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--- 193306 [2014/03/13 21:50] – caroryan_me.com
+++ 193306 [2014/03/15 23:18] – caroryan_me.com
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 You have asked me for some impressions of Barrington Tops. Well, the "Tops" in themselves form a very small part of the allurement which takes us so often to that district.
-I think it is the absolute change from the rugged and hostile country in the Kowmung-Kanangra district to the soft rolling hills of the Allyn and Paterson Rivers and the fairy-like charm of the jungles or 'brush' to use the local term. And from the Mountain tops, to look down upon the rivers, threading like ribbons through a broader green band, that is seen in contrast to the uncleared 'green timber,' is to feel a sort of restful assurance that
-one is welcome, the countryside as well as it’s people seems to open it’s arms and breathe a soothing welcome.
+I think it is the absolute change from the rugged and hostile country in the Kowmung-Kanangra district to the soft rolling hills of the Allyn and Paterson Rivers and the fairy-like charm of the jungles or 'brush' to use the local term. And from the Mountain tops, to look down upon the rivers, threading like ribbons through a broader green band, that is seen in contrast to the uncleared 'green timber,' is to feel a sort of restful assurance that one is welcome, the countryside as well as it’s people seems to open it’s arms and breathe a soothing welcome.
 In contrast to these impressions, I will tell you of the trip which Anice Duncan and I made to the Tops one September.
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 They told us of a party of boys who had preceded us by some days and who had very bad equipment and rations which seemed to be mainly loaves of bread in sugar bags. Their shelter was a tent fly, and as the night before our arrival had been a bad one, there was some anxiety as to the boy’s safety. There had been a heavy fall of snow on the tops and we could see it shining in the sunlight.
-I had promised Ernie that I would take Dick's advice upon the advisability of our crossing the tops. This is, of course, regarding the weather. There come sometimes fogs that are very dense, and consequently very dangerous to travelers. However, this gentleman has a very high opinion of my capabilities in the bush, (unfounded as you will see later) and after many instructions about what to do in all sorts of emergencies, we set out on Sunday morning at about 9 o’olock. One way led us through several miles of brush and over two crossings. The brush was just beautiful with sunlight glinting down through the trees and ferns. It is best to travel through these places without a hat as the brim hides the beauty of the tall trees, most of them potential telegraph poles draped and garlanded with Bird's Nest ferns, orchids, staghorns and creeping ferns and lichens too numerous to be comprehended in passing. Intermingled with these are trees with berries of all colours, and the large, soft, treacherous leaves of the stinging tree, while the ground is strewn with fallen lags covered with mosses and all kinds of ferns struggling up between them, the track is a path of fallen leaves. The Brush always reminds me of a pantomime stage set of Fairyland. There is not much life in the brush, occasional lyrebirds, a few small birds, pigeons etc., and an odd Brush Turkey.	Arrived at the second crossing we sat for a while in the sunshine and admired the vines, ferns, orchids etc., swinging over the river
+I had promised Ernie that I would take Dick's advice upon the advisability of our crossing the tops. This is, of course, regarding the weather. There come sometimes fogs that are very dense, and consequently very dangerous to travelers. However, this gentleman has a very high opinion of my capabilities in the bush, (unfounded as you will see later) and after many instructions about what to do in all sorts of emergencies, we set out on Sunday morning at about 9 o’olock. One way led us through several miles of brush and over two crossings. The brush was just beautiful with sunlight glinting down through the trees and ferns.
-from the trees. Our track now led straight up out of the brush and we climbed for the rest of the day through groves of treeferns and sometimes just ordinary climbing with an occasional pass on the side of the mountain with beautiful moss covered rocks to give us an excuse to stop and rest our weary backs. I will mention here that my pack was in the vicinity of 48 lbs (21.7kgs). Anice, who is not so strong as I, had something under that.
+It is best to travel through these places without a hat as the brim hides the beauty of the tall trees, most of them potential telegraph poles draped and garlanded with Bird's Nest ferns, orchids, staghorns and creeping ferns and lichens too numerous to be comprehended in passing. Intermingled with these are trees with berries of all colours, and the large, soft, treacherous leaves of the stinging tree, while the ground is strewn with fallen lags covered with mosses and all kinds of ferns struggling up between them, the track is a path of fallen leaves. The Brush always reminds me of a pantomime stage set of Fairyland. There is not much life in the brush, occasional lyrebirds, a few small birds, pigeons etc., and an odd Brush Turkey.\\
+Arrived at the second crossing we sat for a while in the sunshine and admired the vines, ferns, orchids etc., swinging over the river from the trees. Our track now led straight up out of the brush and we climbed for the rest of the day through groves of treeferns and sometimes just ordinary climbing with an occasional pass on the side of the mountain with beautiful moss covered rocks to give us an excuse to stop and rest our weary backs. I will mention here that my pack was in the vicinity of 48 lbs (21.7kgs). Anice, who is not so strong as I, had something under that.
 Having come to the point where our track meets the Williams River and Dungog track, we grasped an opportunity for a rest while I told of my first trip with Ernie, when we had our lunch at this spot sitting on our haunches in the dense mist and heavy rain. On that occasion we went no further but returned to Sydney via the Williams to Dungog in pouring rain for two days and lucky to miss one of their greatest floods.
@@ Line 47: / Line 50: @@
 The track to Stewarts Brook goes off to the left up stream. There is a small waterfall about 200 yds. upstream. On through uninteresting undulations to Mount Barrington, whence there is a beautiful vista of hills and valleys. There is a Trig Station here. We were unfortunate on this occasion as all the valleys were filled with mist and we could see nothing.
-The track from here goes steeply down to the North Arm of Stewarts Brook. It became hard at times to know if we were on the right spur owing to the mist and at times the track fades out entirely. I don't remember this descent very clearly, my head was so terrible. Eventually we arrived, at a deserted house used by stockmen occasionally. We had lunch there and after some good hot tea with lemon and more A.P.C. I felt greatly recovered. We still had a long descent to make to the Brook and finally we were down and we met a man who remembered Mouldy, Ernie and me from our previous trip. He was trapping rabbits and had been in the district for nearly twelve months.	We were charmed with the river
-and the soft gentleness of the different trees and the birds. Everything seemed fluffy and twittering and was a relief from the hard brightness of the tops in the snow. It is terribly steep from Mt Barrington to Stewarts Brook and you will notice it only took us a few hours to come down and it had taken two days to go up the other side,
+The track from here goes steeply down to the North Arm of Stewarts Brook. It became hard at times to know if we were on the right spur owing to the mist and at times the track fades out entirely. I don't remember this descent very clearly, my head was so terrible. Eventually we arrived, at a deserted house used by stockmen occasionally. We had lunch there and after some good hot tea with lemon and more A.P.C. I felt greatly recovered. We still had a long descent to make to the Brook and finally we were down and we met a man who remembered Mouldy, Ernie and me from our previous trip. He was trapping rabbits and had been in the district for nearly twelve months.	We were charmed with the river and the soft gentleness of the different trees and the birds. Everything seemed fluffy and twittering and was a relief from the hard brightness of the tops in the snow. It is terribly steep from Mt Barrington to Stewarts Brook and you will notice it only took us a few hours to come down and it had taken two days to go up the other side,
 (Further adventures; next issue.)
@@ Line 55: / Line 58: @@
 =====REFLECTIONS=====
-The sunlight casts o'er mountain peak
+The sunlight casts o'er mountain peak\\
-A haze of shimmering blue;
+A haze of shimmering blue;\\
-Through mighty gorge by hidden creek
+Through mighty gorge by hidden creek\\
-A winding path pursue.
+A winding path pursue.\\
-The river bubbles on its bed,
-Its rippling waters gleam;
+The river bubbles on its bed,\\
-All that my pen has left unsaid
+Its rippling waters gleam;\\
-My soul reflects in dream.
+All that my pen has left unsaid\\
+My soul reflects in dream.\\
 T.W.
@@ Line 68: / Line 72: @@
 =====WIFF’S GOLD FOSSICKING STUNT=====
-All plans set in my head, no compass or maps, I set off with two good pack carriers - Les Hadfield and Alex Ritchie. for Katoomba, with over 60 lbs each including a heavyweight pick, shovel and dish. We arrived at Katoomba at 11 o'clock Thursday night and set off for the usual camping ground and over the first Narrow Neck. I started off with a bad back, but had to forget it as there are no Chemists' shops out that way. Up early and reduced our weight a couple of lbs. I mean the packs. We set our course for Glen Raphael and arrived in time for dinner. We counted 42 Hikers going over Clear Hill, so the hill will soon be worn away. A solitary tent was there and I knew it belonged to the Duke of Clear Hill as everything was square. He was out. After dinner I took my pals over to the edge and explained the country, told them what to do if they got lost and also told them where the gold was and all they had to do was to go back to camp and peel of their clothes and lay on the ground sheet in the sun and dream about all the gold that was in the Mountains. Just on dusk the Duke arrived with all his clothes in his pack and only his boots on. Informal greetings were exchanged and he told me that a certain Bushwalker was annoyed because he was making the bush safe for the Hikers. I wonder who sold this Pommy our bush so he could have it for himself. I think it a splendid action of the Duke to consider other people and let them enjoy the pleasures of his domain. We set off on Good Saturday morning over Clear Hill and down the Duke's ladders (Taros Ladders) and along the ridge until we got thirsty, so we headed down to Carlons Crossing at Breakfast Creek. As it was too cold on top we decided to have our first wash here and brought out the soap and had a good clean up, dinner and another sunbake and dream till tea time. Next day Good Sunday we decided to collect some of the gold instead of going to church although
+All plans set in my head, no compass or maps, I set off with two good pack carriers - Les Hadfield and Alex Ritchie for Katoomba, with over 60 lbs each including a heavyweight pick, shovel and dish.\\
-we heard the bell-birds ringing. We washed here and there along the creek, chased a rabbit, fell over and took a chip out of my knee, and then decided it was dinner time. Alec had a ready cooked fowl which we soon made a mess of and told him he ought to have brought two instead of one. Les shot two cockies for tea. I put them on at once to stew as they looked about 100 years old. I was right, they turned out tougher than my crepe soles. So we never interfered with Cocky anymore, only when we were asleep he troubled us after a heavy tea. We decided there was no gold there and packed up on Good Monday and made tracks for the back of Mt. Mouin. Very rough and poor camp sites. We camped on a ridge with a small waterhole in the creek. Tuesday we explored the creek down for about a mile before we struck water and had dinner, then tried our hand with the dish. I had a powerful magnifying glass but could not see any colour. Back to camp and set off in the morning for Mt. Merrigal; we did not like the look of him and went off down a creek to try and get to Breakfast Creek; first water we camped. You know I have a weakness for water so can't go past any. Les and Alec explored the creeks around and said it was too rough to take our packs dawn. I cooked them a full course tea. In the morning set off to find a way dawn and had to climb over some very rough country. I never blazed any trees as I did not know when I was going to get lost and did not want other Bushwalkers to follow me. After 2 hours, hard going we slipped down between two creeks, first water of course I camped. Usual sunbake and exploration and washing for gold and ourselves took up the afternoon. We saw 6 Wallabies and shut our eyes when a flock of Cockies went past - no more cocky-stew. Next morning we arrived in Breakfast Creek, not far from Carlons. Washed a few dishes but no result, dined and made tracks down the creek to a well-known camping ground. We had to stuff the food away as it did not appear to be getting lighter quickly enough. I had overstocked in the hope of getting lost, but no such luck in that part. There are too many landmarks, you can't dodge them. Saturday being the end of the week we decided to wash ourselves instead of washing dirt. I had my bath and
-dry when Alec asked me to get back in the water to take my photo. It was a bit too much, you know the temperature of Breakfast Creek at this time of the year. I obliged and got rheumatics. Sunday we went in to the Coxs and found our first gold under that part of the mountains named after me - Knight's Deck. So I told them to stop digging there as the deck might fall in. We left the gold there and made for Harrys River (Jenolan River), explored two miles of it and found our second speck. It was getting near tea time, so we knocked off and set back to camp. Over-eating made me call off food for two meals and I don't want to see any rice and bacon until next camp I go on. Our mission of locating gold carried out, Monday we set off upstream until we got bushed at the junction of Little River. A very annoyed chap came along and told us we had no right on his private property and did we see the notice "Trespassers prosecuted”? We used psychology and told him we were lost and could he put us right. He told us we could camp there, but we decided to push on to Jenolan Crossing, and I think it was a bit off when we are prevented from walking along the best scenic River in the State. Rabbits by the hundreds here, shot two for a stew. Another bath in the morning and the razor was got to work on two weeks' growth. It looked 85 before I took it off and did not want to go home a grandfather. Next experience I got when I left the Church in Megalong. I got lost and found myself going out to Carlon’s again. I cut across the paddocks for about a mile before we struck the road to the old Pub site. We came up Nellies Glen in the morning and home to Sydney. I have earned more gold in day in Sydney than I would make in the Mountains in a year. So ends my first gold hunt.
+We arrived at Katoomba at 11 o'clock Thursday night and set off for the usual camping ground and over the first Narrow Neck. I started off with a bad back, but had to forget it as there are no Chemists' shops out that way.\\
+Up early and reduced our weight a couple of lbs. I mean the packs. We set our course for Glen Raphael and arrived in time for dinner.\\
+We counted 42 Hikers going over Clear Hill, so the hill will soon be worn away. A solitary tent was there and I knew it belonged to the Duke of Clear Hill as everything was square. He was out.\\
+After dinner I took my pals over to the edge and explained the country, told them what to do if they got lost and also told them where the gold was and all they had to do was to go back to camp and peel of their clothes and lay on the ground sheet in the sun and dream about all the gold that was in the Mountains.\\
+Just on dusk the Duke arrived with all his clothes in his pack and only his boots on. Informal greetings were exchanged and he told me that a certain Bushwalker was annoyed because he was making the bush safe for the Hikers. I wonder who sold this Pommy our bush so he could have it for himself. I think it a splendid action of the Duke to consider other people and let them enjoy the pleasures of his domain.\\
+We set off on Good Saturday morning over Clear Hill and down the Duke's ladders (Tarros Ladders) and along the ridge until we got thirsty, so we headed down to Carlons Crossing at Breakfast Creek. As it was too cold on top we decided to have our first wash here and brought out the soap and had a good clean up, dinner and another sunbake and dream till tea time.\\
+Next day, Good Sunday, we decided to collect some of the gold instead of going to church although we heard the bell-birds ringing. We washed here and there along the creek, chased a rabbit, fell over and took a chip out of my knee, and then decided it was dinner time. Alec had a ready cooked fowl which we soon made a mess of and told him he ought to have brought two instead of one. Les shot two cockies for tea. I put them on at once to stew as they looked about 100 years old. I was right, they turned out tougher than my crepe soles. So we never interfered with Cocky anymore, only when we were asleep he troubled us after a heavy tea.\\
+We decided there was no gold there and packed up on Good Monday and made tracks for the back of Mt. Mouin. Very rough and poor camp sites. We camped on a ridge with a small waterhole in the creek. Tuesday we explored the creek down for about a mile before we struck water and had dinner, then tried our hand with the dish. I had a powerful magnifying glass but could not see any colour. Back to camp and set off in the morning for Mt. Merrigal; we did not like the look of him and went off down a creek to try and get to Breakfast Creek; first water we camped.\\
+You know I have a weakness for water so can't go past any. Les and Alec explored the creeks around and said it was too rough to take our packs dawn. I cooked them a full course tea. In the morning set off to find a way dawn and had to climb over some very rough country.\\
+I never blazed any trees as I did not know when I was going to get lost and did not want other Bushwalkers to follow me. After 2 hours hard going we slipped down between two creeks, first water of course I camped. Usual sunbake and exploration and washing for gold and ourselves took up the afternoon. We saw 6 Wallabies and shut our eyes when a flock of Cockies went past - no more cocky-stew.\\
+Next morning we arrived in Breakfast Creek, not far from Carlons. Washed a few dishes but no result, dined and made tracks down the creek to a well-known camping ground. We had to stuff the food away as it did not appear to be getting lighter quickly enough. I had overstocked in the hope of getting lost, but no such luck in that part. There are too many landmarks, you can't dodge them. Saturday being the end of the week we decided to wash ourselves instead of washing dirt.\\
+I had my bath and was dry when Alec asked me to get back in the water to take my photo. It was a bit too much, you know the temperature of Breakfast Creek at this time of the year. I obliged and got rheumatics.\\
+Sunday we went in to the Coxs and found our first gold under that part of the mountains named after me - Knight's Deck. So I told them to stop digging there as the deck might fall in. We left the gold there and made for Harrys River (Jenolan River), explored two miles of it and found our second speck. It was getting near tea time, so we knocked off and set back to camp.\\
+Over-eating made me call off food for two meals and I don't want to see any rice and bacon until next camp I go on. Our mission of locating gold carried out, Monday we set off upstream until we got bushed at the junction of Little River. A very annoyed chap came along and told us we had no right on his private property and did we see the notice "Trespassers prosecuted”? We used psychology and told him we were lost and could he put us right. He told us we could camp there, but we decided to push on to Jenolan Crossing, and I think it was a bit off when we are prevented from walking along the best scenic River in the State.\\
+Rabbits by the hundreds here, shot two for a stew. Another bath in the morning and the razor was got to work on two weeks' growth. I looked 85 before I took it off and did not want to go home a grandfather. Next experience I got when I left the Church in Megalong. I got lost and found myself going out to Carlon’s again. I cut across the paddocks for about a mile before we struck the road to the old Pub site. We came up Nellies Glen in the morning and home to Sydney. I have earned more gold in day in Sydney than I would make in the Mountains in a year. So ends my first gold hunt.
 =====THE CARILLON=====
-"May is here," came the message,
+"May is here," came the message,\\
-Wafted from the mountain dells,
+Wafted from the mountain dells,\\
-"Sunlit days to cheer your passage,
+"Sunlit days to cheer your passage,\\
-It is time you came, Hell's Belles."
+It is time you came, Hell's Belles."\\
+So those five maids in the city,\\
+Heard the message, loud and clear,\\
+Hoisted packs, and sang this ditty,\\
+"We are coming, mountains dear."\\
+"Soon we’ll walk along your bush tracks,\\
+Climb your rock mountain peaks,\\
+Scramble down through gorge and rock cracks,\\
+Bathe in your dear crystal creeks."\\
+"By the camp fire, laze each evening,\\
+Listening to the night birds call;\\
+Countless stars above us gleaming,\\
+'Tis the life that will not pall."\\
+W.B.L.\\
+There was a young lady named Fannie\\
+Whose ways were most uncanny;\\
+She went down the Grose\\
+And injured her toes,\\
+And now she walks like a grannie.\\
+Ken Matthews.\\
+======MITTAGONG WOLLONDILLY RIVER WARRAGAMBA PENRITH======
+ ====EASTER 1929====
+This was a very early trip in the annals of the Club; a very good one, with much excitement. The party entrained on Thursday afternoon for Mittagong and a dark camp was struck on the border of the Municipality. We were escorted there, together with another Club party, which was going down the Upper Nattai, by the Town Clerk of Mittagong, who saw us safely encamped and then departed.\\
+The first night: Very unpleasant, waterymoon, light showers, cold wind, no fire. It might be worth mentioning that camping was not as luxurious as it is these days. Eiderdowns were unheard of, ruck sacks had just made their appearance, Billy hooks were still fencing wire, and consequently space was at a premium and luxuries few. The morning ushered in a beautiful day and the party clambered aboard a motor lorry which conveyed them 8 miles to Burragorang Lookout. This is a very good lookout. The valley lies at ones feet and unfolds itself into the distance to be arrested by the walls of Kings Tableland.\\
+Our first job was to identify the immediate foreground with the parish map in our leader's hands. After everybody had expressed his views, which disagreed with everybody else's, we decided to step into the picture by going over the edge, down a very steep mountain side into the valley. We reached the bottom with very wobbly knees and would recommend others to look for a sheep track 1 mile further back, the knowledge of which we obtained from a shepherd whom we met some hours later while wandering around foothills looking for a way to the Wollondilly River.\\
+We reached the river shortly after lunch when the pleasure of our trip commenced. After a mile of rock hopping the river banks widened out and cattle tracks made the going pleasant. The end of the first day found us at Burnt Flat Creek, which is a good camp site abounding in rabbits and covered in thick grass which makes good beds.\\
+The second day found us following the Wollondilly which is an extremely beautiful river and the going was good. Towards evening, we came to signs of civilization, a woolshed about 5 miles from the Yerranderie Road. Then we came to an apiary which was to be the site of the then President, Jack Debert's, farm. We finished the day at the Wollondilly Hotel and camped on the river flats close by.\\
+The third morning was heralded with a dense fog. Owing to the ravages of blisters it was necessary to leave three of the party behind. This day was really most interesting. Our way led from the Upper Burragorang to the lower, through country known, but still beautiful, on hard roads, the saving feature of the day being a meal of stewed quinces and cream obtained by various means from farms passed en route. \\
+The fourth day found us early on the track down the famous Warragamba Gorge which hitherto had been described as impossible. We hugged the Western bank and fought gamely for some hours with all that nature could provide in the form of obstacles. To add to our discomfort we were hunting three steers, in a dubious state of health, which kept about three yards ahead of us all the way.\\
+Monkey Creek was reached about 11 a.m. after a very hard struggle. Here we were to cross the river and follow the track into Silverdale, but owing to the amount of water in the river, it was impossible to cross. Many methods were tried. We used every ounce of ingenuity and took many risks but still the river won. When all seemed lost a canoe was discovered high up a tree where some flood had deposited it. When it was finally landed it was full of holes and consequently useless; we were back where we started until someone thought of the brilliant idea of placing the canoe in the tent. It worked.\\
+The remaining part of the trip was tragedy, caused by lost time & tiredness. We missed the last car from Silverdale, caught the last train from Penrith and finally got home. It was a wonderful trip and one in which we were well pleased and satisfied.\\
+//PEDO.//
+=====LITERARY EXPLORATIONS=====
+Now that the cool weather has set in, most people on long trips will spend more time climbing hills than bathing in our mountain streams, so I think the following verses, which express so well what we have all felt on conquering a height, are most appropriate to the present season.
+//Brenda White.//
+====HILLS====
+I never loved your plains,\\
+Your gentle valleys,\\
+Your drowsy, country lanes\\
+And pleached alleys.\\
-So those five maids in the city,
+I want my hills! - the trail\\
-Heard the message, loud and clear,
+That scorns the hollow.\\
-Hoisted packs, and sang this ditty,
+Up, up the ragged shale\\
-"We are coming, mountains dear."
+Where few will follow.\\
-"Soon we’ll walk along your bush tracks,
+Up - over wooded crest\\
-Climb your rock mountain peaks,
+And mossy boulder\\
-Scramble down through gorge and rock cracks,
+With strong thigh, heaving chest\\
-Bathe in your dear crystal creeks."
+And swinging shoulder.\\
-"By the camp fire, laze each evening,
+So let me hold my way\\
-Listening to the night birds call;
+By nothing halted,\\
-Countless stars above us gleaming,
+Until at close of day\\
-'Tis the life that will not pall."
+I stand, exalted.\\
-W.B.L.
+High on my hills of dream -\\
+Dear hills that know me\\
+And then how fair will seem\\
+The lands below me.\\
+How pure, at vesper-time,\\
+The far bells chiming\\
+God gave me hills to climb\\
+And strength for climbing.\\
+//Arthur Guiterman.//\\
-There was a young lady named Fannie
+**HAVE YOU HEARD** of the enthusiast who, rather than miss the train for a walk on a recent Sunday, did a thing that, as far as we know, has not been done before in the annals of the Club, even by those who do things that are "not done"? This young man left home in a swanky Northern Suburb, attired only in shirt, shorts, and bedroom slippers!\\
-Whose ways were most uncanny;
-She went down the Grose
-And injured her toes,
-And now she walks like a grannie.
-Ken Matthews.
+OR\\
-M:_TTP-GONG WOLMNDILLY RIVER WARRAGAMBA PENRITH. EASTER 1929. .
+of the other young man who went out in the dark to chop wood and marvelled at the bluntness of the axe? It’s owner found it next morning with its leather sheath chopped through!\\
-_
-This was a very early trip in the annals of. the Club; a very good one, with Much excitement The party elltrained on Thursday afternoon for Mittagong and a dark camp was struck an the border of the Municipality We were escorted there, together with another Club party, which was going down the Upper Nattai, by the Town Clerk of Mittagang, who saw us safely emmmped and then departed.
-The first night: Very unpleasant, waterymoon, light &Lowers, cold wind, no flre. It might be worth mentioning that camping was not as luxurious as it is these days. Eiderdowns were unheard of, ruck sacks had just made their appearance, Billy hooks were still fencing wire, and consequently space was at a premium and luxuries few The morning ushered in a beautiful day and the party clambered aboard a motor lorry which conveyed them 8 miles to Burragorang Lookout. This is a very good lookout. The valley lies at ones feet and unfolds itself into the distance to be arrested by the walls of King's Tableland,,
-Our first job was to identify the 'Immediate foreground with the parish map in our leader's hands After everybody had expressed his views, which disagreed with everybody else's, we decided to step into the picture by going over the edge, down a very steep mountain side into the valley. We reached the bottom with very wobbly knees- and would recommend others to look for a sheep track 1- mile further back, the knowledge of which we Obtained from a shepherd whom we met some hours later while wandering around foothills looking for a way to the Wollondilly River.
-We reached the river shortly after lunch when the pleasure of our trip commenced. After a mile of rock hopping the river banks widened out and cattle tracks made the going pleasant. The end of the first day found us at Burnt Flat Creek, which is a good camp site abounding in rabbits and covered in thick grass which makes good beds.	The second day found us following the Wollondilly which is an extremely beautiful river and the going was good. Towards evening, we care to signs of civilization, a woolshed about 5 miles from the Yerranderie Road. Then we 08210B to an apiary which was to be the site of the then President, Jack Debert's, farm. We finished the day at the Wollondilly Hotel and camped on the river flats
-close by.	The third morning was heralded with a dense fpg. awing to the ravages of blisters it was necessary tc leave three of the party behind. This day
-was really most interesting.	Our way led from the Upper Burragorang to the lower, through country known, but still beautiful, on hard roads, the saving feature of the day being a meal of stewed quinces and cream obtained by various means from farms passed en route. The fourth day found us early on the track down the famous Warragamba Gorge which hitherto had been described as impossible. We hugged the Western bank and fought gamely for some hours with all that nature could provide in
-the form of obstacles-.	To add to our discomfort we were hunting three steers, in a dubious state of health, which kept about three yards ahead of us all the way.
-Monkey Creek was reached about 11 a.m. after a very hard struggle. Here we were to cross the river and follow the track into Silverdale, but awing to the amount of water in the river, it was impossible to cross. Many methods were triedi We used every ounce of ingenuity and took many risks but still the river won.. Whet all seemed lost a canoe was discovered high up a tree where some flood had depositec it. When it was finally landed it was full of holes and consequently useless; we were back where we started until someone thought of the brilliant idea of placing the canoe in the tent. It worked The remaining part of the trip was tragedy, caused by lost time & tiredness. We missed the last car from Silverdale, caught till last train from Penrith and finally got home. It was a wonderful trip and one in which we were well pleased and satisfied.	PEDO.
-LITERARY EXPLORATIONS.
-Now that the cool weather has set in, most people on long trips will spend more time climbing hills than bathing in our mountain streams, so I think the following verses, which express so well what we have all felt on conquering a
-height, are most appropriate to the present season.	Brenda White.
-I never loved your plains, Your gentle valleys,
-Your drowsy, country lanes And pleached alleys.
-I want my hills! - the trail That scorns the hollow. Up, up the ragged shale Where few will follow.
-Up - over wooded crest And. mossy boulder
-With strong thigh, heaving chest And swinging shoulder. So let me hold. my way
-By nothing halted,
-Until at close of day
-I stand, exalted
-High on my hills of dream - Dear hills that know meI And then how fair will seem The lands below me.
-How pure, at vesper-time, The far bells ohimingl
-God gave me hills to climb And strength for climbing.
-Arthur Guiterman.
-H E
-	A R
-HAVE	U	D	of the enthusiast who, rather than miss the
-train for a walk on a recent Sunday, did a thing that, as far as we know, has not been done before in the annals of the Club, even by those who do things that are "not done"? This young man left home in a swanky Northern Suburb, attired only in shirt, shorts, and bedroom slippers!
-R
-of the other young man who went out in the dark to chop wood and marvelled at the
+======KATOOMBA CLEAR HILL COX RIVER KEDUMBA WENTWORTH FALLS======
-	bluntness of the axe?	Its owner found it next morning with its leather sheath chopped throught
+=====OUR EASTER TRIP=====\\
-- 10 -
+//By One of the Trippers.//
-KATOOMBA - CLEAR HILL - COX RIVER - KEDDMEA -WENTWORTH FALLS.
-OUR EASTER TRIP.	By One of the Trippers.
 The trip may be said to have commenced with the journey from Sydney to Katoomba in a painfully overcrowded train - so much so, in fact, that when the passengers were piled on top of each other three deep (believe it or not), there was still no room for all their luggage, despite the generous facilities provided by the Government in the shape of about a dozen luggage racks quite 15" long. The train conductor had nothing but scorn for those sarcastic individuals who maintained that fifty or sixty suit cases could not be placed thereon, and, to show what he thought of the capacity of a carriage, even went so far as to order all the ladies inside off the train platform, under penalty of being put off.	Three of our party of eight responded to this edict, and travelled warmly in the carriage - the other five travelled incognito (a Latin term meaning "out in the cold").
 There are several interesting tales we could tell, if we chose, regarding that train trip. Have you heard the one about the commercial traveller and that Aythological lady, Delilah? No? Well, no wonder. The lady in question perhaps prefers to keep that to herself; but we might say in passing that we are happy to see the spirit of chivalry is not dead. And then there is the one about the poor little lad who was cruelly out off from his party, travelling in an earlier train, by a relentless guard who held that the train was overcrowded. We invited him to join our party, which he did, and sat, a dejected little figure, among the cinders an the train platform, with a piteous look on his face. Thinking he was beseeching coppers a kindly fellow-sufferer threw him a penny. It is worthy of note that he Ooorned this charity. And there was the lady who slept in a vacant apace of two Square feet in the carriage doorway, so that anyone who essayed to pass through had to step over her recumbent frame. One damsel who tried to pass through caused oomplications by becoming wedged in said space, thereby causing the unfortunate viotim all the horrors of partial asphyxiation. For the benefit of posterity the said victim aforesaid wishes to plaae an record the fact that asphyxiation is not an experience to be desired. We could also tell the tale of the three men Who dashed off the train at every stopping place and raved up and dawn the platform in an endeavour to bring back the warmth of life to their chilled anatomy. AS I have said, I could tell detailed stories under these headings, but space will not permit of this. Suffice to say that WE GOT THERE.