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 ==== "WARRAGAMBOLS" ====
-Gordon Smith.
+Gordon Smith
-The canoe trip should have commenced at Penrith on Xmas Eve; but as at that time the canoe was miles away, I had better start from the beginning, when Hama Galliott, "Kissme" Hardy and I set out for Camden on Friday, December 20th. The Canoe had been freighted from Liverpool to Camden, it being our intention to follow the Nepean River to Penrith and from there commence the trip proper on Xmas Eve. The canoe Was carried to the Nepean, and at 9 a.m. on Saturday a start was made on the 40 miles of river to Penrith. After covering 22 miles of the George's River to Liverpool in half a day, I was optimistic enough to think we could reach Penrith by Sunday night:---alast
+\\
-There was not much information available about this part of the Nepean, but no news is good news - sometimes. After a quarter of a mile the weir appeared, and by lunch time, after five portages, our appetite for weirs was more than satiated.	In between times the canoe was dragged through sand, assisted over snags and occasionally paddled, and by dusk nine miles had been covered.
+\\ The canoe trip should have commenced at Penrith on Christmas Eve; but as at that time the canoe was miles away, I had better start from the beginning, when Hama Galliott, "Kissme" Hardy and I set out for Camden on Friday, December 20th. The canoe had been freighted from Liverpool to Camden, it being our intention to follow the Nepean River to Penrith and from there commence the trip proper on Christmas Eve. The canoe Was carried to the Nepean, and at 9 am on Saturday, a start was made on the 40 miles of river to Penrith. After covering 22 miles of the George's River to Liverpool in half a day, I was optimistic enough to think we could reach Penrith by Sunday night...alas!
-After a 7 a.m. departure, progress improved and about 9 a.m. I was able to use the oars and visualize a spot of lunch about Wallacia. A beautiful stretch of water, where the banks were heavily wooded, ended abruptly at the entrance to a narrow defile. What shall I say about the next six or seven hours when at
+\\
-the expense of some gruelling hard work, and heavy falls on green, slippery rocks, an advance of 3A mile was made. "Kissme" tugged heroically at one end, while Hilma, surrounded with packs, on all sides, emulated a donkey along the rocky banks.
+\\ There was not much information available about this part of the Nepean, but no news is good news - sometimes. After a quarter of a mile the weir appeared, and by lunch time, after five portages, our appetite for weirs was more than satiated. In between times the canoe was dragged through sand, assisted over snags and occasionally paddled, and by dusk, nine miles had been covered.
-At 5 p.m. we "threw in the sponge," parked the canoe to await our return on Christmas Eve and in 35 minutes reached Bent's Basin. On our arrival at Wallaeia after tea, it was found that the last service car had gone. After some good team work between the storekeeper and a car owner, we departed at an average speed of 50 miles p.h., for Kingswood, where, we were informed, the last train would stop for us if asked nicely. It didn't, and we slept in a paddock waking at 4 a.m. to catch the first train to Sydney.
+\\
-Next night, Xmas Eve, saw the same party, plus Ada Frost, on Central waiting the 8-40 p.m. train to Penrith. Not I am wrong for Mr. Hardy arrived at 8-45 full of joie de vivre, and reeled off a sad and recurrent story of missed taxis and convival friends encountered. A sunlight soap box held his surplus groceries, and his pockets bulged with cigars. He forgot nothing - not even to give the Stationmaster at Kingswood a 'raspberry'.
+\\ After a 7 am departure, progress improved and about 9 am, I was able to use the oars and visualise a spot of lunch about Wallacia. A beautiful stretch of water, where the banks were heavily wooded, ended abruptly at the entrance to a narrow defile. What shall I say about the next six or seven hours when at the expense of some gruelling hard work, and heavy falls on green, slippery rocks, an advance of 3/4 mile was made. "Kissme" tugged heroically at one end, while Hilma, surrounded with packs, on all sides, emulated a donkey along the rocky banks.
-The service car from Penrith dropped us at Wallacia about 12-30 a.m., and accompanied by one stray dog, we staggered a mile or two before camping.
+\\
-Xmas Day was hot and a combined load of 180 lbs. of food and gear made our journey to Bent's Basin a nightmare. The canoe had been left some 3/4 mile
+\\ At 5 pm we "threw in the sponge," parked the canoe to await our return on Christmas Eve and in 35 minutes reached Bent's Basin. On our arrival at Wallacia after tea, it was found that the last service car had gone. After some good team work between the storekeeper and a car owner, we departed at an average speed of 50 miles p.h., for Kingswood, where, we were informed, the last train would stop for us if asked nicely. It didn't, and we slept in a paddock waking at 4 am to catch the first train to Sydney.
-above this spot. The Basin, almost circular, with a diameter of about 150 yards, and fringed with rocks, grass and river oaks provided an ideal camp site, and a swim in its limpid waters soon removed the tired feeling. Soon after tea "Kissme" produced a bright green mosquito net and hid himself. In confidence, let me tell you that "Rissme" (according to Kissme) does everything but gamble, but vfoddahl and sleep are his two favorite pastimes. He had been burning the midnight oil recently and intended to get all the beauty sleep possible.
+\\
-With the exception of a couple of hours' portage of the canoe to the Basin, Boxing Day WAS spent in a leisurely fashion. A sharp shower of rain drove us into the tent at night.
+\\ Next night, Christmas Eve, saw the same party, plus Ada Frost, on Central waiting the 8.40 pm train to Penrith. No! I am wrong for Mr Hardy arrived at 8.45 full of joie de vivre, and reeled off a sad and recurrent story of missed taxis and convival friends encountered. A sunlight soap box held his surplus groceries, and his pockets bulged with cigars. He forgot nothing - not even to give the Stationmaster at Kingswood a 'raspberry'.
-At 11 a0m0 on Friday the two gi7ls caught the launch to Wallacia (7 miles) and we followed 13y canoe, in time for lunch. Two trips were made to the weir, and after unloading, commenced the mile portage to Nortonls Basin which was gloomy with the approaching dusk before we arrived Joan Fitzpatrick and Jock Kaske, who had arranged to start by canoe that morning from Penrith and meet us at the Basin, werenit present in the flesh but an apt description by local campers satisfied me that they and the canoe werentt far distant. After breakfast they strolled up, expecting to see us, had been told that a "pommy and a big dago" had been sightedt
+\\
-In the afternoon Joan, Hilma, Jock and I went to Wallacia for supplies, while Ada and "Kissme" moved camp to a cave at the mouth of the Warragamba; the real beginning of the combined canoe trip, it being our intention to paddle up this river to Burragorang. Vic. Leeson and Bill Medbury in a third canoe completed the party.
+\\ The service car from Penrith dropped us at Wallacia about 12.30 am, and accompanied by one stray dog, we staggered a mile or two before camping.
-In the morning I rose early and took one of our party four miles upstream by canoe, paddling back in time to see the others pack and depart en masse. Gladys Parsons and Hee. Carruthers who were only out for the week-end gazed mournfully at us from the bank. Steady rain fell for an hour or so; but at lunch-time the skies were clear again. The river had narrowed and the canoes made tortuous progress between huge boulders towering on either side. The first few rapids presented little difficulty. To drag the canoes through the fast but shallow water was comparatively easy; but early in the afternoon the volume of water increased, and as a result of carelessness on my part, a wave swept over the side and swamped my canoe, some of the contents suffered but not seriously. About this time the company had an encounter with two youths, travelling downstream in a canvas canoe;who gave us a vivid, if exaggerated description of the terrors ahead. Owing to the reported dearth of camp sites above Monkey Creek, it was decided to camp there on our arrival although only 3-15 p.m. An early start on the morrow was planned, and Joan certainly arose at some ungodly hour to disturb the peace. That she even had "Kissme" out of bed early says a lot for her enthusiasm. By 7 a.m. the canoes were in motion and the day proved to be a hard one. Our canoe was overstocked, of course, with luggage for four, entailing loss of time at each portage. One or two of us took turns to walk along the rough banks. Later the "Trail Blazer" and the "Pig" very kindly took a passenger each. Stretches of half a mile or so of open water were encountered between some rapids; but this was far from general. At times, forces were combined, the five men pushing the canoes, in turn, through the swirling waters, or carrying them bodily over the rocks. This method lessened the hard work; but probably lost time. Lunch Was taken on a large, flat rock and the close of a rather tiring day saw the gorge Was behind us. Green banks, similar to those of the Cox, appeared in view and at 6 p.m. camp was made one mile short of the big bend and four to five miles from the CoxWollondilly Junction.
+\\
-Next morning the huge boulders had disappeared; but the numerous rapids, where the extremely shallow water gushed over the cobble-stones, provided a tough task, especially for my heavily-laden canoe. A well-defined cow-pad now followed the stream; and Hilma and Ada bolted, and when the party decided to call a halt, 3A1 mile short of the Junction, they were missing. After breathing anathemas for an hour, I found them near the Junction and we returned to camp. Some of the party went for a walk in the afternoon, and returned after dusk with Mostyn Kill. This was New Year's Eve, and the fire blazed brightly, for a couple of hours and Joan, who has a mania for letting off crackers, was true to
+\\ Christmas Day was hot and a combined load of 180 lbs of food and gear made our journey to Bent's Basin a nightmare. The canoe had been left some 3/4 mile above this spot. The Basin, almost circular, with a diameter of about 150 yards, and fringed with rocks, grass and river oaks provided an ideal camp site, and a swim in its limpid waters soon removed the tired feeling. Soon after tea, "Kissme" produced a bright green mosquito net and hid himself. In confidence, let me tell you that "Kissme" (according to Kissme) does everything but gamble, but "foddah" and sleep are his two favorite pastimes. He had been burning the midnight oil recently and intended to get all the beauty sleep possible.
-form; but fortunately, no lives were lost.	The New Year crept into a sleeping
+\\
-camp.
+\\ With the exception of a couple of hours' portage of the canoe to the Basin, Boxing Day was spent in a leisurely fashion. A sharp shower of rain drove us into the tent at night.
-Next day we indulged in swimming and a little unsuccessful shooting. This was the parting of the ways. On the morrow two canoes were returning dawn the Warragamba, and Ada, Hilma, "Kissme" and I were going for a week's walk, and then returning to Penrith in my canoe which I had already parked at a farmhouse. At 5 p.m. the whole party boarded Mostyn's lorry, and away it rattled, following the road along the Cox's River.
+\\
-This palatial machine was a four speed Fiat of 1914 vintage stripped of body, bonnet, lamps, horn, battery, hood, seats and number plates, and fitted with a buckboard and box for a seat. With a crank-handle broken in the crank-shaft, the only way to start was to push off downhill. Once when the motor stalled in a river crossing, Mostyn had to jack up the back wheel, put her in gear, and swing the wheel to start again. The radiator was rather badly bent as a result of a dive over an embankment, but for all its quaint appearance, the motor purred as sweetly as the day it was born. Mostyn drove mainly with one big toe, and a rather wild drive followed.
+\\ At 11 am on Friday, the two girls caught the launch to Wallacia (7 miles) and we followed by canoe, in time for lunch. Two trips were made to the weir, and after unloading, commenced the mile portage to Norton's Basin which was gloomy with the approaching dusk before we arrived. Joan Fitzpatrick and Jock Kaske, who had arranged to start by canoe that morning from Penrith and meet us at the Basin, weren't present in the flesh but an apt description by local campers satisfied me that they and the canoe weren't far distant. After breakfast they strolled up, expecting to see us, had been told that a "Pommy and a big dago" had been sighted!
-Joan, Jock, Bill and Vic. had came "just for the ride", and after three milea they alighted and bade us "au revoir". The rest of us reached Mostyn's hut in time to prepare the evening meal.
+\\
-At 11 a.m. we commenced a somewhat perilous ride from McMahon's along the Cedar Road to the Kowmung House on the Scots Main Range, where the lorry was left. From here our itinerary being the Kowmung, Kanangra Walls, Kanangra Creek and the Cox in that order. Our first contract with the Kawmung was a point about five miles downstream from Gingra Creek, where we TIMM and lunched. It was hot, and even Hilma, who usually swims only when thrown in, made a voluntary effort here. Mostyn was insistent that this was the only reliable pool for fish in the whole river, but a camp here would have made the next day's journey to Kanaagra Walls too severe. Mostyn and "Kissme" stayed to fish after tea, and follow later, while I accompanied the two girls to Gingra, making vain efforts en route to bag a rabbit. The fishermen arrived after midnight with eight fish, which were eaten for breakfast, and I shot three rabbits, so there was more meat than usually.
+\\ In the afternoon Joan, Hilma, Jock and I went to Wallacia for supplies, while Ada and "Kissme" moved camp to a cave at the mouth of the Warragamba; the real beginning of the combined canoe trip, it being our intention to paddle up this river to Burragorang. Vic Leeson and Bill Medbury in a third canoe completed the party.
-Mostyn left us to return to his lorry, and we walked upstream. The weather was hot and humid, and all were glad to reach Hughes? hut, where some rabbit stew and peaches from an adjacent tree, stewed, relieved the "inner man."
+\\
-The ascent of Hughes' Ridge from the Kawmung WAS commenced about 2-45 p.m. The steaming heat poured over us and distant mutterings of the approaching storm accompanied our progress up the steep slopes.	Soon after reaching the easier
+\\ In the morning I rose early and took one of our party four miles upstream by canoe, paddling back in time to see the others pack and depart en masse. Gladys Parsons and Hec Carruthers who were only out for the weekend gazed mournfully at us from the bank.
-grade the heavens opened and what a relief the rain was: We were four hours reaching the Dance Floor Cave on the top of the Kanangra Walls plateau and after the somewhat lengthy business of preparing and eating tea, all of us retired to a bed of gum leaves.
+\\
-After an early stroll around the plateau, taking photos and viewing the gorge, we proceeded to follow the precipitous Murdering Gully to Kanangra Creek. Quite early in the day I dislodged a large stone about five hundredweight, skated wildly an the surface for a second or two, and then weighted with a 50-lb. pack, sat heavily on it. This may sound amusing; but I was shaken rather badly, and without any confidencem continued the descent well in the rear. All were sopa-. rated by the time the creek was reached, the girls having followed a rather
+\\ Steady rain fell for an hour or so; but at lunch time, the skies were clear again. The river had narrowed and the canoes made tortuous progress between huge boulders towering on either side. The first few rapids presented little difficulty. To drag the canoes through the fast but shallow water was comparatively easy; but early in the afternoon the volume of water increased, and as a result of carelessness on my part, a wave swept over the side and swamped my canoe, some of the contents suffered but not seriously. \\
+\\ About this time the company had an encounter with two youths, travelling downstream in a canvas canoe; who gave us a vivid, if exaggerated description of the terrors ahead. Owing to the reported dearth of camp sites above Monkey Creek, it was decided to camp there on our arrival although only 3.15 pm. An early start on the morrow was planned, and Joan certainly arose at some ungodly hour to disturb the peace. That she even had "Kissme" out of bed early says a lot for her enthusiasm.
+\\
+\\ By 7 am the canoes were in motion and the day proved to be a hard one. Our canoe was overstocked, of course, with luggage for four, entailing loss of time at each portage. One or two of us took turns to walk along the rough banks. Later the "Trail Blazer" and the "Pig" very kindly took a passenger each. Stretches of half a mile or so of open water were encountered between some rapids; but this was far from general. At times, forces were combined, the five men pushing the canoes, in turn, through the swirling waters, or carrying them bodily over the rocks. This method lessened the hard work; but probably lost time. Lunch Was taken on a large, flat rock and the close of a rather tiring day saw the gorge was behind us. Green banks, similar to those of the Cox, appeared in view and at 6 pm camp was made one mile short of the big bend and four to five miles from the Cox-Wollondilly Junction.
+\\
+\\ Next morning the huge boulders had disappeared; but the numerous rapids, where the extremely shallow water gushed over the cobblestones, provided a tough task, especially for my heavily laden canoe. A well defined cow pad now followed the stream; and Hilma and Ada bolted, and when the party decided to call a halt, 3/4 mile short of the Junction, they were missing. After breathing anathemas for an hour, I found them near the Junction and we returned to camp. Some of the party went for a walk in the afternoon, and returned after dusk with Mostyn Kill. This was New Year's Eve, and the fire blazed brightly, for a couple of hours and Joan, who has a mania for letting off crackers, was true to
+form; but fortunately, no lives were lost.The New Year crept into a sleeping camp.
+\\
+\\ Next day we indulged in swimming and a little unsuccessful shooting. This was the parting of the ways. On the morrow two canoes were returning dawn the Warragamba, and Ada, Hilma, "Kissme" and I were going for a week's walk, and then returning to Penrith in my canoe, which I had already parked at a farmhouse. At 5 pm, the whole party boarded Mostyn's lorry, and away it rattled, following the road along the Cox's River.
+\\
+\\ This palatial machine was a four speed Fiat of 1914 vintage stripped of body, bonnet, lamps, horn, battery, hood, seats and number plates, and fitted with a buckboard and box for a seat. With a crank handle broken in the crank shaft, the only way to start was to push off downhill. Once when the motor stalled in a river crossing, Mostyn had to jack up the back wheel, put her in gear, and swing the wheel to start again. The radiator was rather badly bent as a result of a dive over an embankment, but for all its quaint appearance, the motor purred as sweetly as the day it was born. Mostyn drove mainly with one big toe, and a rather wild drive followed.
+\\
+\\ Joan, Jock, Bill and Vic had came "just for the ride", and after three miles they alighted and bade us "au revoir". The rest of us reached Mostyn's hut in time to prepare the evening meal.
+\\
+\\ At 11 am, we commenced a somewhat perilous ride from McMahon's along the Cedar Road to the Kowmung House on the Scots Main Range, where the lorry was left. From here our itinerary being the Kowmung, Kanangra Walls, Kanangra Creek and the Cox in that order. Our first contract with the Kowmung was a point about five miles downstream from Gingra Creek, where we swam and lunched. It was hot, and even Hilma, who usually swims only when thrown in, made a voluntary effort here. Mostyn was insistent that this was the only reliable pool for fish in the whole river, but a camp here would have made the next day's journey to Kanaagra Walls too severe. Mostyn and "Kissme" stayed to fish after tea, and follow later, while I accompanied the two girls to Gingra, making vain efforts en route to bag a rabbit. The fishermen arrived after midnight with eight fish, which were eaten for breakfast, and I shot three rabbits, so there was more meat than usually.
+\\
+\\ Mostyn left us to return to his lorry, and we walked upstream. The weather was hot and humid, and all were glad to reach Hughes' hut, where some rabbit stew and peaches from an adjacent tree, stewed, relieved the "inner man."
+\\
+\\ The ascent of Hughes' Ridge from the Kowmung WAS commenced about 2.45 pm. The steaming heat poured over us and distant mutterings of the approaching storm accompanied our progress up the steep slopes.	Soon after reaching the easier, grade the heavens opened and what a relief the rain was! We were four hours reaching the Dance Floor Cave on the top of the Kanangra Walls plateau and after the somewhat lengthy business of preparing and eating tea, all of us retired to a bed of gum leaves.
+\\
+\\ After an early stroll around the plateau, taking photos and viewing the gorge, we proceeded to follow the precipitous Murdering Gully to Kanangra Creek. Quite early in the day I dislodged a large stone about five hundredweight, skated wildly an the surface for a second or two, and then weighted with a 50-lb. pack, sat heavily on it. This may sound amusing; but I was shaken rather badly, and without any confidence continued the descent well in the rear. All were sopa- rated by the time the creek was reached, the girls having followed a rather
 hazardous ridge between two gullies. A little downstream a showy waterfall gushed into a crystal pool and provided a sufficient excuse for lunch.
 The rocks were slippery, and shortly after resuming Hilma fell very hard. Soon after, I attempted the high jump record, when a snake swam under my boc,t. After an hourts rock-hopping, the sight of a cowpad gladdened our eyes, and later a frightened little band of steers careered wildly along the track ahead, showing us the best crossings.