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--- 193408 [2014/09/01 15:24] – [THE WOLGAN VALLEY AND COLO RIVER] emmanuelle_c
+++ 193408 [2014/09/02 14:57] – [THE BURRAGORANG] emmanuelle_c
@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 and got his sleeping bag wet, Ray and Wal were on the outside in the other tent, they also got wet, but yours truly was also on the outside and didn't get wet; it rained very heavily all night.
-__Sunday, 7th. January.__ Ninian, Ray and Wal up at 4.45 a.m., drying their sleeping bags, I got up and had breakfast cooking at 6.30, fried tomatoes and chops, porridge and coffee with bread and jam. Mr. Young had breakfast with us. When we inspected the lorry there was driftwood piled over the bonnet, and sand and rubbish all up over the running board. While we were finishing our breakfast a man came along in a sulky and stopped and had a yarn to Mr. Young, he said we should have gone up to his house for the night, but Mr. Young said we were quite all right and didn't need to go anywhere as we seemed to have everything for our comfort. Personally, I think Mr. Young had the time of his life, he seemed to enjoy getting stuck in the river. When we left him he was scooping the sand from round the wheels of the car with his hands, he had his trousers rolled up above his knees and was paddling round with a grin on, his old round face like a schoolboy. He shook hands with us all and hoped he would see us again sometime. I don't think I have ever seen a better tempered old man, or a young one either, for that matter; he never growled even when we got stuck in the river, everything the boys suggested he let-them have a go at, and fiddled round in Roxy's raincape with his trousers rolled up above his knees.
+__Sunday, 7th. January.__ Ninian, Ray and Wal up at 4.45 a.m., drying their sleeping bags, I got up and had breakfast cooking at 6.30, fried tomatoes and chops, porridge and coffee with bread and jam. Mr. Young had breakfast with us. When we inspected the lorry there was driftwood piled over the bonnet, and sand and rubbish all up over the running board. While we were finishing our breakfast a man came along in a sulky and stopped and had a yarn to Mr. Young, he said we should have gone up to his house for the night, but Mr. Young said we were quite all right and didn't need to go anywhere as we seemed to have everything for our comfort. Personally, I think Mr. Young had the time of his life, he seemed to enjoy getting stuck in the river. When we left him he was scooping the sand from round the wheels of the car with his hands, he had his trousers rolled up above his knees and was paddling round with a grin on, his old round face like a schoolboy. He shook hands with us all and hoped he would see us again sometime. I don't think I have ever seen a better tempered old man, or a young one either, for that matter; he never growled even when we got stuck in the river, everything the boys suggested he let them have a go at, and fiddled round in Roxy's raincape with his trousers rolled up above his knees.
-We left camp at 9.15 a.m. and walked six miles to Newnes alone a very beautiful road. We met a man on horseback driving some cattle and a pretty wild bull which went for Ben, who slid down the bank of the river and lost his towel. We were told afterwards by the chap who was driving the cattle that the bull was pretty savage, he had had, up to then, three fights with the chap who owned him, and the score was two to the man and one to the bull.
+We left camp at 9.15 a.m. and walked six miles to Newnes along a very beautiful road. We met a man on horseback driving some cattle and a pretty wild bull which went for Ben, who slid down the bank of the river and lost his towel. We were told afterwards by the chap who was driving the cattle that the bull was pretty savage, he had had, up to then, three fights with the chap who owned him, and the score was two to the man and one to the bull.
 In places along the track the trees met overhead, and the ground by the side of the road was blue with violets and bluebells. We followed the Wolgan all the way along the floor of the Valley, and all round were sheer rock cliffs rising about 2000 feet; Ninian pointed out the old Newnes railway line on the cliffs in places. We passed a house about half a mile from Newnes and a little girl waved to us, and about fourteen dogs, more or less, barked at us.
@@ Line 108: / Line 108: @@
 __by Bill Reilly.__
-(with the "RuShalong Austens.u)	8-Hour Day, 1933.
+__(with the "Rushalong Austens".) 8-Hour Day, 1933.__
-After the usual procedure that takes place to have one's name put on the Board, it was it fitting sequel that the test walk should have as its leader Mrs. Jean Austen, by whom I WAS nominated for membership to the Club.
-Having an excitable nature, my week of preparation was rather an ordeal, because time wouldmot travel as fast as I wanted it, food had no attraction for me and in my dreams I could see myself carrying a huge pack, must have weighed about 100 Dos., and walking miles and miles, with a leader always saying, "Come along, don't lag behind," Eventually I finished packing on the Thursday night, to the tune of unpleasant rain drops on the roof, but still the trip was to go on.
-Meeting Mrs.' Jean Austen on the Caves Express on the Friday morning, we began our trip in a driving rain, and as we commenced to rise in the mountains, it Was very apparent that the rain was still very wet, and falling as fast as ever.
-We arrived at KatooMba in a fine drizzle of rain and the town surrounded in
-mist, so, locating Mrs. Austen's brother-in-law, a Mr. Thomas, we proceeded to KatooMba Falls, where we had lunch in the shelter shed overlooking the falls.
-Owing to the inclement weather, the original trip of going down Nellie's Glen had been cancelled, so we proceeded down the Narrow Neck Road, to a small but comfortable cave. After preparing our quarters for sleeping we accompanied Mr. Thomas back to Katoomba as far as Neale St." and returned to the cave to have tea. With a meal of bacon and eggs to warm us up, we again set off for Katoomba to meet the 6.30 p.m. train from Sydney. The rain had increased, so instead of
-changing into our "respectable" clothes, we proceeded through Katoomba St. with our
-shorts, shoes, capes etc., and if you have not been through KatooMba dressed for walking before, you cannot judge the type of people that laugh at you, but most of the laughs came from hilarious little flappers getting off the train at KatoOmba,
-to spend a nice quiet week end at one of KatooMba's quietest hotels "The Carrington". Hal Ha/ Hal we should worry, so to show them we didn't mind haw much they laughed, we went to a most fashionable restaurant, dirty, and dripping wet, and ordered two malted milks and a glass of water.
-Finally we made our way back to our cave and turned in for the night; but about midnight we were awakened by a torch light, and it proved to be two men mi women, looking for a shelter, but as there wasn't sufficient room in our small cave we couldn't accommodate them, but eventually they found a cave opposite, if one could call same a cave, but they would be the best judges of that, because they spent the night there. Again we were awakened about 4 a.m. by another party looking for Narrow Neck, - this, I thought, by the number who were trying to find it in such weather and at night, must be a very interesting place. Rut my thoughts were not confirmed until I saw it at lunch time on Saturday.
-After breakfast we again proceeded to KatooMba to await a wire from Ernie Austen as to whether the trip Was on. Much to my excitement we got "Trip on as arranged", so now to purchase some lunch and we would be on our way, and looking
-up towards the Station we perceived "Taro" all on his lonesome, so taking him out to our cave we all had lunch together, and it was then that I had my first glimpse of the mountains, and if ever you could find words to explain the magnificence of what
-saw, they still would be insufficient. .
-Upon cleaning up we started on our, way to make camp at Diamond Falls in preparation for the rest of the crowd at night. Bidding good-bye to the "Duke of Clear Hill", we slowliambled over the Causeway, to drink in deep the beauties that everywhere abounded. Arriving at Diamond Falls at about 4 p.m., we pitched camp on a dry spot on the Southern hills.
-Several parties now began to pass on their way to various parts of Narrow Neck
-and Clear Hill, and the first part of the official party to arrive was Rene Browne, Dune, Barney, etc., then Ian Malcolm and many others, until we numbered in all about 22. When tea had been completed, preparations were put in hand for a camp fire, when dawn came the rain, and it Was the same shower that was raining until 1 or. 2 a.m. on Monday morning; so we had some rain on the mountains.
-Sunday morning ws awakened to a heavy driving rain and mist, and after breakfast we walked out to Corral Swamp, where Ethel Hansard was laid up with a sprained ankle.
-Continuing on we walked out to 2nd. Narrow Neck, where we passed "The Duke of Clear
-Hill" on his way,hame, and he reckoned that we should all be in Callan Park, but Jean Austen told him something rather warm, and we continue& on our way. We eventually returned to camp without seeing a thing except mist, and stayed there the
-rest of the day. The party had gradually diminished, until only Jean and Ernie Austen, Gwen Laurie, Betty Bell, Don Gordon,-Rene Smith and myself remained.
-At tea time on Sunday we made the best of a slight pause in the storm to have our tea, and it. was here that Jean Austen suggested that we should all give a silent hope for fine weather,.and if one could only put into a photograph Ernie Amsten's
-hope, he would have a permanent record of scmething someone nearly did, but not quite. Anyhow, we put it down' to that hope that on Monday morning we were greeted with fine
-weather. Up at 6 o'clock we had breakfast and packed and were at the head of the
-Golden Stairs by 8.20 a.m., not knowing what we had to do when we commenced, the pace
-was Fairly smart getting down into the valley, and it was getting dawn here that I began to realise why experienced bush walkers get such 'a thrill out of these mountain
-walks, and become more enthusiastic after each visit to these fascinating parts, and
-the enduring beauty of the shaded tracks and by-ways and the magnificence of the neverlasting hills".	I would just like to emphasise my phrase "everlasting	-
-hills" - not until you have followed in the path of the "Rushalong Amstens",,and
-completed Mount Solitary in one day, with lunch at Kedumba Pass, can you realise the exactness of the phrase. These everlasting hills and glens, with their thick undergrowth, ferns and birds, revealed cadences of beauty that must be a joy for ever to
-the walkers of this country. On our dashing kway we passed innumerable brooks an falls, as clear as crystal, from which we sipped the water of life, and which allowed us to get up to within speaking distance of the "Rushalong Austene.,
+After the usual procedure that takes place to have one's name put on the Board, it was fitting sequel that the test walk should have as its leader Mrs. Jean Austen, by whom I was nominated for membership to the Club.
-Passing the track to Ruined Castle about 10 o'clock we decided to continue up Solitary, so after several hours' climbing we eventually reached the summit at 11.25 p.m. and were rewarded with a marvellous panorama of KatooMba and the surroun lug towns, sitting on a white blanket of mist.
-Pushing on along the top of Mount Solitary, we found that the top was longer than was anticipated. The Austens had now told, us that we. were going to complete the trip through to Wentworth Falls, as we had:been,good children, and not lagged behind on the first part of the journey, and that now we would actually have to move fast, because we were not going to have lunch till we reached the Katoomba Creek, at the base of KeduMba Pass, at 2 o'clock.	.
-Finally we found our way along the top of the spur going down, and I must say that to me this was the hardest part af the journey, as in parts we slipped and tripped and fell over rocks, and eventually arrived at the bottom properly fatigued, and ready for a good lunch, and what a lunch, the tea had more flavour than any tea I' have tasted :before, the honey seemed "sweeter than sweet", and the cheese and devon sausage 'were better than ever.	Be lug only allaWed 30 minutes for lunch, we loathed our feet and had a wash and continued up the pass.
-The weather had taken quite a change and a storm was brewing, with heavy thunder and lightning. We found our, way up until it commenced to rain, so to cool of our bodies, we walked for quite a while without our capes around us. Arriving at the to we were naturally tempted to look back on our achievement &nil even then it seemed a dream, as on the journey we hadn't had time to think of what 'We were doing, but just walked to that continued dirge of "onward, forever onward", se you can just imagine how we felt to be on top of KeduMba Pass, with no more' hills to climb, except a little easy-going road to Queen Victoria Sanatorium. We were then assured that it would be no disgrace to drive the rest of the way to Wentworth Falls by oar, so we rang for the car and were allowed to change our things, and had quite a nice chat to the inmates of the Homes while waiting for the car, and it was only a few minutes later that we were at Wentworth Falls, so purchasing some papers and biscuits we caught the 6.13 p.m. train for home.
-When all nicely seated, Ernie Austen produced a packet of cigarettes he had just bought at Wentworth Falls, and to his displeasure the packet contained only one cigarette, how generous of them to: leave one :cigarette there! Still, after we had cleaned ourselves up we awaited Penrith, where a nice billy of hot tea put a finish to a most marvellous week-end.'
-Looking back now upon -oUr- adventure, I feel ,extremely sorry we had to rush it so, because we had no time to absorb the beauties, that presented themselves, and the rush photographs which I took I feel quite ashamed of, but still it had to be done. It had been set dawn for two days and .accomplished in one, and I can safely say that it was the leaders who made it look zo easy, and to emulate them, we have done something that is quite unique,as,a. test walk, and which I 'believe has never been done before in the one day, in the ,directionve went, as a Club walk.
+Having an excitable nature, my week of preparation was rather an ordeal, because time would not travel as fast as I wanted it, food had no attraction for me and in my dreams I could see myself carrying a huge pack, must have weighed about 100 lbs., and walking miles and miles, with a leader always saying, "Come along, don't lag behind". Eventually I finished packing on the Thursday night, to the tune of unpleasant rain drops on the roof, but still the trip was to go on.
+Meeting Mrs. Jean Austen on the Caves Express on the Friday morning, we began our trip in a driving rain, and as we commenced to rise in the mountains, it was very apparent that the rain was still very wet, and falling as fast as ever.
+We arrived at Katoomba in a fine drizzle of rain and the town surrounded in mist, so, locating Mrs. Austen's brother-in-law, a Mr. Thomas, we proceeded to Katoomba Falls, where we had lunch in the shelter shed overlooking the falls.
+Owing to the inclement weather, the original trip of going down Nellie's Glen had been cancelled, so we proceeded down the Narrow Neck Road, to a small but comfortable cave. After preparing our quarters for sleeping we accompanied Mr. Thomas back to Katoomba as far as Neale St. and returned to the cave to have tea. With a meal of bacon and eggs to warm us up, we again set off for Katoomba to meet the 6.30 p.m. train from Sydney. The rain had increased, so instead of changing into our "respectable" clothes, we proceeded through Katoomba St. with our shorts, shoes, capes etc., and if you have not been through Katoomba dressed for walking before, you cannot judge the type of people that laugh at you, but most of the laughs came from hilarious little flappers getting off the train at Katoomba, to spend a nice quiet week end at one of Katoomba's quietest hotels "The Carrington". Ha! Ha! Ha! we should worry, so to show them we didn't mind how much they laughed, we went to a most fashionable restaurant, dirty, and dripping wet, and ordered two malted milks and a glass of water.
+Finally we made our way back to our cave and turned in for the night; but about midnight we were awakened by a torch light, and it proved to be two men and women, looking for a shelter, but as there wasn't sufficient room in our small cave we couldn't accommodate them, but eventually they found a cave opposite, if one could call same a cave, but they would be the best judges of that, because they spent the night there. Again we were awakened about 4 a.m. by another party looking for Narrow Neck, this, I thought, by the number who were trying to find it in such weather and at night, must be a very interesting place. But my thoughts were not confirmed until I saw it at lunch time on Saturday.
+After breakfast we again proceeded to Katoomba to await a wire from Ernie Austen as to whether the trip was on. Much to my excitement we got "Trip on as arranged", so now to purchase some lunch and we would be on our way, and looking up towards the Station we perceived "Taro" all on his lonesome, so taking him out to our cave we all had lunch together, and it was then that I had my first glimpse of the mountains, and if ever you could find words to explain the magnificence of what saw, they still would be insufficient.
+Upon cleaning up we started on our way to make camp at Diamond Falls in preparation for the rest of the crowd at night. Bidding good-bye to the "Duke of Clear Hill", we slowly ambled over the Causeway, to drink in deep the beauties that everywhere abounded. Arriving at Diamond Falls at about 4 p.m., we pitched camp on a dry spot on the Southern hills.
+Several parties now began to pass on their way to various parts of Narrow Neck and Clear Hill, and the first part of the official party to arrive was Rene Browne, Dunc, Barney, etc., then Ian Malcolm and many others, until we numbered in all about 22. When tea had been completed, preparations were put in hand for a camp fire, when down came the rain, and it was the same shower that was raining until 1 or. 2 a.m. on Monday morning; so we had some rain on the mountains.
+Sunday morning we awakened to a heavy driving rain and mist, and after breakfast we walked out to Corral Swamp, where Ethel Hansard was laid up with a sprained ankle. Continuing on we walked out to 2nd. Narrow Neck, where we passed "The Duke of Clear Hill" on his way home, and he reckoned that we should all be in Callan Park, but Jean Austen told him something rather warm, and we continued on our way. We eventually returned to camp without seeing a thing except mist, and stayed there the
+rest of the day. The party had gradually diminished, until only Jean and Ernie Austen, Gwen Laurie, Betty Bell, Don Gordon, Rene Smith and myself remained.
+At tea time on Sunday we made the best of a slight pause in the storm to have our tea, and it was here that Jean Austen suggested that we should all give a silent hope for fine weather, and if one could only put into a photograph Ernie Austen's hope, he would have a permanent record of something someone nearly did, but not quite. Anyhow, we put it down to that hope that on Monday morning we were greeted with fine weather. Up at 6 o'clock we had breakfast and packed and were at the head of the Golden Stairs by 8.20 a.m., not knowing what we had to do when we commenced, the pace was fairly smart getting down into the valley, and it was getting down here that I began to realise why experienced bush walkers get such a thrill out of these mountain walks, and become more enthusiastic after each visit to these fascinating parts, and the enduring beauty of the shaded tracks and by-ways and the magnificence of the "everlasting hills". I would just like to emphasise my phrase "everlasting hills" - not until you have followed in the path of the "Rushalong Amstens", and completed Mount Solitary in one day, with lunch at Kedumba Pass, can you realise the exactness of the phrase. These everlasting hills and glens, with their thick undergrowth, ferns and birds, revealed cadences of beauty that must be a joy for ever to
+the walkers of this country. On our dashing way we passed innumerable brooks and falls, as clear as crystal, from which we sipped the water of life, and which allowed us to get up to within speaking distance of the "Rushalong Austens".
+Passing the track to Ruined Castle about 10 o'clock we decided to continue up Solitary, so after several hours climbing we eventually reached the summit at 11.25 a.m. and were rewarded with a marvellous panorama of Katoomba and the surrounding towns, sitting on a white blanket of mist.
+Pushing on along the top of Mount Solitary, we found that the top was longer than was anticipated. The Austens had now told us that we were going to complete the trip through to Wentworth Falls, as we had been good children, and not lagged behind on the first part of the journey, and that now we would actually have to move fast, because we were not going to have lunch till we reached the Katoomba Creek, at the base of Kedumba Pass, at 2 o'clock.
+Finally we found our way along the top of the spur going down, and I must say that to me this was the hardest part of the journey, as in parts we slipped and tripped and fell over rocks, and eventually arrived at the bottom properly fatigued, and ready for a good lunch, and what a lunch, the tea had more flavour than any tea I have tasted before, the honey seemed "sweeter than sweet", and the cheese and devon sausage were better than ever. Being only allowed 30 minutes for lunch, we bathed our feet and had a wash and continued up the pass.
+The weather had taken quite a change and a storm was brewing, with heavy thunder and lightning. We found our way up until it commenced to rain, so to cool off our bodies, we walked for quite a while without our capes around us. Arriving at the top we were naturally tempted to look back on our achievement and even then it seemed a dream, as on the journey we hadn't had time to think of what we were doing, but just walked to that continued dirge of "onward, forever onward", so you can just imagine how we felt to be on top of Kedumba Pass, with no more hills to climb, except a little easy going road to Queen Victoria Sanatorium. We were then assured that it would be no disgrace to drive the rest of the way to Wentworth Falls by car, so we rang for the car and were allowed to change our things, and had quite a nice chat to the inmates of the Homes while waiting for the car, and it was only a few minutes later that we were at Wentworth Falls, so purchasing some papers and biscuits we caught the 6.13 p.m. train for home.
+When all nicely seated, Ernie Austen produced a packet of cigarettes he had just bought at Wentworth Falls, and to his displeasure the packet contained only one cigarette, how generous of them to leave one cigarette there! Still, after we had cleaned ourselves up we awaited Penrith, where a nice billy of hot tea put a finish to a most marvellous week-end.
+Looking back now upon our adventure, I feel extremely sorry we had to rush it so, because we had no time to absorb the beauties that presented themselves, and the rush photographs which I took I feel quite ashamed of, but still it had to be done. It had been set down for two days and accomplished in one, and I can safely say that it was the leaders who made it look so easy, and to emulate them, we have done something that is quite unique as a test walk, and which I believe has never been done before in the one day, in the direction we went, as a Club walk.
 ====== GOOD COMPANIONS ======
-A Bushwalker, perhaps better than any other person-, knows the worth of Good Companions.
+A Bushwalker, perhaps better than any other person, knows the worth of Good Companions.
-In town not much-is'requiredHof us to'be labelled a Good Fellow.	In the Clubroom it is easy to be pleasant and sociable, but in the bush the veneer of
-conventional good manners comes off with our travelling clothes and true worth is soon discovered. We once heard it said of a Bushwalker "A good fellow --- the sort of chap to have with you when things go wrong," - in fact a Good Companion.
+In town not much is required of us to be labelled a Good Fellow.	In the Clubroom it is easy to be pleasant and sociable, but in the bush the veneer of conventional good manners comes off with our travelling clothes and true worth is soon discovered. We once heard it said of a Bushwalker "A good fellow... the sort of chap to have with you when things go wrong," - in fact a Good Companion.
 It is when things go wrong that the test comes. Will he lose his temper? Will he lose his head?
 It is much the same with camping gear. On an easy trip in fine weather any old gear will do, but let it rain and see what happens, or carry 45 lbs. in your pack and scramble through needle bush and lawyer vines from dawn till dark and let the westerlies blow from snow capped mountains. Then you will see if your cape and your tent, your rucksack and your sleeping bag are good companions.
-If camping partners do not come'up to scratch, we avoid them next trip, bub alas: our pocketse do not allow a too frequent change of camping gear.
-In designing and making gear, Paddy's constant aim is to create Good Companions. Tested materials, proved designs, careful workManship all combine to make the Xinished article the best possible of its type.
-====== "THE BURRAGORANc" ======
+If camping partners do not come up to scratch, we avoid them next trip, but alas: our pockets do not allow a too frequent change of camping gear.
-Ina the Burragorang's a valley grand Midst mountains-of a purple strand, Away out west where the Wongas nest
+In designing and making gear, Paddy's constant aim is to create Good Companions. Tested materials, proved designs, careful workmanship all combine to make the finished article the best possible of its type.
+====== "THE BURRAGORANG" ======
+Oh! the Burragorang's a valley grand\\
+Midst mountains of a purple strand,\\
+Away out west where the Wongas nest\\
 And a gentle calm rests o'er the land.
--	_
-The men have tilled for a hundred years
+The men have tilled for a hundred years\\
-The deep rich loam, which always cheers
+The deep rich loam, which always cheers\\
-The hearts of such as eschew the touch
+The hearts of such as eschew the touch\\
-Of a city's life with its trials and cares. There are sunlit fields and flawing streams,
+Of a city's life with its trials and cares.
-And flowers and birds; and it always seems That here in the end my way I'll wendj
+There are sunlit fields and flawing streams,\\
+And flowers and birds; and it always seems\\
+That here in the end my way I'll wend;\\
 Again to the Valley - my valley of dreams.
-And I'd rest there awhile near the river-flow wide
-And list to the Voice for which I have sighed,
+And I'd rest there awhile near the river-flow wide\\
-The voice of the Breese, and the Birds in the Trees,
+And list to the Voice for which I have sighed,\\
+The voice of the Breeze, and the Birds in the Trees,\\
 The lilt from the Bush - the call to her side.
-"Barney".
+__"Barney".__
 ====== THE LOG OF THE "JOY" ======
-__by H. Chardon.__
+Continued from Feb. Issue (No.17) by H. Chardon. [Harold Chardon]
-Continued from
-Feb. Issue (No.17).
-Boxing Day - Cloudy.	Up at five and away at six, for breakfast must be caught. We headed downstream and turned into the Shoalhaven at seven. Five rapids followed, the last of which we were able to shoot. Just prior to this I had a shot at a fox from the boat. He was hit but the shot were too light to do much more than make him yelp. We landed to follow him up and saw three more, but they were well out of range and loping away fast. I shot a rabbit and we returned to
+Boxing Day - Cloudy. Up at five and away at six, for breakfast must be caught. We headed downstream and turned into the Shoalhaven at seven. Five rapids followed, the last of which we were able to shoot. Just prior to this I had a shot at a fox from the boat. He was hit but the shot were too light to do much more than make him yelp. We landed to follow him up and saw three more, but they were well out of range and loping away fast. I shot a rabbit and we returned to the canoe.
-the canoe.
-After passing our fifth rapid we had three nice fish)so we stopped on a sandy beach near Apple Tree Flat for breakfast, the time being 9.30 a.m. Eleven thirty saw us again an our way, passing through river flats, the motntains receding further and further. Seireral rapids were passed, one of which we were able to shoot. We continued steadily until 1 o'clock, when we reached Bull's Flat. Here we met Jim Baron and two other chaps proceeding upstream on horseback. We yarned for quite a bit, then said good-;bye and shot another rapid which brought us to our lunch spot on the left bank opposite Bull's Flat.
+After passing our fifth rapid we had three nice fish so we stopped on a sandy beach near Apple Tree Flat for breakfast, the time being 9.30 a.m. Eleven thirty saw us again on our way, passing through river flats, the mountains receding further and further. Several rapids were passed, one of which we were able to shoot. We continued steadily until 1 o'clock, when we reached Bull's Flat. Here we met Jim Baron and two other chaps proceeding upstream on horseback. We yarned for quite a bit, then said good-bye and shot another rapid which brought us to our lunch spot on the left bank opposite Bull's Flat.
-We have not yet shaved so are sights to behold. But as we are approaching civilisation we will have to part with our natural fly veils. So here goes: Shaving completed we held a council-of-mar and decided that a camp here would be in the best interests of the meat supply. We bagged a rabbit each before tea, mine had hydatids so we had to use him for eel bait. Tea consiste& of rabbit stew, apples and rice, partaken,after a further conversation with our friends of the morning. We propose to make an early start in the morning and try the spinner for some perch. Ducks flew over to-night but I couldn't get in a shot.
+We have not yet shaved so are sights to behold. But as we are approaching civilisation we will have to part with our natural fly veils. So here goes: Shaving completed we held a council-of-war and decided that a camp here would be in the best interests of the meat supply. We bagged a rabbit each before tea, mine had hydatids so we had to use him for eel bait. Tea consisted of rabbit stew, apples and rice, partaken after a further conversation with our friends of the morning. We propose to make an early start in the morning and try the spinner for some perch. Ducks flew over tonight but I couldn't get in a shot.
 Tuesday - After writing the diary last night we caught an eel. This gave us an excuse for cancelling our proposed early start as we now had our fish for breakfast.
 The morning dawned clear and still, a few fleecy clouds in the sky and the sun with a sting in it. We loaded up after breakfast and embarked at 9.50 a.m., determined to stop at the first deep pool for a bath and a swim. This we did at 10 a.m., and played round taking photos till nearly midday.
-Five rapids followed before lunch, the first four were shallow and had to be waded. The fifth was shallow at the start but narrowed and deepened, flawing close to the right hand bank. We were able to shoot it after wading over the start, taking care to avoid decapitating ourselves an the overhanging branches- of the caqivarinas. Whilst wading through the sixth rapid we were hailed by Mr. Thompson of Burriar who was out fishing. He had the billy boiling so we joined him at lunch and found him a very entertaining friend.
-.30 found us .on our way again, rapids followed in quick succession and the pools were fairly short. We were only able to shoot 2 rapids, the first just after lunch and the second just before we made camp (4 p.m.) at Yal Wal Creek. Both these rapids were long and narrow and gave us a good run, the waves at times being level with our gunwales.
-Yal Wal Creek is a pretty little spot and the site of our camp, in flood, ilmuld be an island, the creek having two mouths. The creek itself flaws through an arch of interlocking troea and is quite dark for some distance up.	Tea consisted of rabbit stew, followed by apricots and sago and proved; very good eating. Tom has just built up the fire to get coals for damper and then early to bed for to-morrow we want to get beyond Burriar and it will be a hard day.
-Mr. Thompson passed 116 again on his way home, just as we were finishing tea, Wednesday . Up early, breakfast was soon an accomplished fact. Washing Up was
-postponed till we had a further look at yal Mal Creek. It is indeed beautiful. We went up through two mirror-like pools with perfect reflections. Several large perch were seen but could nibt be hooked.
+Five rapids followed before lunch, the first four were shallow and had to be waded. The fifth was shallow at the start but narrowed and deepened, flowing close to the right hand bank. We were able to shoot it after wading over the start, taking care to avoid decapitating ourselves on the overhanging branches- of the casuarinas. Whilst wading through the sixth rapid we were hailed by Mr. Thompson of Burrier who was out fishing. He had the billy boiling so we joined him at lunch and found him a very entertaining friend.
-Back to camp and away at 9.40 a.m. We were lucky in our first rapid, which was long, narrow and deep. Several more rapids were passed and MB came upon a cornfield and a deserted hut an the left hand bank; this was soon followed by Fletcherts homestead on Bugong Creek. We visited them and were given apricots and eggs, very acceptable gifts.
-Mrs. Fletcher was Miss Rumsey before she married, so of course, knew Marj.Hill. Several more rapids followed till we came to the largest fall we had yet encountered a drop of about 6 ft. in as many yards. The blacks call it Cooloodoo, which we were told means treacherous water.	From this point onwards the willows became quite
+.30 found us on our way again, rapids followed in quick succession and the pools were fairly short. We were only able to shoot 2 rapids, the first just after lunch and the second just before we made camp (4 p.m.) at Yalwal Creek. Both these rapids were long and narrow and gave us a good run, the waves at times being level with our gunwales.
-profuse and the river flats became larger in extent, indicating that the river was somewhere near sea level. We were ravenous after our long morning, so stopped at 1.30 near a homestead an the left hand bank. After lunch it did not take long to reach the farthest point penetrated by motorists - BuTriar.
-We wandered up to the "town", had a look at the school and hall from the outside, then went into the Post Office and asked for letter cards. Only one could be found and that was so old. we decided to leave it their* The mail had just left some will have to post our mail in Nowra,
+Yalwal Creek is a pretty little spot and the site of our camp, in flood, it must be an island, the creek having two mouths. The creek itself flows through an arch of interlocking trees and is quite dark for some distance up. Tea consisted of rabbit stew, followed by apricots and sago and proved very good eating. Tom has just built up the fire to get coals for damper and then early to bed for tomorrow we want to get beyond Burrier and it will be a hard day.
-Mx. Thompsonts house stands on the upstream side of the town and is rather a fine building. We visited them on the way back and had a long yarn. Their property was one of the first grants made in the Shoalhaven Valley, and has been in the family since 1816. Two brothers are now living there with their families. Whilst talking they told us of Ettaeama Creek which runs into Yal Wal Creek and suggested that we come dawn again and they would take us to their property there for some shooting and fishing. On leaving they gave us bread and more apricots. We were very grateful for the bread as we used the last of our flour last night.
-More rapids followed. but we were 'able to shoot them all. This brings me to our camp for to-night. We seem to have reached the tidal limit but are not sure. The river is still fresh but appears to be falling. The river is very pretty, the banks lined with willows and casuarinas.	Just after landing we went out on the
+Mr. Thompson passed us again on his way home, just as we were finishing tea.
-flat behind our camp and I managed to shoot a rabbit.	The weather has been fine although there are signs of a break. A Southerly sprang up whilst we were at Fletcher's, and besides making the going heavy, blew up banks of clouds.
-To-morrow we intend going on-to Bamerang and visiting Young's farm.
+Wednesday - Up early, breakfast was soon an accomplished fact. Washing up was postponed till we had a further look at Yalwal Creek. It is indeed beautiful. We went up through two mirror-like pools with perfect reflections. Several large perch were seen but could not be hooked.
-Paddy Pallin was there on his trip and'voted them fine people.
-Thursday - rp about the usual time we soon made short work of a breakfast of ham and eggs and were on our way early. The day was coolish and inclined to rain, with a Southerly wind blowing. ' Tide were now a problem, and we had an adverse one to contend with as well as the wind in our faces most of the time, which made the going doubly hard.
+Back to camp and away at 9.40 a.m. We were lucky in our first rapid, which was long, narrow and deep. Several more rapids were passed and we came upon a cornfield and a deserted hut on the left hand bank; this was soon followed by Fletcher's homestead on Bugong Creek. We visited them and were given apricots and eggs, very acceptable gifts.
-Just after leaving Burriar the river definitely opens out, and extensive river flats make their appearance. The river, also, becomes much wider, the banks being lined with Willows.	We paddled downstream steadily making close on four miles
-per hour, sighting Pulpit Hill and the private punt on the way. The latter was the landinark we had to watch for, with Young's farm the next on the right.
+Mrs. Fletcher was Miss Rumsey before she married, so of course, knew Marj.Hill. Several more rapids followed till we came to the largest fall we had yet encountered a drop of about 6 ft. in as many yards. The blacks call it Cooloodoo, which we were told means treacherous water.	From this point onwards the willows became quite profuse and the river flats became larger in extent, indicating that the river was somewhere near sea level. We were ravenous after our long morning, so stopped at 1.30 near a homestead on the left hand bank. After lunch it did not take long to reach the farthest point penetrated by motorists - Burrier.
-Eventually we sighted the buildings, ran the canoe into a backwater near some casuarinas and. went up to make ourselves known. They had received Paddy's letter the day before so were an the lookout for us,	We yarned until lunch time and
-then went back to the trees and made camp. During the afternoon we had a visit from the ladies, and talked until it was time to go and look for something to shoot. We had no luck so returned to camp and prepared tea, after which we cleaned ourselves up and went up to the house where we stayed until it was time to turn in. Friday - We made an early decision to stay where we were for the day as the
+We wandered up to the "town", had a look at the school and hall from the outside, then went into the Post Office and asked for letter cards. Only one could be found and that was so old we decided to leave it their. The mail had just left so will have to post our mail in Nowra.
+Mr. Thompson's house stands on the upstream side of the town and is rather a fine building. We visited them on the way back and had a long yarn. Their property was one of the first grants made in the Shoalhaven Valley, and has been in the family since 1816. Two brothers are now living there with their families. Whilst talking they told us of Ettrema Creek which runs into Yalwal Creek and suggested that we come down again and they would take us to their property there for some shooting and fishing. On leaving they gave us bread and more apricots. We were very grateful for the bread as we used the last of our flour last night.
+More rapids followed but we were able to shoot them all. This brings me to our camp for tonight. We seem to have reached the tidal limit but are not sure. The river is still fresh but appears to be falling. The river is very pretty, the banks lined with willows and casuarinas. Just after landing we went out on the flat behind our camp and I managed to shoot a rabbit. The weather has been fine although there are signs of a break. A Southerly sprang up whilst we were at Fletcher's, and besides making the going heavy, blew up banks of clouds.
+Tomorrow we intend going on to Bamerang and visiting Young's farm. Paddy Pallin was there on his trip and voted them fine people.
+Thursday - Up about the usual time we soon made short work of a breakfast of ham and eggs and were on our way early. The day was coolish and inclined to rain, with a Southerly wind blowing. Tide were now a problem, and we had an adverse one to contend with as well as the wind in our faces most of the time, which made the going doubly hard.
+Just after leaving Burrier the river definitely opens out, and extensive river flats make their appearance. The river, also, becomes much wider, the banks being lined with Willows. We paddled downstream steadily making close on four miles per hour, sighting Pulpit Hill and the private punt on the way. The latter was the landmark we had to watch for, with Young's farm the next on the right.
+Eventually we sighted the buildings, ran the canoe into a backwater near some casuarinas and  went up to make ourselves known. They had received Paddy's letter the day before so were on the lookout for us.	We yarned until lunch time and then went back to the trees and made camp. During the afternoon we had a visit from the ladies, and talked until it was time to go and look for something to shoot. We had no luck so returned to camp and prepared tea, after which we cleaned ourselves up and went up to the house where we stayed until it was time to turn in.
+Friday - We made an early decision to stay where we were for the day as the Youngs were going to Nowra in the car and offered to bring back supplies for us. It was a frightfully hot day and we spent our time loafing in the shade of the trees. About 5 p.m. we crossed the river after bunnies. Tom bagged one and two fell to my gun. While we were coming home a thunderstorm broke and gave us quite a wetting.
+Saturday - The day started off clear and very hot, but as the morning advanced the sky clouded over and the wind developed quite a sting. With the tide nearly at the flood we started off for a visit to Saltwater Creek. This is a very beautiful little stream, but unfortunately some motor campers had used it as a garbage dump. The trip was well worth while however, and filled in the time until the tide was well on the ebb. 3.30 p.m saw us on our way down the now broad stream of the Shoalhaven with about 17 miles to Nowra. Nothing of note was passed until we rounded Long Pt. in Humbug Reach when we came upon a spearpoint pump about 10 yds. from the water's edge. We tested the water, and on finding it quite fresh, decided to camp.
+Sunday - As soon as the tide commenced to flow out we started off and after a visit to Cabbage Tree Creek pushed on to Nowra. On arrival we paddled up Bomaderry Creek and reconnoitered the route to the Station. Lunch was the next item on the programme, after which we held a conference to decide what to do with the remaining day of our holiday.
+Eventually we resolved to make the trip to the mouth of the river, a distance of ten miles. This we did as soon as the tide commenced to fall, passing the various islands in this broad, shallow estuary which is in reality the delta mouth of the Shoalhaven.
+The bird life in this part of the river is really remarkable, and water birds of all sorts, from great lumbering Pelicans to the snappy little Mother Carey's Chickens, including numberless thousands of gulls, duck and black and white swans. We camped the night on Comerong Island which, by the way, is no longer an island, as the real mouth of the Shoalhaven now consists of a string of sandhills connecting the island with Gerringong beach on the North, the waters of the Shoalhaven River finding their way to the sea by way of a man-made canal and Crookhaven Heads. That night we made camp beside the home of Mr. Bice in drizzling rain, to the accompaniment of the droning of myriads of mosquitoes, the first we had encountered on the voyage.
+Monday - We headed for Nowra and home at 10 a.m., and on the way helped ourselves to some fine fish at the invitation of Mr. Bice who had a meshing net set on the edge of the channel. The trip to Nowra was uneventful and once again we paddled up Bomaderry Creek to the railway line. Here we drew lots for what was left of the provisions, shouldered the canoe and walked the 100 yds. or so to the station, arriving just in time for a train. Unfortunately the boat had to remain till the following train, as the luggage van was not large enough to accommodate it.
-Youngs were going to Namrain the car and offered to bring back supplies for us. It was a frightfully hot day and we spent our time loafing in the shade of the trees. About 5 p.m. we crossed the river after bunnies. 'Tom bagged one and two fell to my gun. While we were coming home a thunderstorm broke and gave us quite a wetting.
+Rain commenced falling again just as we were leaving Nowra, and we had the intense satisfaction of seeing it fall in torrents as we sat in comfort in the train and smoked our pipes. We had timed our holiday to an hour, and we were satisfied.
-Saturday - The day started off clear and very hot, but as the morning advanced the sky clouded over and the wind developed quite a sting. With the tide nearly at the flood we started off for a visit to Saltwater Creek. This is a very beautiful little stream, but unfortunately some motor campers had used it as a garbage dump. The trip was well worth while however, and filled in the time until the tide was well on the ebb. '3.30 p.m saw us on our way down the now broad stream of the Shoalhaven with about 17 miles to Nowra. Nothing d'note was passed until we rounded Long Pt. in Humbug Reach when we came upon a spearpoint pump about 10 yds. from the water's edge. We tested the water, and on finding it quite fresh, decided to camp*
+====== WIFF'S SECOND GOLD HUNT ======
-Sunday - As soon as the tide commenced to flaw out we started off and after a visit to Cabbage Tree, Creek pushed on to Nowra. On arrival we paddled up Bomaderry Creek and reconnoitered the route to the Station.	Lunch was the next item on the programme, after which we held a conference to decide what to do with the remaining day of our holiday.
-Eventually 'ma resolved to make the trip to the mouth of the river, a distance of ten miles. This we did as soon as the tide commenced to fall, passing the various islands in this broad, shallow estuary which is in reality the deltatnoith of the Shoalhaven.
-The bird life in this part of the river is really remarkable, and water birds of all sorts, from great lumbering Pelicans to the snappy little Mother Careyts Chickens, including 'numberless thousands of gulls, duck and black and white mans. We camped the night on Comerong Island which, by the way, is no longer an island, as the real mouth of the Shealhaven now consists of a string of sandhills connecting the island' withGerringong beach on the North-, the waters of the Shoalhaven River finding. their way to the sea by way of a man-made canal and Crookhaven Heads. That night we made camp beside the home of Mr. Bice in drizzling rain, to the accompaniment of the droning of myriads:of mosquitoes, the first we had encountered on the voyage.	-
-Monday - We headed for Nowra and home at 10 a.m., and on the way helped ourselves to some fine fish at the invitation of Mr. Bice who had a meshing net set an the edge of the channel. The trip to Nowra was uneventful and once again we paddled up Bomaderry Creek to the railway line. Here we drew lots for what was left Of the provisions, shouldered the canoe and walked the 100 yds. or so to the station, arriving just in time for a train. Unfortunately the boat had to remain till 'the following train, as the luggage van was not large enough to accommodate it.
-Rain commenced falling again just as we were leaving Nowra, and we had the intense satisfaction of seeing it fall in torrents as we sat in comfort in the
-train and smoked our pipes. We had timed our holiday to an hour, andwe were
-satisfied.
-WIFFIS SECOND GOLD BUNT
 Vic Thorsen and I set off for Mudgee an the 14th. July by train leaving Central at 9.46 !lam. The scenery looking down the Capertee Valley is something worth looking at. The train travels nearly half way around the valley, climbing all the way to 3000 ft. Arriving at Mudgee at 6 p.m., we visited "Hollywood", an eat
 house, and polished off the usual steak and eggs. Then we set off at 7 p.m.