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I found that the eel line which I had set the night before had not been | I found that the eel line which I had set the night before had not been | ||
- | disturbed. There were eels in that part of the river because I had seen one about four feet long swimming downstream the day before, | + | disturbed. There were eels in that part of the river because I had seen one about four feet long swimming downstream the day before, |
Breaking camp at about 9.30 and crossing the river, we found fairly good going for about two miles. Then suddenly, turning a corner, another impassable canyon confronted us. There was nothing for it but to climb, and scaling the jagged granite walls, we had another taste of the Morong Deep. For about an hour we struggled up and down to the tune of shocking profanity. Gordon had attempted a higher stratum than I and I can remember at one time relaxing in the heart of a prickly thicket and chuckling as I listened to his blistering flow of language. He was making a very fair attempt to scorch his way through. It took an hour to cover fifty yards back to the river. | Breaking camp at about 9.30 and crossing the river, we found fairly good going for about two miles. Then suddenly, turning a corner, another impassable canyon confronted us. There was nothing for it but to climb, and scaling the jagged granite walls, we had another taste of the Morong Deep. For about an hour we struggled up and down to the tune of shocking profanity. Gordon had attempted a higher stratum than I and I can remember at one time relaxing in the heart of a prickly thicket and chuckling as I listened to his blistering flow of language. He was making a very fair attempt to scorch his way through. It took an hour to cover fifty yards back to the river. | ||
- | While Gordon forded the river (falling in en route) to try the other side for variety, I tried to climb around the base of the rock walls but was soon pulled up by a deep pool. The only thing to do was to push my pack up to a ledge, strip omcl swim around, which was duly done. Gordon and I met again about half a mile | + | |
+ | While Gordon forded the river (falling in en route) to try the other side for variety, I tried to climb around the base of the rock walls but was soon pulled up by a deep pool. The only thing to do was to push my pack up to a ledge, strip and swim around, which was duly done. Gordon and I met again about half a mile | ||
downstream. | downstream. | ||
+ | |||
This bit of rough stuff gave me a strained leg muscle for the rest of the day and slowed our pace to a mere crawl, but fortunately things improved underfoot and we lunched just before Waterfalls Creek. | This bit of rough stuff gave me a strained leg muscle for the rest of the day and slowed our pace to a mere crawl, but fortunately things improved underfoot and we lunched just before Waterfalls Creek. | ||
+ | |||
Lannigan' | Lannigan' | ||
- | The creek-bed for the firft two hundred yards was bone dry and the rest of it just a series of sporadic pools. | + | The creek-bed for the first two hundred yards was bone dry and the rest of it just a series of sporadic pools. |
- | At 5 block we had not found the Caves and not neing quite certain of our position, I dropped my pack and went ahead to reconnoitre. After half an hour's walk I came upon the limestone belt and returned to Gordon. Carrying water with us, for Caves Creek was dry for several hundred yards on either side of the caves, we found a lean-to and camped just before dark. | + | |
+ | At 5 o' | ||
Once again the tent was not needed and we slept beneath the stars. So far we hadn't had one wet night and only one thunderstorm during the day. (14 miles). | Once again the tent was not needed and we slept beneath the stars. So far we hadn't had one wet night and only one thunderstorm during the day. (14 miles). | ||
- | MONDAY | + | |
- | The weather was fine, and haw, but there was nowhere to swim. We had breakfast late after which there was practically no food left. We decided to hack off 10 days supply of " | + | __MONDAY |
- | At 11 a.m. the troops set forth for Yerranderie with an empty commissariat. Once or twice in the Colong Swamp the track faded but the compass soon adjusted matters. Nearing Yerranderie we put on our shirts and Jock went so far as to clean his nails with the bowie knife. Hot and very huntry | + | |
- | Jock shot a' | + | The weather was fine, and how, but there was nowhere to swim. We had breakfast late after which there was practically no food left. We decided to hack off 10 days supply of " |
- | TUESDAY | + | |
- | After breakfast, we started to inspect the caves. The Arch cave, being a daylight cave and the most obvious was entered first. It was about two hundred feet long and eighty wide, with its eastern entrance about eighty feet above the creek. The reflected sunshine made it very beautiful. The roof giving a | + | At 11 a.m. the troops set forth for Yerranderie with an empty commissariat. Once or twice in the Colong Swamp the track faded but the compass soon adjusted matters. Nearing Yerranderie we put on our shirts and Jock went so far as to clean his nails with the bowie knife. Hot and very hungry |
- | glorious range of greens, pinks and greys. The floor has sunken at the southern end and four pillars, once joined, are now separated by about three feet from the roof. At the northern end there were several smaller stalagmites somewhat resembling crowned heads. The cave ' | + | |
- | - | + | Jock shot a ' |
- | Leaving the Arch Cave we hunted around and found the entrance to Lannigan' | + | |
- | small opening led dawn into the cave and through a narrow squeeze hole we came to | + | __TUESDAY |
- | King Solomon' | + | |
- | feet high. Beneath one group of columns was a crystalline amber tinted | + | After breakfast, we started to inspect the caves. The Arch cave, being a daylight cave and the most obvious was entered first. It was about two hundred feet long and eighty wide, with its eastern entrance about eighty feet above the creek. The reflected sunshine made it very beautiful. The roof giving a glorious range of greens, pinks and greys. The floor has sunken at the southern end and four pillars, once joined, are now separated by about three feet from the roof. At the northern end there were several smaller stalagmites somewhat resembling crowned heads. The cave bore ample evidence of having been occupied by untidy campers and a collection of bottles on the floor seemed to indicate a some-time jamboree. |
- | stalagmite and overhead was a white stalactitic group, making the whole scene impressive and inspiring. At the end of this chamber a small opening to the | + | |
- | right led to the Water Cave. This cave positively beggars description. | + | Leaving the Arch Cave we hunted around and found the entrance to Lannigan' |
- | Numerous stalagmites were observed in the bed of the underground river, the water of which appeared to be of the faintest green. | + | |
- | Retracing our steps we climbed over a wall of rock and approached a series of crystalline basins which became progressively larger as they approached the bottom. Looked at from below they had the appearance of marble steps. The | + | Retracing our steps we climbed over a wall of rock and approached a series of crystalline basins which became progressively larger as they approached the bottom. Looked at from below they had the appearance of marble steps. The column and stalactites on the left were very beautiful and gave us the impression of a curtain held back to show the stage beyond. The basins |
- | column and stalactites on the left were very beautiful and gave us the impression | + | |
- | of a curtain held back to show the stage beyond. The basins | + | |
- | distance of seventy or eighty feet and were about eight feet wide at the bottom. | + | |
- | A law passage to the right led to the underground river channel with some more delicate formations. One grotto resembled a jewel show, with the shawls on the edges sparkling like diamonds. Opposite these shawls were pillars of a delicate pink shade while another little grotto had a group of pure white stalactites like so many icicles. | + | |
A climb of about twelve feet brought us to a narrow passage decorated with tinted stalactites, | A climb of about twelve feet brought us to a narrow passage decorated with tinted stalactites, | ||
- | A third passage from the end of King Solomon' | + | |
- | In my weakness for exploring caves I would have liked to have spent the rest of the day and perhaps part of the next day in investigating the wonders of these caves, but we were scheduled to be back on the Kowmung that night and decided to leave the exploration of the Onslaw | + | A third passage from the end of King Solomon' |
- | It would Ile quite easy to lose one's self in the Colong Caves if precautions | + | |
- | were not taken to leave a trail of some description. The | + | In my weakness for exploring caves I would have liked to have spent the rest of the day and perhaps part of the next day in investigating the wonders of these caves, but we were scheduled to be back on the Kowmung that night and decided to leave the exploration of the Onslow |
- | be that of unwinding a ball of coloured wool as you go along, for many coloured threads have been left in the caves by past explorers. Someone has even been | + | |
- | good enough to indicate the exit with a series of black arrows on the walls and it would indeed be unfortunate if with the old threads etc. one could not eventually | + | It would be quite easy to lose one's self in the Colong Caves if precautions were not taken to leave a trail of some description. The popular method |
- | reach daylight again. | + | |
- | On our next visit to the caves we intend taking a visitors book and a pencil | + | On our next visit to the caves we intend taking a visitors book and a pencil with us to leave at the entrance. It seems an inexorable law of nature |
- | with us to leave at the entrance. It seems an inexorable law of natul7e | + | |
- | people in visiting places of interest must inscribe their names on prominent parts of said places and already the beautiful walls of these caves are 1-lackened | + | We emerged from the cold air of the caves into the heat of the midday sun and prepared to depart. At 3.55. we started for the Kowmung, once more heavily laden. On the way down I again came close to stepping on a black snake but this time hadn't the energy to smite him. |
- | We emerged from the cold air of the caves into the heat of the midday sun and | + | |
- | prepared to depart. At 3.55. we started for the Kowmung, once more heavily laden. On the way down I again came close to stepping on a black snake tut this time hadn't the energy to smite him. | + | |
Lannigan' | Lannigan' | ||
- | In exactly two hours we reached the Kawmung | + | |
- | WEDNESDAY | + | In exactly two hours we reached the Kowmung |
- | We had a dip before breakfast and made a late start at 10.15 a.m.. It was a relief to be walking along the easy cowpads again. After an hour a halt was called for lunch opposite Church Creek. There we met a prospector.- whom we had already seen in Yerranderie. While searching for gold he had used many means of transport - canoe, launch, bicycle, and of course Shanks' | + | |
- | he had paddled a long way up the Colo. This made a common ground for discussion and on comparing notes, it was found that our canoe had reached approximately the | + | __WEDNESDAY |
+ | |||
+ | We had a dip before breakfast and made a late start at 10.15 a.m.. It was a relief to be walking along the easy cowpads again. After an hour a halt was called for lunch opposite Church Creek. There we met a prospector whom we had already seen in Yerranderie. While searching for gold he had used many means of transport - canoe, launch, bicycle, and of course Shanks' | ||
same spot. News was given us concerning a party who had embarked at Putty and followed the river to the mouth. | same spot. News was given us concerning a party who had embarked at Putty and followed the river to the mouth. | ||
- | About two hours was spent at this spot, swimming, sunbaking and of course eating. Easy river flats stayed with us during the rest of the afternoon until we camped after a big day of about i miles half a mile below Christie' | + | |
- | suffering from a delusion. We were both very mystified until the cicadas burst into song. | + | About two hours was spent at this spot, swimming, sunbaking and of course eating. Easy river flats stayed with us during the rest of the afternoon until we camped after a big day of about 1 miles half a mile below Christie' |
- | After tea we stayed awake longer than usual talking about various topics and | + | |
- | it must have been after 11 p.m. when I left Jock in the tent and lay down under | + | After tea we stayed awake longer than usual talking about various topics and it must have been after 11 p.m. when I left Jock in the tent and lay down under the stars. |
- | the stars. | + | |
- | THURSDAY | + | __THURSDAY |
Rising at 8, I inspected the eel line and found a three pounder attached. We foolishly beheaded him before skinning and having nothing firm to grasp, had the devil' | Rising at 8, I inspected the eel line and found a three pounder attached. We foolishly beheaded him before skinning and having nothing firm to grasp, had the devil' | ||
- | Broke camp at about 11 o' | + | |
- | Canyc.n. By 12 o' | + | Broke camp at about 11 o' |
- | 12.15 we atopped | + | |
the manner of Atlas of old. | the manner of Atlas of old. | ||
- | Wading recommenced at 3.40 and we began to see a bit of bird life. About | + | |
- | half way through the Canyon we flushed a duck from the reeds near the bank and it alternately flew and hydroplaned down stream at a great rate. While Gordon was | + | Wading recommenced at 3.40 and we began to see a bit of bird life. About half way through the Canyon we flushed a duck from the reeds near the bank and it alternately flew and hydroplaned down stream at a great rate. While Gordon was busy trying to get it over his sights long enough to pull the trigger, another duck took off from the reeds on my left and skimmed across the water in the direction of the opposite bank. Observing that our official duck slayer was facing in the wrong direction, I yanked out the Colt, said "In your eye" and fired. It missed his eye but removed half his head with equally fatal results and I nearly fell into the water in surprise. By the time Gordon arrived on the scene of the slaughter, I had assumed a poker face and so far as I know, he still |
- | - | + | |
- | busy trying to get it over his sights long enough to pull the trigger, another duck took off from the reeds on my left and skimmed across the water in the direction of the opposite bank. Observing that our official duck slayer was | + | |
- | facing in the wrong direction, I yanked out the Colt, said "In your eye" and fired. It missed his eye but removed half his head with equally fatal results | + | |
- | and I nearly fell into the water in surprise. By the time Gordon arrived on the | + | |
- | scene of the slaughter, I had assumed a poker face and so far as I know, he still | + | |
believes that I meant it. | believes that I meant it. | ||
- | We stopped at the Orange Bluffs for a few minutes to admire and photograph | + | |
- | them and then pushed on to shortly emerge from the Canyon. On the way to Hughest | + | We stopped at the Orange Bluffs for a few minutes to admire and photograph them and then pushed on to shortly emerge from the Canyon. On the way to Hughes' |
- | Hut, four miles distant, we passed a succession of bush fires, some of them | + | |
- | stretching right to the water' | + | Those four miles were about the longest we ever did and we walked flat out for two hours before the hut appeared just as dusk was falling.\\ |
- | Those four miles were about the longest we ever did and we walked flat out for | + | We were both very tired although only ten miles had been covered, |
- | two hours before the hut appeared just as dusk was falling. | + | |
- | We were both very tired although only ten miles had teen covered, | + | A slight diversion was created when, bending over the candle the better to see what I was writing, my hair caught fire and flared up and was only saved from complete destruction by the quickness of my compatriot, who crowned me very effectively. Retired at midnight. |
- | fires making spectacular patterns up the ridges on the opposite side of the river | + | |
- | and then set about the manufacturing of a damper and the writing of the diary, the former by Gordon and latter myself. | + | __FRIDAY |
- | A slight diversion was created when, bending over the candle the better to | + | |
- | see what I was writing, my hair caught fire and flared up and was only saved from complete destruction by the quickness of my compatriot, who crowned me very | + | I had felt rather tired last night but after a dip in the excellent swimming hole opposite Hughes' |
- | effectively. Retired at midnight. | + | |
- | FRIDAY | + | At 12.45. a spot a mile below the Cedar Track was reached where the sun and a deep dark pool invited us to linger. We had several dips and Jock did some unsuccessful eeling before lunch. |
- | I had felt rather tired last night but after a dip in the excellent swimming hole opposite Hughes! was quite recovered. The sky was overcast and a few drops | + | |
- | of rain fell while we were finishing breakfast and caused us to delay our | + | Heavy clouds began to gather in the sky and on resuming at 3.15. it was felt that a big shower was on the way. Soon it came - and how! Rain fell in torrents and more or less drowned us, wetting our clothes (shorts) as well. |
- | departure till 9.10 a.m. We followed the right b-nk rather stealthily in the hope of picking off a duck but the ducks were too quick or I too slow. When | + | The ground |
- | approaching Gingra something made me look to one side and there sunning himself | + | |
- | a couple of feet from my boot was a large black snake. Raising my rifle to ny shoulder I took careful aim and fired. Mr. black snake was in the water in a flash and under a log. Jock and I spent quite a while attempting to dislodge | + | |
- | him and when his head quite intact darted out I realised my shot had missed. I didn't do much shooting on this trip but what attempts I made were rotten. | + | |
- | Fortunately Jock was in e=cellent | + | |
- | with the rifle, while the shot with which he hit in the head a duck on the wing - drawing quickly and firing from the hip - would have done credit to a wild west gunman. So thanks to him our meat larder was plentiful in the latter | + | |
- | stages of the trip. | + | |
- | At 12.45. a spot a mile below the Cedar Track WAS reached where the sun and a deep dark pool invited us to linger. We had several dips and Jock did some | + | |
- | unsuccessful eeling before lunch. | + | |
- | Heavy clouds began to gather in the sky and on resuming at 3.15. it was felt | + | |
- | that a M.g shower was on the way. Soon it came - and how! Rain fell in | + | |
- | torrents and more or less drowned us, wetting our clothes (shorts) as well. | + | |
- | The groun4 | + | |
- | use inverted commas. | + | |
At 4.45. it was decided to camp and taking advantage of a lull the tent was erected. Jock did some excellent work lighting a fire and in time warmth and food restored our shivering bodies to something like normal. For the first time I didn't sleep well. Thought of a rising river cutting us off from our destination filled my mind but the night passed without our having to make a break for higher ground. (10 miles). | At 4.45. it was decided to camp and taking advantage of a lull the tent was erected. Jock did some excellent work lighting a fire and in time warmth and food restored our shivering bodies to something like normal. For the first time I didn't sleep well. Thought of a rising river cutting us off from our destination filled my mind but the night passed without our having to make a break for higher ground. (10 miles). | ||
- | SATURDAY Gth. FEBRUARY: | + | |
+ | __SATURDAY 6th. FEBRUARY:__ | ||
We rose at 6 after a fitful night' | We rose at 6 after a fitful night' | ||
- | The rain started again and we broke camp in a deluge at 10 o' | + | |
+ | The rain started again and we broke camp in a deluge at 10 o' | ||
super-fine at 1/- proved to be worth their weight in pound notes in the pouring rain. | super-fine at 1/- proved to be worth their weight in pound notes in the pouring rain. | ||
- | In the Devil' | + | |
- | dangerously | + | In the Devil' |
- | through without mishap and finished the Kawmung | + | |
- | chocolate was brought forth and devoured in honour of the occasion. | + | With the rain still descending in large quantities we decided that it mightn' |
- | With the rain still descending in large quantities we decided that it mightn' | + | hunted around for a camping place. Eureka! a bark hut with half the roof gone but still better than nothing. The tent was pitched in the form of an annexe at one end and we made ourselves reasonably comfortable. A fire was built at the open end and dense volumes of smoke filled the interior, but the proverbial wild horses couldn' |
- | so we wasted no more time in getting downstream. At Cedar Creek with the last crossing behind us we breathed freely again, thumbed our noses at the river and | + | |
- | hunted around for a camping place. Eureka a bark hut with half the roof gone but still better than nothing. The tent was pitched in the form of an annexe at one end and we made ourselves reasonably comfortable. A fire was built at | + | At 11 I woke suddenly to the sound of an extra heavy downpour to find myself lying in an inch or two of water. I swore disgustedly and got up to spend the next hour lighting a fire and trying to dry my blanket and clothes. After losing about a square foot of blanket in the flames I gave it up, spread myself out on the bark table and slept there. Gordon refused to budge from his little island in the middle of the floor and luckily kept above water level all night. (11 miles). |
- | the open end and dense volumes of smoke filled the interior, but the proverbial | + | |
- | wild horses couldn' | + | __SUNDAY |
- | At 11 I woke suddenly to the sound of an extra heavy downpour to find myself lying in an inch or two of water. I swore disgustedly and got up to spend the next hour lighting a fire and trying to dry my blanket and clothes. After losing about a square foot of blanket in the flames I gave it up, spread myself | + | |
- | out on the bark table and slept there. Gordon refused to budge from his little | + | We rose at 7.40. and after eating spent considerable time drying our clothes and shaving etc. At 10.45. on our departure the sun was shining through the clouds and giving promise of a fine day. Our track was the one up the ridge below Cedar Creek. This proved to be clearly defined and followed the ridge, which would be the Korrowall Buttress, for some distance, then gradually winding |
- | island in the middle of the floor and luckily kept above water level all night. (11 miles). | + | |
- | SUNDAY | + | Lunch was taken at the foot of the pass and the ascent was commenced at 3.5 p.m. Jock's watch was fast and actually indicated 3:35 p.m. Thinking ourselves late we made for the top at a steady rate and reached there in 50 minutes. Compared to old "March Fly" ridge and a couple of little hillside scrambles in the past fortnight Kedumba was a babe in arms. After a halt at the Falls to don our shirts the station came in view just before 6 p.m. After some high speed eating the 5.17 train rattled in and carried us off towards the "Big Smoke" (16 miles) |
- | We rose at 7.40. and after eating spent considerable time drying our clothes and shaving etc. At 10.45. on our departure the sun was shining through the | + | |
- | clouds and giving promise of a fine day. Our track was the one up the ridge below Cedar Creek. This proved to be clearly defined and followed the ridge, which would be the Korrowall Buttress, for some distance, then gradually winding | + | The mileage for the whole trip was approximately 194 miles in 15 1/2 days. Our packs counting clothes, books, etc. varied from 59 to 33 pounds. Our progress during the second week was very leisurely, the lunch period being sometimes three or four hours. The food consumption over the whole period slightly exceeded three pounds per day each and we needed it. |
- | dawn to Kedumba Creek. Against | + | |
- | up-stream. Nasty remarks were hurled at me as I led him through occasional ferns and undergrowth. Near Maxwell' | + | The country passed through was full of variety, rough creeks, granite canyons, steep ridges, grassy river flats and a little road. The river roared through rapids, trickled over stones and at times flowed |
- | Lunch was taken at the foot of the pass and the ascent was commenced at 3.5 p.m. Jock's watch was fast and actually indicated 3;35 p.m. Thinking ourselves late | + | |
- | we made for the top at a steady rate and reached there in 50 minutes. Compared to old "March Fly" ridge and a couple of little hillside scrambles in the past fortnight Kedumba was a babe in arms. After a halt at the Falls to don our | + | ===== PAGES FROM THE PAST. A RETROSPECTION. |
- | shirts the station came in view just before 6 p.m. After some high speed eating the 5.17 train rattled in and carried us off towards the "Big Smoke" (16 miles) | + | |
- | The mileage for the whole trip was approximately 194 miles in 15i- days. | + | "Say Wall how about something for the ' |
- | Our packs counting clothes, books, etc. varied from 59 to 33 pounds. Our | + | |
- | progress during the second week was very leisurely, the lunch period being sometimes three or four hours. The food consumption over the whole period slightly exceeded three pounds per day each and we needed it. | + | |
- | The country passed through was full of variety, rough creeks, granite | + | |
- | canyons, steep ridges, grassy river flats and a little road. The river roared through rapids, trickled over stones and at times flawed | + | |
- | PAGES FROM THE PAST. | + | |
- | A RETROSPECTION. | + | |
- | "Say Wall how about something for the / | + | |
- | came to join the Club - good trips of the past - humourous | + | |
I promised, and let my mind wander back over the years, reading what is written on the pages of the past, and here is what I found. | I promised, and let my mind wander back over the years, reading what is written on the pages of the past, and here is what I found. | ||
- | The first scene is set at Pondi; the old No. 7 patrol is on duty. All is quiet | + | |
- | for the Waves god has been kind and but for one small hole to the right of the crowd, there is little danger. Harold and Tom are yarning, whilst the rest of us are amusing ourselves | + | The first scene is set at Bondi; the old No. 7 patrol is on duty. All is quiet for the Waves god has been kind and but for one small hole to the right of the crowd, there is little danger. Harold and Tom are yarning, whilst the rest of us are amusing ourselves |
- | Tiring of our strenuous activities, we joined our more sedate confreres and | + | |
- | heard tell of places new and strange - Nattai, Little River, Goat Track, Burning Palms and Era were some of these, and what visions they conjured up: Tales of camp fires, ranges to be conquered, beautiful rivers, and rare comradeship, | + | Tiring of our strenuous activities, we joined our more sedate confreres and heard tell of places new and strange - Nattai, Little River, Goat Track, Burning Palms and Era were some of these, and what visions they conjured up! Tales of camp fires, ranges to be conquered, beautiful rivers, and rare comradeship, |
- | 19 | + | |
- | The next page tells of the first walk with the Club. Harold was the leader and there was ITiddyl | + | The next page tells of the first walk with the Club. Harold was the leader and there was " |
- | Turning once more the pages, I read of many delightful days and week ends with the brotherhood, | + | |
- | the Surf Club - helped to no small extent by the fact that Phil could enjoy with me the wonderful | + | Turning once more the pages, I read of many delightful days and weekends |
My attention is arrested by what next appears, for it tells of the first big trip - Kanangra, Kowmung, Cedar Road, the Cox - are inscribed in indelible capitals across this page, and reminiscences come flooding back at that most | My attention is arrested by what next appears, for it tells of the first big trip - Kanangra, Kowmung, Cedar Road, the Cox - are inscribed in indelible capitals across this page, and reminiscences come flooding back at that most | ||
famous trip, the ' | famous trip, the ' | ||
- | Do you who were there remember the uproars train trip? the freezing night at the sawmill? the champagne air as we strode out for Kanangra, keen for the sight of our Mecca? and will you ever gorget | + | |
- | The next few leaves bring memories of places far and wide, of Hawkesbury, | + | Do you who were there remember the uproars train trip? the freezing night at the sawmill? the champagne air as we strode out for Kanangra, keen for the sight of our Mecca? and will you ever forget |
- | Nepean and MarragaMba, Minerva pool and rocky, rugged, beautiful O' | + | |
- | Visions of camp and campfires in many remote and lovely spots pass before me like Omar's ' | + | The next few leaves bring memories of places far and wide, of Hawkesbury, Nepean and Warragamba, Minerva pool and rocky, rugged, beautiful O' |
- | lNattail | + | |
- | heading out from Mittagong. Poor old Jim Liddy finds it hard to make the pace | + | ' |
- | it is his first big trip - and we pause on Gap Creek to await his coming. Big hearted Herbert consoles him, lifts off his pack and forthwith commences thinking (strange, you'll say, but its true). Tom had been busy and Jim has brought 6 lbs. of the Herbert food - and still has it. Shame! A rare trip (though Tom did | + | |
- | lose his pipe), finishing with two days at that Heaven upon earth - MaoArthurts | + | I read now of a ten days' trip with Marj Hill and Phil Chamberlain, |
- | I read now of a ten days' trip with Marj Hill and Phil Chamberlain, | + | |
sweat, and lovely, cool Kowmung. Perhaps folk wonder how we could enjoy a trip wherein were so many seemingly unpleasant things, yet this stands out as one of the most enjoyable, the aesthetic compensations far outweighed the few physical discomforts. | sweat, and lovely, cool Kowmung. Perhaps folk wonder how we could enjoy a trip wherein were so many seemingly unpleasant things, yet this stands out as one of the most enjoyable, the aesthetic compensations far outweighed the few physical discomforts. | ||
- | Succeeding pages tell of the first reunion, of boat race parties, Rowing Parties on the Nepean, the Barrisonsl | + | |
- | corstion, ploy, mystery hiking and many other things; days in whiok tal* nub grew v000m me until it became a living vital thing, essential to my very beim, | + | Succeeding pages tell of the first reunion, of boat race parties, Rowing Parties on the Nepean, the Harrisons' |
- | F=t7,-_or o-1. I find many pages filled with stories of the Wild Dogs, 191aok, white, blue, yellow and brindle, and mixed with these are tales of fog, of rata; and wind and cold, of pleasant camps, wonderful panoramas, and of course, the comradeship of friends, Never will I forget the Wild Dogs nor the happy times they have brought to me. | + | constitution, policy, mystery hiking and many other things; days in which the club grew upon me until it became a living vital thing, essential to my very being. |
+ | |||
+ | Further on I find many pages filled with stories of the Wild Dogs, black, white, blue, yellow and brindle, and mixed with these are tales of fog, of rata; and wind and cold, of pleasant camps, wonderful panoramas, and of course, the comradeship of friends, Never will I forget the Wild Dogs nor the happy times they have brought to me. | ||
Books could I fill from my pages of the past for there are tales of lazy gra days and of uproarious 'Bucks weekends. of meanderings with Phil and Imps, of Federatiom, Garawarra, meetings humourous and meetings otherwise and of cursed ' | Books could I fill from my pages of the past for there are tales of lazy gra days and of uproarious 'Bucks weekends. of meanderings with Phil and Imps, of Federatiom, Garawarra, meetings humourous and meetings otherwise and of cursed ' | ||
Marie has often said to me that the Club must never degenerate and geself admiration', | Marie has often said to me that the Club must never degenerate and geself admiration', | ||
Line 382: | Line 367: | ||
When the ' | When the ' | ||
So in closing this my retrospection, | So in closing this my retrospection, | ||
- | WAITER ROOTS | + | |
- | SOCIAL | + | __WALTER ROOTS__ |
- | 16th February, the 'th. Annual swimming Carnival was held at Mosquito | + | ===== SOCIAL |
- | Camp on the Woronora River, Weather and other conditions were ideal. There | + | |
- | was a record attendance approximately 100 being there. | + | 16th February, the 7th. Annual swimming Carnival was held at Mosquito Camp on the Woronora River. Weather and other conditions were ideal. There was a record attendance approximately 100 being there. |
The events were keenly contested and a very fine day was spent by all, and the carnival generally was a very successful function. | The events were keenly contested and a very fine day was spent by all, and the carnival generally was a very successful function. | ||
- | 22nd. February: Our old friend " | + | |
- | recent Barrier Reef trip entitled "A cruise through | + | 22nd. February: Our old friend " |
- | was very interesting as there were some very fine slides and to most of us the Barrier Reef has decided attractions and we are always glad to hear more about it. | + | |
- | On the week-end of March 9th. and 10th. the 4th. Annual Re-union Camp was | + | On the week-end of March 9th. and 10th. the 4th. Annual Re-union Camp was held at Emu Plains. There was a very efficient committee of organisers |
- | held at Emu Plains. There was a very efficient committee of Organisers | + | |
- | Camp-fire and entertainment were excellent. The attendance was the largest we | + | 22nd. March: Harold Chardon gave a lecture an the Tuglow |
- | hare had and the damper competition brought | + | |
- | 22nd. March: Harold Chardon gave a lecture an the Tuglaw | + | This was followed, on March 29th., by a very fine lecture by Marie Byles on " |
- | This was followed, on March 29th., by a very fine lecture by Marie Byles on " | + | |
- | perhaps the finest slides we have yet had in the S.B.M. Club Rooms and were thoroughly interesting and enjoyable. | + | On 16th. April the first dance of the season was held at the Arts Club, the attendance was very fair and the evening one of the best. There were as usual, very high spirits in evidence, and the evening went with a swing. There was also a slight profit. |
- | On 16th. April the first dance of the season was held at the Arts Club, the | + | |
- | attendance was very fair and the evening one of the best. There were as usual, very high spirits in evidence, and the evening went with a swing. There was also a slight profit. | + | |
26th. April: Bob Savage gave us some inside information on the recent Barrier Reef trip, which was undertaken by a party of Bushwalkers with others. This was highly entertaining and most enjoyable. | 26th. April: Bob Savage gave us some inside information on the recent Barrier Reef trip, which was undertaken by a party of Bushwalkers with others. This was highly entertaining and most enjoyable. | ||
- | 17th0 May: some of the Bushwalkers presented a very amusing One Act Farce entitled " | + | |
- | 24th. May: Mr. Charlie Savage entertained members considerably with an account of the recent Jamboree held at Frankston and also of the Jamboree hikes. This was accompanied by excellent slides and was exceptionally interesting, | + | 17th0 May: some of the Bushwalkers presented a very amusing One Act Farce entitled " |
- | All who know Peggy Docksy will be sorry to hear that she has recently | + | |
- | sustained a great loss in the death of her father. | + | 24th. May: Mr. Charlie Savage entertained members considerably with an account of the recent Jamboree held at Frankston and also of the Jamboree hikes. This was accompanied by excellent slides and was exceptionally interesting, |
+ | |||
+ | All who know Peggy Docksy will be sorry to hear that she has recently sustained a great loss in the death of her father. | ||
FOR THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE | FOR THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE | ||
- | R.D. BROWNE, | + | |
+ | R.D. BROWNE, |
193506.txt · Last modified: 2015/03/28 17:01 by emmanuelle_c