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193607 [2015/02/19 11:48] – richard_pattison193607 [2015/09/30 14:08] (current) – richard_pattison
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 The official trip was to Blue Gum Forest, led by Dorothy Lawry armed with a huge sledge hammer and a crow bar, which were intended for the demolition of the hut erected by the unemployed workers down there, and generally considered as undesirable. It is rather interesting to note that huts are erected with much expense in New Zealand, and are pulled down with much labour in our less rainy land. Unfortunately - or otherwise, - some other enthusiasts had already done the main part of the work before the sledge hammer arrived. However, Dorman Long and his much ridiculed trenching tool were found very useful for uprooting the posts. Thirty four people housed in sixteen little tents celebrated the destruction of the hut. The official trip was to Blue Gum Forest, led by Dorothy Lawry armed with a huge sledge hammer and a crow bar, which were intended for the demolition of the hut erected by the unemployed workers down there, and generally considered as undesirable. It is rather interesting to note that huts are erected with much expense in New Zealand, and are pulled down with much labour in our less rainy land. Unfortunately - or otherwise, - some other enthusiasts had already done the main part of the work before the sledge hammer arrived. However, Dorman Long and his much ridiculed trenching tool were found very useful for uprooting the posts. Thirty four people housed in sixteen little tents celebrated the destruction of the hut.
  
-Mount Solitary and the Korrowell Buttress saw its old friend, Jock Kaske, back again; but his prior experience on the Buttress made the rock climbing less formidable to this party than to his previous one.+Mount Solitary and the Korrowall Buttress saw its old friend, Jock Kaske, back again; but his prior experience on the Buttress made the rock climbing less formidable to this party than to his previous one.
  
 Barney and a party spent the weekend on Clear Hill without succumbing to the temptation of going down Duncan's Pass or Taro's Ladders to the Cox. Barney and a party spent the weekend on Clear Hill without succumbing to the temptation of going down Duncan's Pass or Taro's Ladders to the Cox.
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 Apart from the holiday weekend trips, we must record how Richard Croker and Frank Keelty spent a fortnight at Barrington and Dorrigo, camping on one memorable night within twenty eight yards of twenty eight pigs! Apart from the holiday weekend trips, we must record how Richard Croker and Frank Keelty spent a fortnight at Barrington and Dorrigo, camping on one memorable night within twenty eight yards of twenty eight pigs!
  
-Peter Page and Ray Birt also spent their fortnight's holiday under the open sky. They started down Breakfast Creek to the Cox's River, went up Morilla Range to the Gangerangs; over Cloudmaker with which Ray fell in love, thence to Kanangra, and down Gingera Creek to the Cox. Quite often, Ray informs us, they were up before dawn and breakfasted in the dark. Thus does the leven of early rising gradually permeate the Club!+Peter Page and Ray Birt also spent their fortnight's holiday under the open sky. They started down Breakfast Creek to the Cox's River, went up Morilla Range to the Gangerangs; over Cloudmaker with which Ray fell in love, thence to Kanangra, and down Gingera Creek to the Cox. Quite often, Ray informs us, they were up before dawn and breakfasted in the dark. Thus does the level of early rising gradually permeate the Club!
 ===== CLUB GOSSIP ===== ===== CLUB GOSSIP =====
 You will be pleased to know that Cupid has again been shooting his arrows in the Club, the victims this time being Iris Rockstro (Roxy) and Arnold Barrett. You will be pleased to know that Cupid has again been shooting his arrows in the Club, the victims this time being Iris Rockstro (Roxy) and Arnold Barrett.
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 Still, it is an ill wind that blows no one any good. Although the experience did not convert Dot to pack carrying, it has made her vow never to be without her own box of matches! Still, it is an ill wind that blows no one any good. Although the experience did not convert Dot to pack carrying, it has made her vow never to be without her own box of matches!
  
-\\ ----------+\\ ---------- //
 \\ Up, lad, up, 'tis late for lying; \\ Up, lad, up, 'tis late for lying;
 \\ Hear the drums of morning play;  \\ Hear the drums of morning play; 
 \\ Hark; the empty by-ways crying \\ Hark; the empty by-ways crying
 \\ "Who'll beyond the hills away?" \\ "Who'll beyond the hills away?"
-\\ +\\  //
 \\ A.E. Houseman. \\ A.E. Houseman.
 \\  \\ 
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 This palatial machine was a four speed Fiat of 1914 vintage stripped of body, bonnet, lamps, horn, battery, hood, seats and number plates, and fitted with a buckboard and box for a seat. With a crank handle broken in the crank shaft, the only way to start was to push off downhill. Once when the motor stalled in a river crossing, Mostyn had to jack up the back wheel, put her in gear, and swing the wheel to start again. The radiator was rather badly bent as a result of a dive over an embankment, but for all its quaint appearance, the motor purred as sweetly as the day it was born. Mostyn drove mainly with one big toe, and a rather wild drive followed. This palatial machine was a four speed Fiat of 1914 vintage stripped of body, bonnet, lamps, horn, battery, hood, seats and number plates, and fitted with a buckboard and box for a seat. With a crank handle broken in the crank shaft, the only way to start was to push off downhill. Once when the motor stalled in a river crossing, Mostyn had to jack up the back wheel, put her in gear, and swing the wheel to start again. The radiator was rather badly bent as a result of a dive over an embankment, but for all its quaint appearance, the motor purred as sweetly as the day it was born. Mostyn drove mainly with one big toe, and a rather wild drive followed.
  
-Joan, Jock, Bill and Vic had came "just for the ride", and after three miles they alighted and bade us "au revoir". The rest of us reached Mostyn's hut in time to prepare the evening meal.+Joan, Jock, Bill and Vic had come "just for the ride", and after three miles they alighted and bade us "au revoir". The rest of us reached Mostyn's hut in time to prepare the evening meal.
  
 At 11 am, we commenced a somewhat perilous ride from McMahon's along the Cedar Road to the Kowmung House on the Scots Main Range, where the lorry was left. From here our itinerary being the Kowmung, Kanangra Walls, Kanangra Creek and the Cox in that order. Our first contract with the Kowmung was a point about five miles downstream from Gingra Creek, where we swam and lunched. It was hot, and even Hilma, who usually swims only when thrown in, made a voluntary effort here. Mostyn was insistent that this was the only reliable pool for fish in the whole river, but a camp here would have made the next day's journey to Kanaagra Walls too severe. Mostyn and "Kissme" stayed to fish after tea, and follow later, while I accompanied the two girls to Gingra, making vain efforts en route to bag a rabbit. The fishermen arrived after midnight with eight fish, which were eaten for breakfast, and I shot three rabbits, so there was more meat than usually. At 11 am, we commenced a somewhat perilous ride from McMahon's along the Cedar Road to the Kowmung House on the Scots Main Range, where the lorry was left. From here our itinerary being the Kowmung, Kanangra Walls, Kanangra Creek and the Cox in that order. Our first contract with the Kowmung was a point about five miles downstream from Gingra Creek, where we swam and lunched. It was hot, and even Hilma, who usually swims only when thrown in, made a voluntary effort here. Mostyn was insistent that this was the only reliable pool for fish in the whole river, but a camp here would have made the next day's journey to Kanaagra Walls too severe. Mostyn and "Kissme" stayed to fish after tea, and follow later, while I accompanied the two girls to Gingra, making vain efforts en route to bag a rabbit. The fishermen arrived after midnight with eight fish, which were eaten for breakfast, and I shot three rabbits, so there was more meat than usually.
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 The ascent of Hughes' Ridge from the Kowmung was commenced about 2.45 pm. The steaming heat poured over us and distant mutterings of the approaching storm accompanied our progress up the steep slopes. Soon after reaching the easier, grade the heavens opened and what a relief the rain was! We were four hours reaching the Dance Floor Cave on the top of the Kanangra Walls plateau and after the somewhat lengthy business of preparing and eating tea, all of us retired to a bed of gum leaves. The ascent of Hughes' Ridge from the Kowmung was commenced about 2.45 pm. The steaming heat poured over us and distant mutterings of the approaching storm accompanied our progress up the steep slopes. Soon after reaching the easier, grade the heavens opened and what a relief the rain was! We were four hours reaching the Dance Floor Cave on the top of the Kanangra Walls plateau and after the somewhat lengthy business of preparing and eating tea, all of us retired to a bed of gum leaves.
  
-After an early stroll around the plateau, taking photos and viewing the gorge, we proceeded to follow the precipitous Murdering Gully to Kanangra Creek. Quite early in the day I dislodged a large stone about five hundredweight, skated wildly an the surface for a second or two, and then weighted with a 50-lb. pack, sat heavily on it. This may sound amusing; but I was shaken rather badly, and without any confidence continued the descent well in the rear. All were separated by the time the creek was reached, the girls having followed a rather hazardous ridge between two gullies. A little downstream a showy waterfall gushed into a crystal pool and provided a sufficient excuse for lunch.+After an early stroll around the plateau, taking photos and viewing the gorge, we proceeded to follow the precipitous Murdering Gully to Kanangra Creek. Quite early in the day I dislodged a large stone about five hundredweight, skated wildly on the surface for a second or two, and then weighted with a 50-lb. pack, sat heavily on it. This may sound amusing; but I was shaken rather badly, and without any confidence continued the descent well in the rear. All were separated by the time the creek was reached, the girls having followed a rather hazardous ridge between two gullies. A little downstream a showy waterfall gushed into a crystal pool and provided a sufficient excuse for lunch.
  
 The rocks were slippery, and shortly after resuming Hilma fell very hard. Soon after, I attempted the high jump record, when a snake swam under my body. After an hour’s rock-hopping, the sight of a cow-pad gladdened our eyes, and later a frightened little band of steers careered wildly along the track ahead, showing us the best crossings. The rocks were slippery, and shortly after resuming Hilma fell very hard. Soon after, I attempted the high jump record, when a snake swam under my body. After an hour’s rock-hopping, the sight of a cow-pad gladdened our eyes, and later a frightened little band of steers careered wildly along the track ahead, showing us the best crossings.
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 But far be it from Paddy to presume to give advice in choosing wives when it comes to tents, however, he can perhaps assist. But far be it from Paddy to presume to give advice in choosing wives when it comes to tents, however, he can perhaps assist.
  
-Tents like sheep and wives have their points, and the roomiest tent is generally the heaviest; on's head and toes often protrude from the vest pocket variety. "A" tents are easiest to pitch, but wall tents seem to give more room. Then the pyramid type appeals to some folks, because it only takes one pole, and so on. Now all this is rather bewildering to those who are new to the walking game, and sometimes they will buy a tent and find it does not suit requirements.+Tents like sheep and wives have their points, and the roomiest tent is generally the heaviest; one's head and toes often protrude from the vest pocket variety. "A" tents are easiest to pitch, but wall tents seem to give more room. Then the pyramid type appeals to some folks, because it only takes one pole, and so on. Now all this is rather bewildering to those who are new to the walking game, and sometimes they will buy a tent and find it does not suit requirements.
  
 Paddy has therefore evolved a scheme that will help such people to try out different types without cost - if you are considering buying a tent and are in doubt as to the most suitable type, hire one from Paddy for a weekend (this costs about 3/-). If you don't like that type, try another next time you go camping; when you have finally decided on the tent you want Paddy will deduct from the price of the tent, the cost of hiring the "tryouts" provided not more than two months has elapsed between hiring the tent and purchasing one. Paddy has therefore evolved a scheme that will help such people to try out different types without cost - if you are considering buying a tent and are in doubt as to the most suitable type, hire one from Paddy for a weekend (this costs about 3/-). If you don't like that type, try another next time you go camping; when you have finally decided on the tent you want Paddy will deduct from the price of the tent, the cost of hiring the "tryouts" provided not more than two months has elapsed between hiring the tent and purchasing one.
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 Opp. Paling's. Opp. Paling's.
  
-=====JEVY'S MYSTERY HIKE=====+=====JIMMY'S MYSTERY HIKE=====
 After strolling from Ginkin down the Upper Kowmung, up Morong Falls, over Kanangra, Craft Walls, Gangerang; down Moorilla Creek, via Cox, Black Dog Track and Clear Hill to Katoomba in five days, Jim Muir, Harry Savage and I bid goodbye to the rest of the party on the 2:45 p.m. from Katoomba last Boxing Day, and made our way to Mrs. Savage's home to prepare for a "rest cure." After strolling from Ginkin down the Upper Kowmung, up Morong Falls, over Kanangra, Craft Walls, Gangerang; down Moorilla Creek, via Cox, Black Dog Track and Clear Hill to Katoomba in five days, Jim Muir, Harry Savage and I bid goodbye to the rest of the party on the 2:45 p.m. from Katoomba last Boxing Day, and made our way to Mrs. Savage's home to prepare for a "rest cure."
-About six months previously, Jim Muir had asked us to do a trip with him in his Hillman Minx, dawn Kosciusco way at Christmas time, so after much rushing about after starting handles and passengers, we eventually collected Ray Wild at Burwood and left there at 2:35 p.m. on the 27th. After going through Liverpool and Goulburn we reached Yass at 9:10 p.m. Ray had gone to sleep and collapsed in my lap. Jim and Harry, as well as I, were getting pretty sleepy too. About Gundagai Jim began to drop off to sleep while he was driving, so Ray woke and volunteered to drive for a time. She changed places with Harry and made the miles slip past a bit faster; in fact so fast that Jim had to keep awake to watch her go round corners on two wheels.+About six months previously, Jim Muir had asked us to do a trip with him in his Hillman Minx, dawn [Ed. Kosciuszko ] Kosciusko way at Christmas time, so after much rushing about after starting handles and passengers, we eventually collected Ray Wild at Burwood and left there at 2:35 p.m. on the 27th. After going through Liverpool and Goulburn we reached Yass at 9:10 p.m. Ray had gone to sleep and collapsed in my lap. Jim and Harry, as well as I, were getting pretty sleepy too. About Gundagai Jim began to drop off to sleep while he was driving, so Ray woke and volunteered to drive for a time. She changed places with Harry and made the miles slip past a bit faster; in fact so fast that Jim had to keep awake to watch her go round corners on two wheels.
  
 Next day we collected Harry, a lad of about 17 or 18 years old, who had never been far from home before, or even camped out, and left for Wagga at 9:50 p.m., 17 miles away. Next day we collected Harry, a lad of about 17 or 18 years old, who had never been far from home before, or even camped out, and left for Wagga at 9:50 p.m., 17 miles away.
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 The hills about here are very steep and heavily timbered. In some places they have been cleared and are covered with bracken. Jim told us bracken springs up as soon as timber is cleared off; but it dies out in three or four years. The hills about here are very steep and heavily timbered. In some places they have been cleared and are covered with bracken. Jim told us bracken springs up as soon as timber is cleared off; but it dies out in three or four years.
  
-By the way, Jim wouldn't wait for Harry to get his beer in Holbrook; but was off for the Murray River as hard as he could tear, through Gingellic, across the Murray Into. Victoria and on to a lovely road along the river to Walwa, where we filled the tank up with petrol and Harry had his long waited-for reviver. Then Nye continued on, along the lovely Murray valley to Cudgewa Creek, where we landed about 7:30 p.m., climbed over a barbed wire fence, and erected our tents on a nice flat, under some willows on the bank of a beautiful little creek. You should have seen what happened to Victoria when we hit it in half an hour we had unloaded and our goods and ohattels were spread over nearly half an acre (more or less). As we were pretty tired we went to bed as soon as we had had tea, and I never moved till they woke me next morning, with the sun burning down in my face.+By the way, Jim wouldn't wait for Harry to get his beer in Holbrook; but was off for the Murray River as hard as he could tear, through Gingellic, across the Murray into Victoria and on to a lovely road along the river to Walwa, where we filled the tank up with petrol and Harry had his long waited-for reviver. Then Nye continued on, along the lovely Murray valley to Cudgewa Creek, where we landed about 7:30 p.m., climbed over a barbed wire fence, and erected our tents on a nice flat, under some willows on the bank of a beautiful little creek. You should have seen what happened to Victoria when we hit it: in half an hour we had unloaded and our goods and chattels were spread over nearly half an acre (more or less). As we were pretty tired we went to bed as soon as we had had tea, and I never moved till they woke me next morning, with the sun burning down in my face.
 We left camp at 8 a.m., went on up the valley through Tintaldra, with the Kosciusko range getting nearer all the time, and we could see the snow on the slopes up near the top. We reached a gully which had been eroded away, cutting through a lovely grassy flat to the Murray. Jim stopped the car and we went on a tour of inspection. The soil was rich in mica which shone like gold where the sun struck it. The gully is about a quarter of a mile long and about 20 feet deeps and has eroded away, leaving pinnacles and spires for all the world like the Grand Canyon of Arizona, in miniature. We left camp at 8 a.m., went on up the valley through Tintaldra, with the Kosciusko range getting nearer all the time, and we could see the snow on the slopes up near the top. We reached a gully which had been eroded away, cutting through a lovely grassy flat to the Murray. Jim stopped the car and we went on a tour of inspection. The soil was rich in mica which shone like gold where the sun struck it. The gully is about a quarter of a mile long and about 20 feet deeps and has eroded away, leaving pinnacles and spires for all the world like the Grand Canyon of Arizona, in miniature.
  
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 We travelled along Geehi Flats for about half a mile and crossed again; it was a bit fiercer this time, and we had to watch our steps quarter of a mile of lovely track and views and then back across the it was the last time we expected to cross that night, we changed our Jim soaked the dried vegetables. We crossed more flats and met the Plains round the bend, where two men were camped. They had come in back and were trout fishing. We found afterwards that they came from which was parked next to Jim's as Mr. Read's place!  We travelled along Geehi Flats for about half a mile and crossed again; it was a bit fiercer this time, and we had to watch our steps quarter of a mile of lovely track and views and then back across the it was the last time we expected to cross that night, we changed our Jim soaked the dried vegetables. We crossed more flats and met the Plains round the bend, where two men were camped. They had come in back and were trout fishing. We found afterwards that they came from which was parked next to Jim's as Mr. Read's place! 
  
-The river, Another river. As shoes and Swampy on horse- the car we went about half a mile farther upstream, and at 5:30 p.m. camped in an ideal spot - nice and flat - lovely green grass under big gums, with the river tearing past our door and tons of good firewood right alongside. I cooked stew of the remains of our working bullock from Wagga, some dried vegetables, one onion, one carrot, one parsnip and some spaghetti, with a little meat extract throw in for good measure. It wouldn't have been at all lad if I had left the dried vegetables out, (I haven't liked them since the Colo trip). We finished off with rice custard and stewed prunes. After tea I had a brain wave, and dug for worms, thinking I might go fishing; but as I found only two thin little things, I took pity on them and decided to leave the fish were they were, anyhow, I don't suppose the fishermen with fancy flies would have liked me fishing for trout with worms. We had a lovely camp fire, and as it was still light when we had finished all our work, I took a photo of it. We had a real good concert for two or three hours, went to bed about 10-40 p.m. and slept the sleep of the just.+We went about half a mile farther upstream, and at 5:30 p.m. camped in an ideal spot - nice and flat - lovely green grass under big gums, with the river tearing past our door and tons of good firewood right alongside. I cooked stew of the remains of our working bullock from Wagga, some dried vegetables, one onion, one carrot, one parsnip and some spaghetti, with a little meat extract throw in for good measure. It wouldn't have been at all lad if I had left the dried vegetables out, (I haven't liked them since the Colo trip). We finished off with rice custard and stewed prunes. After tea I had a brain wave, and dug for worms, thinking I might go fishing; but as I found only two thin little things, I took pity on them and decided to leave the fish were they were, anyhow, I don't suppose the fishermen with fancy flies would have liked me fishing for trout with worms. We had a lovely camp fire, and as it was still light when we had finished all our work, I took a photo of it. We had a real good concert for two or three hours, went to bed about 10-40 p.m. and slept the sleep of the just.
 Win. Duncombe. Win. Duncombe.
  
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 A: Perhaps you have one leg longer than the other. A: Perhaps you have one leg longer than the other.
  
-Q. Don’t you think the Bushwalkers carry too much gear? +Q. Don’t you think the Bushwalkers carry too much gear? \\
 A. The size of their rucksacks is certainly staggering. A. The size of their rucksacks is certainly staggering.
  
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 These people were of a different school of thought. They believed in peaceful penetration as opposed to the Duke's scheme of passive oppression. These people were of a different school of thought. They believed in peaceful penetration as opposed to the Duke's scheme of passive oppression.
  
-Both forms of pacification and conquest have been proved to be successful, (vide. The chronicles of nid Dog Wal: "Through the Wild Dogs with a handful of biscuits and mince", also Marshal Badogliols "Abysinnia by Blood and Fire") and all good bushwalkers eagerly await the result of this experiment – probably a Mug's Alley ("Hikers" corridor) says. I.+Both forms of pacification and conquest have been proved to be successful, (vide. The chronicles of Wild Dog Wal: "Through the Wild Dogs with a handful of biscuits and mince", also Marshal Badogliols "Abysinnia by Blood and Fire") and all good bushwalkers eagerly await the result of this experiment – probably a Mug's Alley ("Hikers" corridor) says. I.
  
 The grubbers became so fed up that they almost lost their bearings. Pulling up on scrub is no easy task, and one becomes very aggravated when a lot of talk is going on around one especially when the talk is about bearings. The grubbers became so fed up that they almost lost their bearings. Pulling up on scrub is no easy task, and one becomes very aggravated when a lot of talk is going on around one especially when the talk is about bearings.
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 The whole thing culminated in a down tools when the job was half over. Not another strike, but the plaintive pangs of inner man at mid-day. The whole thing culminated in a down tools when the job was half over. Not another strike, but the plaintive pangs of inner man at mid-day.
  
-Although the Roots Douglee scheme of peaceful penetration was not finished, the BB/s completed the work of leashing the Black Dog.+Although the Roots Douglee scheme of peaceful penetration was not finished, the BB’s completed the work of leashing the Black Dog.
  
 On the night following, Sirius was to be seen high in the southern heavens and he looked particularly bright and unwinking. On the night following, Sirius was to be seen high in the southern heavens and he looked particularly bright and unwinking.
193607.txt · Last modified: 2015/09/30 14:08 by richard_pattison
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