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 On Friday night, the 3rd. October, seven of us, to wit, Ada Meade, Hilma Galliott, Gordon Smith, Bernard Yardley (our most estimable leader), Ninian Melville, Max Gentle and I set out for a most enjoyable week's walk.
-We started out by catching the 6:30 train from Central arriving at Katoomba at a little after 9. Our destination for this night WAS Diamond Falls. It was a glorious night for walking, though as we neared the Falls, it became terribly windy. I might add that the water supply here was very poor. Next morning our leader, Bernard, after several unsuccessful reminders of "Leaving in 10 minutes" eventually succeeded in getting us to break camp at about 8:30 a m. The morning was a glorious one, but very hot and the trip being the first long one of Ada and self, our packs soon began to feel rather heavy. However, we proceeded to Narrow Neck, admiring Mt. Solitary from the distance, thence round Glen Raphael swamp to Clear Hill. Hera we signed the visitors' book which was buried beneath a quantity of stones, after which we made for Tare's Ladder, which appeared to have been reinforced and so we felt most secure going down. All having reached the bottom of the ladder, we began a most slippery piece of sliding down the hill until we reached the bottom.
+We started out by catching the 6:30 train from Central arriving at Katoomba at a little after 9. Our destination for this night was Diamond Falls. It was a glorious night for walking, though as we neared the Falls, it became terribly windy. I might add that the water supply here was very poor. Next morning our leader, Bernard, after several unsuccessful reminders of "Leaving in 10 minutes" eventually succeeded in getting us to break camp at about 8:30 a m. The morning was a glorious one, but very hot and the trip being the first long one of Ada and self, our packs soon began to feel rather heavy. However, we proceeded to Narrow Neck, admiring Mt. Solitary from the distance, thence round Glen Raphael swamp to Clear Hill. Hera we signed the visitors' book which was buried beneath a quantity of stones, after which we made for Taro's Ladder, which appeared to have been reinforced and so we felt most secure going down. All having reached the bottom of the ladder, we began a most slippery piece of sliding down the hill until we reached the bottom.
-Next morning, Sunday, we left Carlon's at 10:30 and followed Galong Creek
+Next morning, Sunday, we left Carlon's at 10:30 and followed Galong Creek through to the Cox, arriving there at about 12:30. Galong Creek is very pretty and drops down in layers. These drops are really waterfalls but the Creek was very dry. Getting down each layer proved a slippery business and we found the seats of our pants a great asset. After about three hours' rest we followed the Cox on, walking along the cattle pads which crossed and recrossed the Cox every now and then, eventually making camp for the night just past Breakfast Creek. The Cox, with the beautiful casuarinas growing on both sides, is indeed an extremely pretty river, but there is only one drawback and that is the nettles which persisted in gently caressing our legs every few minutes. After tea this night Bernard rendered many songs for us and proved a good entertainer.
-through to the Cox, arriving there at about 12:30. Galong Creek is very pretty
+Next day, Monday, we said goodbye to two of our companions, Hilma and Max. The party had now diminished to five, so off we set for Kanagaroo Clearing at the mouth of Kanangara River arriving about 2 o'clock. This morning had been exceedingly hot, and it was not surprising that we saw many snakes (commonly known as "Joe Blakes"). Between Bernard and Gordon they succeeded in killing a nasty black one about 5 ft. long. (I was. going to say about 7 ft. long, but as this is not a fish story, 5 ft. will suffice. As we were having lunch, the air became oppressive, very black clouds appeared and thunder clattered overhead, but we had only a few drops of rain. During the afternoon Ada became domesticated and mended Bernard's shorts, he being forced into the privacy of Ada's going-home skirt, and I must say he did make a pretty picture. This night Ninian made us a lovely steamed pudding, over which we had apricot syrup. Now, should anyone be looking for a good cook, I can thoroughly recommend Nin; the pudding was really delicious. Tea was made over a big fire and after putting up the tents, verandah fashion, we went to bed, the fire throwing out its warmth to us; and so, with Bernard's "Dolly Ballads" and the cheerful warmth of the fire, we were indeed a most contented party.
-and drops down in layers. These drops are really waterfalls but the Creek was very dry. Getting down each layer proved a slippery business and we found the seats of our pants a great asset. After about three hours' rest we followed the Cox an, walking along the cattle pads which crossed and recrossed the COX every now and then, eventually making camp for the night just past Breakfast Creek. The Cox, with the beautiful casuarinas growing on both sides, is indeed an extremely pretty river, but there is only one drawback and that is the nettles which persisted in gently caressing our legs every few minutes. After tea this night Bernard rendered many songs for us and proved a good entertainer.
+Next morning, Tuesday, Gordon had to depart for home. We were now four, so after a lovely lazy morning, we set off after lunch for the Kowmung River, the nettles by the way, still playfully accompanying us. This night we actually went to bed at 7:10 but it was a very hot night and nettle stings made me pretty restless, for the hotter I became, the worse were the stings. Next morning we went for a stroll up the Kowmung. We all had a good swim, Ada and I found it great fun to lie just where the rapids flowed over the rocks, and it was very cooling. Before I had my swim, I was walking along the banks of the River, looking for Ada, who had gone ahead, when to my surprise and, I must admit, fright, I came face to face with a pretty big wallaby. I was half decided to jump into the safety of the Kowmung when the poor old wallaby who was just as scared as I hopped away. After lunch this day we four, plus the nettles, moved on to Cedar Creek, which was pretty dry.
-Next day, Monday, we said goodbye to two of our companions, Hilma and Max. The party had now diminished to five, so off we set for Kanagaroo Clearing at the mouth of Kanangara River arriving about 2 o'clock. This morning had been exceedingly hot, and it was not surprising that we saw many snakes (commonly known as "Joe Blakes"). Between Bernard and Gordon they succeeded in killing a nasty black one about 5 ft. long. (I was. going to say about 7 ft. long, but as this is not a fish story, 5 ft. will suffice. As we were having lunch, the air became oppressive, very black clouds appeared and thunder clattered overhead, but we had only a few drops of rain., During the afternoon Ada became domesticated and mended Bernard's shorts, he being forced into the privacy of Ada's going-home skirt, and I must say he did make a pretty picture. This night Ninian made us a lovely steamed pudding, over which we had apricot syrup. Now, should anyone be looking for a good cook, I can thoroughly reoommend Nin; the pudding was really delicious. Tea Was made over a big fire and after putting up the tents, verandah fashion, we went to bed, the fire throwing out its warmth to us; and so, with Bernard's "Dolly Ballads" and the cheerful warmth of the fire,, we were indeed a most contented party.
+Early next morning the boys explored the Creek while Ada and I basked in the sun. They returned to camp about 11:15 and once more the familiar words "Moving off in 10 minutes" rang out, so off we went to Kill's old farm. On arrival there we helped ourselves to some oranges and lemons, had lunch just below the farm, and as our clothes were just clinging to us, we had another dip in the dear old Cox. Our next port of call was Seymour's where we chatted for awhile. We then moved on to McMahon's and met Mostyn Kill in the yard. We had been told his main characteristic was his very big toes, and Ada and I had a good opportunity of observing them. He was tinkering with an old battered lorry which possessed no horn, brakes, bonnet or seats, and in this contraption he was driving the MoMahon's to a wedding in Burragorang! We camped this night about half a mile passed MeMahon's and as the next day we would be in civilisation once more, Ada and I thought we would try to improve our hair, which had been allowed to run pretty wild all the week. We had lost all our bobbie pins, but I found a piece of ribbon and twisted it wound my head and Ada, a most resourceful person, wound a piece of her hair around a tent peg. She forgot she had it there end. when Bernard came to fold up his tent and could not find the peg, we all looked for it until Ada remembered it in her hair.
--12 -
+Friday lunch time found us just near the junction of the Wollondilly and Cox Rivers. Now, up till this day we had had exceptionally good meals but this day an examination of the packs, we were only able to scrape together for lunch enough damper to have l½ ((1.5)) slices each, with cheese. Too soon did the 1½ ((1.5)) pieces sink in our cavities, and we were all left feeling rather light inside. Ada and Bernard had just started dividing the damper crumbs, when I remembered I had nearly 1 lb. of chocolate in a pocket of my pack. Thus we were saved from starvation, and we went happily on our way to Bimlo where we arrived at 5 o'clock; this was our final camping spot. To make up for the sorry lunch we had had, Ninian made us another good steamed pudding.
-Next morning, Tuesday, Gordon had to depart for home. We were now four, so after a lovely lazy morning, we set off after lunch for the Kowmung River, the nettles by the way, still playfully accompanying us. This night we actually went to bed at 7:10 but it was a very hot night and nettle stings made no pretty restless, for the hotter I became, the worse were the stings. Next morning we went for a stroll up the Kawmung. We all had a good:swim, Ada and I found it great fun to lie just where the rapids flowed over the rocks, and it was very cooling. Before I had my swim, I was walking along the banks of the River, looking for Ada, who had gone ahead:, when to my surprise and, I must admit, fright, I came face to face with a pretty big wallaby. I was-half decided to jump into the safety of the Kowmung when the poor old wallaby who was just as scared as I hopped away. After lunch this day we four, plus the nettles, moved on to Cedar Creek, which was pretty dry.
+On this, our last night of camping, we went to bed about 8:30, and at midnight or thereabouts all were awakened by merrymakers from an adjoining boarding house and by torches shining on the tents. We were very annoyed, but just __grinned__ and bore it, and after hearing various comments such as "Looks like a boy scouts' camp" and a discussion on our cooking gear, the marauders left us in peace and we just rolled over and went to sleep??????.
-'Early next morning the boys explored the Creek while Ada and I basked in the sun. They returned to camp about 11:15 and once more the familiar words "Moving off in
+=====Grose River=====
-minutes" rang out, so off' we went to Kill's old farm. On arrival there we helped3 ourselves to some oranges- and lemons, had. lunch just below the farm, and as our clothes were just clinging to us, we had another dip in the dear old Cox. Our next port of call WAS Seymourts where we chatted for awhile. We then moved on to McMahon's and net Mostyn Kill in the yard. We had been told his main characteristic was his very big toes, and Ada and I had a good opportunity of observing them. He WAS tinkering with an old battered lorry which possessed no horn, brakes, bonnet or seats, and in this contraption he was driving the MoMahonts to a wedding in Burragorangt We camped this night about half a mile passed MeMahonts and as the next day we would be in civilisation once more, Ada and I thought we would try to improve our hair, which had been allowed to run pretty wild all the week. We had lost all our bobbie pins, but I found a piece of ribbon and twisted it wound my head and Ada, a most resourceful person, wound a piece of her hair around a tent peg. She forgot
-she had it there end. when Bernard came to fold up his tent and could not find: the peg, we all looked for it until Ada remembered it in her hair.
-Friday lunch time found us just near the junction of the Wollondilly and Cox Rivers. Now, up till this day we had had exceptionally good meals but this day an examination of the packs, we were only able to scrape together for lunch enough damper to have l slices each, with cheese. Too soon did the 1 pieces sink in our cavities, and we were all left feeling rather light inside. Ada mad Bernard had just started dividing the damper crumbs, when I remembered I had nearly 1 lb. of chocolate in a pocket of my pack. Thus we were saved from starvation, and we went happily on our way to Bimlo where we arrived at 5 o'clock; this was our final camping spot. To make up for the sorry lunch we had had, Ninian made us another good steamed pudding.
-On this, our last night of camping, we went to bed about 8:30, and at midnight or thereabouts all were awakened by merrymakers from an adjoining boarding house mad by torches shining on the tents. We were very annoyed, but just grinned and bore it, and after hearing various comments such as "Looks like a boy scouts' camp' and a discussion on our cooking gear, the makauders left us in peace and we just rolled over an& went to sleep??????.
-- 13 -
-GROSE RIVER
 By Gordon Smith.