procession. Then, | + | |
- | way, much to the surprise of a young couple in a baby car who were coming down. When the road reached the top of the ridge the going was much more pleasant, breezes fanned our heated brows, the views were rather fine, the road (much less rocky now) Was bordered by great clumps of bush flowers, notably | + | Brenda White. |
- | By now we knew that there was plenty of time to keep our appointment with the Lorry driver at Wholohan' | + | |
- | wise were they who had put on all their warm garments, as the winter wind was much more unkind than man's ingratitude - it's a habit it has in the middle of August. | + | |
- | We .arrived at the station in due course, and there was our old friend " | + | ===== Delilah Meanders ===== |
- | alacrity and a smile. As Wally would say: "And so to Richmond", | + | |
- | up the train for home, and gave our fellow travellers an exhibition of haw Bush- walkers | + | Clang! clang! " |
- | well felt like one". BRENDA WHITE. | + | |
- | DELILAH MEANDERS. | + | Whatever he is or whatever he was Nature fashioned him a "born comedian" |
- | Clang! clang; " | + | his precious potato-peelings and reciting verbatim "Alas! Poor Yorick" |
- | fine summer morn the " | + | |
- | on Nor' West and girls! Oh! the loviiest | + | Clang! clang! |
- | are to put some clothes on Clang: clang! again calls the piece of iron got from | + | Would you like a drop or two of cold water?" |
- | the wreck of the " | + | |
- | holiday-business to " | + | How often the fairy tales come true! The cry " |
- | Whatever he is or whatever he was Nature fashioned him a "born comedian" | + | |
- | t remember the time we returned early from a day's outing. The crowd had elected | + | |
- | say the tin-opener because it was the only one on the island (There were, of course, a large supply of other openers). We had to deliver all sorts of recommendations as to character etc. before " | + | |
- | galley for a " | + | |
- | his precious potato-peelings and reciting verbatim " | + | |
- | seldom heard Shakespeare done such fine justice! He noted our surprise: "Oh, I'm | + | |
- | pretty good on old. Will" he explained airily, "We were lads together." | + | |
- | followed his last remark with various other fitting little phrases which we ourselves have discussed at various public examinations and let rest at that! " | + | |
- | spuds get too much for me I have a few words with old Bill" he added confidentially. | + | |
- | I asked him if he were double-jointed. He looked it - and such a strange mask for a face - the most amazing mobility of feature. His life was one big grimace! and as the cynic dropped more skins into Mother Earth he became more dramatic and confidential. " | + | |
- | to the 'Blue Bell' as soon as we get ashore." | + | |
- | ment and might even win a crab in a raffle. But we never saw Sting' | + | |
- | effort for Ftte decreed otherwise. We had scarcely touched land before the liquid which flows so easily through glass pipes had, in some mysterious manner, rendered | + | |
- | our star performer otherwise indisposed. It appears he had had an excellent education, that he had come from a fine family of QIland | + | |
- | smiles and frowns: | + | |
- | Clang! clang! | + | |
- | Would you like a drop or two of cold water?" | + | |
- | pet corn. She reaches abstractedly for her basin. " | + | |
- | either, better your face than your food." We both ate heartily despite the turtle, for we were too late for anything else. There was a glorious odour of fish, but | + | |
- | -18- | + | |
- | upon mentioning this Sting remarked that you can't expect a mere potato-peeler to have the oil about the " | + | |
- | but, my dear, won't you find the climate trying?" | + | |
- | on board." | + | |
- | there was a perfectly blue sea-star! Kath wanted to dive in and get it but Charon | + | |
- | wasn't having any - not even for a mermaid! Up over the sides we went, willing | + | |
- | hands pulling us aboard, and the little craft moved forward, | + | |
- | had been forgotten, but haw delicious. It was nice to lie on deck and sip his bre* from an old cracked mug - to feel the gentle roll of the little ship and deep, restful blue above with cool green below - " | + | |
- | the tide is swirling free." | + | |
- | close to the surface. It varies. Some forget they are civilised in a few days | + | |
- | away from it. The cities were far beyond. It didntt | + | |
- | were off. Ohl to be a bird! There was a two-hour trip ahead! All was still, | + | |
- | he lions, having fed, were dozing. A wild idea entered my head and I turned to Kath. She was trying to mend a huge rent in the khaki shorts which happened as she cleared the top rails. " | + | |
- | made a new race?" | + | |
- | Everything is so quiet and peaceful, nothing seems to matter. My mind seems almost | + | |
- | a blank. Yet it's not a blank - for it's never been clearer. I know - we've lost | + | |
- | the weight of that pettifogging detail that clogs the mind so in the city." | + | |
- | looked at me earnestly. "Do you know I feel so well that at times during this week I've felt I've had almost too much energy." | + | |
- | food!" | + | |
- | of all that ere now. What darling little stepping stones these islands could pro- | + | |
- | vide and a splendid fish diet at the same tine." We stopped our philosophizing for there was a stir. The Island of Dreams had been sighted. We were almost on her. There she was - another little plum-pudding, | + | |
- | blue 1-1!.!geg. Kath clutched my hand. "I wonder what' | + | |
- | -19- | + | |
- | ow often the fairy tales come true! The cry " | + | |
- | ment. " | + | |
- | thing doesn' | + | |
- | a turtle trader. He met us on the beach. I have never seen a healthier specimen, | + | |
- | big and bronzed and handsome. Of course, everybody talks to everybody in places | + | |
- | like this. There is never any need for introductions. We donned bathers | + | |
- | a swim. These waters are like crystal. Our turtle man joined us, told us he was a Swede and little by little we began a very interesting conversation. We sat on the side of his little boat and dangled our legs over and he made us delicious tea. | + | |
- | rhen he sat dawn too and told us wonderful tales about the sea. He had been a | + | |
- | sailor all his life and looking at those clear blue eyes I felt I had never seen | + | |
- | anything quite like them on the land. They seemed to search out horizons. He | + | |
- | told us haw he had served at the mast round Cape Horn. We became like little children, breathless with excitement at his tales - and then We would all laugh. It | + | |
- | was all so strange and yet so naturall He appeared very amused at us. He said he | + | |
- | hadn't met any little school-ma' | + | |
- | basilisk type who wielded a cane with a very strong forearm. But all good things | + | |
- | have to come to an end and at 4 p.m., having spent the whole day chatting with our new found friend it was time to make for ' | + | |
- | as is the very salt itself. He too was loth to say " | + | |
- | time, I think, since he had exchanged schoolboy jokes and listened to such a deal of giggling! We all had had such a happy day! " | + | |
- | mad after that we always referred to him as "The Viking" | + | |
- | little ships were gliding through the foam. It was a perfect afternoon. We | + | |
stood hanging to the mast and fresh winds fanned our sunburnt cheeks as we occasionally shouted a remark to our fellow traveller. | stood hanging to the mast and fresh winds fanned our sunburnt cheeks as we occasionally shouted a remark to our fellow traveller. | ||
+ | |||
But the shades of night began to fall and he shouted a last Good-bye. Of course we were going to write. We were just full of our new found sailor-hero! Before long we were forbidden to mention his name in camp, so tired were the other male members of our party at hearing our eulogies. " | But the shades of night began to fall and he shouted a last Good-bye. Of course we were going to write. We were just full of our new found sailor-hero! Before long we were forbidden to mention his name in camp, so tired were the other male members of our party at hearing our eulogies. " | ||
- | Then Home in the Shape of Sydney. Another sea-trip and a big long dirty train | + | |
- | trip and we were dropped at dusty Central Station. It was all over: Back to the | + | Then Home in the Shape of Sydney. Another sea-trip and a big long dirty train trip and we were dropped at dusty Central Station. It was all over: Back to the drab and the ordinary. "Do you know" said Rath, "if I told my people our experiences I don't think they'd believe them." |
- | drab and the ordinary. "Do you know" said Rath, "if I told my people our experiences I don't think they'd believe them." | + | |
- | It was about three months later that I got a telegram from a friend in Qlland. | + | It was about three months later that I got a telegram from a friend in Q'land. "Your Viking shot dead. Letter following." |
- | Your Viking shot dead. Letter following." | + | |
- | the night. | + | |
The Sea - dark and mysterious had added just another mystery to its toll. | The Sea - dark and mysterious had added just another mystery to its toll. | ||
- | Now Kath has a little boy to tell stories to and at night in the winter in the country, in front of the glowing embers, she tells him about a wonderful sailor man who climbed the masts around the Horn and who, tiring of this, carried turtle soup in his little boat from Nor' | + | |
- | -20-- | + | Now Kath has a little boy to tell stories to and at night in the winter in the country, in front of the glowing embers, she tells him about a wonderful sailor man who climbed the masts around the Horn and who, tiring of this, carried turtle soup in his little boat from Nor' |
- | TEE JOUNIMA PEAKS - YARRANGOBILLY. | + | |
- | As we stood an the summit of Mount Bimberi in the Federal Capital Territory, we saw the pointed tops of the Jounima Range rising clear and challengingly across the blue intervening hills and valleys L. few weeks later we had answered their challenge, and were hastening by car from Yass up the lovely vale of Tumut, up the renowned Talbingo mountains to the turn off to the Jounima State Forest, just before | + | |
- | Yarrangobilly. The car was parked at the cottage of the officer in charge of the | + | |
- | plantation, and we set off through the young pine trees and thence by the blazed track through the bush to the Jour-Jima | + | |
- | The forester had predicted rain in a little over twenty-four hours, but there | + | ===== The Jounima Peaks - Yarrangobilly ===== |
- | was nothing to show the truth of his prophecy as we scrambled up the hillsides next way throuthe | + | |
- | ?in | + | As we stood an the summit of Mount Bimberi in the Federal Capital Territory, we saw the pointed tops of the Jounima Range rising clear and challengingly across the blue intervening hills and valleys. |
- | 6ventually | + | |
- | we walked to the highest part. We searched in vain for the cairn and then discovered on looking | + | The forester had predicted rain in a little over twenty-four hours, but there was nothing to show the truth of his prophecy as we scrambled up the hillsides next way through |
- | lay still a long way off. Down the slopes we went, across the col and up the rocks, and surely now we were on top. The snow-gum excluded the view, and we climbed each highest group of rocks, still to find there was no cairn. On the final group we caught a glimpse outwards, and there was the elusive Jounima still across yet another valley. Down we plunged through the criss-cross of dead and living snow-gum, mixed up with undergrowth and hugh boulders. We were glad to get out onto the heaped up boulders which formed the final route to the top. They provided quite good rock- scrambling, but we were not sorry when we eventually heaved our rucksacks out in | + | |
- | front of the cairn. From here, the Jounima Range spread out northward, while away to the oast was our old friend, Mount Bimberi, a rounded summit wholly lacking in distinction, | + | We left our camping gear at the bottom of the next deep col, and then climbed the steep rocks of Big Plain Bogong. I succeeded in getting one or two quite hair-raising photos of my friend clinging by her eyelids from the face of impossible precipices, just like they do in the pictures of mountaineering journals. Below us lay the marsh and grass of Bull's flats, a delightful upland glade whose choice indicated admirable taste on the part of the bulls who presumably gave it its name, while it in turn apparently gave its name to Bogong |
- | We left our camping gear at the bottom of the next deep col, and then climbed the steep rocks of Big Plain Bogong. I succeeded in getting one or two quite hair- raising photos of my friend clinging by her eyelids from the face of impossible | + | From Bull's Flats we climbed the Pillared Rocks, not a peaky summit like the other two, but providing the very best rock scrambling we had done in Australia. |
- | precipices, just like they do in the pictures of mountaineering journals. Below us | + | |
- | lay the marsh and grass of Bull's flats, a delightful upland glade whose choice indicated admirable taste on the pa-t of the bulls who presumably gave it its name, while it in turn apparently gave its name to Bogang | + | We had used the limit of our daylight and there was a rush to get back to camp before dark. The wind had risen in the afternoon and we tied an extra stay to the back of the tent, but there was still nothing to show the fulfilment of the forester' |
- | From Bull's Flats we climbed the Pillared Rocks, not a peaky summit like the other two, but providing the very best rock scrambling we had done in 4ustralia. | + | |
- | We had used the limit of our daylight and there was a rush to get back to camp before dark. The wind had risen in the afternoon and we tied an extra stay to the back of the tent, but there was still nothing to show the fulfilment of the forester' | + | Our bedraggled appearance caused peals of laughter on the part of Mrs.-the-forester, but her husband, who had long since resigned himself to heading a search party on the morrow, was too relieved to do more than smile. Needless to say, they were hospitality itself, and two hours later, with their chains on the tyres of our car, we were warm and dry, and on our way home. |
- | and set back by compass-, and it takes a lot of faith in science to follow the compass blindly when all your commonsense urges you another way. Once we stopped on the top of some slimy, slippery moss-covered boulders wondering if we dare venture from the direct route to find an easier one for our rubber-soled shoes, when a dreadful thing happened. The mist-curtain parted for a few moments in the valley beneath, and we saw a series of unknown ridges and gullies which were certainly not there when we came, and yet the compass needle pointed inexorably across them. Were we about | + | |
- | -21- | + | |
- | to plunge | + | |
- | go to the right or the left of the way the compass pointed us? An awful feeling of utter loneliness came over us, alone with the drifting mist, the fury of the | + | |
- | storm and the desolate, trackless heights. Then for the fraction of a second the | + | |
- | mist parted on the further hill, and we saw the familiar flat-topped rocks across the unknown ridges and valleys, and right in the direction of the compass! Our teeth were chattering in the wet and icy wind, our feet frozen in the snow-drifts, | + | |
- | way over the phantasmal, non-existent ridges that the mist had conjured up. It is unnecessary to give the details of that wet and windy tramp home, or the hail that | + | |
- | came dawn like small bullets when we crossed the flat-topped rocks. We reached | + | |
- | the forest plantation in less time than it had taken to come out, feeling that the compass was the most wonderful thing an had ever invented - next to firel | + | |
- | Our bedraggled appearance caused peals of laughter on the part of Mrs.-theforester, but her husband, who had long since resigned himself to heading a search party on the morrow, was too relieved to do more than smile. Needless to say, they | + | |
- | were hospitality itself, and two hours later, with their chains on the tyres of our car, we were warm and dry, and on our way home. | + | |
Marie B. Byles. | Marie B. Byles. | ||
- | SOCIAL NOTES. | + | |
- | The previous two months have been, from a social point of view, the most | + | |
- | important in the Club's year, awing to the 6th. Annual Concert, and this year we | + | ===== Social Notes ===== |
- | repeated same in aid of the Garawarra Primitive Area Scheme. | + | |
- | Mr. Colefax came along from the Australian Museum and gave a most interesting | + | The previous two months have been, from a social point of view, the most important in the Club's year, awing to the 6th. Annual Concert, and this year we repeated same in aid of the Garawarra Primitive Area Scheme. |
- | and illuminating address to the Members on the Marine Life around Sydney. This | + | |
- | was Mr. Colefaxls | + | Mr. Colefax came along from the Australian Museum and gave a most interesting and illuminating address to the Members on the Marine Life around Sydney. This was Mr. Colefax' |
- | Perhaps one of the most enjoyable evenings we have spent was that on which Bob Savage showed us his photos taken during his Canoe trip down the Kawmung | + | |
- | Our 6th. Annual Concert was from every point of view a great success-. The | + | Perhaps one of the most enjoyable evenings we have spent was that on which Bob Savage showed us his photos taken during his Canoe trip down the Kowmung |
- | consensus of opinion is that from a point of view of entertainment, | + | |
- | bhe profits are expected to be considerable. On the lath. November the concert | + | Our 6th. Annual Concert was from every point of view a great success. The consensus of opinion is that from a point of view of entertainment, |
- | was repeated in aid of the Garawarra, as mentioned above, and the concert party had he pleasure of playing to another appreciative audience. There will probably be a profit of 7 odd to give to this fund. | + | |
- | The 17th. was spent by Members " | + | The 17th. was spent by Members " |
- | pleasant evening. Mr. F. Rice's Snapshots entitled " | + | |
beautiful, and rather gained than lost by being true to title and in every way indeed familiar. The River Scenes were lovely, and some of the ' | beautiful, and rather gained than lost by being true to title and in every way indeed familiar. The River Scenes were lovely, and some of the ' | ||
- | -22 - | + | |
- | The Club extends its hearty congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Roots on the latest | + | The Club extends its hearty congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Roots on the latest |
- | The latest epidemic, as reported by our First Aid Expert, is marriage. Those | + | |
- | suffering from the complaint are:- | + | The latest epidemic, as reported by our First Aid Expert, is marriage. Those suffering from the complaint are: Jess & Tom (Mr. & Mrs. Williams); Oscar & Esme (Mr. & Mrs. Armstrong); Dorman & Jean (Mr. & Mrs. Hardie). We wish these three couples the very best that life has to give, and may they live long to enjoy their wedded happiness. |
- | Jess & Tom (Mr. & Mrs. Williams); Oscar & Esme (Mr. & Mrs. Armstrong); Dorman & Jean (Mr. & Mrs. Hardie). | + | |
- | We wish these three couples the very best that life has to give, and may they live long to enjoy their wedded happiness. | + | The Social Secretary draws Members' |
- | The Social Secretary draws Members/ attention to the forthcoming Annual Xmas Treat for Poor Children to take place on the 17th. December. Subscriptions are urgently needed - 3/- pays one Childts | + | |
- | The Federation of Bushwalking Clubs arranged an outing on Sunday 26th. Nov. | + | |
- | to the Garawarra | + | The Federation of Bushwalking Clubs arranged an outing on Sunday 26th. Nov. to the Garawarra |
- | the guests of the Federation. The cars left the G.P.O. Sydney at 2 p.m., and took | + | |
- | the party to the Governor Game Lookout, where they walked along the track - a | + | After the speeches, the party, numbering about 50, walked-to Lilyvale where they were given tea, and they generally seemed to enjoy the alfresco |
- | distance of about 2i- miles - to Bulgo. Here they were given afternoon tea by your | + | |
- | Social Secretary, ably assisted by a band of helpers including the 1st. Concord Boy | + | |
- | Scouts. There were some short and interesting speeches delivered, and Mr.Atkinson, | + | |
- | later the speeches, the party, numbering about 50, walked-to Lilyvale where they were given tea, and they generally seemed to enjoy the al-fresco | + | |
This outing was also on the Official Programme for Health Week, and from that point of view was an innovation for Walking Clubs. | This outing was also on the Official Programme for Health Week, and from that point of view was an innovation for Walking Clubs. | ||
+ | |||
The Social Secretary extends her very best wishes to all for the happiest of Christmas Seasons and hopes we will all have good weather and good camping. | The Social Secretary extends her very best wishes to all for the happiest of Christmas Seasons and hopes we will all have good weather and good camping. | ||
- | FOR THE SOCIAL, COMMITTEE, | + | |
+ | |||
+ | For the Social Secretary, | ||
Rene D. Browne, | Rene D. Browne, | ||
Hon. Social Secretary. | Hon. Social Secretary. | ||
193312.1452252610.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/01/08 22:30 (external edit)