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--- 193506 [2014/11/14 14:48] – [SOCIAL NOTES.] emmanuelle_c
+++ 193506 [2014/11/19 13:11] – [THE KOWMUNG-WITH VARIATIONS.] emmanuelle_c
@@ Line 222: / Line 222: @@
 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, hut apparently they were all good Mahommedans and gave our bacon a wide berth.
+disturbed. There were eels in that part of the river because I had seen one about four feet long swimming downstream the day before, but apparently they were all good Mahommedans and gave our bacon a wide berth.
 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.
 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's Creek soon hove in sight and we started up for the Colong Cave.
-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'clock we had not found the Caves and not being 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.
 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 - 4th. FEBRUARY:
-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 "ziff" and set to with a will. I had a hell of a job lathering with some of Jock's palmolive shaving cream, gave up in despair at last and used B.O. Later I found that I had been using concrete brilliantine.
+__MONDAY - 4th. FEBRUARY:__
-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 we found the store and purchased all that Was required with the exception of dried fruit of which one pound of prunes was at our disposal. This was a bitter blow but softened somewhat by some news about a certain apple tree actually unfenced. After a late lunch at 4 p.m. which included a pound of sweet biscuits we collected about eight pounds of apples and set out on the return journey which strangl, enough occupied less time with full packs than in the morning with empty ones.
-Jock shot a'ponga wigeonl but alas later the blow flies got to him - the twigeonl not Jock - Most of the time before bed was spent eating - a noble pastime	(18 miles).
+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 "ziff" and set to with a will. I had a hell of a job lathering with some of Jock's palmolive shaving cream, gave up in despair at last and used B.O. Later I found that I had been using concrete brilliantine.
-TUESDAY 5th. FEBRUARYs
-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 we found the store and purchased all that was required with the exception of dried fruit of which one pound of prunes was at our disposal. This was a bitter blow but softened somewhat by some news about a certain apple tree actually unfenced. After a late lunch at 4 p.m. which included a pound of sweet biscuits we collected about eight pounds of apples and set out on the return journey which strangly enough occupied less time with full packs than in the morning with empty ones.
-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 '1'ore ample evidence of having been occupied by untidy campers and a collection of bottles on the floor seemed to indicate a some-time :jamboree.
+Jock shot a 'ponga wigeon' but alas later the blow flies got to him - the 'wigeon' not Jock.  Most of the time before bed was spent eating - a noble pastime	(18 miles).
+__TUESDAY 5th. FEBRUARY:__
+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.
 -
 Leaving the Arch Cave we hunted around and found the entrance to Lannigan's Cave above the Arch Cave and about a hundred and fifty feet above the creek. A
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 ===== PAGES FROM THE PAST. A RETROSPECTION.  =====
-"Say Wall how about something for the /Bushwalkert, something reminiscent; how you
+"Say Wall how about something for the 'Bushwalker', something reminiscent; how you came to join the Club - good trips of the past - humorous happenings - you know, something breezy!"	'Tis the voice Der Bert, speaking into the left ear.
-came to join the Club - good trips of the past - humourous happenings - you know, something breezy:"	/Tis the voice Der Bert, speaking into the left ear.
 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 'Sy trapping unwary clubmates, rubbing their' heads in the sand and indulging in other gentle pastimes common amongst those /Bronzen Gotten/ of our surf clubs.
+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 by trapping unwary clubmates, rubbing their heads in the sand and indulging in other gentle pastimes common amongst those 'Bronzen Gotten' of our surf clubs.
-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, fired the imagination and sowed the seed that has since borne fruit.
+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, fired the imagination and sowed the seed that has since borne fruit.
-The next page tells of the first walk with the Club. Harold was the leader and there was ITiddyl Robinson, Brenda and many others now firm friends. 'Kirby' was there and with her a tin of prunes of blessed memory. We went from Helensburgh to Garie and back to Waterfall, via the old mill, and what a delightful introduction to the Club it was!. No doubt lTiddy/ will well remember the trip for it proved to be his first experience of the Era swamp.
+The next page tells of the first walk with the Club. Harold was the leader and there was "Tiddy" Robinson, Brenda and many others now firm friends. 'Kirby' was there and with her a tin of prunes of blessed memory. We went from Helensburgh to Garie and back to Waterfall, via the old mill, and what a delightful introduction to the Club it was!. No doubt 'Tiddy' will well remember the trip for it proved to be his first experience of the Era swamp.
-Turning once more the pages, I read of many delightful days and week ends with the brotherhood, happy experiences that gradually weaned me from my old love -
-the Surf Club - helped to no small extent by the fact that Phil could enjoy with me the wonderful cameraderie of the new, whereas the surf did not appeal.
+Turning once more the pages, I read of many delightful days and weekends with the brotherhood, happy experiences that gradually weaned me from my old love - the Surf Club - helped to no small extent by the fact that Phil could enjoy with me the wonderful camaraderie of the new, whereas the surf did not appeal.
 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 'Kanangra Gallop'.
-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 stiff, footsore and weary lrksaid which gazed with rapt expression into the majesty of the Gorge and to the horizons beyond? Cast your minds back with me to a little spur that 'must lead to the Kowmung" - and did - but howl Only the tough ones reached the Kowmung by that route,	'Plim', Norm Saill and the four IOurangutangsl.	Speaking of Ourangutangs calls to mind that 'twas on this trip the now famous fraternity was born and at the same time the 'Jaguars' (long since deceased) and lastly, but not least, the mighty 'Hippos' whose hip holes rival the Kanangra.Grand Gorge itself.
-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 the stiff, footsore and weary hand which gazed with rapt expression into the majesty of the Gorge and to the horizons beyond? Cast your minds back with me to a little spur that "must lead to the Kowmung" - and did - but how! Only the tough ones reached the Kowmung by that route,	'Plim', Norm Saill and the four 'Ourangutangs'.	Speaking of Ourangutangs calls to mind that 'twas on this trip the now famous fraternity was born and at the same time the 'Jaguars' (long since deceased) and lastly, but not least, the mighty 'Hippos' whose hip holes rival the Kanangra Grand Gorge itself.
-Nepean and MarragaMba, Minerva pool and rocky, rugged, beautiful O'Hares.
-Visions of camp and campfires in many remote and lovely spots pass before me like Omar's 'moving shadow shawl and I catch again the wonder both of scene and comradeship.
+The next few leaves bring memories of places far and wide, of Hawkesbury, Nepean and Warragamba, Minerva pool and rocky, rugged, beautiful O'Hares.Visions of camp and campfires in many remote and lovely spots pass before me like Omar's 'moving shadow show' and I catch again the wonder both of scene and comradeship.
-lNattail - the name stands out in bold relief and again I see a little group
-heading out from Mittagong. Poor old Jim Liddy finds it hard to make the pace
+'Nattai' - the name stands out in bold relief and again I see a little group 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 - MacArthur's Flat.
-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 Flat.
+I read now of a ten days' trip with Marj Hill and Phil Chamberlain, over Clear Hill, the elusive Flack Dog, Kowmung, Roots' Route, Kanangra and there-abouts, the Boyd and Colong Caves. A wonderful trip with good companions. Was there ever a better 'bushman' than Marj? Tough days and easy days, dry camps, flies, heat,
-I read now of a ten days' trip with Marj Hill and Phil Chamberlain, over Clear Hill, the elusive Flack Dog, Kawmung, Roots' Route, Kanangra and there-abouts, the Boyd and Oolong Caves. A wonderful trip with good companions. Was there ever a better 'bushman' than Marj? Tough days and easy days, dry camps, flies, heat,
 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 'House Cooling', of blue gums tall and straight, swimming carnivals and sports, of arguments re 'limitation',
-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' 'House Cooling', of blue gums tall and straight, swimming carnivals and sports, of arguments re 'limitation',
-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 'tactful: letters,
 Marie has often said to me that the Club must never degenerate and geself admiration', that we must concentrate not upon what has been done, but upon what we have to do, and heartily I agree. Yet I can not forget the past; it is A possession none can take from me; the future; who knows?
@@ Line 383: / Line 396: @@
 When the 'Sally' and the 'Lawyers' have torn off the veneer, I have fclund pure gold and little dross and a cheerfulness sublime.
 So in closing this my retrospection, one thing I do say, our beloved Club has 1-,rought to me those things which I vastly prize, true friendships born of real regard, and a wealth of memories.
-WAITER ROOTS
+__WALTER ROOTS__
 ===== SOCIAL NOTES. =====