193312
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193312 [2016/11/25 10:30] – vivien | 193312 [2016/12/06 09:15] – [Delilah Meanders] vivien | ||
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- | QUESTION: When is a Test Walk not a Test Walk? | + | |
- | ANSWER: | + | ===== Question: When is a Test Walk not a Test Walk? ===== |
- | When it is not marked on the Walks Programme with an asterisk. | + | |
+ | **Answer: | ||
+ | |||
This " | This " | ||
- | As a matter of fact, it was marked " | + | |
- | We caught the 1.37 p.m. train from Sydney to Richmond on the Saturday, and went per " | + | As a matter of fact, it was marked " |
- | destination, A motor lorry met us at the station. We piled our packs and selves aboard, then did some more rattling for 5 or 6 miles along the Comleroy Road, passing gardens of sweet-smelling stock, till we came to Wholohan' | + | |
+ | We caught the 1.37 p.m. train from Sydney to Richmond on the Saturday, and went per " | ||
+ | destination. A motor lorry met us at the station. We piled our packs and selves aboard, then did some more rattling for 5 or 6 miles along the Comleroy Road, passing gardens of sweet-smelling stock, till we came to Wholohan' | ||
Here we left the lorry, changed into shorts, and started down the road 13 strong- we staggered up that road next day, 13 very weak! | Here we left the lorry, changed into shorts, and started down the road 13 strong- we staggered up that road next day, 13 very weak! | ||
- | When we reached the bridge over Wheeny Creek, we thought it a bit early to camp, and decided to follow the Creek down for a while till we came to the next good camp site. " | + | |
- | eleared | + | When we reached the bridge over Wheeny Creek, we thought it a bit early to camp, and decided to follow the Creek down for a while till we came to the next good camp site. "There aint no such animal" |
- | but concentrated on collecting sufficient firewood to keep us from what the locals had predicted, namely, freezing to death. Wood was far from plentiful, but We scratched round among the thick bracken and undergrowth, | + | |
- | . Eric said in his description of the route that the way " | + | Eric said in his description of the route that the way " |
- | mainly occupied by large mosquitoes and semi-wild cattle. He quite forgot to mention the " | + | |
- | -16- | + | We were up and away bright and early next morning, the " |
- | We were up and away bright and early next morning, the " | + | |
- | reminding one somewhat of the Nattai. | + | We had several rather interesting crossings, mainly on logs of varying stages of infirmity. At another crossing, just as we were getting towards the swampy part of the Creek, Richard carried me over his shoulder - and my nose was much closer than his to the smell of something very, very dead!! |
- | We had several rather interesting crossings, mainly on logs of varying stages of infirmity. At another crossing, just as we were getting towards the swampy part | + | |
- | of the Creek, Richard carried me over his shoulder - and my nose was much closer than his to the smell of something very, very dead!: | + | On we went, and shortly after, came upon the advance guard sitting admiring a swamp (not Dunc), and eating oranges. We joined in, and after an eat and a smoko moved on, the rest of the party having now arrived. At last we reached an elbow of the Creek, where the track, according to Eric, "is generally hidden beneath very muddy water." |
- | On we went, and shortly after, came upon the advance guard sitting admiring a swamp (not Dune), and eating oranges. We joined in, and after an eat and a smoko moved on, the rest of the party having now arrived. At last we reached an elbow of the Creek, where the track, according to Eric, "is generally hidden beneath very muddy water." | + | |
- | have mentioned | + | Be that as it may, it was well above the belts of all except the very tall members of the party. Some got into bathing costumes, others crossed in their walking clothes and changed into dry things on the other side, while I was in luck's way again as Richard crossed, dumped his pack and returned to do the St.Christopher act on my behalf. All this had, of course, taken a fair amount of time, and we were told that lunch was still a long way off, so we set out manfully to cover as many miles as we could before the afternoon. We came to a house, and the parting of the ways. Our road led to the left, but there was no sign that those ahead of us had gone that way, so more time was occupied in trailing them up - their unerring instinct had led them to an orange orchard, hence their failure to appear. |
- | Be that as it may, it was well above the belts of all except the very tall members of the party. Some got into bathing costumes, others crossed in their walking clothes and changed into dry things on the other side, while I was in luck's way again as Richard crossed, dumped his pack and returned to do the St.Christopher act on my behalf. All this had, of course, taken a fair amount of time, and we were told that lunch was still a long way off, so we set out manfully to cover as | + | |
- | many miles as we could before the afternoon. We came to a house, and the parting | + | Never, I think, in the annals of the Club has lunch been despatched in such short order - the usual hour or so was cut down to less than 20 minutes! Think of it! And all because there was a last train to catch many miles away! And |
- | of the ways. Our road led to the left, but there was no sign that those ahead of us had gone that way, so more time Was occupied in trailing them up - their unerring instinct had led them to an orange orchard, hence their failure to appear. | + | all road miles, too, except a few hundred yards through a cornfield and over a paddock to the little school on the hill. Here we slaked our thirst at the tank, to some of the mandarins we had acquired earlier, and waited for the tail of the procession. Then, |
- | Never, I think, in the annals of the Club has lunch been despatched in such short order - the usual hour or so was cut down to less than 20 minutes: | + | |
- | Think of it And all because there was a last train to catch many miles away: And | + | By now we knew that there was plenty of time to keep our appointment with the Lorry driver at Wholohan' |
- | all road miles, too, except a few hundred yards through a cornfield and over a | + | |
- | paddock to the little school on the hill. Here we slaked our thirst at the tenk, | + | We arrived at the station in due course, and there was our old friend " |
- | to some of the mandarins we had acquired earlier, and waited for the tail of the | + | well felt like one" |
- | procession. Then, | + | |
- | way, much to the surprise of a young couple in a baby car who were coming down. When the road reached the top of the ridge the going was much more pleasant, breezes fanned our heated brows, the views were rather fine, the road (much less rocky now) Was bordered by great clumps of bush flowers, notably | + | Brenda White. |
- | By now we knew that there was plenty of time to keep our appointment with the Lorry driver at Wholohan' | + | |
- | wise were they who had put on all their warm garments, as the winter wind was much more unkind than man's ingratitude - it's a habit it has in the middle of August. | + | |
- | We .arrived at the station in due course, and there was our old friend " | + | ===== Delilah Meanders ===== |
- | alacrity and a smile. As Wally would say: "And so to Richmond", | + | |
- | up the train for home, and gave our fellow travellers an exhibition of haw Bush- walkers | + | Clang! clang! " |
- | well felt like one". BRENDA WHITE. | + | |
- | DELILAH MEANDERS. | + | Whatever he is or whatever he was Nature fashioned him a "born comedian" |
- | Clang! clang; " | + | his precious potato-peelings and reciting verbatim "Alas! Poor Yorick" |
- | fine summer morn the " | + | |
- | on Nor' West and girls! Oh! the loviiest | + | Clang! clang! |
- | are to put some clothes on Clang: clang! again calls the piece of iron got from | + | Would you like a drop or two of cold water?" |
- | the wreck of the " | + | |
- | holiday-business to " | + | How often the fairy tales come true! The cry " |
- | Whatever he is or whatever he was Nature fashioned him a "born comedian" | + | |
- | t remember the time we returned early from a day's outing. The crowd had elected | + | |
- | say the tin-opener because it was the only one on the island (There were, of course, a large supply of other openers). We had to deliver all sorts of recommendations as to character etc. before " | + | |
- | galley for a " | + | |
- | his precious potato-peelings and reciting verbatim " | + | |
- | seldom heard Shakespeare done such fine justice! He noted our surprise: "Oh, I'm | + | |
- | pretty good on old. Will" he explained airily, "We were lads together." | + | |
- | followed his last remark with various other fitting little phrases which we ourselves have discussed at various public examinations and let rest at that! " | + | |
- | spuds get too much for me I have a few words with old Bill" he added confidentially. | + | |
- | I asked him if he were double-jointed. He looked it - and such a strange mask for a face - the most amazing mobility of feature. His life was one big grimace! and as the cynic dropped more skins into Mother Earth he became more dramatic and confidential. " | + | |
- | to the 'Blue Bell' as soon as we get ashore." | + | |
- | ment and might even win a crab in a raffle. But we never saw Sting' | + | |
- | effort for Ftte decreed otherwise. We had scarcely touched land before the liquid which flows so easily through glass pipes had, in some mysterious manner, rendered | + | |
- | our star performer otherwise indisposed. It appears he had had an excellent education, that he had come from a fine family of QIland | + | |
- | smiles and frowns: | + | |
- | Clang! clang! | + | |
- | Would you like a drop or two of cold water?" | + | |
- | pet corn. She reaches abstractedly for her basin. " | + | |
- | either, better your face than your food." We both ate heartily despite the turtle, for we were too late for anything else. There was a glorious odour of fish, but | + | |
- | -18- | + | |
- | upon mentioning this Sting remarked that you can't expect a mere potato-peeler to have the oil about the " | + | |
- | but, my dear, won't you find the climate trying?" | + | |
- | on board." | + | |
- | there was a perfectly blue sea-star! Kath wanted to dive in and get it but Charon | + | |
- | wasn't having any - not even for a mermaid! Up over the sides we went, willing | + | |
- | hands pulling us aboard, and the little craft moved forward, | + | |
- | had been forgotten, but haw delicious. It was nice to lie on deck and sip his bre* from an old cracked mug - to feel the gentle roll of the little ship and deep, restful blue above with cool green below - " | + | |
- | the tide is swirling free." | + | |
- | close to the surface. It varies. Some forget they are civilised in a few days | + | |
- | away from it. The cities were far beyond. It didntt | + | |
- | were off. Ohl to be a bird! There was a two-hour trip ahead! All was still, | + | |
- | he lions, having fed, were dozing. A wild idea entered my head and I turned to Kath. She was trying to mend a huge rent in the khaki shorts which happened as she cleared the top rails. " | + | |
- | made a new race?" | + | |
- | Everything is so quiet and peaceful, nothing seems to matter. My mind seems almost | + | |
- | a blank. Yet it's not a blank - for it's never been clearer. I know - we've lost | + | |
- | the weight of that pettifogging detail that clogs the mind so in the city." | + | |
- | looked at me earnestly. "Do you know I feel so well that at times during this week I've felt I've had almost too much energy." | + | |
- | food!" | + | |
- | of all that ere now. What darling little stepping stones these islands could pro- | + | |
- | vide and a splendid fish diet at the same tine." We stopped our philosophizing for there was a stir. The Island of Dreams had been sighted. We were almost on her. There she was - another little plum-pudding, | + | |
- | blue 1-1!.!geg. Kath clutched my hand. "I wonder what' | + | |
- | -19- | + | |
- | ow often the fairy tales come true! The cry " | + | |
- | ment. " | + | |
- | thing doesn' | + | |
- | a turtle trader. He met us on the beach. I have never seen a healthier specimen, | + | |
- | big and bronzed and handsome. Of course, everybody talks to everybody in places | + | |
- | like this. There is never any need for introductions. We donned bathers | + | |
- | a swim. These waters are like crystal. Our turtle man joined us, told us he was a Swede and little by little we began a very interesting conversation. We sat on the side of his little boat and dangled our legs over and he made us delicious tea. | + | |
- | rhen he sat dawn too and told us wonderful tales about the sea. He had been a | + | |
- | sailor all his life and looking at those clear blue eyes I felt I had never seen | + | |
- | anything quite like them on the land. They seemed to search out horizons. He | + | |
- | told us haw he had served at the mast round Cape Horn. We became like little children, breathless with excitement at his tales - and then We would all laugh. It | + | |
- | was all so strange and yet so naturall He appeared very amused at us. He said he | + | |
- | hadn't met any little school-ma' | + | |
- | basilisk type who wielded a cane with a very strong forearm. But all good things | + | |
- | have to come to an end and at 4 p.m., having spent the whole day chatting with our new found friend it was time to make for ' | + | |
- | as is the very salt itself. He too was loth to say " | + | |
- | time, I think, since he had exchanged schoolboy jokes and listened to such a deal of giggling! We all had had such a happy day! " | + | |
- | mad after that we always referred to him as "The Viking" | + | |
- | little ships were gliding through the foam. It was a perfect afternoon. We | + | |
stood hanging to the mast and fresh winds fanned our sunburnt cheeks as we occasionally shouted a remark to our fellow traveller. | stood hanging to the mast and fresh winds fanned our sunburnt cheeks as we occasionally shouted a remark to our fellow traveller. | ||
+ | |||
But the shades of night began to fall and he shouted a last Good-bye. Of course we were going to write. We were just full of our new found sailor-hero! Before long we were forbidden to mention his name in camp, so tired were the other male members of our party at hearing our eulogies. " | But the shades of night began to fall and he shouted a last Good-bye. Of course we were going to write. We were just full of our new found sailor-hero! Before long we were forbidden to mention his name in camp, so tired were the other male members of our party at hearing our eulogies. " | ||
- | Then Home in the Shape of Sydney. Another sea-trip and a big long dirty train | + | |
- | trip and we were dropped at dusty Central Station. It was all over: Back to the | + | Then Home in the Shape of Sydney. Another sea-trip and a big long dirty train trip and we were dropped at dusty Central Station. It was all over: Back to the drab and the ordinary. "Do you know" said Rath, "if I told my people our experiences I don't think they'd believe them." |
- | drab and the ordinary. "Do you know" said Rath, "if I told my people our experiences I don't think they'd believe them." | + | |
- | It was about three months later that I got a telegram from a friend in Qlland. | + | It was about three months later that I got a telegram from a friend in Q'land. "Your Viking shot dead. Letter following." |
- | Your Viking shot dead. Letter following." | + | |
- | the night. | + | |
The Sea - dark and mysterious had added just another mystery to its toll. | The Sea - dark and mysterious had added just another mystery to its toll. | ||
- | Now Kath has a little boy to tell stories to and at night in the winter in the country, in front of the glowing embers, she tells him about a wonderful sailor man who climbed the masts around the Horn and who, tiring of this, carried turtle soup in his little boat from Nor' | + | |
- | -20-- | + | Now Kath has a little boy to tell stories to and at night in the winter in the country, in front of the glowing embers, she tells him about a wonderful sailor man who climbed the masts around the Horn and who, tiring of this, carried turtle soup in his little boat from Nor' |
- | TEE JOUNIMA PEAKS - YARRANGOBILLY. | + | |
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== | ||
+ | The Jounima Peaks - Yarrangobilly ===== | ||
+ | |||
As we stood an the summit of Mount Bimberi in the Federal Capital Territory, we saw the pointed tops of the Jounima Range rising clear and challengingly across the blue intervening hills and valleys L. few weeks later we had answered their challenge, and were hastening by car from Yass up the lovely vale of Tumut, up the renowned Talbingo mountains to the turn off to the Jounima State Forest, just before | As we stood an the summit of Mount Bimberi in the Federal Capital Territory, we saw the pointed tops of the Jounima Range rising clear and challengingly across the blue intervening hills and valleys L. few weeks later we had answered their challenge, and were hastening by car from Yass up the lovely vale of Tumut, up the renowned Talbingo mountains to the turn off to the Jounima State Forest, just before | ||
Yarrangobilly. The car was parked at the cottage of the officer in charge of the | Yarrangobilly. The car was parked at the cottage of the officer in charge of the |
193312.txt · Last modified: 2016/12/06 09:41 by vivien