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 __'Phone B.3101__.
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+===== Gourmandising On The Deua.=====
+by Stoddy Junr.\\
+(Extract from my Deua Notes.).
-GOURMANDISING ON THE DMA.
+(( NB. Two sketches in the PDF.  \\ 1. Sketch map.  \\ 2. Sketch of Rankin's Farmhouse - caption: "Slab-built, bark-roofed - Rankin's" \\ http://sbw.ozultimate.com/1941/194110.pdf#5 ))
- (Extract from my Peua Notes.). - by Stoddy Junr.
+Another lovely day was drawing to its close, and, each reflecting on the curiousness of the Deua River, here wide-valleyed with green pastures, there narrow and cooped within short canyons, we sought to explain it geologically to each other. We came to one of these canyons at about three-thirty, and for a few moments the silence of the thick bush was shattered by voices calling; the track had been lost, and the searchers had become scattered. We all arrived almost simultaneously at various points along a steep cliff, and were met by an unusual sight. It was astonishing to see the broad, flat land  stretching away __below__ us to the gentle hillslopes bounding the upper valley. If the river had been running in the opposite direction it would have seemed more credible, but it flowed in lazy serenity round wide, flat bends and, finally sliding between deep banks, crossed the valley from one side to the other at our feet.
-Another lovely day was drawing to its close, and, each reflecting on the curiousness of the-Dtua River, here wide-valleyed with green pastures, there narrow and cooped within short canyonsI we sought to explain it geologically to each other. We came to one -of these canyons at about three-thirty, and for a few moments the silence of the thick bush was shattered by voices calling; the track had been lost, and the searchers had become scattered. re all arrived almost simultaneously at vlrious points along a steep cliff, and were met by an unusual sight. It was astonishing to see the broad, flat land
+Here we found the track again and sped light-heartedly down it in that last burst of energy which can always be summoned up when the campsite is within Coo-ee. Crossing the river by convenient stepping-stones, we startled seven white geese into flight. It seemed an omen, and certainly it was a sign that Rankin's Farmhouse, due to appear any moment, would prove uninhabited. On the further bank we came upon the ramshackle old house. Great, aged  walnut trees, with their delicate leaf patterns outlined against the sky, cast a pleasant, mellow shade beside it.
-< stretching away below us to the gentle
+We dumped our packs on the close cropped turf before the house, which peeped curiously at us over a tangled garden, half protected by some battered wire netting.  There were hollyhocks raising their surprised, old-maidish faces over a tumbled confusion of sweet peas, wild hops, nettles and hydrangeas.
-; 0
+Beneath a tree golden with heavy branches of ripe plums we found three grunting pigs - enormous ones - which fled in panic at our approach, but presently returned to eat the over-ripe fruit we shook down as we gathered refreshment.
-hillslopes bounding the upper valley. If the river had been running in the opposite direction it would have se:med
+Jack raised his now familiar cry, "Don't come over here. These are no good!" Instantly we rushed to his side, to discover ripe peaches in abundance, deliciously cool and liquid to our throats. Another plum tree was found, this time a fairytale picture of symmetrical beauty, alight with clustered globes of every sanguine shade. We revelled in a juicy, sticky-fingered orgy until tea-time. By then tea was out of the question, so we set about making our preparations for the night.
-/ more credible, but it flowed in lazy serenity round wide, flat bends and, finally sliding between deep banks, crossed the valley from one side to the
+Jack decided on the river bank, in spite of the fact that the majority were ensconcing themselves beside the little, bark-roofed house, and, in an attempt to change our minds for us, obtained some corn, and shouted, "Peeg! Peeg!",enticing those gluttonous quadrupeds over amongst our tents.
- other at our. feet.
+We explored the old farmhouse and played some of the antiquated, cylindrical records on the gramophone. The amplifier was enormous, and convolvulous-shaped, and had to be held on while the record was being played. These were nearly all buckled by damp, and in some cases proved highly amusing as they gave the impression of the vocalist being slightly inebriated.
-Here we found the track again and spedAight-heartedly down it in that last burst of energy which can always be summoned up when the campsite is within Coo-ee. Crossing the river by
+Next day photographs were taken, and Rankin's has since become a photographic masterpiece. We watched a troop of splendid horses galloping about the nearby paddock. By the state of the house and adjacent cultivation we decided Rankin's had been deserted for some time. Poor, lonely, untidy small home, I would have liked to stop there till it was once more surrounded by a gay, blossoming garden, blue smoke rising once more from its quaint, wide chimneys, and happy laughter sounding within.
-convenient stepping-stones, we startled seven white geese into flight. 'It seemed an omen, and certainly it as a
+But, Alas! We were soon packed up and on our way again, leaving Rankin's on its wide flat bend, dreaming, no doubt, of its lively past.
- sign that Rankinis Farmhouse;, due to appear any moment, would prove uninhabited. On the further bank we camel' UPon the ramshackle old house. Great, aged
+----
-ag patterns outlined against the sky, cast
+"An inland sea of mountains, stretching far\\
+In undulating billows, deeply blue,\\
+With here and there a gleaming crest of rock,\\
+Surging in stillness, fading into space,\\
+Seeming more liquid in the distance vague,\\
+Transparent melting, till the last faint ridge\\
+Blends with clear ether in the azure sky\\
+In tender mauve unrealness; the dim line\\
+Of mountain profile seeming but a streak\\
+Of waving cloud on the horizon's verge."
-'
+by J. Le Gay Brereton.
-new
+----
-a
+===== Letters From The Lads - No. 7. =====
-;
-we Vat rck 5
-.450p
-lere C.t f
-'tee t) Cc:11110r)
-walnut trees, with their delicate le a pleasant4 mellow shade beside it. ,
-re dumped our packs on the close cropped turf
-before the house, which
-- ,71011,11j
-ii I II
-ilN\.1 :
- ,'"
-half protected by some battered wire netting. There were hollyhocks raising their surprised, old-maidish faces over a
-peeped curiously curiously at us
--
-tumbled confusion of Asweet peas, wild hops, , nettles and hydrangeas. 2/,
--
-ro in. V-5,
--6-
-Beneath a true golden with heavy branches of. ripe 'plums we found three grunting pigs - enormous ones - which -fled-in panic at our approach, but presently returned to eat the over-ripe fruit we shook down as we gathered refreshment.
-Jack raised his now familiar cry, "Don't come over here. These are no good!" Instantly we rushed to his side, to discover ripe peaches in abundance, deliciously cool and liquid to our throats: Another plum tree was found,this time a fairytale picture of symmetrical beauty, alight with clustered globes of every sanguine shade. We revelled in a juicy, sticky-fingered orgy until tea-time. By then tea was out of the question, so we set about making our preparations for the night.
-Jack decided_an the river bank, in spite of the fact that the majority were ensconcing themselves beside the little, bark-roofed house, and, in an attempt to change our minds for us, obtained some corn, and shouted, "Peeg: Peegl",enticing those gluttonous quadrupeds over amongst our tents.
-We exiplored the old farmhouse and played some of the antiquated, cylindrical records on the gramophone. The amplifier was enormouy, and convolvulous-shaped, and had to be held on while the record was being played. These were nearly all buckled by damp, and in some cases proved highly amusing as
-they gave the impression of the vocalist being slightly inebriated.
--Next day photographs were taken, and Rankin's has since become a photographic masterpiece. We watched a troop of splendid horses galloping about the nearby paddock. By the state of the house and adjacent cultivation we decided Rankin's had been deserted for some time. Poor, lonely, untidy small home, I would hare liked to stop there till it was once more surrounded by a gay, blossoming garden, blue smoke ribing once more from its quaint, wide chimneys, and happy laughter souTiding within.
-But, Alas: We were soon packed up and on our way again, leaving Ranki 'ts on its wide flat bend, dreaming, no doubt, of its lively past.
-"An inland sea of mountains, stretching far. In undulating billows, deeply blue,
-With here and there a gleaming crest of rock, Surging in stillness, fading into space, Seeming more liquid in the distance vague, Transparent melting, till the last faint ridge Blends with clear ether in the azure sky In tender mauve unrealness; the dim line Of mountain profile seeming but a streak Of waving cloud on the horizon's verge."
-ly J. Le Gay Brereton..
-LETTERS FROM THE LADS - No. 7.
 from Morris Stephenson.
-Two interesting letters have come to the Bushwalkers' Service Committee from Morris Stephenson. We give you some extrq cts and regret that shortage of space makes it impossible to give them to you in full here. He starts the first one -- written on August, 5th:-
+Two interesting letters have come to the Bushwalkers' Service Committee from Morris Stephenson. We give you some extracts and regret that shortage of space makes it impossible to give them to you in full here. He starts the first one -- written on August, 5th:-
-"I am afraid that I am somewhat abashed by the prepossessing name of your committee, which is certainly new since the days of my regular attendance at Hamilton Street. Firstly I want to thank Dunk for her letter and the contacts of the Reunion. It is grand to know that somewhere the whole existence is not uprooted, and some of those pleasantnesses of life still exist. The receipt of her letter out here was more than welcome and it is very pleasant to be so cloie to old associations although so far from home. Must thank the committee also for the publication "Life", which reached me last week. Reading matter out here is at a premium and although time is very limited all periodicals are very welcome, Many thanks also for the canteen order, in this regard, however,
+"I am afraid that I am somewhat abashed by the prepossessing name of your committee, which is certainly new since the days of my regular attendance at Hamilton Street. Firstly I want to thank Dunk for her letter and the contacts of the Reunion. It is grand to know that somewhere the whole existence is not uprooted, and some of those pleasantnesses of life still exist. The receipt of her letter out here was more than welcome and it is very pleasant to be so close to old associations although so far from home. Must thank the committee also for the publication "Life", which reached me last week. Reading matter out here is at a premium and although time is very limited all periodicals are very welcome. Many thanks also for the canteen order, in this regard, however, I would prefer that you did not send these to me but rather if you could send reading matter, which, as I said above, is worth its weight in gold.
-I would prefer that you did not send these to me but rather if you could send reading matter, which, as I said above, is worth its weight in gold.
+At the present time we are training in Syria. On first arriving in the East from Australia we were sent to Gaza it Palestine for some hardening - Long days with minimum of water and memories of route marches through the sand are not pleasant memories - however there were some bright moments.
-At the present time we are trainingin Syria. On first arriving in the East
-from Australia we were sent to Gaza it Palestine for some hardening - Long days with minimum of water and memories 'of route marches through the sand are not
-pleasant memories - however there were some bright moments.
 Sunday afternoons on Gaza Beach, with plenty of Australian sisters and soldiers scattered about - Bondi of the Eastern world. Encountered Bob Savage there on several occasions - still the same imperturbable Robert.
-While at Gaza was fortunate in obtaining a week's leave in Cairo. Yr,u probably know that the A.I.F. have chartered a river steamer from Thos.Cook & Sons and turned it into 'a hostel for A.I.F. officers on leave. Don't believe
+While at Gaza was fortunate in obtaining a week's leave in Cairo. You probably know that the A.I.F. have chartered a river steamer from Thos.Cook & Sons and turned it into a hostel for A.I.F. officers on leave. Don't believe half the stories you hear about it.. Believe them all. Let your imagination go -- a houseboat on the Nile - Shades of Cleopatra - only with a modern touch. The O.C. of the houseboat entertains bi-weekly at cocktail parties and invites numerous females (and for the most part of the gorgeous type) of various nationalities. Thank heaven my French teacher at school had sufficient patience to persevere with me -- somehow Greeks, Czechoslovaks, Ehyptians (( [sic] )), English, Scottish, Spaniards, Irish and even the French seem to speak a kind of French - very handy, believe me, However, a couple of days and nights in this atmosphere of a league of nations is enough for me and I managed to get an extension to my leave which I spent with my sister and a couple of her friends at Ishmalia - Australian girls are certainly able to do more than hold their own out here.... ....
-half the stories you hear about it. Believe them all. Let your imagination go -- a houseboat on the Nile - Shades of Cleopatra 7 only with a modern touch. The O.C. of the houseboat entertains bi-Weekly at cocktail parties and invites numerous females (and for the most part of the gorgeous type) of various nationalities. Thank heaven my French teacher at school had sufficient patience to persevere with me -7 somehow Greeks, Czechoslovaks, Ehyptians, English, Scottish, Spaniards, Irish and even the French seem to speak a kind of French - very handy, believe me, However, a couple of days and nights in this atmosphere of a league of nations is enough for me and I managed to get an ektension to my leave which I spent with my sister and a couple of her friends at Ishmalia - Australian girls are certainly able to do more than hold their own out here
-Hardly back from leave when I got sent to the war. Our battery was employed in the coastal sector of the Syrian campaign, There is much of interest in the north of Palestine and the south of Syria. ... The coast road in Syria, or to be more precise Lebanon, runs for some miles along a cliff edge with the water hundreds of feet below. The road is very good and well paved except in a few places where bombs have taken effect - care of course is very necessary in
-these areas. Further north the road leads through Tyre and Sidon(now called Saida). We spent a night at Saida and although I looked for the pillar of salt, all I found was a deceased Froggy in the bottom of a well which we had Intended to use for drinking. We went into action a little north from here and did a fair job. Moved further north and were deployed again just south of the Damour River. 17hen we moved to this position we were unable to obtain exact positions of the front lines and learned later that our advanced post was out in no man's land.
-The country around that district is extremely moultainous and the hills run. right down to the sea. Far from pleasant bushwalking country nowhere was it possible to find a ridge which ran for more than a kilometre or So and each
-ridge was interspaced with a huge ravine a quarryman's dream but a bushwalker's nightmare. There were, however, certain compensations for operating in this country; our headquarters we set up on a narrow beach at the foot-of the hills. On the beach was a well, at one tithe used by the Lebanese, and we were able, when things got quieter, to have a swim in the Mediterranean and a shower in fresh water to follow it -- very acceptable in the middle of a battle, believe me.
-After the battle of Damour we . moved forward into position north of the town.. We bivouced in an olive grove. Around the town of Damour in the various waddies and in the river valley are extensive banana plantations. Between the banana plants grow pumpkins, tomatoes, oniOns, etc., and pomegranates and grapes form hedges. When the truce was called the townsfolk, who had been sheltering in caves in the hills, returned and showed their friendly attitude to us by bringing us continually huge baskets laden with these various fruits. Did our boys enjoy their respite there...
-We are now camped in a valley in the mountains. The valley has probably been formed by some huge glacier the bed is some 3,000 ft. up and it is hemmed in on either side by mountains which rise a further 3,000 ft. It is about 15 miles wide and 50 miles long something like Burragorang on a much grander scale. We are camped n a grove of poplars and during the day the temperature rises to about 100 but the nights -- thanks to Paddy I got my sleepingbag and a valise -- I need them. The mountain peaks which surround us are snowcapped and I understand that they remain in this condition permanently.
-A few miles to the north of our camp is the town of Baalbeck with its historical interests. It was formerly the Roman city of Heliopolis and the Roman ruins are in an excellent state of preservation. Huge monuments to Roman culture the temples of Bacchus, the Sun and Jupiter. As we wander over the hills (and some hills they are too) and set up our theodolites we get well off the beaten track and have come across many, interesting phenomena. Huge quarries thousands of years old; caves which have at one time been the homes of cave dwellers and relics of ancient civilisations, stones lying scattered around in groups too indistinct to indicate to an observer like myself any knowledge of their date or purpose however they have obviously been there for thousands of years and have at one time formed buildings. It is very interesting and to a great extent repays the climb up the hills. They are not marked and one never knows when one may tumble on such a sight.
--
-The famous cedars of Lebanon are yery. conspicuous by their absence these daystand for the most part trees areire-ry-sda-r-ce-.-: The natives who live In the district are agricultUral bynatufie and are endeavouring to regrow the trees which their predecessors have butchered. ..
-J3lease givemy regards to my S.B.W..pals of the old days and from the
-snaps sent over I notice quite e number of new faces - and also the amount of
+Hardly back from leave when I got sent to the war. Our battery was employed in the coastal sector of the Syrian campaign. There is much of interest in the north of Palestine and the south of Syria. .... The coast road in Syria, or to be more precise Lebanon, runs for some miles along a cliff edge with the water hundreds of feet below. The road is very good and well paved except in a few places where bombs have taken effect - care of course is very necessary in these areas. Further north the road leads through Tyre and Sidon(now called Saida). We spent a night at Saida and although I looked for the pillar of salt, all I found was a deceased Froggy in the bottom of a well which we had intended to use for drinking. We went into action a little north from here and did a fair job. Moved further north and were deployed again just south of the Damour River. When we moved to this position we were unable to obtain exact positions of the front lines and learned later that our advanced post was out in no man's land.
-. .
+The country around that district is extremely mountainous and the hills run right down to the sea. Far from pleasant bushwalking country - nowhere was it possible to find a ridge which ran for more than a kilometre or so and each ridge was interspaced with a huge ravine - a quarryman's dream but a bushwalker's nightmare. There were, however, certain compensations for operating in this country; our headquarters we set up on a narrow beach at the foot of the hills. On the beach was a well, at one tithe used by the Lebanese, and we were able, when things got quieter, to have a swim in the Mediterranean and a shower in fresh water to follow it -- very acceptable in the middle of a battle, believe me. ...
-photograph_roompgiven to the*malelraternity is quite a minor part - the club must certainly be changing must, however be-come an active member again when
+After the battle of Damour we .. moved forward into position north of the town.. We bivouced in an olive grove. Around the town of Damour in the various waddies and in the river valley are extensive banana plantations. Between the banana plants grow pumpkins, tomatoes, onions, etc., and pomegranates and grapes form hedges. When the truce was called the townsfolk, who had been sheltering in caves in the hills, returned and showed their friendly attitude to us by bringing us continually huge baskets laden with these various fruits. Did our boys enjoy their respite there...
-I return to peaceful life. Reiards to all and many thanks for your letierietc.
+We are now camped in a valley in the mountains. The valley has probably been formed by some huge glacier - the bed is some 3,000ft. up and it is hemmed in on either side by mountains which rise a further 3,000 ft. It is about 15 miles wide and 50 miles long something like Burragorang on a much grander scale. We are camped in a grove of poplars and during the day the temperature rises to about 100° (( one hundred degrees )) but the nights -- thanks to Paddy I got my sleeping-bag and a valise -- I need them. The mountain peaks which surround us are snowcapped and I understand that they remain in this condition permanently.
-..
+A few miles to the north of our camp is the town of Baalbeck - with its historical interests. It was formerly the Roman city of Heliopolis and the Roman ruins are in an excellent state of preservation. Huge monuments to Roman culture - the temples of Bacchus, the Sun and Jupiter. As we wander over the hills (and some hills they are too) and set up our theodolites we get well off the beaten track and have come across many interesting phenomena. Huge quarries thousands of years old; caves which have at one time been the homes of cave-dwellers and relics of ancient civilisations, stones lying scattered around in groups - too indistinct to indicate to an observer like myself any knowledge of their date or purpose - however they have obviously been there for thousands of years and have at one time formed buildings. It is very interesting and to a great extent repays the climb up the hills. They are not marked and one never knows when one may tumble on such a sight. .....
-"Visited Damascus last Thursday. It is a fine city and,apart from Cairo, the best I have seen since leaving Australia. It is in fact a miniature Cairo...One reached Damascus, or as the locals call it "Damas",most unexpectedly. A fullgrown river springs out of the barren mountainsidelflows on top of the ground for about ten miles and. then disappears as quickly as it appeared. It is in this oasis that Damas has been built. Of course canals and intricate irrigation schemes adorn the area and it is-a very fertule spot.
+The famous cedars of Lebanon are very conspicuous by their absence these days, and for the most part trees are very scarce. The natives who live in the district are agricultural by nature and are endeavouring to regrow the trees which their predecessors have butchered. ...
-The town of Damas consists chiefly of two, parts.- European & Wog-(Ed note:- In one of Bob Savage's letter's he explained that "Tog" is an abbreviation for "Worthy Oriental Gentleman",the way a certain general described the inhabitants). The European area sports some delightful buildings 6 or 7 stories(memories of Sydney),some good hotels and a picture theat're or twola cabaret and a railway station, some shops with plate-glass windows(great novelty in the East)amd a store of the Woolworth variety - hug for thie country - it has about ten shop assistants (quite good looking tob).
+Please give my regards to my S.B.W. pals of the old days and from the snaps sent over I notice quite a number of new faces - and also the amount of photograph room given to the male fraternity is quite a minor part - the club must certainly be changing - must, however become an active member again when I return to peaceful life. Regards to all and many thanks for your letter,etc. ....".
-The Wog area is, of course, most interesting especially the bazaar area. Made acquaintance with the "Street that is called Straight" (memories of St. Paul the Apostle). For the most part the native ccoarter streets are extremely narrow and twisty though quite clean.
+"Visited Damascus last Thursday. It is a fine city and,apart from Cairo, the best I have seen since leaving Australia. It is in fact a miniature Cairo...One reached Damascus, or as the locals call it "Damas",most unexpectedly. A fullgrown river springs out of the barren mountainside flows on top of the ground for about ten miles and. then disappears as quickly as it appeared. It is in this oasis that Damas has been built. Of course canals and intricate irrigation schemes adorn the area and it is a very fertule (( [sic] )) spot.
-Of interest also was a visit I paid to a local village in the hills, at the invitation of the Muktah(head man), He also invited his cousin who was a captain in the Turkish army in the last war, This causin is-the chief of a tribe of Jebel Druces - the hill tribes who live, by raiding the dwellers of the plains. This fellow has 1250 members in his family, none of whom work -
+The town of Damas consists chiefly of two, parts - European & Wog-(Ed note:- In one of Bob Savage's letter's he explained that "Wog" is an abbreviation for "Worthy Oriental Gentleman",the way a certain general described the inhabitants). The European area sports some delightful buildings 6 or 7 stories(memories of Sydney),some good hotels and a picture theatre or two, a cabaret and a railway station, some shops with plate-glass windows(great novelty in the East)and a store of the Woolworth variety - huge for this country - it has about ten shop assistants (quite good looking too).
-he did not fight in this war (he has his own private army) although the French asked him to join them. His family are born rulers and consider it beneath their dignity to work.
+The Wog area is, of course, most interesting especially the bazaar area. Made acquaintance with the "Street that is called Straight" (memories of St. Paul the Apostle). For the most part the native quarter streets are extremely narrow and twisty though quite clean. ....
-Had a very entertaining evening..... He invited me to spend a week or so in his castle in the hills, but I had visions of being lured up there and having an ear chopped off or something to be sent to my regiment for ransom; so pleaded the excuse of being busy. Altogether the atmosphere was most cordial and if he was not sincere he should go to Hollywood, he'd made his fortune "
+Of interest also was a visit I paid to a local village in the hills, at the invitation of the Muktah(head man), He also invited his cousin who was a captain in the Turkish army in the last war, This cousin is the chief of a tribe of Jebel Druces - the hill tribes who live, by raiding the dwellers of the plains. This fellow has 1250 members in his family, none of whom work - he did not fight in this war (he has his own private army) although the French asked him to join them. His family are born rulers and consider it beneath their dignity to work.
-Morrie ' s address is :- NX20390 M.M.Stephenson (Lie ut )
+Had a very entertaining evening..... He invited me to spend a week or so in his castle in the hills, but I had visions of being lured up there and having an ear chopped off or something to be sent to my regiment for ransom; so pleaded the excuse of being busy. Altogether the atmosphere was most cordial and if he was not sincere he should go to Hollywood, he'd made his fortune. ....."
-Sound Ranging Bty., 2/1 Aust.Survey Rest. Middle East Force. A.I.F. Abroad.
+|Morrie's address is:-|NX20390 M.M.Stephenson (Lieut.)\\ Sound Ranging Bty., 2/1 Aust.Survey Regt.,\\ Middle East Force. A.I.F. Abroad.|
 -10-