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A monthly Bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, c/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 Crown St. Sydney. | A monthly Bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, c/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 Crown St. Sydney. | ||
- | ====No.140 August 1946 Price 6d. | + | ====No.140 August 1946 Price 6d.==== |
|**Editor**|Ron Knightley| | |**Editor**|Ron Knightley| | ||
Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
| | |Page| | | | |Page| | ||
|"New Chum" | |"New Chum" | ||
- | |Timber Shortage|" | + | |Timber Shortage|" |
|Faceo|" | |Faceo|" | ||
|Night On Bald Mountain|" | |Night On Bald Mountain|" | ||
Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
My vision blotted out, my dear! | My vision blotted out, my dear! | ||
- | NEW CHUM by " | + | ---- |
- | "So you're going to join the Bushwalkers?" | + | |
- | great grand-niece and nephew. | + | =====New Chum.===== |
- | + | ||
- | 'Tell, I remember the day, baclein | + | by " |
- | 1 * | + | |
+ | "So you're going to join the Bushwalkers?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Well, I remember the day, back in the summer | ||
And the gist of his story is in this wise. | And the gist of his story is in this wise. | ||
- | "Back in the winter of '46 I was a. prospective. I well remember that walk, as it was my first weekend walk' | ||
- | "The train started from Central Station at 1425 p m on a Saturday afternoon, and at that time I was cursing to myself | + | "Back in the winter |
- | I missed that train by five minutes, and had to wait 55 minutes for | + | |
- | the next. When it pulled in I grabbed a window seat and wondered what would eventually sit next to me. | + | |
- | "It was a girl in slacks. Nothing to remark about these days, but | + | |
- | conservative people like me used to label them as ' | + | |
- | wasn't your great grand-aunt. Please don' | + | |
- | j | + | |
- | So I Whiled away the three hours to, | + | |
- | eating her Carbohydrates, | + | |
- | trained and hhStily entered the nearest: room, Which Contained a beautiful | + | |
- | fire. There I put on all the spare clothing I could, for it was cold. It had snowed the night before.- | + | |
- | "The station master directed me to the nearest estate agents, where I | + | |
- | had a look at his maps. It'was six o' | + | |
- | "The first place I went to owned a large luxurious Chrysler which didn't sound like the Bush walker to me. While I waited for the driver to return from a journey a massive female shrilled at mo from the cold outer world - | + | |
- | 'Ey, youl you one of them Sydney tikers?' | + | |
- | for a trip to..the other side of the aerodrome.; She was a good _soul and told inc of the party' | + | |
- | . - | + | |
- | "It was pitch black when she dumped me, but half way to Perry' | + | |
- | "From the edge of the cliff just below Perry' | + | |
- | "The party was rather surprised to see mo and kindly offered to help me cook my tea. To which I made reply 'Salt of the earth! Backbone of the nation 4 It's young men like you we need in the government running this country.V. They heard that a few times too during the walk. | + | |
- | "Sleep wasn't at all pleasant. I tried a day previously to hire a sleeping bag. The result was a, foregone conclusion, I found two blankets to substitute whatsoever." | + | |
- | As the morn awoke do' did some other. cold footed-walker. Caculatin glYi | + | |
- | I lay abed until the,s-hrategic moment.4117en_the | + | "The train started from Central Station at 1.25 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon, and at that time I was cursing to myself in a tram in Pitt Street. You may have seen pictures of trams somewhere children." |
- | Later the sun made its appearance for about ten minutes. We saw it again 8 hours later. This brought to light t*o More males from our party, Another tent surrounded three ladies who were:forcibly-eject94 | + | |
- | , | + | I missed that train by five minutes, and had to wait 55 minutes for the next. When it pulled in I grabbed a window seat and wondered what would eventually sit next to me. |
- | Breakfast over, teVen af us, plui-seVen:others from three other parties set out in a slight drizzle with lunch time -objective something | + | |
- | that bounds like.Bekchams. | + | "It was a girl in slacks. Nothing to remark about these days, but conservative people like me used to label them as ' |
- | Lunch at,the'falls waS-a cad affair.. The place was damp and sowas the weather. | + | |
- | After lunch., more steps) and then_the | + | So I whiled away the three hours to Blackheath chatting with her and eating her carbohydrates. Barley Sugar they called it. At Blackheath I de-trained and hastily entered the nearest room, which contained a beautiful fire. There I put on all the spare clothing I could, for it was cold. It had snowed the night before. |
- | _ . . | + | |
- | *rand Canyon,. and then more steps Up lieat olt Glen. At the top of this was the road to Blackheath. It took, | + | "The station master directed me to the nearest estate agents, where I had a look at his maps. It was six o' |
- | - | + | |
- | With home in my noitrils, or rather the imaginary odours of a delightful Devonshire Tea at Blackheath that all the ladies extolled, I gave way to a little exhibitionism and spurted ahead, reaching Blackheath first with another. But such delights | + | "The first place I went to owned a large luxurious Chrysler which didn't sound like the Bush walkers to me. While I waited for the driver to return from a journey a massive female shrilled at me from the cold outer world - |
- | Follow the leader was the law then, Children, and so wetook: | + | |
- | 4. | + | 'Ey, you! you one of them Sydney ' |
- | a city bound train drew in. A. wild scream | + | |
- | " | + | "It was pitch black when she dumped me, but half way to Perry' |
- | not describe it. TWo 16:t pcoillerSMadtheit aPP06-Xance-and,with:. | + | |
- | . . . | + | "From the edge of the cliff just below Perry' |
- | a minuto | + | |
- | There is one thing, my children, that etill' | + | "The party was rather surprised to see me and kindly offered to help me cook my tea. To which I made reply 'Salt of the earth! Backbone of the nation! It's young men like you we need in the government running this country!" |
- | a mystery to me. You remember I told you that on first arriving at Blackheath | + | |
- | " | + | "Sleep wasn't at all pleasant. I tried a day previously to hire a sleeping bag. The result was a foregone conclusion, I found two blankets to substitute whatsoever." |
- | "And the storal of this mory is" droned on the ancient voice of- great great Uncle who in his old age was occasionally inclined to split3- | + | |
- | Olm w am. | + | As the morn awoke so did some other cold footed-walker. Calculatingly, |
- | SAY IT IN -.CHINESE.' | + | |
+ | Later the sun made its appearance for about ten minutes. We saw it again 8 hours later. This brought to light two more males from our party. Another tent surrounded three ladies who were forcibly | ||
+ | |||
+ | Breakfast over, seven of us, plus seven others from three other parties set out in a slight drizzle with lunch time objective something that bounds like Beacham's Falls. I was rather | ||
+ | |||
+ | Lunch at the falls was a cold affair. The place was damp and so was the weather. | ||
+ | |||
+ | After lunch, more steps, and then the spectacular scenery of the Grand Canyon, and then more steps up Neate' | ||
+ | |||
+ | With home in my nostrils, or rather the imaginary odours of a delightful Devonshire Tea at Blackheath that all the ladies extolled, I gave way to a little exhibitionism and spurted ahead, reaching Blackheath first with another. But such delights | ||
+ | |||
+ | Follow the leader was the law then, children, and so we took ourselves to the station, where we cleaned ourselves up. In the middle of this process a city bound train drew in. A wild scream | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | There is one thing, my children, that still is and will ever remain a mystery to me. You remember I told you that on first arriving at Blackheath | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | "And the storal of this mory is" droned on the ancient voice of great great Uncle who in his old age was occasionally inclined to split an infinitive and mix his metaphors "never to have Devonshire Tea in Blackheath | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Say It In Chinese.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Before Fraser Ratcliffe left on his gold hunting expedition twelve Bushwalkers and others foregathered one night at the Tai-ping Chinese Restaurant to say au-revoir. (With FOOD naturally). | ||
+ | |||
+ | Staggering under the weight of various " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Phyllis Ratcliffe had brought flowers and a large white iced Xmas cake with Chinese letters etched on it in chocolate. She said she didn't know what they meant - they were copied from a Japanese card and might mean anything, but they looked artistic!! | ||
+ | |||
+ | We asked our waiter to come to our rescue again and felt somewhat nervous as we awaited the verdict. Then, with an even broader smile he said it meant, "How do you call it - MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY". (Was this just another example of Oriental politeness, I wonder?). | ||
+ | |||
+ | He wanted to know whose birthday, so we said it was Fraser's and were invited to come again next year, whereupon we made a pact that if our prospector makes his fortune he is to take us all; if he comes back " | ||
+ | |||
+ | After coping with ten sumptuous courses, the happy band took itself (Yes, it did too!) to the Helmrich mansion for SUPPER. (We only surmise why no details are given here - Ed.) | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Timber Shortage.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Homes or Railways or Primitive Areas? | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | by Arbores Australis. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Do you realize that the importation of timber from America has been stopped, that importation from Canada will also stop because Canada will have a high-price market in | ||
+ | America without black market dangers because price restrictions there have been lifted, and finally, do you realize that we have only three months' | ||
+ | |||
+ | On the top of this did you know that the Forestry Commission has undertaken to supply the N.S.W. Railways with sleeDers which will require 10% of the total hardwood production in N.S.W at the present time, plus another 10% which will be produced as offcuts from the sleepers, so that the existing production of timber will have to be increased by 20% to provide the sleepers, though it has to be admitted that this 10% of offcuts will be available for you and me who want to build homes. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Only a small decimal percentage of all this timber will come from State Forests under proper management and fire-control where trees will be regrown as soon as they are cut. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The other ninety-nine point something per cent will come from forests where the trees will not be regrown. It will come from:- | ||
+ | |||
+ | (a) State Forests which are not under forestry management because for the last 30 years there have not been enough trained foresters to manage them. | ||
+ | |||
+ | (b) Crown lands, which have not been set aside for any special purpose. | ||
+ | |||
+ | (c) " | ||
- | Before Fraser Ratcliffe left On his gold hunting expedition twelve Bushwalkers and others foregathared one night at the Tai-ping-Chine8e, | ||
- | Staggering under the weight of yariouS " | ||
- | r60111oft, | ||
- | Phyllis Ratcliffe had brought-floWers and a large white iced Xmas cake | ||
- | , | ||
- | |||
- | with Chine se letters etched on it in chocolate. She said' | ||
- | f | ||
- | We asked gut, waiter to come to our rezcue again and felt somq*hat. nervous as we awaited the verdi:ct. Then, with an oven broader smile he said it meant', | ||
- | this just another example of Oriental politeness, I wondQr?). | ||
- | - | ||
- | He wanted-to know whose_ birthdayi..so w_esaid it: | ||
- | After copihgwith ten qmptuOus courses, the haPP7 loand: took itself (Yes, it did tool) to the Heinrich Mansion for SUPPERS only surmise | ||
- | _.why no details are givea here | ||
- | f | ||
- | - | ||
- | TIMBER SHORTAGE | ||
- | HOMES or RAILWAYS: or' PRIMITIVE AREAS ? | ||
- | Arbores Australis, | ||
- | Do you realize that the importiltion of timber from America has been stopped, that importation from Canada will also' | ||
- | On the bp of this did you know that the Forestry Commission has undertaken to supply the N.S.W. Rail*ys with sleeDers which will require 10% of the total hardwood production in N.S,W at the present time, plus another 10% which will be produced as offcutsfrom the sleepers, so that the existing produltion of,timber will have to be increased by 20% to provide the sleepers, though it has to be admitted that this 10% of offcuts will be available for you and me. who want to build homes. | ||
- | Only a small decimal percentage of all this timber will come from State Forests under proper management and fire-control where trees will be regrown as soon, as they are cut. | ||
- | The other ninety-nine -point, something per cent will come from forests where the trees will not be regrown. I It will come from:- | ||
- | (a) State_Forests which are not under forestry management because for the last 30 years there have not been enough trained foresters to manage them. | ||
- | (b) Croin lands, which have not b en set aside for any special purpose. | ||
- | (c) " | ||
- | forest m-nagement. | ||
- | - | ||
(d) Private lands which very often go over to bracken when the timber is taken and where re-forestation is almost unknown. | (d) Private lands which very often go over to bracken when the timber is taken and where re-forestation is almost unknown. | ||
- | (e) And lastly - if bushwalkers are not very vigilent frony our beloved and ' | ||
- | Won you get out the plans and a specificatiOn of your new home, remember that you are contributing to the spoliation of the forests..But even if you patriotically decided to give u--) your new home idea and go on living with the in-laws, it would not help greatlyi because there are still those sleepers. You must also give up train-travelling to your favourito bush- walking haunts and persuade your friends to do the same. | ||
- | Obviously these remedies aro fantastic. But what other remedy is there? - | ||
- | The only sound solution is the long-range-one. More young men and women Must aspire to graduate in the science of forestry, and more money must be made available to pay their salaries afterwards and buy up suitable land, so that the forests now being depleted may be brought under forestry management and fire-control as son as these young people can write B.Sc.Dip.For. after their names. In the meantime the situation might be eased if young men (not | ||
- | women) who are not graduates decided to ta' | ||
- | on to the job of re-forestation right awar.' | ||
- | - - | ||
- | That is the position - very soon it will not be primitive areas we shall | ||
- | be worrying: | ||
- | "F A C f by -" | ||
- | Without worrying whether my last Contribution | + | (e) And lastly - if bushwalkers are not very vigilent - from our beloved and hardly-won reserves. |
- | To make up for being an hour late on my previous trip, I was an hOur early. | + | |
- | for this one. Having once more got a window seat an habitual ambition - I | + | When you get out the plans and a specification of your new home, remember that you are contributing to the spoliation of the forests. But even if you patriotically decided to give up your new home idea and go on living with the in-laws, it would not help greatly, because there are still those sleepers. You must also give up train-travelling to your favourite bush-walking haunts and persuade your friends to do the same. |
- | just sat and waited. Edna Garrad appeared next and soon the carriage was full. (no slight upon Edna intcnded | + | |
- | I have little to say of the train trip. It was blissfully uneventful. The men of the party, or anyway, the ones that counted, did their duty bY' | + | Obviously these remedies are fantastic. But what other remedy is there? |
- | At Katoomba we found ourselves; | + | |
+ | The only sound solution is the long-range-one. More young men and women must aspire to graduate in the science of forestry, and more money must be made available to pay their salaries afterwards and buy up suitable land, so that the forests now being depleted may be brought under forestry management and fire-control as soon as these young people can write B.Sc.Dip.For. after their names. In the meantime the situation might be eased if young men (not women) who are not graduates decided to take up forestry. They could be got on to the job of re-forestation right away. | ||
+ | |||
+ | That is the position - very soon it will not be primitive areas we shall be worrying about; it will be properly protected State Forests, because they will be the only areas on which a single decent tree remains. And if now you hear of a stretch of forest that the Commission wants, and which it will guarantee to place under forest management, well, work your hardest to see it gets it. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====" | ||
+ | |||
+ | by " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Without worrying whether my last contribution | ||
+ | |||
+ | To make up for being an hour late on my previous trip, I was an hour early for this one. Having once more got a window seat - an habitual ambition - I just sat and waited. Edna Garrad appeared next and soon the carriage was full. (no slight upon Edna intended | ||
+ | |||
+ | I have little to say of the train trip. It was blissfully uneventful. The men of the party, or anyway, the ones that counted, did their duty by the Refreshment Room at Penrith, two of the ladies doing likewise. On the other side of the partition, naturally. | ||
+ | |||
+ | At Katoomba we found ourselves, thirteen strong I think (Haziness was not the result of Penrith Plank) headed for Diamond Falls. Narrow Neck Peninsula, bent. The local populace seemed to think hell bent. We set off at a goodly pace, and arrived at the beginnings of said Peninsula just at Sundown. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Most people prefer a sunset of different hues, with delicately tinted clouds and all the trimmings. But that evening' | ||
+ | |||
+ | That cloudless sky gave promise of a fair morrow, but also of a frosty night. Now, I have no objections to a frosty night; but never again shall I sleep with my head outside the tent - not on purpose - when mother nature has given me due and fair warning. Oh by dose, oh boy! | ||
+ | |||
+ | Breakfast over, we started out down the Neck. A beautiful day and no kidding. We even dumped our packs and walked most of the day without them. | ||
+ | |||
+ | First leg of the trip was Coral Swamp. Where the creek leaves the neck, so did we. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Well; we did at the second try. We were informed that we were treading the "Red Ledge Track" once used by miners who hacked the coal from the cliff side, and just to substantiate this claim, lo and behold we soon saw evidence of a well used track, much loose coal, and quite a lot of corrugated iron. I left my lump of coal behind, too. Alas. | ||
+ | |||
+ | At this point we were on a ridge. An hour later we were still on it. We did at last reach Mitchell's Creek. No sooner did we than we were on another ridge, going up. At last we came back to the cliff face, proceeded to skirt same, scramble about same, and soon, O Joy, we lunched. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For two hours the walk went on perfectly - on our backs. The sun was slowly descending and forced us to regain an upright position unfortunately. Being on a creek we followed same and by devious means - nails in trees etc., we gained the top of the Peninsula. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Then back to base for our packs, Katoomba welcomed | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | Well, well! He's no longer President, but he still provides the walkers of the future! Yes, even as we danced at the Federation Social, Wal Roots became a daddy once again! Miriam delivered unto him a son. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
- | not the result of Penrith Plank) headed. for Diamond Falls. Narrow Neck Peninsula, bent, The local populace seemed to think hallbent. We set off at | ||
- | a goodly pace, and arrived at the beginnings of said Peninsula jUst at Sundown. | ||
- | Most people prefer a sunset ciS *different hues, with delicrItcly tinted clouds and all the trimmings. But that evening' | ||
- | horizon a blue black silhouette of rounded mountains against a cloudless golden. | ||
- | background arching above us and beyond us into the deep blue behind seemod' | ||
- | That' | ||
- | Breakfast over, we started out down the Neck. A beautiful day and no kidding. We even dumped our packs and walked, most of the day without them. | ||
- | 'First leg of the trip was Coral Qwamp. Where the creek leaves the neck, | ||
- | so did we, , | ||
- | ' | ||
- | W.011, We did at the-Second' | ||
- | ,...=li | ||
- | my lump of coal behind, | ||
- | At this point we were on a ridge. An hour later we were still Du it. We did at last reach Mitchell' | ||
- | For two hours the walk went on perfectly - on our backs. The sun was -. slowly descending and forced us to regain an upright position unfortunatelyBeing on a creek we' | ||
- | Then beck to base for our packs, Katoomba welcomed (?) us at sunset, so wo bid farewell to the beautiful Blue Mountains Brrrrr: You Beaut4 | ||
- | Nell, well!' Hs no longer President, but he-still provides the walkers of the' | ||
- | : ' | ||
- | a 0.4 WWI. | ||
By special arrangement with the National Art Gallery, we print a famous painting of the Official Party arriving at Cowan for the Official Walk on a recent Saturday arvo: | By special arrangement with the National Art Gallery, we print a famous painting of the Official Party arriving at Cowan for the Official Walk on a recent Saturday arvo: | ||
- | r77,N, | + | |
- | WOT1. NO LEADER!? | + | __Wot - No Leader?__ |
- | SNEAKERS. | + | |
- | Those of you who walk in shoos may be interested to know | + | ---- |
- | , LEATHER- SANDSHOES. crepe_rubber | + | |
- | WALKS PROGRAMICIE | + | ====Sneakers.==== |
+ | |||
+ | Those of you who walk in shoes may be interested to know... | ||
+ | |||
+ | __Leather sandshoes__ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Walks Programme.==== | ||
+ | |||
Colin Lloyd advises as follows:- | Colin Lloyd advises as follows:- | ||
- | Peg Bransden' | ||
- | a is via 12.25 train not 1.25: | ||
- | Ray Birt's Wild-flowers walk, on September -7-8: Watch notice' | ||
- | "NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN" | ||
- | By PROLIX | ||
- | (with apologies to Moussorgsky) | ||
- | Central Station, 1,30 Saturday, gloomy, cold and with fine rain drizzling down, found my gogd,friend Antilix and self making a last minute decision. " | ||
- | Penrith slid by, and still m iserable outside. Nepean River presented a frightening spectacle of angry swirling _waters yellowWith its unnatural load of man-wasted soil ad debris 4. tearing at the banks in its fury to reach the sea and leaving a deep fringe of sand high on the banks. Glenbrook | ||
- | Creek had suffered-seVerely from the recentrains and was scarred by land- | ||
- | slides and strewn with rocks and bouldersi many tons of which it had disgorgei into the Nepean effectively distorting its flow and eating into the apposite bank. Never had we seen it so high. | ||
- | We spoke as two minute voiccd in the ' | ||
- | present devastation with what might have been h8: | ||
- | foresight which is now all too necesSary: | ||
- | The slow upward grind eventually found us -at Katoomba still drizzling in late afternoon though it might have been morning, or any other time, with the, | ||
- | Warmed up by hot coffee and toast we headed for Devil' | ||
- | The turn-off negotiated, We conteffiplated a camp site. Nothing but soggy wei ground, small pools of Water linked with thin streamlets and all vegetdion both dead and alive simply dripping with water - not very inviting at dusk or any hour.' Our search was finally rewarded by a nice, just tent- sized, patch of green springy plant life which grows close to the ground, and on this limited area we erected our shelter - to wit one Willesden.- | ||
- | Still shielded by ground sheets from the wet trees etc., the rain having temporarily veased, we hunted for fuel. This required an almost individual selection of tinder from the sodaen. mass. Under a dome of groundsheets and us, a small fire was coaxed tO sufficient proportions in three quarters of an hour to justify our boiling the billy. Quite a good hot dinner followed, thanks to said fire which behaved wonderfully, | ||
- | ;- Believe it or not we were very comfortable, | ||
- | that little patch of greenery - under 'which we could bear' | ||
- | Late ' | ||
- | 9. | ||
- | on closer scrutiny found two followea by a m. too bad. | ||
- | We lunched in the waiting room with the aid of the N.S.R: | ||
- | The distance was covered in one and three quarter hours not bad we think so we returned to the _metropolis fc41ing ' | ||
- | Iiiierealt WOMBAT' | ||
- | GOld.:Mines goqP.' | ||
- | ' | ||
- | 0 | ||
- | )@T@P., | ||
- | YOJR OPTOMIi1TPIST | ||
- | . F.:GOODMAN, M...1. 0. - | ||
- | Olotometrit' | ||
- | aacY a 4/ Of Os | ||
- | .@ | ||
- | @ | ||
- | 'Phone B3438. | ||
- | - . | ||
- | Modern methods Of Eye Examination" and Eye Training Careful Spectacle Fitting. | + | Peg Bransden' |
- | . . | + | |
- | Fixing an appointment yillfacilitate | + | Ray Birt's Wild-flowers walk, on September 7-8: Watch notice board for details. |
- | ' | + | |
- | a(... a@c-1(cc__("" | + | ---- |
- | ;071' | + | |
- | 10,. | + | =====Night On Bald Mountain.===== |
- | PUN-ITIVE INTERLUDE | + | |
- | (By Ug | + | By Prolix (with apologies to Moussorgsky) |
+ | |||
+ | Central Station, 1.30 p.m. Saturday, gloomy, cold and with fine rain drizzling down, found my good friend Antilix and self making a last minute decision. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Penrith slid by, and still miserable outside. Nepean River presented a frightening spectacle of angry swirling waters - yellow with its unnatural load of man-wasted soil and debris - tearing at the banks in its fury to reach the sea and leaving a deep fringe of sand high on the banks. Glenbrook Creek had suffered severely from the recent rains and was scarred by landslides and strewn with rocks and boulders, many tons of which it had disgorged into the Nepean effectively distorting its flow and eating into the opposite bank. Never had we seen it so high. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We spoke as two minute voices in the wilderness as we compared the present devastation with what might have been had our forefathers shown the foresight which is now all too necessary if we are to "stop the rot" | ||
+ | |||
+ | The slow upward grind eventually found us at Katoomba - still drizzling in late afternoon though it might have been morning, or any other time, with the sameness of the dull light filtering through the mist from all sides. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Warmed up by hot coffee and toast we headed | ||
+ | |||
+ | The turn-off negotiated, we contemplated a camp site. Nothing but soggy wet ground, small pools of water linked with thin streamlets and all vegetation both dead and alive simply dripping with water - not very inviting | ||
+ | |||
+ | Still shielded by ground sheets from the wet trees etc., the rain having temporarily ceased, we hunted for fuel. This required an almost individual selection of tinder from the sodden mass. Under a dome of groundsheets and us, a small fire was coaxed to sufficient proportions in three quarters of an hour to justify our boiling the billy. Quite a good hot dinner followed, thanks to said fire which behaved wonderfully, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Believe it or not we were very comfortable, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Late next morning, | ||
+ | |||
+ | We lunched in the waiting room with the aid of the N.S.W.R. coal and fireplace, and decided to beat the next train to Blackheath where it was due in two hours. The afternoon had cleared somewhat and in bracing coolness we stepped it out along the main road - hobnails tearing and skidding. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The distance was covered in one and three quarter hours - not bad we think - so we returned to the metropolis feeling strangely contented with our night out above Devil's Hole. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | Weren' | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Pun-ititve Interlude.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | (By Ug-Ug) | ||
(Strictly blurb) | (Strictly blurb) | ||
- | A Hunter awoke ip, the Wood ono morn, and soliloquised on the day ahead; " | ||
- | He gazed up the road by which he lay - se-Rene and Browne it wound along in the tun - and gave a gulp at what he saw: "Holy saecharinl Santa Christal Surely my eyes have not gone wrongs They Norma-ly function well." Just what he was seeing was quite obscure so he Stuokey' | ||
- | legs as it puffed up the hill like a Garrad locomotive. | ||
- | - | ||
- | Then a flurry of dust down the winding rOad, and a roar like a Leon disturbed his muse.,Was it a Laurie? Mb, a huge Rolls-Royce, | ||
- | ("01, | ||
- | / | ||
- | - | ||
- | k..) ,?1 | ||
- | . SW-Irving to left, the limousine pulled Up by afdresaid rucsac, and as this turned about, the Hunter saw it all: -1twas. a woman beneath it, and Oh! what a poach. A woman, inde,d, and half blotted out by the Paddy-made pack: Younger by far than the driving tvff:, with the sweetest smile, and hair Bob!d short. | ||
- | But the Hunter disliked the set-up i and mentally voiced his doubt: | ||
- | " | ||
- | a pitcher, whose Steady and Gentle tread allows:ber. 'carry the Maximum weight, in the land where he-men are , | ||
- | Then quoth the driver loloke to' 'the girl:" | ||
- | ."Over the Hilma lad", she' | ||
- | he lied about helping her (this system is hackneyed, these days, and sho was wake-uio). | ||
- | The Hunter turned to cook his food, and as he started to Stuart, the car gained speed with the luscious lass inside, When the meal was over, be Doug a pit, and lorry-ed his tins in a manner fit for a young Boy ilodut (that unfortunate breed who are blamed for anything not quite good), Then: "Hey: What's this?" he acclaimed as he looked up the road again, "the aforesaid damsel G.emits-baeR: | ||
- | het i.up." As she came abreast he enquired, " | ||
- | That started "That bloke' | ||
- | . _started off: I'll BilftylA' | ||
- | Well, surely enough he started up: "You look very cute", was his first bold Sally. This didn't work," so he stopped the car and turned on his No.]. System - the Cave-man tactics. ("Go to it, my ladl Be master-ful", | ||
- | of thing - apologies to the Play Nigh.*. His wooing sure was ardent, to tl,c back of the seat he fiercely Pinder, "My darling (with passion), my heart is a cinder, etc. etc. A kiss for my kindness?. Just one, now, at least?' | ||
- | "I Cotter!" | ||
- | Then a glaP1' and she'd it him, and blood rushed warm to the very Roots of his hair. She wal-lowed in his discomfiture and chortled: " | ||
- | The unhapry chappie blushed, and lnqlkedSavage with anger, preparing | ||
- | for words that would give her a jar. The aged ultimatum, his one last resart: ".4. kiss, now! (with menace)or Elsa you'll walk." | ||
- | Here-the- Hunterbrokein' | ||
- | "Yes, but don4t you 'get it?" chuckled the maid: "as a laver. IsaAas him, but that's not Hall, fOr at any old time I'd ba ploetoed to cail' | ||
- | told me to walk. | ||
- | ov r./c-riet vvdg | ||
- | . | ||
- | 12 | ||
- | , | ||
- | BACKYARD, BUSHWALKING | ||
- | " | ||
- | Mild days aro producing- further promise of Spring. A gompholobium (golden pear bush) plantiA 3 years ago is at last going to flower. It has grown to a not very d(,nse bush about. 3 feet high but it is smothered in the almost black buds which' will soon I hopel,burst into glorious flower. - The red spider flower is blooming well. A,Christmas bell planted months ago has sent up a tiny grasslike shoot which ono day will (we hope) | ||
- | produce flowers. The lemon scented gum is smothered in,a creamy foam of fragrant bloom and the bees are wellpleased. They should produce some nice flavoured boney1 | ||
- | k x.x x xx x x x k | ||
- | 7 Paddy Is loleasbd-to repott that'-at long. last he. hasfull stocks of 1" military maps for N.S.W. | + | A Hunter awoke in the Wood one morn, and soliloquised on the day ahead; " |
- | shoots for other States. The four mile to the inch sheets | + | |
- | : | + | |
- | mp ear,for Walkers | + | |
- | 327' Giorg' | + | |
- | SYDNgY.'' | + | |
- | -.- | + | |
- | , | + | He gazed up the road by which he lay - se-Rene and Browne it wound along in the sun - and gave a gulp at what he saw: "Holy saccharin! Santa Christa! Surely my eyes have not gone wrong! They Norma-ly function well." Just what he was seeing was quite obscure so he Stuckey' |
- | 'Phone B310i. | + | Then a flurry of dust down the winding road, and a roar like a Leon disturbed his muse. Was it a Laurie? No, a huge Rolls-Royce, |
- | PA.D.5V.P.A.ILIN 9 | + | |
- | + | Sw-Irving to left, the limousine pulled up by aforesaid rucsac, and as this turned about, the Hunter saw it all: 'twas a woman beneath it, and Oh! what a peach. A woman, indeed, and half blotted out by the Paddy-made pack; Younger by far than the driving toff, with the sweetest smile, and hair Bob'd short. | |
+ | |||
+ | But the Hunter disliked the set-up, and mentally voiced his doubt: " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Then quoth the driver bloke to the girl: "Where are you bound for, my pretty maid? Can I help you?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Over the Hilma lad", she replied with a mental wink, for she knew he lied about helping her (this system is hackneyed, these days, and she was wake-up). | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Hunter turned to cook his food, and as he started to Stuart, the car gained speed with the luscious lass inside. When the meal was over, be Doug a pit, and Barry-ed his tins in a manner fit for a young Boy Scout (that unfortunate breed who are blamed for anything not quite good). Then: "Hey! What's this?" he acclaimed as he looked up the road again, "the aforesaid damsel coming back? With Paddy-made rucsac Leyden still? She sure does look het-up." | ||
+ | |||
+ | That started it! "That bloke is an absolute wolf!" she cried. "Some girls may like his system a lot, but it gives me a Payne, great Scott!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Well, surely enough he started up: "You look very cute", was his first bold Sally. This didn't work, so he stopped the car and turned on his No. 1 System - the Cave-man tactics. ("Go to it, my lad! Be master-ful", | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I Cotter!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Then a slap! and she'd hit him, and blood rushed warm to the very Roots of his hair. She wal-lowed in his discomfiture and chortled: " | ||
+ | |||
+ | The unhappy chappie blushed, and looked Savage with anger, preparing for words that would give her a jar. The aged ultimatum, his one last resort: "A kiss, now! (with menace) or Elsa you'll walk." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here-the Hunter broke in upon the yarn - she Luke'd very Hardie, and not the least Harris-ed (of Spartan constituents she was a-Lloyd): "My Gordon I think it a Haynes sin! The police should hear of this Felsho." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Yes, but don't you get it?" chuckled the maid: "as a lover Isaacs him, but that's not Hall, for at any old time I'd be pleased to call his Ig-Noble bluff. I'm a bushwalker, see - and he told me to walk. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Backyard Bushwalking.===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Mild days are producing further promise of Spring. A gompholobium (golden pear bush) planted 3 years ago is at last going to flower. It has grown to a not very dense bush about 3 feet high but it is smothered in the almost black buds which will soon I hope, burst into glorious flower. The red spider flower is blooming well. A Christmas bell planted months ago has sent up a tiny grasslike shoot which one day will (we hope) produce flowers. The lemon scented gum is smothered in a creamy foam of fragrant bloom and the bees are well pleased. They should produce some nice flavoured honey! | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | Paddy is pleased to report that at long last he has full stocks of 1" military maps for N.S.W. and can obtain similar sheets for other States. The four mile to the inch sheets | ||
+ | are also available. Drop in some time and have a looksee. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Paddy Pallin | ||
+ | |||
+ | Camp gear for Walkers. | ||
+ | 327 George Street, Sydney. Phone B3101. |
194608.txt · Last modified: 2016/05/06 13:26 by tyreless