193811
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revisionLast revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
193811 [2016/01/20 13:11] – [A Scientist in the Mountains] emmanuelle_c | 193811 [2016/06/29 13:18] – [Thirteen Over Thurat] emmanuelle_c | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 50: | Line 50: | ||
It struck him as curious to see in the midst of a civilised people "a set of harmless savages of good-humoured and pleasant countenance, | It struck him as curious to see in the midst of a civilised people "a set of harmless savages of good-humoured and pleasant countenance, | ||
- | By mid-day Darwin and his companion had reached an elevation of 2,800 ft., where they stopped to rest their horses at the little Weatherboard Inn. Darwin then set out a further | + | By mid-day Darwin and his companion had reached an elevation of 2,800 ft., where they stopped to rest their horses at the little Weatherboard Inn. Darwin then set out a further |
- | other name to give it, thickly covered with forest. The point of view is situated as if at the head of a bay, the line of cliff diverging on each side, and showing headland behind headland, as on a bold sea-coast. These cliffs are composed of horizontal strata of whitish sandstone and are so absolutely vertical that in many placed | + | |
- | Very early next morning, having reached Blackheath, Darwin and his companion walked 3 miles to view Govetts Leap, which proved to be even more stupendous than the view of the day before. "These valleys", | + | Very early next morning, having reached Blackheath, Darwin and his companion walked 3 miles to view Govetts Leap, which proved to be even more stupendous than the view of the day before. "These valleys", |
- | insuperable barrier to the attempts of the most enterprising of the colonists to reach the interior, are most remarkable. Great armlike bays expanding at their upper ends often branch from the main valleys and penetrate the sandstone platform, on the other hand the platform often sends promontories into the valleys, and even leaves in them great, almost insulated, masses. To descend into some of these valleys it is necessary to go round twenty miles; and into others the surveyors | + | |
- | have only lately penetrated and the colonists have not yet been able to drive in their cattle. But the most remarkable feature in their structure is that, although several miles wide at their heads, they generally contract towards their mouths to such a degree as to become impassable. The Surveyor General, Sir T.Mitchell, endeavoured in vain, first walking and then by crawling between | + | |
===== A Few More Words About "F O O D". ===== | ===== A Few More Words About "F O O D". ===== | ||
- | We take no responsibility for the following paragraph, which was sent to us recently by a correspondent. Our readers must "read, mark,learn, and inwardly digest" | + | We take no responsibility for the following paragraph, which was sent to us recently by a correspondent. Our readers must "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" |
It is an Extract from " | It is an Extract from " | ||
Line 68: | Line 66: | ||
===== At Our Own Meeting ===== | ===== At Our Own Meeting ===== | ||
- | The October Meeting opened at the usual time (8.15 p m.),and the first 'high, light" was the election of Mr,Barrett as Room Steward -,.on the nomination of Mrs.' | + | The October Meeting opened at the usual time (8.15 p.m.),and the first " |
- | Two new members were welcomed by the President | + | |
- | MesFrs. Dick -Schofield and Alan litryborn. | + | Two new members were welcomed by the President: |
+ | |||
+ | Messrs. Dick Schofield and Alan Wyborn. | ||
We wonder do they realise that the Barretts are " | We wonder do they realise that the Barretts are " | ||
- | Mr.Dunphy | + | |
- | There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.50 p n. | + | Mr. Dunphy |
- | ft r,... r | + | |
- | Reprinted from the Melbourne Women' | + | There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 8.50 p.m. |
+ | |||
+ | Reprinted from the Melbourne Women' | ||
===== Grass ===== | ===== Grass ===== | ||
- | Grass is the forgiveness of Nature - her constant benediction. Fields trampled with battle,Saturated | + | Grass is the forgiveness of Nature - her constant benediction. Fields trampled with battle, |
- | invades the solitude of. the deserts, climbs the inaccessible-slope6 | + | |
- | bloom to charm the senses with fragrance and splendour, but its homely hue is more | + | |
- | enchanting than the lily or the rose. It yields no fruit in earth or air, and yet, should its harvest fail for a single year, famine would depopulate the world. | + | |
Let us bring grass to our camping-ground at Morella-karong. | Let us bring grass to our camping-ground at Morella-karong. | ||
- | + | ||
===== News - for Those About to Go Abroad ===== | ===== News - for Those About to Go Abroad ===== | ||
Line 95: | Line 96: | ||
by " | by " | ||
- | It must he' | + | It must have been some latent roving spirit which prompted |
- | Our leader, Harry, had been out alone a few times and "knew all about it", so we accepted his advice and guidance without question. Having purchased a second-hand military pack at the Scout Shop, I added thereto a sleeping-bag composed of three blankets, the latter weighing a mere trifle like 12-1bs! | + | |
- | *Wentworth Falls certainly was treated to the appearance of a motley crew upon the Easter Thursday night. How well I recall the Bearer of Light, Charlie, with his small hurricane lamp, and bottle of ker.. to match; Fred, the Hunter, | + | Our leader, Harry, had been out alone a few times and "knew all about it", so we accepted his advice and guidance without question. Having purchased a second-hand military pack at the Scout Shop, I added thereto a sleeping-bag composed of three blankets, the latter weighing a mere trifle like 12-lbs! |
- | with a 303 rifle by courtesy of the Minister of Defence, but without his knowledge or consent; Jack, the Kennell-Master with his faithful hound -- ho found it was more economical to pay rail-fare on it than lodgings at tho Dogs' Home over Easter, The animal also served as a foot-cosy at night in camp (the advantage of live foot- warmers may be placed before the Railway Commissioner as a suggestion for permanent warmth, should the Federation see fit). | + | |
- | Our leader humped a steel-frame rucksack (hush: it was hired from Paddy), but he had the cutest idea of stowing his toothbrush down the leg of his sock, the bristles peeping out at the to Max, Frank, and I wore overcoats - mine was an | + | Wentworth Falls certainly was treated to the appearance of a motley crew upon the Easter Thursday night. How well I recall the Bearer of Light, Charlie, with his small hurricane lamp, and bottle of kero. to match; Fred, the Hunter, |
- | old rainproof, more rain than proof, | + | with a 303 rifle by courtesy of the Minister of Defence, but without his knowledge or consent; Jack, the Kennell-Master with his faithful hound - ho found it was more economical to pay rail-fare on it than lodgings at the Dogs' Home over Easter. The animal also served as a foot-cosy at night in camp (the advantage of live foot-warmers may be placed before the Railway Commissioner as a suggestion for permanent warmth, should the Federation see fit). |
- | After making final Purchases at the local general store, we bundled into a | + | |
- | car, and away to the head of Kedumba Pass. It was a beautiful night as we descended, Mt.Solltary | + | Our leader humped a steel-frame rucksack (hush: it was hired from Paddy), but he had the cutest idea of stowing his toothbrush down the leg of his sock, the bristles peeping out at the top! Max, Frank, and I wore overcoats - mine was an old rainproof, more rain than proof, |
- | 4 mania of suddenly swinging to one side as the shoulder straps were of pliant green- hide, and easily slipped through the badly-designed buckles, throwing all the weight on to one shoulder. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise, as thz same straps were doing their level best to sever my arms from my body, and the frequent halts to make adjustments were very welcome. Unused to the downgrade | + | |
- | At long last we " | + | After making final Purchases at the local general store, we bundled into a car, and away to the head of Kedumba Pass. It was a beautiful night as we descended, Mt.Solitary |
- | moonlit, scintillating waters, armed with mug or billy, and sated our thirst therein. Our sleeping accommodation, | + | |
- | spectively, was soon erected, and - after making a cup of tea, and nibbling a bit of supper - the weary adventurers turned in. It was my first experience of sleeping upon the good earth, and, what with the full moon illuminating the tent, and a furry nocturnal animal playing hide and seek in the small hours, my repose was a troubled one. | + | At long last we " |
- | 9.30 a m. saw US under way down-stream on the left bank, through tall bracken, | + | |
- | eventually emerging at the Ifaxwellian | + | 9.30 a.m. saw us under way down-stream on the left bank, through tall bracken, eventually emerging at the Maxwellian |
- | Rain now commenced to fall fairly heavily, | + | |
- | We negotiated a creek (probably Reedy Creek) by means of a wire fence, and eventually arrived opposite our objective, namely, two bark huts (which were our abodes for the rest of the holiday), | + | Rain now commenced to fall fairly heavily, |
- | Very soon frankfurts (we had about 10-lbs of them with us!) came steaming from many billies, and were consumed with a dash of tomato sauce. The company was soon in good humour. Oh,yes! I did not overlook my little bottle of condiment, makes things so tasty, you know! | + | |
- | Having cut cards to decide the respective tenancy of the huts, Frank, Fred, and I found ourselves in one, and four in the other, it being the larger of the two. Frank and I each had a bunk of sorts, whilst Fred graced the sandy floor when the time came. As the camps were about 40 yards apart, we had our separate cooking fires, and thereby presented a "Mrs. 'Iggs and Mrs.'krris" existence. We dried off during the afternoon, and had a camp-fire communion after tea, turning in about nine o' | + | Very soon frankfurts (we had about 10-lbs of them with us!) came steaming from many billies, and were consumed with a dash of tomato sauce. The company was soon in good humour. Oh, yes! I did not overlook my little bottle of condiment, makes things so tasty, you know! |
+ | |||
+ | Having cut cards to decide the respective tenancy of the huts, Frank, Fred, and I found ourselves in one, and four in the other, it being the larger of the two. Frank and I each had a bunk of sorts, whilst Fred graced the sandy floor when the time came. As the camps were about 40 yards apart, we had our separate cooking fires, and thereby presented a "Mrs. 'Iggs and Mrs.'Arris" existence. We dried off during the afternoon, and had a camp-fire communion after tea, turning in about nine o' | ||
Saturday dawned fine, and Harry and Jack went off to see the Cox. The balance of us contented ourselves in roaming the pleasant open timber of the locality, and firing aimlessly (in more ways than one) at sundry galahs and parakeets in high trees, or fishing without luck in deep pools in the creek. | Saturday dawned fine, and Harry and Jack went off to see the Cox. The balance of us contented ourselves in roaming the pleasant open timber of the locality, and firing aimlessly (in more ways than one) at sundry galahs and parakeets in high trees, or fishing without luck in deep pools in the creek. | ||
+ | |||
On arrival back in camp we discovered a friendly blowfly, bent on perpetuating her race, had had a good time on our frankfurt supply, which had been left uncovered. Thereupon billies were boiled, and the bundles immersed therein to remove the wrigglers, those surviving the Ordeal of Hot Water being flicked off with the corner of a tea-towel. | On arrival back in camp we discovered a friendly blowfly, bent on perpetuating her race, had had a good time on our frankfurt supply, which had been left uncovered. Thereupon billies were boiled, and the bundles immersed therein to remove the wrigglers, those surviving the Ordeal of Hot Water being flicked off with the corner of a tea-towel. | ||
- | Harry and Jack came in just on dusk, and a good tea of Johnnie-cakes, | + | |
+ | Harry and Jack came in just on dusk, and a good tea of Johnnie-cakes, | ||
It was a collection of " | It was a collection of " | ||
- | Fred, being youngest, picked up a bit of energy near sunset, and, with his little gun, contrived to atomize the hindquarters of a rabbit which had not fled at his fairy-like approach. The relict served as a meal for the dog, which had remained calm and unaffected throughout the crisis. But the worst was not over, Harry saw to that the next day. Before breaking camp on the Monday morning,we performed the solemn ceremony of placing the remainder of the then loatbesome | + | |
- | trousers, all in mute testimony of recent events, and a silent Warning to those who would tarry by the brook. | + | Fred, being youngest, picked up a bit of energy near sunset, and, with his little gun, contrived to atomize the hindquarters of a rabbit which had not fled at his fairy-like approach. The relict served as a meal for the dog, which had remained calm and unaffected throughout the crisis. But the worst was not over, Harry saw to that the next day. Before breaking camp on the Monday morning, we performed the solemn ceremony of placing the remainder of the then loathsome |
- | Proceeding upstream, | + | |
- | Our leader decided to take the GoatTrack from Maxwell' | + | Proceeding upstream, |
- | on the opposite bank to that of our forward journey. So, with He!ri y at our head, we started the Great AScent. There is an old saying about sheep following their leader, but here was a definite case of sheep being goats, both in their manner of locomotion and in their faith in their 3, | + | Our leader decided to take the GoatTrack from Maxwell' |
- | No record is made here of the language. | + | |
- | Finally he and I, lagging behind, decided our necks were in danger - we had just crossed an old landslide which you can see from nearly anywhere round Katoomba, and had no desire for another similar experience - so we skidded | + | Finally he and I, lagging behind, decided our necks were in danger - we had just crossed an old landslide which you can see from nearly anywhere round Katoomba, and had no desire for another similar experience - so we skidded |
- | Meeting two experienced walkers, we hired a car to Wentworth Falls with them, and caught an overcrowded train, sinking to rest on. the hard floor thereof. | + | |
- | We were all off-colour for a time, Charlie losing a half-stone in weight, and a few guineas to the local doctor -- gastro-enteritis was the diagnosis: | + | Meeting two experienced walkers, we hired a car to Wentworth Falls with them, and caught an overcrowded train, sinking to rest on the hard floor thereof. |
+ | |||
+ | We were all off-colour for a time, Charlie losing a half-stone in weight, and a few guineas to the local doctor -- gastro-enteritis was the diagnosis! | ||
We swore never to go forth again with our gallant leader, who afterwards calmly confessed that he knew the creek was "not so hot" before he started, but did not like to tell us in case we wouldn' | We swore never to go forth again with our gallant leader, who afterwards calmly confessed that he knew the creek was "not so hot" before he started, but did not like to tell us in case we wouldn' | ||
+ | |||
So hearken, all who would journey in Kedumba, boil, boil, AND boil the water. And here ended my first lesson. | So hearken, all who would journey in Kedumba, boil, boil, AND boil the water. And here ended my first lesson. | ||
===== News for Those Who May Be Thinking of Holidaying in Victoria ===== | ===== News for Those Who May Be Thinking of Holidaying in Victoria ===== | ||
- | " | + | " |
- | 130 WALKING TOURS WITHIN REACH OF MELBOURNE" | + | "130 WALKING TOURS WITHIN REACH OF MELBOURNE" |
As the Melbourne Walking Club is in its 44th year, its members know all the walks worth doing, and any folk thinking of spending holidays near Melbourne should visit " | As the Melbourne Walking Club is in its 44th year, its members know all the walks worth doing, and any folk thinking of spending holidays near Melbourne should visit " | ||
Line 139: | Line 151: | ||
Here's a box of gadgets, thingemabobs and whatnots, straight out from England, packed specially for Paddy - or rather for you. | Here's a box of gadgets, thingemabobs and whatnots, straight out from England, packed specially for Paddy - or rather for you. | ||
+ | |||
Angle steel pegs - just the thing for the main guy when the soil is a bit loose. Glass lined aluminium screw-topped jars, with liquid tight tops - just the thing for a fruit salad. Natty combination knife and fork and spoon outfits. | Angle steel pegs - just the thing for the main guy when the soil is a bit loose. Glass lined aluminium screw-topped jars, with liquid tight tops - just the thing for a fruit salad. Natty combination knife and fork and spoon outfits. | ||
- | You need no longer envy the possessor of a Gillwell Canteen. Buy one for yourself. They' | + | |
- | If you're the sort that must shave in the bush, see yourself in comfort in an unbreakable mirror. There are some nice compasss | + | You need no longer envy the possessor of a Gillwell Canteen. Buy one for yourself. They' |
- | and DRIED EGGS. You must try them. All to be seen at Paddy' | + | |
- | Telephone: B3101 F. A. PALLIN | + | If you're the sort that must shave in the bush, see yourself in comfort in an unbreakable mirror. There are some nice compasses |
- | 327 George St. Sydney | + | |
+ | and DRIED EGGS. You must try them. | ||
+ | |||
+ | All to be seen at Paddy' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Telephone: B3101 F. A. PALLIN\\ | ||
+ | 327 George St. Sydney\\ | ||
+ | __opp. Palings__ | ||
===== Federation News ===== | ===== Federation News ===== | ||
Line 159: | Line 179: | ||
John Richard Green. | John Richard Green. | ||
- | ===== Camping | + | ===== Camping |
In 1907 there was published in London "The Campers' | In 1907 there was published in London "The Campers' | ||
- | The author tells us that he himself first camped when a lad of nine, on the prairies of ',, | + | |
- | "The influx of women into camping has proved one thing of great importance to the movemant, viz, that it is NOT a dangerous and absurd pastime fit only fer those who are reckless of their health and reputation* We can see the most delicate matrons and maids walking about with their bare legs and feet in the dew, fetching and carrying, cooking and tidying about the camp, and all tiL while doing it with a smile that won't wash off, and with such a large sense of enjoyment as to suggest a honeymoon on a large scale l They not only grace a camp by their presence but give to it a homeliness and happiness it could not otherwise have." | + | The author tells us that he himself first camped when a lad of nine, on the prairies of America |
+ | |||
+ | "The influx of women into camping has proved one thing of great importance to the movement, viz. that it is NOT a dangerous and absurd pastime fit only for those who are reckless of their health and reputation. We can see the most delicate matrons and maids walking about with their bare legs and feet in the dew, fetching and carrying, cooking and tidying about the camp, and all the while doing it with a smile that won't wash off, and with such a large sense of enjoyment as to suggest a honeymoon on a large scale! They not only grace a camp by their presence but give to it a homeliness and happiness it could not otherwise have." | ||
And here is praise indeed for these " | And here is praise indeed for these " | ||
- | " | + | |
- | in smartness and cleverness. How quickly they pick up the making and mounting of a tent and its appliances; the cooking and tidying up; and how they take to the Bathing! How the beautiful spirit of brightness and the marry ring of their laughter within hearing of the man is an added pleasure to | + | " |
- | In regard to mixed camping Mr*Holding' | + | |
+ | In regard to mixed camping Mr.Holding' | ||
A whole chapter is devoted to Ladies' | A whole chapter is devoted to Ladies' | ||
- | "THE SKIRT. The one beat for camping should finish three inches off the ground. It will do three yards in length around the boton." (I would say " | + | |
- | the necessary freedom. Being wool, they kcal) the temperature of the body more even." | + | "THE SKIRT. The one beat for camping should finish three inches off the ground. It will do three yards in length around the bottom." (I would say " |
- | Mr.Holding found it " | + | |
- | One cannot help but heave a sigh of regret for the "good old days" of trailing skirts, bird' | + | Mr.Holding found it " |
- | Without adventure, civilization is in full decay si.Nahitehead. | + | |
+ | One cannot help but heave a sigh of regret for the "good old days" of trailing skirts, bird' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Without adventure, civilization is in full decay - A.N.Whitehead. | ||
===== The Spirit of Garrawarra ===== | ===== The Spirit of Garrawarra ===== | ||
Line 179: | Line 207: | ||
by Frank Cramp. | by Frank Cramp. | ||
- | The scone is a Blackfellowts | + | The scene is a Blackfellow' |
YOUNG MAN: The strange people who landed at the Bay of the Stingrays have gone in their great canoes like those who were here when we were still unmade men. Now we can hunt and fish just as we always did. | YOUNG MAN: The strange people who landed at the Bay of the Stingrays have gone in their great canoes like those who were here when we were still unmade men. Now we can hunt and fish just as we always did. | ||
- | OLD MAIN: Never again, or at least only for a little time. Our day is done. Last night, whilst the camp slept, the Fire Spirit spoke to me th: | + | |
- | "You are an old man. You have seen the men of the Garrawarra Tribe grow from childhood. You have officiated at the Bora Ceremonies and at the the making of men. You have led the tribe in peace and war, and now you are old - and your time will die with you. For a while those strange- people, who can make lightning and thunder from their spears, will camp at the Bay of Stingrays, but later they will go further north to the Big Bay, and there they will make a camp that will grow and grow, and from there they will over-run all the land, making camps at Burn., Wollongong, Geringong, and other places that you know vell,and north and west further than your greatest travellers have ever been. They will destroy the kangaroo, the wallaby; the very birds will leave their lands. They will cut down the trees, | + | OLD MAN: Never again, or at least only for a little time. Our day is done. Last night, whilst the camp slept, the Fire Spirit spoke to me through |
- | YOUNG MN: But that can never be. When the Great Spirit divided the lands, said he not to our fathers:- | + | |
- | "On this place shall the Garrawarra Tribe dwell. From where the high hill slopes down to the beach, to the south, along the shore, where the palms shine as fire in the sun, past the high cliffs to the place whore the river meets the sea, to the north and along the river to the west, there the Spirit of Garrawaria | + | "You are an old man. You have seen the men of the Garrawarra Tribe grow from childhood. You have officiated at the Bora Ceremonies and at the the making of men. You have led the tribe in peace and war, and now you are old - and your time will die with you. For a while those strange people, who can make lightning and thunder from their spears, will camp at the Bay of Stingrays, but later they will go further north to the Big Bay, and there they will make a camp that will grow and grow, and from there they will over-run all the land, making camps at Bulli, Wollongong, Geringong, and other places that you know well, and north and west further than your greatest travellers have ever been. They will destroy the kangaroo, the wallaby; the very birds will leave their lands. They will cut down the trees, |
- | Said he not this, 0 Fathbr or the Tribe? | + | |
- | OLD MIN: 4.iye2 | + | YOUNG MAN: But that can never be. When the Great Spirit divided the lands, said he not to our fathers: |
- | These things are part of man, and while man lives his heart will yearn for them, | + | |
- | This I saw in the fire embers, | + | "On this place shall the Garrawarra Tribe dwell. From where the high hill slopes down to the beach, to the south, along the shore, where the palms shine as fire in the sun, past the high cliffs to the place where the river meets the sea, to the north and along the river to the west, there the Spirit of Garrawarra |
+ | |||
+ | Said he not this, O Father of the Tribe? | ||
+ | |||
+ | OLD MAN: Aye, the Spirit of Garrawarra! But not the men of Garrawarra! | ||
+ | |||
+ | These things are part of man, and while man lives his heart will yearn for them. | ||
+ | |||
+ | This I saw in the fire embers, | ||
===== Thirteen Over Thurat ===== | ===== Thirteen Over Thurat ===== | ||
Line 194: | Line 231: | ||
by Dorothy Lawry. | by Dorothy Lawry. | ||
- | The suggested trip appealed. The party snowballed; ,Hastily I hung out | + | The suggested trip appealed. The party snowballed! Hastily I hung out a "house full" sign. Even so, there were thirteen of us (four men and nine women) who left Blackheath at about 10.30 p m, on Easter |
- | a 'house full" sign. E*en so, there were thirteen of us (four men and nine women) who left Blackheath at about 10.30 p m, on Easter | + | |
- | It was wet and mistY, but our driver | + | It was wet and misty, but our driver |
- | On Good Friday morning, the last of us left camp at 8.30 a m. It was not raining, but visibility was limited by mist to a hundred yards or so. However, it was quite warm, and our way lay along the old Kanangra Track for five or six miles to the tree blazed " | + | |
- | Leaving the blazed tree, we set a compass course for a spot beside Thurat Rivulet which, we had been told, was the only possible campsite on the plateau, but an excellent one. About a mile and a half from the Track we found a campspot near the one described - which had not come up to expectations - cnd had an early lunch. | + | On Good Friday morning, the last of us left camp at 8.30 a.m. It was not raining, but visibility was limited by mist to a hundred yards or so. However, it was quite warm, and our way lay along the old Kanangra Track for five or six miles to the tree blazed " |
- | xive experiended | + | |
- | With our one man carrying his rucksack containing our seven groundsheets, | + | Leaving the blazed tree, we set a compass course for a spot beside Thurat Rivulet which, we had been told, was the only possible campsite on the plateau, but an excellent one. About a mile and a half from the Track we found a campspot near the one described - which had not come up to expectations - and had an early lunch. |
- | We went up on to ' | + | |
- | The map showed that the Kanangra Track dhould | + | Five experienced |
- | - 12 | + | |
- | reached the Track at 4.50 p mi approximately half-a-mile on the Rocky Top side of the Mud Hut. Rejoicing at the track under our feet, we set out for camp, but, | + | With our one man carrying his rucksack containing our seven groundsheets, |
- | Tucked away, only about a quarter of a mile from Marong | + | |
- | About 7.15 p m. we feared we were rescued already, but the shouts proved to be those of a member | + | We went up on to Thurat |
- | The hut had a dirt floor and slab walls, with the usual wide cracks, but the roof was fairly watertight. It was furnished with a table, a box to sit on, an old piano- case with a little chaff in the bottom, and a double bed complete with straw mattress and a very ragged old patchwork quilt. As three of us stood surveying the room speculatively, | + | |
- | "We would not go anywherb | + | The map showed that the Kanangra Track should |
- | We three investigated the bed; carefully shook the guilty and turned the mattress, then spread two groundsheets over it, and decided to take the risk of sleeping on the bed,witti the third groundsheet over our bodies and the guilt over our legs. With the horrible predictions of the other four ringing in our ears, we three settled to sleep. Fortune favours the bold; the bed was clean! A wind arose and blew through the chinks in the walls;the other four were cold and uncomfortable most of the night and got very little sleep. About 11 p m. there was a thunderstorm and heavy rain; we were glad we were not parked out by the creek with only groundsheets and a fires | + | |
- | At 5.35 a m. on the Saturday we left the hut, in brilliant moonlight, | + | Tucked away, only about a quarter of a mile from Morong |
- | It was a glorious afternoon, and we did take photos at Thurat Trig.(4, | + | |
- | e 13 - | + | About 7.15 p m. we feared we were rescued already, but the shouts proved to be those of a member |
- | At 6.20 p m. the light had gone, and we were still about a thousand feet above the river,but we were on a comparatively level spot,just about big enough for us all to sit down. Wearily, we subsided to wait for the moon to rise. Meantime we slaked the pangs of thirst and hunger with mw carrots,biscuitsland | + | |
- | only about 150 yards up from the junction. Down by the creek we were sheltered from | + | The hut had a dirt floor and slab walls, with the usual wide cracks, but the roof was fairly watertight. It was furnished with a table, a box to sit on, an old piano-case with a little chaff in the bottom, and a double bed complete with straw mattress and a very ragged old patchwork quilt. As three of us stood surveying the room speculatively, |
- | the wind and it was a very warm night. We had landed at a lovely campspot, so, after a dip in the creek, supper, tents up, and a long sleep: | + | |
- | Sunday dawned clear but later there was a hot wind and the air was full of dust. We did not rise early, and we did not hurry about breaking camp as the other five had to rejoin us. However, as they had not appeared when we moved off at 10.25 a m. we guessed they must have found, and come down, the correct ridge. About half-a-mile down the river we found them, just finishing their breakfast. | + | "We would not go anywhere |
- | Richard knew this route, and that the party could do it in the time, but some of the eight wanted to go by the original route,so we said, "See you at lunch-time on the | + | |
- | Cox and talk about it then.", | + | We three investigated the bed; carefully shook the guilty and turned the mattress, then spread two groundsheets over it, and decided to take the risk of sleeping on the bed, with the third groundsheet over our bodies and the quilt over our legs. With the horrible predictions of the other four ringing in our ears, we three settled to sleep. Fortune favours the bold; the bed was clean! A wind arose and blew through the chinks in the walls;the other four were cold and uncomfortable most of the night and got very little sleep. About 11 p.m. there was a thunderstorm and heavy rain; we were glad we were not parked out by the creek with only groundsheets and a fires! |
- | place for a swim and lunch. The other five came along as we were starting to eat, and afterwards we all went on together. | + | |
- | It was 3.30 p m, when we reached the Cox-Kowmung | + | At 5.35 a.m. on the Saturday we left the hut, in brilliant moonlight, and dawn came as we walked along the Kanangra Track towards the blazed tree. Grace, being one of those who had slept (?) by the fire, was just about walking in her sleep. It was full daylight on a glorious morning when we left the Track, but again the compass had to be used because of the difficulty in finding the broken twigs in the very open bush. At 7.15 a.m. we surprised the others by reaching camp. We told our tale as we cooked and ate a large meal, then turned in for a couple of hours' sleep. Only one of the stay-at-homes had worried about us at all, even though they thought we were out in the rain, but, they were all delighted that we had returned before 8.30 a.m. - the time they had decided to start searching for us. A side trip to Gentle' |
- | the whole party continued downstream, reaching the Cedar Creek camp at dusk. Had we | + | |
- | attempted to reach Jack's Flat, we would surely have been benighted again, and I felt it was time we all had dinnerit | + | It was a glorious afternoon, and we did take photos at Thurat Trig. (4,200ft) but we did not dawdle much. However, a party of thirteen moves much more slowly than one of only two or three people. It was 4.15 p.m. when we left the top of Paralyser, with about 3,000 ft. to descend to the river, after a preliminary descent across a saddle followed by a pushing up through very thick undergrowth to a slightly, lower knob from which various spurs lead off, including the East Paralyser. This bit of scrub shoving annoyed us very much, as did all the loose stones and mountain holly of the descent, but we simply had to carry on. |
- | was "clear and cold", but our only campfire for the trip was a good one | + | |
- | On Monday morning we were up just before 6 a m. and away before 8 a m.-- but not much: During the day a cold wind came whistling round under a grey sky, which probably helped our pace considerably, | + | At 6.20 p.m. the light had gone, and we were still about a thousand feet above the river, but we were on a comparatively level spot, just about big enough for us all to sit down. Wearily, we subsided to wait for the moon to rise. Meantime we slaked the pangs of thirst and hunger with raw carrots, |
- | The first arrivals | + | |
+ | Sunday dawned clear but later there was a hot wind and the air was full of dust. We did not rise early, and we did not hurry about breaking camp as the other five had to rejoin us. However, as they had not appeared when we moved off at 10.25 a.m. we guessed they must have found, and come down, the correct ridge. About half-a-mile down the river we found them, just finishing their breakfast. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Richard knew this route, and that the party could do it in the time, but some of the eight wanted to go by the original route, so we said, "See you at lunch-time on the Cox and talk about it then.", | ||
+ | |||
+ | It was 3.30 p.m., when we reached the Cox-Kowmung | ||
+ | |||
+ | On Monday morning we were up just before 6 a.m. and away before 8 a.m. - but not much. During the day a cold wind came whistling round under a grey sky, which probably helped our pace considerably, | ||
+ | |||
+ | The first arrivals phoned for a car, the idea being that they would change while it was coming out for them, and then it would make a second trip to take in the tail of the party.. However, two cars came out, so had to wait a few minutes for the last arrival (me) to finish dressing. Still we were early, for we caught a fast train just before 4 o' | ||
In the crush, four of the party dashed off to connecting suburban trains before we could see them, but the other nine of us rounded off our varied trip, and celebrated Mouldy' | In the crush, four of the party dashed off to connecting suburban trains before we could see them, but the other nine of us rounded off our varied trip, and celebrated Mouldy' | ||
193811.txt · Last modified: 2016/06/29 13:19 by emmanuelle_c