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--- 193410 [2014/09/08 16:17] – [FROM THE DIARY OF CHARLES PRYDE.] emmanuelle_c
+++ 193410 [2014/09/08 16:40] – [FROM THE DIARY OF CHARLES PRYDE.] emmanuelle_c
@@ Line 232: / Line 232: @@
 However I thought to my self "We'll see", so on Friday, 14th. September 1934. I got to Central in good time to meet him for the 6.35 p.m. train to Katoomba. Phil came to see us off and I fancy would have liked to come also and act as referee. We got comfortably seated although there was a good crowd on the train. Our packs and gear always seem to be a great source of interest to people, and so often we are asked questions about weights, etc. amid where we get to - They are told, but usually the information conveys nothing to them - on this occasion I was beside a Glenbrook man (a councillor or something of the district) who did not know about the path to the Red Hand Cave. Then a native of Lawson asked similar questions.
-On arrival at Katoomba at 9.35 we weighed our packs (Wally had 54 lbs. and I 52 lbs.), and then went to the "All British" restaurant for supper. The lady there asked __me__ about "the baby", she being under the impression that I was the father. What a knock for Wally! We left, at 10.20 and after a good walk out to lst. Narrow- Neck made. camp at 11.35 _p.m.
+On arrival at Katoomba at 9.35 we weighed our packs (Wally had 54 lbs. and I 52 lbs.), and then went to the "All British" restaurant for supper. The lady there asked __me__ about "the baby", she being under the impression that I was the father. What a knock for Wally! We left at 10.20 and after a good walk out to 1st. Narrow Neck made camp at 11.35 p.m.
-__Saturday, 15th.__ We were moving about at 6.30 a.m. There was a very keen wind and we were glad when the sun reached us. By 8 o'clock we had finished breakfast, packed and were ready to start off. The birds were wonderful and the bright sunlight on the cliff faces had a glorious effect. We went round the head of Diamond Falls Swamp which was very boggy. We both were feeling a bit off colour, so had a spell at Corral Swamp  at 10.20. I wakened with a start, at 11.30 and found Wally still asleep. Glen Raphael at 1.40 p.m. meant lunch. That spot is getting into a very bad state with the litter of tins, papers, bedding, etc. We burnt off quite alot and then started at 3.15 for Clear Hill. The wind was coming from N.W. in very heavy gusts that occasionally made us stagger when it caught the packs. I found a map with the name Colin Smith, Pay Office, inscribed. Judging by the routes pencilled in, Smith seems to have been round the country quite a lot.
+__Saturday, 15th.__ We were moving about at 6.30 a.m. There was a very keen wind and we were glad when the sun reached us. By 8 o'clock we had finished breakfast, packed and were ready to start off. The birds were wonderful and the bright sunlight on the cliff faces had a glorious effect. We went round the head of Diamond Falls Swamp which was very boggy. We both were feeling a bit off colour, so had a spell at Corral Swamp at 10.20. I wakened with a start, at 11.30 and found Wally still asleep. Glen Raphael at 1.40 p.m. meant lunch. That spot is getting into a very bad state with the litter of tins, papers, bedding, etc. We burnt off quite a lot and then started at 3.15 for Clear Hill. The wind was coming from N.W. in very heavy gusts that occasionally made us stagger when it caught the packs. I found a map with the name Colin Smith, Pay Office, inscribed. Judging by the routes pencilled in, Smith seems to have been round the country quite a lot.
-It was tricky getting down the ladders, as the wind was blowing hard on to us. By 5.35 p.m. we'd reached our old camp spot, in Medlow Gap and got settled. As we were both feeling very tired we went to bed at 8.0. Before turning in we noticed some clouds travelling very fast but high, and about midnight were wakened by a rain and wind, storm, which however did not last long.
+It was tricky getting down the ladders, as the wind was blowing hard on to us. By 5.35 p.m. we'd reached our old camp spot, in Medlow Gap and got settled. As we were both feeling very tired we went to bed at 8.0. Before turning in we noticed some clouds travelling very fast but high, and about midnight were wakened by a rain and wind storm, which however did not last long.
-__Sunday 16th.__ On rising at 6.0 found a nice fresh bright morning with the sun just touching the hills. Such a variety of birds there were flitting about, and calls of every description. By the time breakfast was over the sun was well into the gully, and we enjoyed the wealth of wattle bloom acres of yellow and green. The wattle certainly is pest to get through with a pack, but the glorious colouring compensated a lot. We had much needed bath in a small rock  pool, and in the creek bed saw some fossilised wood and some tiny orchids. Slow going brought us to our old King's Birthday camp Spot for lunch at 12.30. Off again at 1.55 through Black Horse Gap, where we took various bearings of the positions of Mouin, Bimlow, Tableland, etc. to check up, and then round the Eastern side of Warrigal along "The Wombat Parade". This is a narrow track about one foot wide close under the cliffs at the head of the taillus slope, and it runs right round to Merri Merrigal. All sorts of animals seem to use it, judging by
+__Sunday 16th.__ On rising at 6.0 found a nice fresh bright morning with the sun just touching the hills. Such a variety of birds there were flitting about, and calls of every description. By the time breakfast was over the sun was well into the gully, and we enjoyed the wealth of wattle bloom acres of yellow and green. The wattle certainly is pest to get through with a pack, but the glorious colouring compensated a lot. We had much needed bath in a small rock  pool, and in the creek bed saw some fossilised wood and some tiny orchids. Slow going brought us to our old King's Birthday camp spot for lunch at 12.30. Off again at 1.55 through Black Horse Gap, where we took various bearings of the positions of Mouin, Bimlow, Tableland, etc. to check up, and then round the Eastern side of Warrigal along "The Wombat Parade". This is a narrow track about one foot wide close under the cliffs at the head of the talus slope, and it runs right round to Merri Merrigal. All sorts of animals seem to use it, judging by
-the tracks. I got a nasty spill and for a few minutes thought my ankle had gone, but it was only a sharp wrench. Through Merri Merrigal and then a slide down the taillus until we struck water and made camp at 5.30. Got a good fire going and sat until about 10 p.m. when we had coffee and cake and turned in after a perfect day. It was, a glorious moonlight night with bright stars.
+the tracks. I got a nasty spill and for a few minutes thought my ankle had gone, but it was only a sharp wrench. Through Merri Merrigal and then a slide down the talus until we struck water and made camp at 5.30. Got a good fire going and sat until about 10 p.m. when we had coffee and cake and turned in after a perfect day. It was, a glorious moonlight night with bright stars.
-__Monday. 17th.__ Astir at 6 a.m. to find another nice day promised. Rough scramble up the taillus slope to Merri Merrigal, and then found a way up the cliffs to the top of Dingo. Put our names in the bottle, rebuilt the cairn and added a pole.
+__Monday. 17th.__ Astir at 6 a.m. to find another nice day promised. Rough scramble up the talus slope to Merri Merrigal, and then found a way up the cliffs to the top of Dingo. Put our names in the bottle, rebuilt the cairn and added a pole.
 We got some wonderful views of the country ranging from King's Tableland, over Burragorang right round almost to Megalong Valley, and took some bearings. Left our packs at the only way down the cliffs and went out to Splendour Rock. The views were magnificent but the light bad for photography. We noticed, there has been a second rock fall at Kanangra since the big one about Easter, but could not exactly locate the position. There are now two distinct white tracks down the cliffs.
-We put our names in the cairn. There is no permanent water on the top but we found some rain water in rock holes which we mopped up and went back to the packs for lunch. By 3.0 p.m. we were ready to start down over the taillus for the Yellow Dog Range. The going was very tough  over loose broken stone lying just on the angle of repose - and every step had to be tested. The vegetation was principally that holly leaf shaped bush with plenty of prickles, which had to be made use of as a means of steadying ourselves. There are three pimples on Yellow Dog which are very trying both on the climbs up and down. For a good distance there is a very distinct knife edge. As we gradually got down we took the Southern shoulder and reached the Cox River almost opposite Moorilla Creek at 6.5 and made camp. Both of us were very tired, but a meal and being clear of our packs soon livened us up. While at dinner, a rock blew out with a tremendous explosion, and scattered the fire in all directions. Loafed until 11.0 and then turned in. It is another glorious night and Wally is getting quite a songster. I've heard him humming something several times this evening.
+We put our names in the cairn. There is no permanent water on the top but we found some rain water in rock holes which we mopped up and went back to the packs for lunch. By 3.0 p.m. we were ready to start down over the talus for the Yellow Dog Range. The going was very tough - over loose broken stone lying just on the angle of repose - and every step had to be tested. The vegetation was principally that holly leaf shaped bush with plenty of prickles, which had to be made use of as a means of steadying ourselves. There are three pimples on Yellow Dog which are very trying both on the climbs up and down. For a good distance there is a very distinct knife edge. As we gradually got down we took the Southern shoulder and reached the Cox River almost opposite Moorilla Creek at 6.5 and made camp. Both of us were very tired, but a meal and being clear of our packs soon livened us up. While at dinner, a rock blew out with a tremendous explosion, and scattered the fire in all directions. Loafed until 11.0 and then turned in. It is another glorious night and Wally is getting quite a songster. I've heard him humming something several times this evening.
 __Tuesday, 18th.__ After breakfast and a dip we started off at 9.30 up stream. The river was running strongly and we had plenty of wading well over our knees. Saw a fox, any number of wallaby tracks (some a big size), wongas, lowries, etc. and a flight of wild duck kept just ahead. There were also, some very dead animals on the track, and we came across a big clump of wild celery.
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 "I must be on my way\\
-with my load of hay
+with my load of hay"
 but he did not know any more. So far through the trip it was very noticeable how Wally would eat anything except bread, so as to conserve our supply, but at lunch time we had finished it up, so there was nothing to do but make a damper. When there was enough ash he started, and gave me minute instructions. After about an hour he tested it and pronounced it done, and laid it aside till the morning to cool off. Much to __my__ disgust when it was cut we found it to be as nearly perfect as could be, really splendid example of bush cooking. He is now retiring on his laurels - wise man.
-__Wednesday, 19th.__ Got an early start on and after breakfast shaved which we both needed after 5 days growth. Shortly after passing Galong Creek we cut up to Black Jerry's Ridge, which saved a lot of walking and time. On the map there is a track shown from Black Jerry's crossing Galong and Tin Pot Creeks, but we could find no trace of it. The sun was very strong and it was hot work getting to the top, so we had several spells. Just after reaching the road at Euroka we met the Carlon family, coming from church and we had a long yarn. The bush wireless had been at work and they knew we were in the district and expected us. The track referred to above has been obliterated for some years. Got to Megalong at 1.5, had lunch and left again at 2.0 for Katoomba via "The Devil's Hole". Made good speed and got to the top at 4.40. On reaching the station we found the last train had left at 4.49 p.m. and that there Would not be another, until 2.0 a.m.; so we went to the "All British" Cafe and had a meal and argued about what to do. Decided to ring up messages for our people at home and catch a train at 4.0. It was a dreary stay in the waiting room, but we rolled up in our blankets and got some snatches of sleep.
+__Wednesday, 19th.__ Got an early start on and after breakfast shaved which we both needed after 5 days growth. Shortly after passing Galong Creek we cut up to Black Jerry's Ridge, which saved a lot of walking and time. On the map there is a track shown from Black Jerry's crossing Galong and Tin Pot Creeks, but we could find no trace of it. The sun was very strong and it was hot work getting to the top, so we had several spells. Just after reaching the road at Euroka we met the Carlon family, coming from church and we had a long yarn. The bush wireless had been at work and they knew we were in the district and expected us. The track referred to above has been obliterated for some years. Got to Megalong at 1.5, had lunch and left again at 2.0 for Katoomba via "The Devil's Hole". Made good speed and got to the top at 4.40. On reaching the station we found the last train had left at 4.49 p.m. and that there would not be another, until 2.0 a.m.; so we went to the "All British" Cafe and had a meal and argued about what to do. Decided to ring up messages for our people at home and catch a train at 4.0. It was a dreary stay in the waiting room, but we rolled up in our blankets and got some snatches of sleep.
 __Thursday, 20th.__ The train was well crowded but we got seated comfortably and had some more sleep. Parted at Strathfield after a good trip, which I enjoyed every bit as much as I think Wally did.