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--- 193502 [2014/09/17 13:50] – [Jock's Reef Trip] emmanuelle_c
+++ 193502 [2014/09/22 10:58] (current) – [A BLUE GUM EPISODE] emmanuelle_c
@@ Line 188: / Line 188: @@
 Why will fishermen leave dead fish lying around on the beach for weeks and weeks and weeks?
-"Let us go out to the boilers again"	"And How long ago was she wrecked?" "What happened?"	"Were there any survivors?" "How many were drowned when the 'Maitland' went down?"
+"Let us go out to the boilers again" "How long ago was she wrecked?" "What happened?" "Were there any survivors?" "How many were drowned when the 'Maitland' went down?"
 No matter how gay the party, how bright the sun, how fresh the breeze, how sparkling the waves in the perfect curve of the bay, not for long can the thoughts dismiss the mental picture of that ship in distress.
@@ Line 211: / Line 211: @@
 By "Onlooker"
-Bullook-drivers have a reputation for being hard cases, but the team of Sliest expert bushmee that jbe gathered to go to The Blue Gum Forest over the Anniversary Day week-end would give any bullocky a'good go. The bullocky would, have an advantage of a wider range of words - we were somewhat restricted as we could only dam and blast, occasionally someone would combine the words so as to emphasize, for instance, when the cross-cut saw struck, you might hear "Dam the blasted thing, it's jammed", but this was tabooed as being "Grossly" unfair.
+Bullook-drivers have a reputation for being hard cases, but the team of "most expert bushmen" that Joe gathered to go to The Blue Gum Forest over the Anniversary Day week-end would give any bullocky a good go. The bullocky would have an advantage of a wider range of words - we were somewhat restricted as we could only dam and blast, occasionally someone would combine the words so as to emphasize, for instance, when the cross-cut saw struck, you might hear "Dam the blasted thing, it's jammed", but this was tabooed as being "Grosely" unfair.
-The teem filtered down to "The Forest" by twos and threes during Saturday. The four that came by Docker's Pass had stayed at Hat Hill overnight and carried down equipment lent by Blackheath Council - saw, axes, auger, fuse, gelignite, detonators, etc. Even with all this gear the 7ft. snake was done to death by sticks instead of being blown to bits or beheaded with an axe. After lunch and a dip an inspection was made of the river banks to see what could be done, and after much arguing a plan of work wait mapped out. Then we had another dip and lit fires in a huge hollow log. Morrie was a good stoker and qualified by
+The team filtered down to "The Forest" by twos and threes during Saturday. The four that came by Docker's Pass had stayed at Hat Hill overnight and carried down equipment lent by Blackheath Council - saw, axes, auger, fuse, gelignite, detonators, etc. Even with all this gear the 7ft. snake was done to death by sticks instead of being blown to bits or beheaded with an axe. After lunch and a dip an inspection was made of the river banks to see what could be done, and after much arguing a plan of work was mapped out. Then we had another dip and lit fires in a huge hollow log. Morrie was a good stoker and qualified by wading up to the end of the furnace to push in wood, and then ducking right under water to cool. Afterwards he was ably seconded by Ron and Wally - when the log was well alight someone hit on the bright idea of throwing in wet stones - as they dried the blasting began. At dark the whole company sat on the opposite bank and there was a bit of a sing-song in which Ernie figured prominently. Joan could not have been more thrilled if the fire had been started for her special benefit.
-wading up to the end of the furnace to push in wood, and then ducking right under water to cool. Afterwards he was ably seconded by Ron and Wally -when the log was well alight someone hit an the bright idea of throwing in wet stones - as they dried the blasting began. At dark the whole company sat on the opposite bank and there was a bit of a sing-song in which Ernie figured prominently. Joan could not have been more thrilled if the fire had been started for her special benefit.
 On Sunday morning Joe got us started early, and we were soon at work on the main trouble - the two big and several small trees at Govett's Leap Creek. Ross was made Powder-Monkey and he blasted all day. Marge, Evelyn, Steve and Joan were told off as cooks while the rest of us dammed and took spells with the axes and saw. It was hot heavy work but great fun splashing about in the water. When one of the cooks came to ask about food stuffs there was difficulty in finding sufficient cover and it was laughable to see some of the team trying to burrow into the river bed.
-The dinner spell was welcomed and afterwards it was noticeable that there Was not the same rush to start work again. No one would think that Joe could be such a hard driver, but he kept us going all the time by example and cheer - He did work hard and certainly deserves his place as trustee.
+The dinner spell was welcomed and afterwards it was noticeable that there was not the same rush to start work again. No one would think that Joe could be such a hard driver, but he kept us going all the time by example and cheer. __He__ did work hard and certainly deserves his place as trustee.
 Tea time showed a big change, as several sections of the trees had been shifted and the river was running strongly in its new channel. At night the various parties stayed round their own fires, as all were too tired to make a big blaze - Jeff entertained our lot with tales of his war experiences, etc. until we turned in about 10 p.m. By the way, Joan went fishing at dusk and hooked something that varied between 6" and 3 feet, but she was not able to land the catch.
 On Monday morning no one seemed very willing to get to work, but there was a little more to be done and a few more blasts shifted the remainder of the logs. Ernie and his girls started off early to go up by the Grand Canyon, while the rest of us stayed until about 2 p.m. Joe and Jeff went up Docker's Pass to get a car at Hat Hill, while the balance went by Govett's Leap.
-It was a change from dam and blast to puff and pant. Ross, Edgar, Joan and Ken rushed past Morrie, Wally and Charlie while they were having tea at
-the top and told them they would miss the train, but they reached one end of the platform just as it got to the other.
+It was a change from dam and blast to puff and pant. Ross, Edgar, Joan and Ken rushed past Morrie, Wally and Charlie while they were having tea at the top and told them they would miss the train, but they reached one end of the platform just as it got to the other.
 ===== "Jock's  Reef Trip" =====
@@ Line 291: / Line 294: @@
 Along came Daisy Booth and Penny who were two teachers stern,\\
-With looks of deep intent to see what they could learn. Midst many folds of wonderous costumes, bloomered to the knee
+With looks of deep intent to see what they could learn.\\
-They staggered under yards of cloth - a sight to see,
+Midst many folds of wonderous costumes, bloomered to the knee\\
-And when in time they courage took and slept upon the beach
+They staggered under yards of cloth - a sight to see,\\
-Alone in splendid state and firmly out of reach,
+And when in time they courage took and slept upon the beach\\
-They queried what to guard against, and Jock in elfin glee Just laughed a laugh and said behind, his hand to me:
+Alone in splendid state and firmly out of reach,\\
-"I'll tell them now about an awful danger, and the jokeIll Tickle them to death - beware the Local Yokel".
+They queried what to guard against, and Jock in elfin glee\\
-Shortly on the pulsing air their girlish screams arose;
+Just laughed a laugh and said behind, his hand to me:
-'Twas hours before their snores did show their calm repose. Now Chappy and Es were girls of extra young and tender years
+"I'll tell them now about an awful danger, and the joke'll\\
+Tickle them to death - beware the Local Yokel".\\
+Shortly on the pulsing air their girlish screams arose;\\
+'Twas hours before their snores did show their calm repose.\\
+Now Chappy and Es were girls of extra young and tender years\\
 Untroubled by mock modesty or foolish fears.
-They came aboard the lugger just as bold as bold could be
-Attired in shirt and shorts for all the world to see, The same as Dune and Thel who never give a jolly hoot;
+They came aboard the lugger just as bold as bold could be\\
-They only wear what's cool and that is all there's to b.
+Attired in shirt and shorts for all the world to see,\\
-The engine popped, the sails strained, and we were off at last
+The same as Dunc and Thel who never give a jolly hoot;\\
-To far off Bushy Isle, it not so very fast,
+They only wear what's cool and that is all there's to't.\\
-For soon the popping stopped, the engine was a cheap old Ford, And Bob the cook said IblastIand	and "Please Oh Lord Do extricate me from this blanky engineering curse".
+The engine popped, the sails strained, and we were off at last\\
-We travelled like a snail as slow as any hearse,
+To far off Bushy Isle, it not so very fast,\\
-While Bob and Bobby too both tinkered at the works.
+For soon the popping stopped, the engine was a cheap old Ford,\\
-Once more with vain regret and in spasmodic jerks
+And Bob the cook said 'blast' and 'damn' and "Please Oh Lord\\
-With strangled grunts and plops at last it chugged along 'in top'
+Do extricate me from this blanky engineering curse".
-A credit to the "Bobs" and plus an extra knot.
-We called at Lindeman to see Eel Ward with whiskers long .
+We travelled like a snail as slow as any hearse,\\
-His head a mass of chestnut hair, and stature strong, Yet handsome in his wild array, a smile on kindly face,
+While Bob and Bobby too both tinkered at the works.\\
+Once more with vain regret and in spasmodic jerks\\
+With strangled grunts and plops at last it chugged along 'in top'\\
+A credit to the "Bobs" and plus an extra knot.\\
+We called at Lindeman to see Mel Ward with whiskers long .\\
+His head a mass of chestnut hair, and stature strong,\\
+Yet handsome in his wild array, a smile on kindly face,\\
 And Mrs. Ward, a girl of very charming grace.
-She paints and works with Mel and often helps him in his lab,
-For he's an lologist too who hunts the predatory crab.
+She paints and works with Mel and often helps him in his lab,\\
-We sailed all through the following day the wind abaft the stern
+For he's an 'ologist too who hunts the predatory crab.\\
-Until by sundown we could dimly just discern
+We sailed all through the following day the wind abaft the stern\\
-One tiny tree-clad island in infinity of sea,
+Until by sundown we could dimly just discern\\
-A reef-girt gem in Lilliputian majesty.
+One tiny tree-clad island in infinity of sea,\\
-The tide was quickly ebbing as we anchored by the reef;
+A reef-girt gem in Lilliputian majesty.\\
-We splashed across the coral, up the beach so brief
+The tide was quickly ebbing as we anchored by the reef;\\
-To find a decent campsite for our night among the trees,
+We splashed across the coral, up the beach so brief\\
-To leeward on the isle and sheltered from the breeze.
+To find a decent campsite for our night among the trees,\\
-The skipper killed a turtle and the steaks proved good to eat, Although the eggs were not so favoured as the meat.
+To leeward on the isle and sheltered from the breeze.\\
-- 13 -
+The skipper killed a turtle and the steaks proved good to eat,\\ Although the eggs were not so favoured as the meat.
-The darkness settled like a pall upon our island home And through the inky bla:Aness we began to roam
-In search of ,turtles, when without the slightest little warning, Quicker even than the storm, of Christmas morning
+The darkness settled like a pall upon our island home\\
-Heaven loosed its very worst with thunder cracks and lightning, Thl wind in screaming squalls and sounding very frightening With the rain in beating torrents lashing us around,
+And through the inky blackness we began to roam\\
-The tents being merely rags all flattened to the ground.
+In search of turtles, when without the slightest little warning,\\ Quicker even than the storm, of Christmas morning\\
-Net morning very early we were breakfasted and out
+Heaven loosed its very worst with thunder cracks and lightning,\\
-Upon the shore to roam at will and gaze about -
+The wind in screaming squalls and sounding very frightening\\
-The day, a day of burning heat with sun of brassy shade,
+With the rain in beating torrents lashing us around,\\
-With nature's fantasy in glamourous light arrayed,
+The tents being merely rags all flattened to the ground.\\
-The reef around us lay perhaps a thousand yards or so
-To south and west a wave-washed sea plateau,
+Next morning very early we were breakfasted and out\\
-With an its edge a rocky islet rising sheer
+Upon the shore to roam at will and gaze about -\\
+The day, a day of burning heat with sun of brassy shade,\\
+With nature's fantasy in glamorous light arrayed,\\
+The reef around us lay perhaps a thousand yards or so\\
+To south and west a wave-washed sea plateau,\\
+With an its edge a rocky islet rising sheer\\
 Its outline etched in bold relief quite stark and clear.
-To this we made our way midst coral pool and sand
-With many-coloured crustacea an either hand.
-We saw great stars and urchins, clams with multicoloured lips
-Of scarlet, green and brown, while fish like tiny ships
-Cruised in and out of fairy gardens gay with weed and shells
-The while anemones and crabs in limpid wells
-And crevices of sun flecked light all foraged for their food,
-And sea birds wheeled with cries above us where wy stood.
-The morning passed so soon we gave no thought to time or tide -
-The stretch of coral seemed so very safe and wide
-But when the ebb was full and it began at length to turn,
-We had recourse to hurry for in some concern
-We saw the channels ever deeper and the white capped seas .
-Much like an octopus, its hunger to appease Engulf a little fish - enaroach upon us fast,
-But very wet and tired we struggled through at last.
-Our lunch was past and o'er and Bobbield vanished from our ken To hack a turtle shell from off a turtle, when
-Right back to camp he crawled a gory mess of sand and blood For with a mighty swipe he'd come an awful thud,
-The turtle's what he meant to hit, instead it was his thumb,
-The girls turned very pale, they thought he'd shot his "tum" For Bobbie being a cleanly soul he wore just hat and shirt
-To save his pants from soil of turtle blood and dirt,
-And when he'd swung his axe an high and made his famous swipe
-He struggled in his pants - though not a modest type -
-With one hand spouting blood but he couldn't work the belt,
-He looked an awful sight - you'll realise haw he felti
-They patched him up at last with match sticks, raga, and heaps of brandy,
-Now he is immortal, just like famous "Sandy".
-There followed then some days of slothful ease and perfect bliss
-In swimming and meandering about, but this
-Was only a prelude to further inter-island cruises
-Each one doing as he pleased, for what amuses
-One or two is not a joy for all the crowdrlytile some
-Collected birds for Jock, a few just wished to come With collecting bag and knife, or camera to "shoot"
-The varied Objects found mad pleasing scenes an route.
-- 14 -
-But when we made a happy run to Grassy and the Cones
-Our Dunky had to leave for home, with many moans,
-, And Pinky in her wake with sighs for his beloved trees, The party thus depleted carried on at ease.
-	But our time, too, was drawing nigh, and with regretful smiles We went aboard the launch again and left the Isles
-In sunkist tropics, taking with us memlries ever green
-Of all the wondfrous reefs and ocean glories seen.
-BARNEY.
+To this we made our way midst coral pool and sand\\
+With many-coloured crustacean on either hand.\\
+We saw great stars and urchins, clams with multicoloured lips\\
+Of scarlet, green and brown, while fish like tiny ships\\
+Cruised in and out of fairy gardens gay with weed and shells\\
+The while anemones and crabs in limpid wells\\
+And crevices of sun flecked light all foraged for their food,\\
+And sea birds wheeled with cries above us where we stood.
+The morning passed so soon we gave no thought to time or tide -\\
+The stretch of coral seemed so very safe and wide\\
+But when the ebb was full and it began at length to turn,\\
+We had recourse to hurry for in some concern\\
+We saw the channels ever deeper and the white capped seas. \\
+Much like an octopus, its hunger to appease \\
+Engulf a little fish - encroach upon us fast,\\
+But very wet and tired we struggled through at last.\\
+Our lunch was past and o'er and Bobbie'd vanished from our ken\\
+To hack a turtle shell from off a turtle, when\\
+Right back to camp he crawled a gory mess of sand and blood\\
+For with a mighty swipe he'd come an awful thud,\\
+The turtle's what he __meant__ to hit, instead it was his thumb,\\
+The girls turned very pale, they thought he'd shot his "tum"\\
+For Bobbie being a cleanly soul he wore just hat and shirt\\
+To save his pants from soil of turtle blood and dirt,\\
+And when he'd swung his axe on high and made his famous swipe\\
+He struggled in his pants - though __not__ a modest type -
+With one hand spouting blood but he couldn't work the belt,\\
+He looked an awful sight - you'll realise haw he felt!\\
+They patched him up at last with match sticks, rags, and heaps of brandy,\\
+Now he is immortal, just like famous "Sandy".\\
+There followed then some days of slothful ease and perfect bliss\\
+In swimming and meandering about, but this\\
+Was only a prelude to further inter-island cruises\\
+Each one doing as he pleased, for what amuses\\
+One or two is not a joy for all the crowd; while some\\
+Collected birds for Jock, a few just wished to come\\
+With collecting bag and knife, or camera to "shoot"\\
+The varied objects found mad pleasing scenes en route.
+But when we made a happy run to Grassy and the Cones\\
+Our Dunky had to leave for home, with many moans,\\
+And Pinky in her wake with sighs for his beloved trees,\\
+The party thus depleted carried on at ease.\\
+But our time, too, was drawing nigh, and with regretful smiles\\
+We went aboard the launch again and left the Isles\\
+In sunkist tropics, taking with us mem'ries ever green\\
+Of all the wond'rous reefs and ocean glories seen.
+__BARNEY.__
 ===== SOCIAL NOTES. =====