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**CONTENTS** | **CONTENTS** | ||
- | Editorial 1 | + | |Editorial |
- | At our July Meeting - Alex Colley 3 | + | |At our July Meeting - Alex Colley |
- | Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Taro 5 | + | |Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Taro |5| |
- | Kowmung Kapers 6 | + | |Kowmung Kapers |
- | Your Walking Guide 7 | + | |Your Walking Guide |7| |
- | Seven Weeks in N.Z. - Part V1 - Dot Butler | + | |Seven Weeks in N.Z. - Part V1 - Dot Butler|8 | |
- | White Ant Borings 11 | + | |White Ant Borings |
- | Hatswells Taxi & Tourist Service (Advt.) 12 | + | |Hatswells Taxi & Tourist Service (Advt.) |
- | "We are Lost Little Sheep" -- 'Sheep Dip' 13 | + | |"We are Lost Little Sheep" -- 'Sheep Dip' |
- | Bon Voyage to Wee McGregor 15 | + | |Bon Voyage to Wee McGregor |
- | The Kowmung Manuscript - Jim Hooper | + | |The Kowmung Manuscript - Jim Hooper |
- | June Walks Report - Brian Anderson 20 | + | |June Walks Report - Brian Anderson |
- | The Sanitarium Health Food Shop' | + | |The Sanitarium Health Food Shop' |
- | Federation Report - July, 1957 - Ron Knightley 22 | + | |Federation Report - July, 1957 - Ron Knightley |
- | Leica Photo Service (Advt.) 23 | + | |Leica Photo Service (Advt.) |
- | Paddy' | + | |Paddy' |
====== Editorial ====== | ====== Editorial ====== | ||
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The above considerations warrant some deep analytical and constructive thinking by all our members. The present and future welfare of both the bushwalking movement and this Club in particular may well be in our own hands if we are called upon to cast that vote. | The above considerations warrant some deep analytical and constructive thinking by all our members. The present and future welfare of both the bushwalking movement and this Club in particular may well be in our own hands if we are called upon to cast that vote. | ||
- | **COME TO THE BALL** | + | **COME TO THE BALL** |
- | DONTT BE A CINDERELLA THIS YEAR. | + | **DON' |
- | Climb into your magic Pumpkin with hayseeds and all, And chortle along to the Fe-deration | + | |
+ | Climb into your magic Pumpkin with hayseeds and all, and chortle along to the Federation | ||
on that night of nights - Friday, September 13th, at the University Refectory Hall. | on that night of nights - Friday, September 13th, at the University Refectory Hall. | ||
Make up your party now and see Social Secretary for tickets. These are going cheap at One Guinea. | Make up your party now and see Social Secretary for tickets. These are going cheap at One Guinea. | ||
- | Remember this is a bushwalker show so its bound to be tops,, | + | Remember this is a bushwalker show so its bound to be tops. |
====== At Our July Meeting ====== | ====== At Our July Meeting ====== | ||
Line 63: | Line 64: | ||
Alex Colley | Alex Colley | ||
- | The President was in the chair and there were over 50 Members present. It was a remarkable meeting, and the procedure was most unparliamentary. Throughout the evening, although contentious matters were discussed at length, only one dissentient voice was heard, and that was from a member who voted against the reception of the Walks Secretary' | + | The President was in the chair and there were over 50 Members present. It was a remarkable meeting, and the procedure was most unparliamentary. Throughout the evening, although contentious matters were discussed at length, only one dissentient voice was heard, and that was from a member who voted against the reception of the Walks Secretary' |
- | At the commencement the President extended a welcome to two new members - Neville Picton and Alan Abbott, | + | |
- | The Social Secretary announced that the Federation Ball would be held, under the auspices of the University | + | At the commencement the President extended a welcome to two new members - Neville Picton and Alan Abbott. |
- | In his Conservation report Tom Moppett quoted from a report by a committee of scientists (including two Professors of Botany and other experts) on the preservation of the Kosciusko catchment, The report confirmed what Bush Walkers have known and been saying for some 15 years - that the continued practice of grazing and burning is causing serious erosion and will menace the great water conservation works being constructed there. Allen Strom and Tom had travelled along the newly made road to the upper part of Church Creek. The boundaries of the lease had been cleared, but there was no evidence of anything further being done. A notice there contained a reference to the proposed ropeway. In accord with the decision of a previous meeting he had written to the Department of Conservation on the subject of logging in the Blue Labyrinth, He referred in the letter to the assurance given by the Department of Lands to the National Parks and Primitive Areas Council in Sept. 1943 that "The Minister for Forests (had) directed that the whole area be exempted from the operation of timber licenses," | + | |
+ | The Social Secretary announced that the Federation Ball would be held under the auspices of the University | ||
+ | |||
+ | In his Conservation report Tom Moppett quoted from a report by a committee of scientists (including two Professors of Botany and other experts) on the preservation of the Kosciusko catchment. The report confirmed what Bush Walkers have known and been saying for some 15 years - that the continued practice of grazing and burning is causing serious erosion and will menace the great water conservation works being constructed there. Allen Strom and Tom had travelled along the newly made road to the upper part of Church Creek. The boundaries of the lease had been cleared, but there was no evidence of anything further being done. A notice there contained a reference to the proposed ropeway. In accord with the decision of a previous meeting he had written to the Department of Conservation on the subject of logging in the Blue Labyrinth, He referred in the letter to the assurance given by the Department of Lands to the National Parks and Primitive Areas Council in Sept. 1943 that "The Minister for Forests (had) directed that the whole area be exempted from the operation of timber licenses," | ||
In a verbal report from the Ski Lodge Committee, Alex Colley said that he regretted that he had been unable to call a meeting for some two months. He said that progress was slow, and that this might be | In a verbal report from the Ski Lodge Committee, Alex Colley said that he regretted that he had been unable to call a meeting for some two months. He said that progress was slow, and that this might be | ||
- | his fault. If someone with more energy and determination were appointed as convenor the project might move faster, so he resigned from that | + | his fault. If someone with more energy and determination were appointed as convenor the project might move faster, so he resigned from that office. It was decided that the Committee should choose its own convenor. |
- | | + | |
- | Jack Gentle, Business Manager of the Magazine, told us that, with a change of management at the Sanatarium Health Food store in Hunter | + | Jack Gentle, Business Manager of the Magazine, told us that, with a change of management at the Sanatarium Health Food store in Hunter |
+ | members to be on the look out for likely advertisers, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ron Knightley, one of our Federation delegates, then initiated a discussion on the Federation. He said that it was a moribund organisation today, and did not justify the time given to it by delegate, and the affiliation fees paid. He could therefore see two alternatives - either make it a useful organisation or wind it up. Three questions required an answer - 1. Was the Bushwalking movement behind it? | ||
+ | 2. Was it doing a worthwhile job? 3. Can any other organisation do the job? In reply to (1) - there were 19 clubs and between 40 and 50 delegates. A quorum was 9 delegates from not less than 5 clubs, but | ||
+ | frequently there was only a bare quorum present. Average attendance for 1956-7 was 15 delegates. In the S.B.W., with 190 active members, we have difficulty in finding four delegates. On point (2) - the functions of the Federation were Conservation, | ||
- | Street, we might lose their advertisement in the magazine. He thought that, if he could present a convincing case to the management, we might retain it. A show of hands revealed that about 20 of those present at the meeting shopped there from time to time. He also said that, if members referred to the advertisement, | + | Paul Barnes |
- | members to be on the look out for likely adVertisers, | + | which started |
- | revenue was essential to meet magazine costs unless the price were to be increased. | + | |
- | Ron Knightley, one of our Federation delegatea, then initiated a discussion on the Federation. He said that it was a moribund organisation today, and did not justify the time given to it by delegate, and the affiliation fees paid. He could therefore see two alternatives - | + | |
- | either make it a useful organisation or wind it up. Thr9e questions | + | |
- | required an answer - lo Was the Bushwalking movement behind it? | + | |
- | 2. Was it doing a worthwhile job? 3. Can any other organisation do the job? In reply to (1) - there were 19 clubs and between 40 and 50 | + | |
- | delegates. A quorum was 9 delegates from not less than 5 clubs, but | + | |
- | frequently there was only a bare quorum present. Average attendance for 1956-7 was 15 delegates. In the S.B.W., with 190 active members, we hae | + | |
- | difficulty in finding four delegates. On point (2) - the functions of the Federation were Conservation, | + | |
- | rescue. There was little evidence of success in conservation. A 30,000 acre reserve had been secured at Nadgee. Though sponsored by | + | |
- | Federation, the real work had been done by individual members of the S.B.W. and Caloola Clubs. It had taken several months to find a | + | |
- | publicity officer, but where was the Federation Annual? Where was any exhibition like that of 1947 in which 37 bushwalkers gave their services in answering questions from the public? The information officer was | + | |
- | willing, but got little support. He had received 6 walks reports in | + | |
- | 9 months. The only search he had 'seen was organised by Jim Hooper and Paddy Pallin. On point (3) - The National Parks Association could carr | + | |
- | on Conservation. | + | |
- | Paul Earnes | + | |
- | which tel.rted | + | |
- | achieved a lot on our own. Frank Ashdown said that, though the Federation did not do a lot now, it did tie things together and might be | + | |
- | retained if only for information. John White said that we couldntt. | + | |
- | wind up the Federation on our own, we could only withdraw, Tom Moppett | + | |
- | as easily done through the N.P.A. He and Allen Strom had found there - | + | |
- | was a disadvantage in belonging to too many bodies consisting essentia117.9 of the same people. Two activities which might well be kept going were S. & R. and bushf ire patrols, buta Committee elected by an annual | + | |
- | Federation meeting could carry these on. | + | |
+ | John White said that we couldn' | ||
+ | as easily done through the N.P.A. He and Allen Strom had found there was a disadvantage in belonging to too many bodies consisting essentially of the same people. Two activities which might well be kept going were S. & R. and bush fire patrols, but a Committee elected by an annual Federation meeting could carry these on. | ||
Jim Hooper elaborating Tom's suggestion, thought that an annual meeting of Club President might replace Federation monthly meetings. Perhaps particular Clubs could carry on the administrative side for a | Jim Hooper elaborating Tom's suggestion, thought that an annual meeting of Club President might replace Federation monthly meetings. Perhaps particular Clubs could carry on the administrative side for a | ||
- | year each in rotation. On a motion by Malcolm McGregor it was resolved to instruct our delegates to ask Federation to consider its own | + | year each in rotation. On a motion by Malcolm McGregor it was resolved to instruct our delegates to ask Federation to consider its own position and procedures as head of the bushwalking movement. |
- | position and procedures as hea.d of the bushwalking movement. | + | |
**BETTY HOLDSWORTH** | **BETTY HOLDSWORTH** | ||
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-- Taro. | -- Taro. | ||
- | So many of the pages of the S.B. Maga are filled with idle chatter about the bush tracks and packs - a mountain here - a mountain there - and now and again a river. | + | So many of the pages of the S.B. Maga are filled with idle chatter about the bush tracks and packs - a mountain here - a mountain there - and now and again a river. So -- I think it quite time something was writ about the really interesting scenery of the Club - until now quite unsung. |
- | So -- I think it quite time something was writ about the really | + | |
- | interesting scenery of the Club - until now quite unsung. | + | I refer to the girls of the S.B.W. So many types there are - the Sunday ones, the tigresses!! the path patters - the rock climbers. So many gay sprites to lighten the miles with their smiles in all styles. |
- | I refer to the girls of the S.B.W. So many types there are - the | + | |
- | Sunday ones, the tigresses!! the path patters - the rock climbers. So many gay sprites to lighten the miles with their smiles in all styles. | + | |
Yet - looking at them all I would like to refer to one in particular. It may seem unfair to pick out any one - but this time it must be done. | Yet - looking at them all I would like to refer to one in particular. It may seem unfair to pick out any one - but this time it must be done. | ||
- | She is a rather serious type - a shade too serious - at times, looking at her, one would think the weight of the European situation was on her young shoulders. She is a calm thoughtful lass, speaks slowly and evenly - with well shaped phrases - (all which surely had | + | |
- | a blueprint phase) - easy to listen to - understood by all. | + | She is a rather serious type - a shade too serious - at times, looking at her, one would think the weight of the European situation was on her young shoulders. She is a calm thoughtful lass, speaks slowly and evenly - with well shaped phrases - (all which surely had a blueprint phase) - easy to listen to - understood by all. |
- | This adagio code is applied at meal times - never was so little consumed in so long a time. | + | |
- | Observant too - she remarked that this writer reminded her of | + | This adagio code is applied at meal times - never was so little consumed in so long a time. Observant too - she remarked that this writer reminded her of Captain Fortune. I have not seen this gentleman - but I'm told it was a complimentary remark. |
- | Captain Fortune. I have not seen this gentleman - but I'm told it was a complimentary remark. | + | |
- | Yes - she is a charming lass - with an easy flow of interesting | + | Yes - she is a charming lass - with an easy flow of interesting conversation - and positively -- no politics! Now in case any reader is curious about this girl - I may as well tell -- Her name Margaret Putt, Her age exactly four. |
- | conversation - and positively -- no politics! | + | |
- | Now in case any reader is curious about this girl - I may as well tell -- | + | (That rocked you, didn't it? - Ed) |
- | 6. | + | |
- | Her name MO fair MIND Margaret Putt | + | |
- | Her age exactly four: | + | |
- | (That rocked you, didn't it? - Edo) | + | |
====== Kowmung Capers ====== | ====== Kowmung Capers ====== | ||
- | Walking down the Kowmung, Colin Putt and crew | + | Walking down the Kowmung,\\ |
- | Found a member missing, "Now, Boys', whats to do?" Search & Rescue party ready for the fray, | + | Colin Putt and crew found a member missing, |
- | Where to start a-looking? "He swam that-a-way." | + | "Now, Boys', whats to do?" |
- | Back along the ridges, back to John & Ben, | + | Search & Rescue party ready for the fray,\\ |
+ | Where to start a-looking? "He swam that-a-way." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Back along the Kowmung, back to Morong Falls, | ||
+ | Not a sign of Eric, no answer to their calls.\\ | ||
+ | Back along the ridges, back to John & Ben,\\ | ||
Said Col, " | Said Col, " | ||
- | " | + | |
- | Falling over rocks and stones, debating Eric's fate. | + | Cooking grub in darkness, only half awake,\\ |
- | Four weary bods at daybreak, start to bash the trail, | + | Falling over rocks and stones, debating Eric's fate.\\ |
+ | Four weary bods at daybreak, start to bash the trail,\\ | ||
Said, Col, "Now altogether boys, lets give a good loud hail." | Said, Col, "Now altogether boys, lets give a good loud hail." | ||
- | Around a bend and down a bit, and then what do they see? Why!, Eric in his sleeping bag, still r' | + | |
+ | Around a bend and down a bit, and then what do they see? \\ | ||
+ | Why!, Eric in his sleeping bag, still resting | ||
+ | The party reunited, continued on their way,\\ | ||
Bashing down the Kowmung, till grub time at mid-day. | Bashing down the Kowmung, till grub time at mid-day. | ||
- | Their throats are sore, they sing no more, there' | + | |
- | once again. | + | Their throats are sore, they sing no more, there' |
- | For Bishop Ben he slipped and then his ankle he did sprain. They camped the night to rest him and on again next day, Back to Colin' | + | For Bishop Ben he slipped and then his ankle he did sprain.\\ |
- | Came Monday and the other boys had nothing much to do | + | They camped the night to rest him and on again next day, \\ |
- | They said "Lets get the ropes out and try a bird' | + | Back to Colin' |
+ | |||
+ | Came Monday and the other boys had nothing much to do\\ | ||
+ | They said "Lets get the ropes out and try a bird' | ||
+ | The " | ||
As bodies climbing up and down the ropes on those great heights. | As bodies climbing up and down the ropes on those great heights. | ||
- | Now my story' | + | |
- | We didn't play those childish games, | + | Now my story' |
- | .P...nd | + | We didn't play those childish games, that really is untrue,\\ |
+ | it didn't turn out as we planned, but come another day,\\ | ||
+ | And Colin and his merry crew will head down Kowmung way.\\ | ||
Including me (I hope) | Including me (I hope) | ||
+ | |||
Kow Mung. | Kow Mung. | ||
+ | |||
(X) Bobbies & Bushies as stated in Walks Report. | (X) Bobbies & Bushies as stated in Walks Report. | ||
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====== Seven Weeks in New Zealand - Part VI ====== | ====== Seven Weeks in New Zealand - Part VI ====== | ||
- | -Dot Butler | + | Dot Butler |
- | Jan 18th, the day after George was smitten down with snow blindness we had planned to climb Broderick, a peak quite worthy of respect. Morning dawned fine and still, so, leaving food within reach of George, and knowing that the mere fact of being unable to see wouldn' | + | |
- | prevent him from eating, Whaka and Snow and I0 with our lunch and | + | Jan 18th, the day after George was smitten down with snow blindness we had planned to climb Broderick, a peak quite worthy of respect. Morning dawned fine and still so, leaving food within reach of George, and knowing that the mere fact of being unable to see wouldn' |
- | parkas in a light pack, cramponned down the hard surface of the snow | + | |
- | and over the crevassed Murcheson Glacier to the base of our climb. | + | The lower part of Broderick consists of reasonably easy snow slopes, getting steeper as height is gained. During a rest pause on a rounded snow shoulder, Boy Brown decided he wanted something out of the pack, so in order to fish to the bottom he pulled out a parka and put it on the snow. You would hardly believe it, but the parka without warning suddenly. became endowed with life and scuttled off down the slope, and while we watched, helpless to do anything in that precarious position, it gathered momentum and slithered away over an airy precipice |
- | The lower part of Broderick consists of reasonably'easy snow | + | Whaka' |
- | slopes, getting steeper as height is gained. During a rest pause on a | + | |
- | rounded snow shoulder, Boy Brown decided he wanted something out of the pack, so in order to fish to the bottom he pulled out a parka and put it on the snow. You would hardly believe it, but the parka without warning suddenly. became endowed with life and scuttled off down the slope, and while we watched, helpless to do anything in that precarious position, it gathered momentum and slithered away over an airy precip- | + | We had some really first class climbing, along a steep ridge to within a short distance of the top. "Gee, Whaka," |
- | ice and vanished in the direction of the grinning crevasses waiting to receive it several thousand feet below.. "By Gosh, I hope that's your own parka you're throwing away!" said I, " | + | |
- | Whaka' | + | As soon as the sun sank behind the snowy range the cold air rolled up - a bright soundless tide, and we went into the hut and pumped up the primuses and cooked tea. This day had restored a faint glimmer of sight to George' |
- | We had some really first class climbing, along a steep ridge to within a short distance of the top. "Gee, Whaka," | + | |
- | quietly to himself. At length we reached a point where further progress seemed risky. Mist was beginning to wash over, the summit, and time was creeping on, so we decided that that was far enough and began the descent | + | It is bed time. Outside the last light of day fades and the mountains rise up dark and gracious in the night sky, and as we snuggle down under a heap of warm blankets the music of the world lies all around us and hushes our hearts to dreaming. We were up in the dark next morning, ate a quick breakfast, tidied up the hut, then stepped outside into the quiet of a world waiting with hushed breath for the sunrise. We made our way up to the head of the glacier as the last star faded from the sky. The snow surface was crisp and firm to the bite of our crampons, and we made fast time. George, the strongest of the party, had the disadvantage of his blindness to contend with, putting him into the class of Samson after Delilah had got at him with the shears. He walked in a dim grey twilight world, tethered to his party fore and aft with the nylon rope. Whenever we encountered a crevasse we would say, "Slot, George" |
- | again - then it was just a plod over the crevassed ice and the climb up -be the hut. George was patiently nursing his pain as he had done | + | |
- | all the long day while we had been out enjoying ourselves. He still | + | As we climbed higher towards the Tasman Saddle the wind steadily rose, and by the time we reached the top it was blowing gale force. Whaka, with the blizzard knifing through the cracks in his sisalkraft armour, steadfastly, |
- | couldn' | + | |
- | then bringing out for an airing the thought that we should climb Cooper or Cooper' | + | We battled down from the high pass to the Tasman Glacier, and at last got out of the wind. For several hours life was calm and pleasant. The familiar mountains rose up on either side, and we watched the heavy |
- | again, and thus happily engaged we forgot the slow ticking away of time till it was too late to climb Cooper or Cooper' | + | cloud sagging over their slopes while we walked in sunshine, but it was not to last, Before long we were being spattered with sleety rain, and the lower down we went the wetter it became. After some hours we came level with the jutting-out point on the lower slopes |
- | As soon as the sun sank behind the snowy range the cold air rolled up - a bright soundless tide, and we went into the hut and | + | dangerously undercut moraine, The De la Beche hut sits in a huge jumble of rocks at the point where the Rudolf Glacier joins the Tasman. |
- | pumped up the primuses and cooked tea. This dey had restored a faint glimmer of sight to George' | + | |
- | of a 'roll of sisalkraft which had been air-dropped in to line the hut, | + | |
- | so we carved off a length and dressed Whaka up in,it and decorated the breastplate with a crest of crossed ice-axes, crampons, etc. | + | |
- | He looked like Richard Coeur de Lion in his armour setting out for the Crusades, although Whaka more prosaically said he felt like a brown paper parcel and if we put an Air Mail sticker on him and addressed him to the De la Beche hut it might save a lot of bother tomorrow. | + | |
- | It is bed time. Outside the last light of day fades and the | + | |
- | mountains rise up dark and gracious in the night sky, and as we snuggle down under a heap of warm blankets the music of the world lies all around us and hushes our hearts to dreaming. | + | |
- | We were up in the dark next morning, ate a quick breakfast, tidied up the'hut, then stepped outside into the quiet of a world | + | |
- | waiting with hushed breath for the sunrise. We made our way up to the | + | |
- | head of the glacier as the last star faded from the sky. The snow surface was crisp and firm to the bite of our crampons, and we made | + | |
- | fast time. George, the strongest of the party, had the disadvantage | + | |
- | of his blindness to contend | + | |
- | after Delilah had got at him with the shears. He walked in a dim grey | + | |
- | twilight world, tethered to his party fore. and 'aft with the nylon | + | |
- | rope. Whenever we encountered a crevasse we would say, "Slot, George | + | |
- | As we climbed higher towards the Tasman Saddle the wind steadily | + | |
- | rose, and by the time we reached the top it was blowing gale force. | + | |
- | Whaka, with the blizzard knifing through the cracks in his sisalkraft armour, steadfastly, | + | |
- | and again I would be blown off my feet, but Snow was always behind to | + | |
- | field me as I came bowling down the slope. And so we struggled over to the Tasman side, and all the time the high.wind screamed shrill and chill with needles of ice that stung our cheeks and snatched our breath away. We fought our way along in a bunch for protection, each strongly conscious of the undying | + | |
- | process, "This is the best day yet". " | + | |
- | Whaka through the howling of the elements. The wind was screaming with demoniacal fury through the pass. It whipped up the surface powder snow into madly swirling eddies that got into our balaclava' | + | |
- | and down our necks and socks and into our boots and up our nostrils and eyes, choking us and blinding us. The ice needles melted on our gloves and froze our hands, "1 said THIS IS THE BEST DAY YETI:" shouted Snow enthusiastically. Somewhere deep in Snow lies an incredible, | + | |
- | ful optimism, and always in crisis it shows out. "You know, Snow," | + | |
- | said Whaka, " | + | |
- | We battled down from the high pass to the Tasman Glacier, and at | + | |
- | last got out of the wind. For several hours life was calm and pleasant. | + | |
- | The familiar mountains rose up on either side, and we watched the heavy | + | |
- | cloud sagging over their slopes while we walked in sunshine, but it | + | |
- | was not to last, Before long we were being spattered with sleety rain, and the lower down we went the wetter it became. After some hours we came level with the jutting-out point on the lowerslopes | + | |
- | 10. | + | |
- | the old days when it had been my pleasant duty to act as a guide on the Hermitage staff and get paid for enjoying myself, I made across to the lateral moraine and climbed it, and then found I had a much longer | + | |
- | plod around to the hut than I had anticipated. I expected to find the | + | |
- | others already there when I finally dropped down to the hut, but surprisingly they weren' | + | |
- | dangerously undercut moraine, The De la Beche hut sits in a huge jumble of rocks at the point where the Rudolf | + | |
- | It is all very rugged and wild. From the front door you look out on | + | |
the Mt. Cook range down whose vast sides, every quarter hour or so, come roaring shattering avalanches alarming the landscape. Safe in our snug little refuge we lost no time in getting into dry clothes and cooking up the evening stew. The next day we were to go down to Ball Hut to collect the food we had left there for the coming week. | the Mt. Cook range down whose vast sides, every quarter hour or so, come roaring shattering avalanches alarming the landscape. Safe in our snug little refuge we lost no time in getting into dry clothes and cooking up the evening stew. The next day we were to go down to Ball Hut to collect the food we had left there for the coming week. | ||
- | There was no need for a particularly early start, but we got away next morning soon after breakfast carrying the ideal pack, that is, a completely empty one. A rather precipitous scramble down the point of the moraine to where the moving ice of the two glaciers has scoured out deep relentless holes, then eventually we were out on to the smoother hummocky ice of the Tasman, and the body and mind could relax, There were countless happy days on our trip, but this day on which, actually, we did nothing more spectacular than go down to Ball Hut -and slog back with an enormous weight of food on our backs - this day somehow stands out in my mind as an experience of the strangest significance. | + | |
- | It was a fine and splendid day - one of those periods of time | + | There was no need for a particularly early start, but we got away next morning soon after breakfast carrying the ideal pack, that is, a completely empty one. A rather precipitous scramble down the point of the moraine to where the moving ice of the two glaciers has scoured out deep relentless holes, then eventually we were out on to the smoother hummocky ice of the Tasman, and the body and mind could relax, There were countless happy days on our trip, but this day on which, actually we did nothing more spectacular than go down to Ball Hut - and slog back with an enormous weight of food on our backs - this day somehow stands out in my mind as an experience of the strangest significance. |
- | which seem astonishingly but delightfully to have tumbled out of some golden eternity at our feet, We pottered down the glacier in the dawdling amber daylight. We drank at the glacier pools and saw our | + | |
- | own faces staring up at us from the water - and how strangely exciting | + | It was a fine and splendid day - one of those periods of time which seem astonishingly but delightfully to have tumbled out of some golden eternity at our feet, We pottered down the glacier in the dawdling amber daylight. We drank at the glacier pools and saw our own faces staring up at us from the water - and how strangely exciting it is to see yourself drinking yourself. We peered into ice-clear crevasses which breathed cold air in our faces - jagged and sinister crevasses, cruel and cunning crevasses, beautiful crevasses with fluted walls elegant and cool as frosted glass, their depths tremulous with a mysterious blue green flame. We explored ice grottos, cold and still, the only sound a quiet drip, drip, drip of water falling from the glassy dome of the roof. We followed down crystal clear glacier streams, their swift whispering voices in that profound silence sounding like the rushing of a star through outer space. A strange, mysterious world, this world of snow and ice. Our companions, the only living things in this spacious solitude, take on a more than human significance; |
- | it is to see yourself drinking yourself. We peered into ice-clear crevasses which breathed cold air in our faces - jagged and sinister | + | |
- | crevasses, cruel and cunning crevasses, beautiful crevasses with | + | Well on in the afternoon, ravenously hungry, we plodded up the steep moraine track to Ball Hut. The tourist party had viewed the glacier, had had lunch and departed by bus for the steam-heated luxury of the Hermitage. Only the guides were left, Mick Bowie and a tall lean Australian boy, who were tidying up in the kitchen when we clumped in. |
- | fluted walls elegant and cool as frosted glass., their depths tremulous with a mysterious blue green flame. We explored ice grottos, cold and | + | |
- | still, the only sound a quiet drip, drip, drip of water falling from | + | |
- | the glassy dome of the roof. We followed down crystal clear glacier streams, their swift whispering voices in that profound silence sounding like the rushing of a star through outer space. A strange, mysterious world, this world of snow and ice. Our companions, the only living things in this spacious solitude, take on a more than human significance; | + | |
- | ice axe, and above in the astonishing blue of the sky, puffs of bright | + | |
- | cloud drifted upwards like our thoughts. | + | |
- | Well on in the afternoon, ravenously hungry, we plodded up the | + | |
- | steep moraine track to Ball Hut. The tourist party had viewed the glacier, had had lunch and departed by bus for the steam-heated luxury of the Hermitage. Only the guides were left, Mick Bowie and a | + | |
- | tall lean Australian boy, who were tidying up in the kitchen when we clumped in. | + | |
"Would you like something to eat?" Said Mick. "Some biscuits?" | "Would you like something to eat?" Said Mick. "Some biscuits?" | ||
Line 278: | Line 235: | ||
the boats. Nevertheless all twenty-three marines in the five boats agreed that it was a week-end to remember. What's that, Jim? | the boats. Nevertheless all twenty-three marines in the five boats agreed that it was a week-end to remember. What's that, Jim? | ||
- | Speaking of the boat trip reminds me of a certain kit bag which I couldn' | + | Speaking of the boat trip reminds me of a certain kit bag which I couldn' |
- | Everyone agreed that the Colour Slide Photographic Competition was a huge success, despite the excess of shots which popular judge Mr. C. Young billed as "Yes, a good record, but for competition - afraid it wouldn' | + | |
- | lsom over 100 entries, first honours went to George Gray with a classy shot of an | + | |
- | ice cave - second award to Frank Rigby with a shot of Grace and Geof sporting pemse1ves on the summit of Mr. Ossa and third award to Jack Wren for one of 1 | + | |
- | Ills infinitely intimate shots of a New Guinea Chieftain. I wonder if any of these qould originally have been taken as a record shot with no thought of competitions? | + | |
- | 4 wonder. | + | |
- | SOCIAL PROGRAMME CHANGE. | + | Everyone agreed that the Colour Slide Photographic Competition was a huge success, despite the excess of shots which popular judge Mr. C. Young billed as "Yes, a good record, but for competition - afraid it wouldn' |
- | The nights for Jack Wren's slides and the Free Night have now been Witched. Please alter your little blue books. | + | |
+ | |||
+ | SOCIAL PROGRAMME CHANGE.\\ | ||
+ | The nights for Jack Wren's slides and the Free Night have now been switched. Please alter your little blue books. | ||
====== "We Are Lost Little Sheep" | ====== "We Are Lost Little Sheep" | ||
- | Part III (Final' | + | Part III (Final Fatal Episode) |
- | Sub-Section. Troggint and Grogginl (Tea, sees) | + | |
- | Con Creek was now narrowing, with the vegetation becoming thicker, | + | Sub-Section. Troggint and Grogginl (Tea, sees). Con Creek was now narrowing, with the vegetation becoming thicker, |
- | (probably garlic) for the solution to our navigational problem. But, alas, no answer was forthcoming. | + | |
+ | So once again the mass murmurings of the party filtered into the atmosphere - " | ||
- | So once again the mass murmurings of the party filtered into the atmosphere - " | ||
Then suddenly out of this caustic conference a decision was finally reached - back to the prickle swamps: | Then suddenly out of this caustic conference a decision was finally reached - back to the prickle swamps: | ||
- | George, his eyes lighting up at the prospect of more prickles, | + | George, his eyes lighting up at the prospect of more prickles, crashed on down the creek, followed by the gloomy mob singing the now Bendethra Theme song - "You passed it, You passed it, It's further up the creek" |
- | crashed on down the creek, followed by the gloomy mob singing the now | + | |
- | Bendethra Theme song - "You passed it, You passed it, It's further up the creek" | + | |
- | The partt' | + | |
- | map Were very near, and secondly find a negotiable way over the Divide back to the Shoalhaven River. With this in mind Heather and Neil | + | |
- | chundered off up the hill leaving the party flat on their backs asleep, | + | |
- | One didn't require much knowledge of human nature to interpret | + | |
- | what was passing through the minds of the now leaderless Eendethra | + | |
- | Bashers. "Gee I'm glad I'm not leading this trip." | + | |
- | By 10.30 a.m. Frank Young, George and Ern had left the morning te group to try their luck at locating the caves. That old demon "Time was nearing mid-day when up in the gully Frank' | + | |
- | " | + | |
- | Within seconds Bev, Joan and the Admiral had scouped up their car- | + | |
- | bide lamps, jumped into their trog suits and like mad mountain goats were racing up hill towards the direction of Frank' | + | |
- | In ones and twos the party made their way along the undulating | + | |
- | dark, mud caverns. As most formations were very few and far between j2., | + | |
- | wasn't long before we all met up at the end, balancing precariously or | + | |
- | the mud slopes. With cries of Oohs and Abs we feasted our eyes on the dimly lit feeble formations. How wonderful it is to gaze at Nature' | + | |
- | wondrous creations under the earth? However, it wasn't long before we were suddenly brought back from this fantastic weird world, to the | + | |
- | world of reality and the thought of our leader probably bashing around the mountain looking for us. | + | |
- | With a feeling of guilt we made haste back to the entrance, only stopping to laugh at 3ev. and Margaret, who in rubber sole shoes, were | + | |
- | trying to out do Luna Park's famous dipper with their dare devil slides down the dangerous mud and limestone slopes.' | + | |
- | -- 'Sheep Dip' | + | |
- | As we crawled out of the pokey entrance we were confronted by Heather who was wearing an expression like Bo Peep, who had lost her sleep, rather than the leader looking for her renagade | + | The party' |
- | Scene: Shoalhaven Campsite. | + | |
+ | One didn't require much knowledge of human nature to interpret what was passing through the minds of the now leaderless Bendethra Bashers. "Gee I'm glad I'm not leading this trip." By 10.30 a.m. Frank Young, George and Ern had left the morning group to try their luck at locating the caves. That old demon "Time was nearing mid-day when up in the gully Frank' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Within seconds Bev, Joan and the Admiral had scouped up their carbide lamps, jumped into their trog suits and like mad mountain goats were racing up hill towards the direction of Frank' | ||
+ | |||
+ | With a feeling of guilt we made haste back to the entrance, only stopping to laugh at Kev and Margaret, who in rubber sole shoes, were trying to out do Luna Park's famous dipper with their dare devil slides down the dangerous mud and limestone slopes -- 'Sheep Dip' | ||
+ | |||
+ | As we crawled out of the pokey entrance we were confronted by Heather who was wearing an expression like Bo Peep, who had lost her sleep, rather than the leader looking for her renegade | ||
+ | |||
+ | Scene: Shoalhaven Campsite.\\ | ||
The air was bitterly cold as we snuggled into our sleeping bags. The day had been long and had taken toll of our energies. We had found the caves, found our way over the Divide, so with the thoughts of a job | The air was bitterly cold as we snuggled into our sleeping bags. The day had been long and had taken toll of our energies. We had found the caves, found our way over the Divide, so with the thoughts of a job | ||
- | well done we slipped off to Slumberland, | + | well done we slipped off to Slumberland, |
- | "Aw stop taking such big sips, I want some yer' know." | + | |
- | Frank Rigby tossed and turned in his corner of the tent. Cursing | + | Frank Rigby tossed and turned in his corner of the tent. Cursing the cold, cursing the Admiral for taking up the other three corners of the tent with his elongated boney body and cursing the fact that it was 3 a.m. and he couldn't sleep. Unable to stand it any longer he let out with a fearsome oath - "God it's b--- cold." |
- | the cold, cursing the Admiral for taking up the other three corners of the tent with his elongated boney body and cursing the fact that it was 3 a.m. and he Couldn't sleep. Unable to stand it any longer he let out | + | |
- | with a fearsome oath - "God it's b--- cold.(" | + | To his horror,. all around him, twelve voices replied "Yes isn' |
- | To his horror,. all around him, twelve voices replied "Yes isn't | + | |
- | A few hours later, with new energy, the mob left camp, to complete the last leg of the track, before reaching the cars. | + | Of course, before reaching the cars the inevitable farm house appeared in our path. The leader looking very immaculate approached the residents - of course with the idea of saying |
- | Of cours, before reaching the cars the inevitable farm house | + | |
- | appeared in our path. The leader looking very immaculate approached | + | As we sat on the front lawn, slurping and gulping the tea and scones, our wonderful host came out, took one look at the bearded forms of Ern and Neil and exclaimed, " |
- | the residents - of course with the idea of saying | + | |
- | bellowed from the porch - | + | |
- | " | + | |
- | As we sat on the front lawn, slurping and gulping the tea and | + | |
- | scones, our wonderful host came out, took one look at the bearded forms | + | |
- | of Ern and Neil and exclaimed, " | + | |
- | Were we offended? Not We were too busy scoffing down large | + | |
- | quantities of fresh scones and tea. | + | |
The End -- (Thank God) | The End -- (Thank God) | ||
Line 346: | Line 282: | ||
====== Bon Voyage To Wee McGregor ====== | ====== Bon Voyage To Wee McGregor ====== | ||
+ | We take much pride and pleasure in announcing that the National Bureau of Standards of the U.S.A. has invited Malcolm McGregor (and Elsa and wee Bobbie too) to visit the U.S. for seven months to convey to the American technicians the know how of recent developments in that branch of electronics in which the C.S.I.R.O. leads the world. Malcolm leaves by air on 25th September whilst Elsa and Bobbie follow in R.M.S. " | ||
+ | |||
+ | A "Bon Voyage" | ||
+ | |||
+ | The camp-fire will be lit about 6.45 so come early and have a chat to the departing travellers. The Lower income troupers should catch the 6.13 electric train from Central - tickets to Warrawee - thence by | ||
+ | Wahroonga Sanitarium bus the last of the day to the Mahratta Avenue turnoff (fare 6d - pay as you alight). | ||
- | We take much pride and pleasure in announcing that the National Bureau of Standards of the U.S.A. n.as invited Malcolm McGregor (and Elsa and wee Bobbie too) to visit ;he U.S. for seven months to convey to the American technicians the know-laow of recent developments in that branch of electronics in which the C.3.I.R.L, leads the world. Malcolm leaves by air on 25th September whilst Elsa and Bobbie follow in R.M.S. " | + | Would the Higher Income Groupers bring as many of the L.I.G.' |
- | -A "Bon Voyage" | + | To assist in the general arrangements, |
- | 9.45 a.m. and which coincides with the second day of the Saturday afternoon-Sunday walk. However, all attending are advised ;o bring their own tucker for supper but cocoa will be on ;ap. There are already rumours of heads being put together to concost a " | + | |
- | The camp-fire will be lit about 6.45 so come early and have a chat to the departing travellers. The Lower Income Ti-roupers should catch the 6.13 electric train from Central - tickets to Tarrawee - thence by | + | |
- | Wahroonga Sanitarium bus the last of the day) 7,o the Mahratta Avenue turnoff (fare 6d - pay as you alight). | + | |
- | bring as many of the L.I.G.' | + | |
- | To assist in the general arrangements, | + | |
- | coming to the camp-fire only and/or camping, please advise | + | |
====== Kossy '39 or Thereabouts ====== | ====== Kossy '39 or Thereabouts ====== | ||
- | -- Taro | + | Taro |
- | Our Dot and our _Duke (not according to Luke) | + | |
- | Once clumb up the trig pole at Kossy. | + | Our Dot and our Duke (not according to Luke)\\ |
- | Not a prank | + | Once clumb up the trig pole at Kossy.\\ |
- | Only swank. | + | Not a prank Only swank.\\ |
It couldn' | It couldn' | ||
- | They just would be atop of old Aussie. Alas! | + | |
- | The Shire Engineer | + | They just would be atop of old Aussie. Alas!\\ |
- | Was lapping his beer | + | The Shire Engineer Was lapping his beer\\ |
- | When he heard of this terrible crime-o He roared out Bejeese | + | When he heard of this terrible crime He roared out Bejeese\\ |
- | I'll tickle their knees | + | I'll tickle their knees\\ |
- | I'll teach 'elm to shin up our polo:, | + | I'll teach 'elm to shin up our pole\\ |
- | So they draped it o'er | + | So they draped it o'er\\ |
- | With barbed wire so raw, | + | With barbed wire so raw,\\ |
- | Who tries it again will find to their sorrow | + | |
+ | Who tries it again will find to their sorrow\\ | ||
In good red blood they' | In good red blood they' | ||
Line 378: | Line 315: | ||
Jim Hooper | Jim Hooper | ||
- | Although my archaeological confreres Professor Snoot, A.B.M.S., | + | |
- | and the Rt. Hon. Admiral The Luckdukus, S.D.W., S.G.M., could not | + | Although my archaeological confreres Professor Snoot, A.B.M.S., and the Rt. Hon. Admiral The Luckdukus, S.D.W., S.G.M., could not entirely agree with my current theories on the inclinations of the Paleolithic Bushwalker I find that I now have some cause for excitement in a recent discovery. |
- | entirely agree with my current theories on the inclinations of the Paleolithic Bushwalker I find that I now have some cause for excitement in a recent discovery. | + | |
- | During an exacting survey down the Kowmung River, I recently had | + | During an exacting survey down the Kowmung River, I recently had occasion to pause by a side creek which I took to be Church Creek. Unfortunately, |
- | occasion to pause by a side creek which I took to be Church Creek. Unfortunately, | + | |
so it must have been some other because anyway it was a day's walk further upstream opposite somewhere else. | so it must have been some other because anyway it was a day's walk further upstream opposite somewhere else. | ||
- | Lying there in the shade, listening to the musical chuckle of the | + | |
- | Kowmung babbling over the pebbles, I felt the need for a few moments | + | Lying there in the shade, listening to the musical chuckle of the Kowmung babbling over the pebbles, I felt the need for a few moments of rest. Survey work can be so exhausting. I watched the myriads of flies making very bad landings in the dappled patches of sunlight on my bare chest. The shade I was in was quite heavy so it was soon obvious that my sunburn was forcing them to make blind-landings. My heels were cooling |
- | of rest. Survey work can be so exhausting. I watched the myriads of . flies making very bad landings in the dappled patches of sunlight on my bare chest. The shade I was in was quite heavy so it was soon obvious that my sunburn was forcing them to make blind-landings. My heels were cool.ing | + | |
- | I didn't want the poor Little Bee to fall off and drown itself, | + | I didn't want the poor Little Bee to fall off and drown itself, |
- | There --- between my Big Toe and the other one was a Black Stump, THE Black Stump (Stumpus Charcundus), | + | |
- | Here, at last, I had made a discovery which was near to costing me my-. very life! Spitting water and gasping desperately for air as I swam through the seething rapids across the river, I suddenly realised that swimming with one Bee foot in the air was going to be my Kowmung | + | There between my Big Toe and the other one was a Black Stump, THE Black Stump (Stumpus Charcundus), |
- | spots and Dots --- My heart pounded and pumped --- This was IT -- This was the End. --- Blue fla9hes --- an agonising pain shot up through my leg --- AND then I saw RED --- The Little BEE had stung me: I lashed out with both my feet --- just to get even, and then I gave an incoherent moan as my nose rubbered and skidded to an abrupt | + | |
- | halt on a rock. | + | Here, at last, I had made a discovery which was near to costing me my very life! Spitting water and gasping desperately for air as I swam through the seething rapids across the river, I suddenly realised that swimming with one Bee foot in the air was going to be my Kowmung - I'd never make the Stumpus Charcundus on the other side: Down, down, down I went; I spluttered and swallowed more water -I must have AIR! - Lights flashed before my eyes, green, yellow circles, spots and Dots --- My heart pounded and pumped --- This was IT -- This was the End. --- Blue flashes |
- | The coloured flashes had stopped, but my heart was still thudding and pounding as I lay with an arm around the rock sobbing in great gulps of pure air. Silence pervaded the river, and then gradually I | + | |
- | came to hear the chuckling of the water over the pebbles. Again I heard the buzzing of the flies. I looked at my sunburn and found that it had turned PURPLE --- a clear cut case for a new heart. | + | The coloured flashes had stopped, but my heart was still thudding and pounding as I lay with an arm around the rock sobbing in great gulps of pure air. Silence pervaded the river, and then gradually I came to hear the chuckling of the water over the pebbles. Again I heard the buzzing of the flies. I looked at my sunburn and found that it had turned PURPLE --- a clear cut case for a new heart. |
- | Looming dark and majestic, just a few feet above me on the bank, stood the Stumpus Charcundus. There before | + | |
- | 17. | + | Looming dark and majestic, just a few feet above me on the bank, stood the Stumpus Charcundus. There before |
- | years and years of research. There lay the answer to our theories. Now our knowledge of Bushwalkers of the Paleolithic | + | |
- | be extended. What were they like? How did they walk, and what did | + | Distantly, I heard the rumble of Thunder. The skies were clouding |
- | they think? | + | side of the river. I nearly died of fright as a bolt of lightning |
- | Distantly, I heard the rumble of Thunder. The skies were cloudinG, | + | and scrabbled up the river bank. The water dripped about my feet as I gazed, a little awe-struck, across at the Stumpus. More water dripped from my shoulders and then I realised that it was coming in big slow drops from the sky. Thunder rattled close-by, and I could hear boulders slithering down the hillside. The storm was very near. |
- | side of the river. I nearly died of fright as a bolt of Lightning | + | |
- | Still trembling from my exertions, I lurched out of the water | + | Looming darkly against its background, the Stumpus stood some 40 feet in front of me in a small clearing surrounded by gigantic boulders set back from the river-bank. Standing 9 axe-handles high, and some |
- | and scrabbled up the river bank. The water dripped about my feet as I gazed, a little awe-struck, across at the Stumpus. More water | + | 4 axe-handles in girth, the Stumpus looked like a burnt-out " |
- | dripped from my shoulders and then I realised that it was coming in big slow drops from the sky. Thunder rattled close-by, and I could hear boulders slithering down the hillside. The storm was very near. | + | |
- | Looming darkly against its background, the Stumpus stood some 40 feet in front of me in a small clearing surrounded by gigantic boulders set back from the river-bank. Standing 9 ax-handles high, and some | + | A hot sizzling flash engulfed the clearing, and I gulped hard. The Stumpus seemed to jump out at me. Momentarily I was stunned, and then I realised that the lightning had discharged itself beyond the Stumpus, and it's shadow had actually been thrown across my face. I stepped forward again, only to falter involuntarily when the earth trembled and rebounded to the roar of thunder as my foot touched the ground. A tree toppled over the hillside and a boulder crashed through the undergrowth then hurtled a few yards to one side of me into the river. I had a sense of something foreboding. I was half-minded to |
- | 4 axe-handles in girth, the Stumpus looked like a burnt-out " | + | |
- | Admiral. | + | |
- | A hot sizzling flash engulfed the clearing, and I gulped hard. The Stumpus seemed to jump out at me. Momentarily I was stunned, and then I realised that the lightning had discharged itself beyond the Stumpus, and it's shadow had actually been thrown across my face. I | + | |
- | stepped forward again, only to falter involuntarily when the earth trembled and rebounded to the roar of thunder as my foot touched the ground. A tree toppled over the hillside and a boulder crashed through the undergrowth then hurtled a few yards to one side of me into the | + | |
- | river. I had a sense of something foreboding. I was half-minded to | + | |
turn and race back to camp. The rain was pouring down in a deluge, icy cold and bringing one almost to a state of shivering. | turn and race back to camp. The rain was pouring down in a deluge, icy cold and bringing one almost to a state of shivering. | ||
- | My back hair started to tingle and I looked hastily over my | + | |
- | shoulder to see an eerie ball of fire floating towards me. A Fire-Ball | + | My back hair started to tingle and I looked hastily over my shoulder to see an eerie ball of fire floating towards me. A Fire-Ball charged with a million volts of electricity --- and it was coming straight at me: Frantically, |
- | charged with a million volts of electricity --- and it was | + | |
- | coming straight at me: Frantically, | + | Down, down, down I went, into a dark abyss. Jarringly I stopped, sprawled in a heap and completely winded. The earth roared and shook to the explosion of the Fire-Ball somewhere outside. The ear-drums felt as if they would burst at the horrifying crashes and explosions. The wild craziness outside the Stumpus wasn't exactly conducive to a peaceful recovery. The first stock-take of my surroundings told me that I was sprawled on soft sandy earth, with my chin resting beside a small rock. My hand explored the outline of the rock. It wasn't a rock --- it felt like a boot --- it was a boot! Lightning thundered outside and in a brief flash of light I caught a glimpse of a pair of boots. One boot had a long white shaft of bone in it. No Fibia. |
- | feet for the opening in the Stumpus Charcundus. Thunder roared unceasingly. The Fire-Ball was drifting fast, over and behind my right shoulder. With only three more feet to go, I dived desperately for | + | |
- | the dark opening of the Stunpus. | + | Profoundly shocked, and not just a little horrified, I quickly, very quickly rose to my hands and knees, and waited for the next flash of lighting. Sure enough, there was a pair of boots --- very old and with rust marks, where there may have been hobs. From one boot there protruded a long white bone. In a succession of lightning flashes, I dimly made out the interior of the Stumpus. Although my desperate dive had given me the impression that I had fallen a great distance to the floor, I found that the bottom of the opening was only four feet above me. Apprehensively, |
- | Down, down, down I went, into a dark abyss. Jarringly I stopped, sprawled in a heap and completely winded. The earth roared and shook to the explosion of the Fire-Ball somewhere outside. The ear-drums felt as if they would burst at the horrifying crashes and explosions. | + | |
- | The wild craziness outside the Stumpus wasn't exactly conducive | + | |
- | to a peaceful recovery. The first stock-take of my surroundings told | + | |
- | me that I was sprawled on soft sandy earth, with my chin resting beside a small rock. My hand explored the outline of the rock. | + | |
- | 18, | + | |
- | It wasn't a rock --- it felt like a boot --- it was a boott Lightning thundered outside and in a brief flash of light I caught a glimpse of a pair of boots. One boot had a long white shaft of bone in it. No FibiaL | + | |
- | Profoundly shocked, and not just a little horrified, I quickly, very quickly rose to my hands and knees, and waited for'the next flash of lighting. Sure enough, there was a pair of boots --- very old and with rust marks, where there may have been hobs. From one boot there protruded a long white bone. In a succession of lightning flashes, I dimly made out the interior of the Stumpus. Although my desperate dive had given me the impression that I had fallen a great distance to the floor, I found that the bottom of the opening was only four feet above me. Apprehensively, | + | |
I grasped a gnarled projection in the side of the opening through the Stumpus and started to climb out. Suddenly an enormous flash of lightning burst right outside. I dropped back to the floor. What to | I grasped a gnarled projection in the side of the opening through the Stumpus and started to climb out. Suddenly an enormous flash of lightning burst right outside. I dropped back to the floor. What to | ||
- | do? This was going to be nasty again. When outside I would be at the | + | do? This was going to be nasty again. When outside I would be at the full mercy of the elements, and it was now dark, The rain had stopped, if that was any consolation, |
- | full mercy of the elements, and it was now dark, The rain had stopped, if that was any consolation, | + | |
- | meant that the storm was still less than a fifth of a mile away. Standing there in the alternating flashes of night and day, my | + | |
- | hands rested on the shelf of earth leading out of the Stumpus. It was hard to decide. Would it be safe to make a run for it? | + | |
- | At something of a loss at what to do, my eye suddenly caught the | + | |
- | reflection of something white along the shelf to the left of my hand. Surprised, I reached out and grasped a roll of paper, a Papyrus, looking somewhat perforated, but nevertheless, | + | |
- | With mounting excitement I could make out figures and characters on the outside of the scroll, I looked closely as the lightning flashed, and then I let out a sharp yelp of paint That part of any | + | |
- | anatomy which invariably follows me wherever I go$ had just received | + | |
- | an appalling blow. I looked quickly ,behind and the Boots and the Bone were no longer lying in the Centre of the floor. | + | |
- | To my horror, they were standing stiffly to attention in the opposite corner of the Stumpus. Another roar of thunder; another | + | |
- | flash of lightning, and I quickly saw that more trouble was afoot. The Boot with the Bone was rising fast, and coming at MB with a deliberate | + | |
- | intent. Giving another inadvertent, | + | |
- | raced for the river-bank. Dazzled by lightning, I slipped and fell | + | |
- | headlong under a bush. No, no, no - the scroll, the manuscript. It must go back to the club; | + | At something of a loss at what to do, my eye suddenly caught the reflection of something white along the shelf to the left of my hand. Surprised, I reached out and grasped a roll of paper, a Papyrus, looking somewhat perforated, but nevertheless, |
- | Warily my footsteps retraced themselves back to the Stumpus. | + | |
- | How could one possibly get back inside to recover the scroll? Lightning flashed again; followed by a grunt of relief --- there was the scroll on the ground just two feet In front of the opening, | + | With mounting excitement I could make out figures and characters on the outside of the scroll, I looked closely as the lightning flashed, and then I let out a sharp yelp of pain. That part of any anatomy which invariably follows me wherever I go had just received an appalling blow. I looked quickly behind and the Boots and the Bone were no longer lying in the Centre of the floor. |
- | Lightning sizzled across the black void of the river. Keeping my head down, I glimpsed a clear way to the river-bank. Crash: -- - Another boulder tumbled and shattered its way over the hillside. Quickly, I shuffled across and then down to the water' | + | |
+ | To my horror, they were standing stiffly to attention in the opposite corner of the Stumpus. Another roar of thunder; another flash of lightning, and I quickly saw that more trouble was afoot. The Boot with the Bone was rising fast, and coming at me with a deliberate intent. Giving another inadvertent, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Warily my footsteps retraced themselves back to the Stumpus. How could one possibly get back inside to recover the scroll? Lightning flashed again; followed by a grunt of relief --- there was the scroll on the ground just two feet in front of the opening, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Lightning sizzled across the black void of the river. Keeping my head down, I glimpsed a clear way to the river-bank. Crash. Another boulder tumbled and shattered its way over the hillside. Quickly, I shuffled across and then down to the water' | ||
I looked back over my shoulder to the Stumpus. Oh, NO The Stumpus was all aglow. It was luminescing all round. Every detail of it was standing out in a faint blue glow, whilst a fiery red light seemed to be coming from the entrance to the Stumpus. I must get away quickly. | I looked back over my shoulder to the Stumpus. Oh, NO The Stumpus was all aglow. It was luminescing all round. Every detail of it was standing out in a faint blue glow, whilst a fiery red light seemed to be coming from the entrance to the Stumpus. I must get away quickly. | ||
- | Standing there in the water' | + | |
- | My hat was sti:1 somewhere on the floor of the Stumpus. How the devil was I going to keep the Manuscript dry if I had to swim across? I looked back at the Stumpus --- the blue glow seemed to be flickering up and down, on and off, and getting brighter every time it came on | + | Standing there in the water' |
- | Edging the way upstream a little, I held the manuscript clear of | + | |
- | the surging waters. Something brushed past my face --- inspiration | + | My hat was still somewhere on the floor of the Stumpus. How the devil was I going to keep the Manuscript dry if I had to swim across? I looked back at the Stumpus --- the blue glow seemed to be flickering up and down, on and off, and getting brighter every time it came on. |
- | --- and I grabbed a branch of the offending tree. With a bit of effort, | + | |
- | a stick broke off. Pushing it through the roll of the manuscript, I | + | Edging the way upstream a little, I held the manuscript clear of the surging waters. Something brushed past my face --- inspiration --- and I grabbed a branch of the offending tree. With a bit of effort, |
- | had an effective carrier --- provided I could hold it in my teeth, and keep my head above water. | + | a stick broke off. Pushing it through the roll of the manuscript, I had an effective carrier --- provided I could hold it in my teeth, and keep my head above water. |
- | A blueish-black-light (Ultra-violet) seemed to be forming into a | + | |
- | vapour around the Stumpus. I could delay no longer. Reaching forward | + | A blueish-black-light (Ultra-violet) seemed to be forming into a vapour around the Stumpus. I could delay no longer. Reaching forward into the dark waters, I started out with the strongest breast-stroke I |
- | into the dark waters, I started out with the strongest breast-stroke I | + | |
could muster. The Manuscript was only a few inches above the surface. | could muster. The Manuscript was only a few inches above the surface. | ||
- | (Will the precious Manuscript be carried safely across the river? That | + | |
- | stupendous information is hidden in its weird characters? What is the | + | (Will the precious Manuscript be carried safely across the river? That stupendous information is hidden in its weird characters? What is the eerie secret of the Stumpus Charcundus and its ancient inmate? What |
- | 0 eerie secret of the Stumpus Charcundus and its ancient inmate? What | + | has happened to the Stumpus since its sacred precincts have been violated? You can't afford to miss the answers to these challenging and exciting questions. Be sure of your next month' |
- | has happened to the Stumpus since its sacred precincts have been viol- | + | |
- | ated? You can't afford to miss the answers to these challenging and exciting questions. Be sure of your next month' | + | |
gripping instalment -- Ed.) | gripping instalment -- Ed.) | ||
Line 466: | Line 381: | ||
Brian Anderson, | Brian Anderson, | ||
Walks Secretary. | Walks Secretary. | ||
- | The Club's walking activities began well this month when three trips-onthe | + | |
- | I'm sure any trip led by the Dalai Lama could not run smoothly | + | The Club's walking activities began well this month when three trips on the first weekend enticed thirty walkers to go " |
The Saturday walk prospectives Neville Picton and David Bennett joined Keith Renwick on his walk from Faulconbridge to Richmond. Keith reported they were fortunate enough to leave the Grose near an Orange | The Saturday walk prospectives Neville Picton and David Bennett joined Keith Renwick on his walk from Faulconbridge to Richmond. Keith reported they were fortunate enough to leave the Grose near an Orange | ||
orchard where the Orchardist gave them laods of oranges, Umra - Well that's his story and he's sticking to it. | orchard where the Orchardist gave them laods of oranges, Umra - Well that's his story and he's sticking to it. | ||
Line 485: | Line 401: | ||
Pidgeon House and the Castle with the result they were unable to find them on the Monday. As stated before the trip seemed a little incoherent. | Pidgeon House and the Castle with the result they were unable to find them on the Monday. As stated before the trip seemed a little incoherent. | ||
The next weekend although there were two Saturday morning walks, only one started, David Brown' | The next weekend although there were two Saturday morning walks, only one started, David Brown' | ||
- | 21. | + | |
- | due to 1, | + | due to a lack of starters. The other walk went as planned, Joan Walker being aCcbiTlpanied by 4 members and one prospective. An interesting exploration of the lower 'part of ' |
- | Two memberS | + | |
+ | Two members | ||
During the last weekend of June only two walks started, the Sat, | During the last weekend of June only two walks started, the Sat, | ||
trip being called off due to lack of starters. The Friday night walk | trip being called off due to lack of starters. The Friday night walk |
195708.txt · Last modified: 2016/05/02 07:48 by kennettj