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 Tea was a crazy affair. Three different food parties amalgamated their resources and billies boiled, were moved and cooled alternatively until it seemed that we should never be able to have any two items at the same time. Yet eventually we were able to eat heartily of the best we possessed.
+=====Bushwalking - Down South.=====
+By Antarcticus.
+Those bushwalkers who are fortunate enough to include interstate trips in their holiday or business itineraries may perhaps find these words of some assistance when they come to plan weekend walking trips around Melbourne; to the enthusiast who is intent on organising Sunday walks in Footscray or Collingwood districts, however, I must point out that splendid road guides are available, and should be adequate for such purposes.
+First of all, the visitor to Melbourne is warned against looking around for sandstone cliffs and rugged rocky valleys. Many Sydney visitors have acquired sore feet in this way, so remember, you're not in the race. Once again, when you alight from a train, don't expect to find yourself on the top of a mountain for you will most certainly be disappointed. In most cases, settlement has spread along the river valleys rather than up the slopes of the mountains and the railways have followed suit.
+If one considers the belt of country within about sixty miles of Melbourne, (corresponding to the distance of the Central Blue Mountains from Sydney), the best walking country will probably be found in the Healesville-Marysville ranges, in the headwaters of the Yarra in the Warburton ranges, in the Kinglake district, and in the Macedon-Woodend district.
+Warburton and Healesville are both good centres for walking trips, but if the bushwalker wishes to establish a fixed camp for day walks he (or she, needless to say) will probably find Marysville more suitable. Within ten miles of here stand the tallest hardwood trees in the world; the highest tree allegedly stops at the 301 feet 6 inch mark, and is one of a number of huge mountain ash trees (eucalyptus regnans) which are preserved in a one-acre reserve. An outstanding attraction of the Marysville district is the Cathedral Range and Sugarloaf, constituting a rocky knife-edge ridge which provides some scope for rock-climbers. Lake Mountain, which is being developed as a skiing ground and is near the 5000 ft. level in altitude, is also accessible from Marysville.
+Mt. Donna Buang, at 4000 feet, is well known as a midwinter skiing ground and as a scenic viewpoint. The lookout tower on the summit is less a than six miles from Warburton railway station and is well worth a visit.
+The Kinglake ranges, extending roughly from Whittlesea to Toolangi, contain some excellent material for bushwalkers. The national park area of 14,000 acres is within easy walking distance of the Whittlesea, Hurstbridge and Healesvtlle rail terminals.
+The Macedon-Woodend ranges have attracted many wealthy city folk to their slopes with the result that numerous elaborate country residences have sprung up. Fortunately, the scars of civilization have been alleviated very considerably by the introduction of large numbers of English trees which present a thoroughly attractive picture in Autumn. The forested areas of the Macedon ranges are extensive, and there are two rather remarkable rocky outcrops at Camel's Hump and at Mount Diogenes (Hanging Rock), respectively.
+Last, but not necessarily least, must come some mention of the Dandenong Ranges, which have become very popular with hikers as a result of the fact that they can be reached in less than an hour's run by electric train from Melbourne. Although settlement, chiefly in the form of guesthouses and weekenders, has taken heavy toll of the natural attractions of this area, there are still many extensive forest reserves containing impressive timber and fern gullies, not to mention lyrebirds. Any mention of the Dandenongs might be considered incomplete without mention of "Puffing Billy", that not-so-streamlined spirit of protest which chuffs its leisurely way along the thirty-inch gauge railway from Ferntree Gully to Gembrook.
+In conclusion, the hope is expressed that any bushwalker who has read as far as this point (and this will disqualify a large number, no doubt) and returns from his next stay in Melbourne to exclaim: "Yes, Melbourne is still flat, and still utterly devoid of scenery and good walking country" - may do so not without some hidden feeling of doubt in his mind; some feeling, perhaps, that other states may have some attractions lacking in our own; some thought, indeed, of implementing the policy of "See Australia First" before starting off on that post-war trip abroad.
+=====When Is A Sausage Not A Sausage?=====
+A sausage what is it? According to Pear's "chopped meat stuffed into a skin." Another authority describes it as "chopped or minced meat seasoned with sage pepper, salt etc. and stuffed into properly cleaned entrails of the ox, sheep or pig, tied at short intervals with a string." The ancient Romans used to examine the entrails (unstuffed and not properly cleaned) of animals for revelations from the Gods. But have you heard of the Dunphy salami sausage? In the interests of science Myles suspended one by a string from the bathroom ceiling. Ten months passed and it became withered and wrinkled, but still, we are assured, an edible victual.
+Then it happened. The sausage developed hygroscopic qualities. It foretold the weather by dripping before rain. Hero the experiment ended when Mrs. Dunphy, who disapproved of the exudations in the bathroom, removed the sausage to the dustbin. Who knows what other properties it might have developed? It might have reacted to sunspots, foretold droughts, generated atomic energy. For the intrepid experimenter who will carry on where Myles left off there waits fame, perhaps martyrdom, even divorce.
+=====One Sunday In Samoa.=====
+It was Sunday when we nosed our way up to the reef at Apia and made fast to a buoy just outside the lagoon.
+It had been Sunday the day before but that didn't matter. Time is no object near the equator and one feels only a mild surprise when days of the week double-bank or drop out of the calendar altogether.
+A Sabbatical calm brooded over the straggling little town and there was not much to see when the husky Samoans had rowed us ashore.
+Campbell from down south New Zealand way, Barklie, a Dublin man and Klein the American wandered along the street with me, debating as to how we should spend the afternoon.
+"I tell __yew__" said Klein in his sleek well-fed tones, "there is only one thing __to__ do. We've gotta climb this hill where Rarbert Louis Stevenson is burried. My lil wife back home would never speak to me again if I told her I hadn't seen the tomb."
+"It's a deuced long way" said Campbell, who had been there before, "and it's deuced hot."
+"One can drive part of the way I believe," said Barklie.
+Sundry Samoan taxi-men in white cotton skirts and singlets had been hovering round us, and on hearing this remark they began to solicit our custom at the top of their voices. (Needless to say this was before the war).
+After some argument we selected a car and subsided on to seats spread with snowy antimacassars. Our Jehu seized the wheel and we hurtled at a furious pace through coconut groves that shaded thatched wall-less huts, oval-shaped and cement-floored. We roared up a slight incline and came to rest, whole but gasping, beneath a red-bean tree at Vailima gates.
+"From here - walk" said our charioteer; and we descended, charging him to return for us after a suitable interval.
+Another cotton-clad figure edged forward from where it had been squatting on the broken stone wall.
+"You go Steve's tomb?" it inquired earnestly. I must say that this flippant abbreviation of the revered Tusitala name jarred on me; but that was before we had climbed the hill.
+"I come" pursued the white-clad one, and we gathered that he intended to guide us.
+No one protested so we fell into line, carefully avoiding the stinging nettles that bordered the path. We crossed a babbling brook and started on the upward way. The plash of a waterfall came from somewhere below; ferns and lianas formed a tangle of undergrowth on either side of us, and the path was strewn with beans, black and scarlet, such as the native women thread into necklaces. To our left, open spaces in the trees showed Vailima, white in the sunlight, with patches of orange bignonia and rosy antignum bright against the green of its lawns.
+"It's sure beautiful" said Klein, "I'm right glad I came."
+The path steepened here, and our fitful conversation ceased. Presently by mutual consent we paused for a breather on the root of a tree, but our respite was brief. Clouds of mosquitoes descended upon us with whoops of delight and spurred us on.
-BUSHWALKING - DOWN SOUTH.
-)5y "Ant,stimi s".
-Thozebushwalkers who are fortunate enci h tn incude
-tripa in their hc1y or bustnecs triay 42:ad
-these words of cc-me assi stance when tkL(;7 corns to llaan wc611dIakilg
-trips Ev7-o-ol d Melborne3to the enthwiia5t who _nl:ent on ogalAoing
-Sunday walk rJ inll'o,ot. 1c)ray or CnilinGwood cl it r!icsohowe've,I mast point out that 9plendid r-c-ad guides are availableand should he adequate for such pupozes.
-oZ arl,the 7ri.SCP to Melbourne is warned againot looking
-a1,01 rL1fF d ruzged ro(4,ky valleys Many Sydney visitnm
-)rE. feet in this way3so reinembcaOve not in the race.
-Tr alight from a train,c10n7t e,xpect to find yourself
-tt(J ,;317) of a :'Jr you will most cel,ta:Lniy be disappointed. In
-most caseslsetlert, spread along the river vaj,leys rather than up, the slopes of the ic. :DI.Lntains and the railways have followed suit.
-If one considers the belt of country within about sixty miles of Melbourne,( Corresponding to the distance of the Central Blue MOuntains from Sydney), the best walking country will probably be found in the Healesville-Marysville ranges;in the headwaters of the Yarra in the
-Warburton ranges,in the Kinglake district,and in the Macedon-Woodend' district.
-Warburton and Healesvtlle are both good centres for walking trips, but if the bushwalker wishes to establish a fixed camp for day Wa1k59 he ( or she,needless to say ) will probably find Marysville mnre suitable. Within ten miles of here stand the tallest hardwood trees In the wr-it the highest tree allegedly, stops at the 301 feet 6 inomarkand is one nf a number of huge mountain ash trees ( eucalyptus regnans) which are preserved in a one-acre reserve, An outstanding attraction of the Maryn-
--ville district is the Cathedral Range and Sugarloafconstituting a rocky knife-edge ridge which provides some scope for rock-climbers. Lake Mountain,which is being developed as a ski-ing ground and is near the 5000 ft,level in altitudelis also accessible from Marysville.
-Mt,Donna Buangoat 4000 feet,i'8'wellknOwn as a midwinter skiing ground and as a scenic viewpoint. The lookout tower on the summit is ds a than six miles from Warburton railway station and is well worth a visit.
-The Kinglake ranges3exteng4ng roughly from Whittlesea to Toolailgi, contain some excellent materiallfor bushwalkers. The national park area of 14,000 acres is within easy walkingdistance of the Whittlesea, Hurstbridge and HeaIesvtlle rail terminals.
-The Macedon-Woodend ranges haveattracted many wealthy 01.7, folk to their slopes with the result that numerous elaborate country residences have sprung up. Fortunately, the scars of civilization have been
-`I/
-'
-alleviated very considerably by the introduction of large numbers of English trees which present a thoroughly attractive picture in Autumn. The forested areas of the Macedon ranges are extensive, and there are two rather remarkable rocky outcrops at Camel's Hump and at Mount Diogenes (Hanging Rock), respectively.
-Last, but not necessarily least, must come some mention of the Dandenong Ranges, which have become very popular with hikers as a result of the fact that they can be reached in less than an hour's run by electric train from Melbourne. Although settlement, chiefly in the farm of guesthouses and weekenders, has taken heavy toll of the natural attractions of this area, there are still many extensive forest reserves containing impressive timber and fern gullies, not to mention lyrebirds. Any mention of the Dandenongs might be considered incomplete without mention of "Puffing Billy", that notsostreamlined spirit of protest which chuffs its leisurely way along the thirtyinch gauge railway from Ferntree Gully to Gembre*.
-In conclusion, the hope is expressed that any bushwalker who has read as far as this point (and this will disqualify a large number, no doubt) and returns from his next stay in Melbourne to exclaim: "Yes, Melbourne is still flat, and still utterly devoid of scenery and good walking country" may do so not -without some hidden feeling of doubt in his mind; some feeling, perhaps, that other states may have some attractions lacking in our own; some thought, indeed, of implementing the policy of "See Australia First" before starting off on that postwar trip abroad.
-WHEN IS A SAUSAGE NOT A SAUSAGE?
-A sausage what is it? According to Pearls "chopped meat stuffed into a skin." Another authority describes it as "chopped or minced meat seasoned with sage pepper, salt etc. and stuffed into properly cleaned entrails of the ox, sheep or pig, tied at short intervals with a string." The ancient Romans used to examine the entrails (unstuffed and not properly cleaned) of animals for revelations from the Gods. But have you heard of the Dunphy salami sausage? In the interests of science Myles suspended one by a string from the bathroom ceiling. Ten months passed and it became withered and wrinkled: but still, we are assured, an edible victual.
-Then it happened. The sausage developed hygroscopic qualities. It foretold the weather by dripping before rain. Hero the experiment ended when Mrs. Dunphy, who disapproved of the exudations in the bathroom, removed the sausage to the dustbin. Who knows what other properties it might have developed? It might have reacted to sunspots, foretold droughts, generated atomic energy. For the intrepid experimenter who will carry on where Wles left off there waits fame, perhaps martyrdom, even divorce.
-ONE SUNDAY IN SAMOA
-It was Sunday when we nosed our way up to the reef nt Apia and' made fast to a buoy just outside the lagoon.
-It had been Sunday the day before but that ditntt matter. Time is no object near the equator and one feels only a mild, surprise when days of the week d ou`ele bank or drop out cf the. calendar altogether.
-A Sabbatical calm broodJd over the straggling little town and there was not much to see when the husky Samoans had rowed us ashore.
-Campbell from down south New Zealand way, Barklie, a Dublin man and Klein the American wandered along the street with me, debating as to how we should spend. the 'afternoon.
-: tell fr_vew" said Klein in his sleek well-fed tones, "there is only one thing to do. We've gotta climb this hill where Rarbert Louis Stevenson is hurried. My lil wife back home would never speak to me again if I told. her I hadn't seen the tomb."
-"It Is a deuced, long way" said Campbell, who had been there before, "arid it s deuced hot "
-"One can drive part of the way I believe,' said Barklie.
-Sirriezy Samoan taxi..men in white cotton skirts and singlets had been hovering round us , and. on hearing this remark they b (van to solicit our custom at the top of their voices, (Needless to say, this was before the war).
-After some argument we selected a car and subsided on to seats spread with snowy antimacassars. Our Jehu seized the wheel and. we hurtled, at a furious 7,;.-.-_,003 through coconut groves that shaded thatched wall-less huts, oval-shaped and cement-floored, We roared up a slight incline and came to rest, whole but gasping, beneath a redpibean tree at VaiIima gates.
-"From here - walk" said. our charioteer; and. we descended, charging him to return for us after a suitable interval.
-Another cotton...clad figure edged. forward from where it had been. squatting on the broken stone wall.
-"You go Stevets tombVi it inquired earnestly. I must say that this -flip_pant abbreviation of the revered. Tusitala name jarred on me; but that 1714S before we had climbed the hill.
- "X cone pursued the ,white-clad one, and we gathered that he intenil ed to guide us.
-No one protested so we fell into line, carefully avoiding the stinging nettles that bordered the path. We crossed a babbling brook and -started on the upwawd way. The plash of a waterfall came from somewhere `13t430w; ferns and lianas formed a tangle of undergrowth on either side of us) ,and the path was strewn with beans, black and scarlet, such as the native women thread into necklaces. To our. left, open spaces in the trees showed Vailima, white in the sunlight, with patches of orange bignonia and rosy antignum bright against the green of its lawns.
-"It's
-sure beautiful" said Klein, "I'm right glad I came."
-The -oath steepened here, and our fitful conversation ceased. Presently by mutual consent we paused for a breather on the root of a tree, but our respite was brief. Clouds of mosquitoes descended upon us with whoops of delight and spurred us en.
-.
 We toiled upwards for another fifteen minutes, oozing at every pore. "Say" protested Klein as the bush still towered thickly above us, "how much further to the top?"
-Our guide, cool and serene, made gostures indicating smallness. "Little way" he said, "maybe two yard.!
-"It may be in some methods of reckoning" said Barklie, "but it looks more like two miles to M.O."
+Our guide, cool and serene, made gestures indicating smallness. "Little way" he said, "maybe two yard."
-"Oh wetre over the worst I think" said Campbell optimistically. "As far as I can remember, this seat by the path here is quite threequarters of the way up."
-"I guess they hated to put it there" said Klein. "There's none further down, you notice they just wait till you are at your last gasp before they help you." He sank down on it, mopping his brow and braving the mosquitoes for an instant.
+"It may be in some methods of reckoning" said Barklie, "but it looks more like two miles to me."
-"You know" I saineicieaively, "it must have been a very difficult business getting the coffin to the top of this hill. I wonder how long it took thnm to do it?"
-"Ask little Solomon here" said Campbell, "he might toll you all about it. I
+"Oh we're over the worst I think" said Campbell optimistically. "As far as I can remember, this seat by the path here is quite three-quarters of the way up."
-Klein hailed our guide in what he fondly believed to be Island English. "This fella Stove" he said, "him dead. You put him on top of hill. How long it take you, carry him up this damsteep path?"
-"Yes" said the youth gravely. "Stevets tomb," and he pointed through the trees above us.
+"I guess they hated to put it there" said Klein. "There's none further down, you notice - they just wait till you are at your last gasp before they help you." He sank down on it, mopping his brow and braving the mosquitoes for an instant.
+"You know" I said reflectively, "it must have been a very difficult business getting the coffin to the top of this hill. I wonder how long it took them to do it?"
+"Ask little Solomon here" said Campbell, "he might tell you all about it."
+Klein hailed our guide in what he fondly believed to be Island English. "This fella Steve" he said, "him dead. You put him on top of hill. How long it take you, carry him up this dam-steep path?"
+"Yes" said the youth gravely. "Steve's tomb," and he pointed through the trees above us.
 Klein tried again.
-"When Steve die, you put him up top, in tomb. How long it take yot get him up this hill?"
+"When Steve die, you put him up top, in tomb. How long it take you get him up this hill?"
 Blank silence for awhile. Then, "Twenty year" our guide said solemnly.
 A guffaw of laughter broke the stillness of the bush.
-"That's right" said Klein, "I guess the laugh's on MB. Twenty years gosh! I shouldntt wonder if it did. What I want to know is$ why in hell they couldn't have Married him down below."
-He heaved himgelf up with a sigh and we trudged to the top of the hill.
+"That's right" said Klein, "I guess the laugh's on me. Twenty years - gosh! I shouldn't wonder if it did. What I want to know is, why in hell they couldn't have burried him down below."
-On a little flat knoll, about ten yards across, hemmed in by palm and hibiscus, is a long slab of plain grey stone. Along the ledge at one side of it a recent pilgrim had traced "Robert Louis Stevenson" with the red and yellow palm nuts that lie scattered amongst the grass. Ajar of scarlet hibiscus flowers glowed against the stone.
-Below us stretched ridge on ridge of tropical forost, sombre, emniverent, with here and there the flash of white "birds in a dark ravine." To one side, a cleared space of cultivation marked Vailima garden. In front of us, infinitely distant, lay a strip of honeycoloured sand; the blue peace of the lagoon: the roof, like a white ruffle on the seats blue gown, and beyond, the Pacif1 qmilAmg and sparkling in the sun.
+He heaved himself up with a sigh and we trudged to the top of the hill.
-"Here he lies where he longed to be" this child of the dour north, with its grey skies and its piercing winds and its rain here, at peace, in the warm silence, shaded by hibiscus and palm.
-Hail and farewell, 0 Tusitala, for we shall not pass this way again.
+On a little flat knoll, about ten yards across, hemmed in by palm and hibiscus, is a long slab of plain grey stone. Along the ledge at one side of it a recent pilgrim had traced "Robert Louis Stevenson" with the red and yellow palm nuts that lie scattered amongst the grass. A jar of scarlet hibiscus flowers glowed against the stone.
+Below us stretched ridge on ridge of tropical forest, sombre, omniverent, with here and there the flash of white "birds in a dark ravine." To one side, a cleared space of cultivation marked Vailima garden. In front of us, infinitely distant, lay a strip of honey-coloured sand; the blue peace of the lagoon: the roof, like a white ruffle on the sea's blue gown, and beyond, the Pacific, smiling and sparkling in the sun.
+"Here he lies where he longed to be" - this child of the dour north, with its grey skies and its piercing winds and its rain - here, at peace, in the warm silence, shaded by hibiscus and palm.
+Hail and farewell, O Tusitala, for we shall not pass this way again.
 .
 THE MAN WITH THE TAR BRUSH.