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--- 194908 [2016/02/19 13:25] – [Federation Notes] kennettj
+++ 194908 [2016/02/19 13:39] – [The Fence] kennettj
@@ Line 123: / Line 123: @@
 The little township whose neighbouring rocks you were to investigate was left behind; by nightfall you were camped miles away, in a lonely little gorge, beside a clear, cold stream, oddly aloof in its sound. Ironbark shadowed the camping place; there were among them a few dead trees, with fantastically twisted limbs, stabbing sharply into the silver-blue of a winter sky, and creaking unexpectedly in the still air.
 The little white tent - a symbol of independence and isolation - was dwarfed more than ever when
 that first warming five of your own was lit. It was oneself against -
 or held within - a boundless universe.
-A mood of high elation lighted your steps the next morning.
-The crisp yellowed grasses crackled with frost; you set out with a wild and ancient chant -
+A mood of high elation lighted your steps the next morning. The crisp yellowed grasses crackled with frost; you set out with a wild and ancient chant -
 HI am the overlord of the hills and the high places,
 And it is the frozen breath of the mountains that I seize and make into words.
-verything was an excitement; the gold brocaded lustre of
-schists, the silken blue-grey sheen or phyllites, the brilliant -
+Everything was an excitement; the gold brocaded lustre ofschists, the silken blue-grey sheen or phyllites, the brilliant green of watercress against vermilion walls of granite. There was a glorious wall-like mass of reddish-purple porphyry, studded with squarish creamy-white crystals; a most comical, ridiculous, gargantuan pudding of a rock, which you followed up hill and down dale for miles. It led across a rai]way cutting; a climb up a steep fifty-foot slope of gravel, you tackled gaily, and slid to the bottom in a cloud of dust, specimens, maps and instruments - to be picked up and dusted off by a crowd of highly amused workmen on a trolley.
-green of watercress against vermilion walls of granite. There was a glorious wall-like mass of reddish-purple porphyry, studded with squarish creamy-white crystals; a most comical, ridiculous, gargantuan pudding of a rock, which you followed up hill and down dale for miles. It led across a rai]way cutting; a climb up a
-steep fifty-foot slope of gravel, you tackled gaily, and slid to
+You went up again and scrambled through the railway fence, in no way cast down by the incident. In this mood, even fences were endurable; after all, they were useful in checking directions, since most of them ran either north-south or east-west.
-the bottom in a cloud of dust, specimens, maps and instruments - to be picked up and dusted off by a crowd of highly amused workmen on a trolley.
-You went up again and scrambled through the railway fence, in no waycast down by the incident. In this mood, even fences were
-endurable; after- all, they were useful in checking directions,
+The cold was so exhilarating, and hunger became so compelling, that you ate your lunch hurriedly, well before noon - eager to be on, exploring and collecting - following an intricately winding creek along its narrow gorge, lured on in spite of the brevity of the winter day, to explore the next bend. The twisting creek seemed to hold a mocking spirit which was age-old; a part of the place itself. You felt that something wild and secret must have happened there, and given rise to a legend far back among the aborigines.As the sun went down there was an unearthly gleam of twice-reflected light from the grey and purple walls; these were now of massive limestone, with the contours and texture of an elephants hide. The spirit of the place continued to beckon you - and laughed when you stumbled into clear icy pool, fringed with brilliant red-brown and glowing green plants.
-since most of them ran either -north-south or east-west.
-The cold was so exhilarating, and hunger became so compelling, that you ate your lunch hurriedly, well before noon - eager to be on, exploring and collecting - following an intricately winding creek along its narrow gorge, lured on in spite of the brevity of
+The light imperceptibly lessened, until at last you realised, with a slight shock, that it was quite dark. Perhaps not quite; the bush itself had a luminous quality, with ghost-white trunks helped by the glow of stars. But your torch with its bulb broken by the fall down the cutting was useless. It would be suicidal to retrace your steps down that gorge in the dark. It must be at least five miles in a direct line across country bock to camp: you hoped it would be over merely undulating ground with no unexpected creeks to cross. That didn't sound too bad; but you were already tired and cold, with forty pounds of laboriously-gathered specimens on your back; and as you tried to keep a constant direction, stumbling over boulder-strewn ground, a growing fear was mounting at the base of your brain. Useless to try to argue yourself out of it (that a night out doesn't matter anyway - you can always curl up in a groundsheet and sleep till morning). Somehow you feel a rising hostility in the bitter air and the dreary pattern of dead branches.
-the winter day, to explore the next bend. The twisting creek seemed
-to hold a mocking spirit which was age-old; a part of the place itself. You felt that something wild and secret must have happened there, and :givenrise to a legend far back among the aborigines.
+The panic grew, and befuddled your mind so completely that all sense of direction was lost; you gave up and simply let your feet, sensitive to every conformation of the ground in their softsoled, much worn shoes, carry you where they liked. Then, strangely, you realiped that a foot can acquire a feeling, like an animals, for a track; you no longer stumbled quite so much, there was a narrow way between those viciously sharp chunks of rock; and you followed it numbly, hopelessly. The slight track appeared to veer suddenly to the left; you tripped over a root, and came down with a stinging blow across the cheek -- wires A wire fence, running north-south, almost certainly the main one which would lead you back to camp. It was the most welcome, friendly thing in the world - you nearly kissed those chill, taut wires. Amazingly, your pace quickened as you followed it closely, when before you could barely keep on your feet. In an incredibly brief time, the fence had led you back to a recognised corner of the creek you camped on, with the white tent gleaming just ead. As you started a fire, you remembered suddenly your hatred of fences, and felt oddly sha,ken; then realised that your life would always be governed by an inexorable alternating rhythm; from an escape into purely mathematical and musi'Jal, chill and austere patterns swirling through unexplored spaces, back to the limitations and restrictions of your own mind and body.
-As the sun went down thre was an unearthly gleam of twice-reflected light from the grey and purple walls; these were now of massive limestone, with the contours and texture of an elephants hide. The spirit of the place continued to beckon you - and laughed when you stumbled into clear icy pool, fringed with brilliant red-brown and glowing green plants.
-The light imperceptibly lessened, until at last you realised, with aslight shock, that it was quite dark. Perhaps not quite; the bush itself had a luminous quality, with ghost-white trunks helped by the glow of stars. But your torch with its bulb broken by the
-fall down the cutting was useless. It would be suicidal to retrace your steps down that gorge in the dark. It must be at least five miles in a direct line across country bock to camp: you hoped it would be over merely undulating ground with no unexpected creeks to cross. That didn't sound too bad; but you were already tired and cold, with forty pounds of laboriously-gathered specimens on your back; and as you tried to keep a constant direction, stumbling over boulder-strewn ground, a growing fear was mounting at the base of your brain. Useless to try ,Ird argue yourself out of it (that a night out doesntt matter anyway - you can always curl up in a groundshe3t and sleep till morning). Somehow you feel a rising hostility in the bitter air and the dreary pattern of dead branches.
- The panic grew, and befuddled your mind so completely that all sense of direction was lost; you gave up and simply let your feet, sensitive to every conformation of the ground in their soft-
-_ soled, muchworn shoes, carry you where they liked. Then, strangely, you realiped that a foot can acquire a feeling, like an animals, for a track; you no longer stumbled quite so much, there was a narrow way between those viciously sharp chunks of rock; and you followed it numbly, hopelessly. The slight track appeared to veer suddenly to the left; you tripped over a root, and came down with a stinging blow across the cheek -- wires A wire fence, running north-south, almost certainly the main one which would lead you back to camp. It was the most welcome, friendly thing in the world - you nearly kissed those chill, taut wires. Amazingly, your pace quickened as you followed it closely, when before you could barely keep on your feet. In an incredibly brief time, the fence had led you back to a recognised corner of the creek you camped on, with the white tent gleaming just ead. As you started a fire, you remembered suddenly your hatred of fences, and felt oddly sha,ken; then realised that your life would always be governed by an inexorable alternating rhythm; from an escape into purely mathematical and musi'Jal, chill and austere patterns swirling through unexplored spaces, back to the limitations and restrictions of your own mind and body.
@@ Line 152: / Line 146: @@
-One at least has taken to heart the recent cil-culav which said "under any circumstances it should be possible to lend a walk somewhere". That intrepid explorer and visionary, Arven Kedill, while sitting at home one week-end, felt moved with compassion for the less imaginative and wrote as follows: "Without transport the weekend walking is rather restricted and as I sit here I thought that perhaps we haventt explored the possibilities of interesting walks -much closer to the city than our usual routes. Even when transport returns to normal wetll have no dough for fares for some time. Looking ahead I visualise articles in the September magazine somewhat along these lines :-
+One at least has taken to heart the recent circular which said "under any circumstances it should be possible to lead a walk somewhere". That intrepid explorer and visionary, Arven Kedill, while sitting at home one week-end, felt moved with compassion for the less imaginative and wrote as follows: "Without transport the weekend walking is rather restricted and as I sit here I thought that perhaps we haven't explored the possibilities of interesting walks much closer to the city than our usual routes. Even when transport returns to normal we will have no dough for fares for some time. Looking ahead I visualise articles in the September magazine somewhat along these lines :-
-The day dawned bright and snny as days sometimes do, and at 9.30 a m. we had all assembled, It waS Coley Rotterts day walk, and, by various means we had found our way to Macdonaldtown
-Of Station an noticed several procpeotives in o=' party of -
+The day dawned bright and sunny as days sometimes do, and at 9.30 a m. we had all assembled, It was Coley Rotter's day walk, and, by various means we had found our way to Macdonaldtown Station and I noticed several prospectives in our party of nineteen. Shortly after leaving Macdonaldtown our leader had us on a good track which led in the direction we wished to take. This was most fortunate as it allowed us to concentrate on the scenery which unfolded on either side of us. The morning passed rather uneventfully except that the camera fiends slowed our progress a little. Coley Rotter got a fine shot in color - pinks and greens predominating. We decided to lunch at Eveleigh and stopped at noon with good water in abundance. The prospectives were sent gathering coal and in no time the billies were boiling.
-nineteen. Shortly after leaving Macdonaldbown our leader had us on a good track which led in the direction we wished to take. This was most fortunate as it allowed us to concentrate on the scenery which unfolded on either side of us. The morning passed rather uneventfully except that the camera fiends slowed our progress a little. Coley Rotter got a fine shot in color - pinks and greens predominating. We decided to lunch at Eveleigh and stopped at noon with good water in abundance. The prospectives were sent gathering coal and in no time the billies were boiling.
+After a leisurely lunch we were away at 2 p m but lost our track and struck rather rough going. We were in sight of Redfern when we had a most exciting experience. We saw a train - in motion. Redfern saw our arrival about 4 p m. and thus ended an interesting and energetic trip.
+There are no end of possibilities in this sort of thing, and looking a little further we see another report of a Saturday walk:-
+The happy group outside Wynyard was not a miners' protest meeting, but merely the crowd on Saturday's walk. The leadership was in the capable hands of Gax Mental and Gax, displaying fine bushmanship, bypassed a chemist shop and led us by a short cut through to Wynyard Park. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and going through the park we observed a fine specimen of wild cat and several birds resembling pigeons. Nature lovers were very interested and we were a little behind schedule as we swung on to Bradfield Highway along to Pylon Lookout The fine weather enabled us to get a clear view of Circular Quay and taking compass bearings we soon passed through to Farm Cove. There we camped for the night, obtaining our water from a ducky little pond.
+We moved off early on Sunday morning, passing Lady Macquarie's Chair, then on to Brown's Wharf and the jungle country of Woolloomooloo, A very hungry party lunched at the Domain tearoom and at 2 pm. we winded our way amongst the various meetings in the Domain. As it was a test walk the prospectives were sent to heckle the speakers. A battered and scratched set of prospectives rejoined the party about an hour later, one in a very bad state, having forgotten his gaiters and being hacked severely about the shins. First aid was administered and we were just leaving when down came the rain. Fortunately the Art Gallery was nearby and, as is the custom, we went in to shelter from the downpour. Our stay was short and we made good progress to Hyde Park, obtaining (thanks to the R.S.L.) a grand view of the War Memorial from the Archibald Memorial. We terminated the walk at Town Hall Station and the happy band dispersed after thanking Gax for an entertaining and inexpensive weekend.
+There has been no report of the Friday night trip. It was also a test walk and as the leader intended to ignore traffic lights and traffic signals we are inclined to fear the worst. See Stop Press.
-After a leisurely lunch we were away at 2 p m0 but lost our track and struck rather rough going. We v.-fere in sight of Redfern when we had a most exciting experience. We saw a train - in motion. Redfern saw our arrival about 4 p m. and thus ended an interesting and energetic trip.
+Conservationists are invited to contact the curator of the Botanical Gardens who will issue free, one trowel, one box of petunias, and directions where to dig. And don't forget to keep next weekend free. Remember the big Eastern Suburbs Railway working bee.
-There are no end of possibilities in this sort of thing, and
-looking a little further we see another report of a Saturday walk:-
-The happy group outside Wynyurd was not a miners' protest meeting, but merely the crowd on SaturdayTs walk. The leadership was in the capable hands of Gax Mental and Gax, displaying fine bushmanship, bypassed a chemist shop and led us by a short cut through to Wynyard Park. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and going through the park we observed a fine specimen of wild cat and several birds resembling pigeons. Nature lovers were very interested nnd we were a little behind schedule as we swung on to Bradfield (Highway along to Pylon Lookout The fine weather enabled us to get a clear view of Circular Quay and taking compass bearings we soon passed through to farm Cove. There we camped for the night, obtaining our water from a ducky little P0010
-We moved off early on Sunday morning, passing Lady Macquarie!s Chair, then on to BrownYs Wharf and the jungle country of Woolloomooloo, A very hungry party lunched at the Domain tearoom and at 2 pm. w; wended our way amongst the various meetings in the Domain. As it was a test walk the prospectives were sent to heckle the speakers. A battered and scratched set of prospectives rejoined the party about an hour later, one in a very bad state, having forgotten his gaiters and being hacked severely about the shins. First aid was administered and we were just leaving When down came the rain. Fortunately the Art Gallery was nearby and, as is the custom, we wont in to shelter from the downpour. Our stay was short and we made good progress to Hyde Park, obtaining (thanks to the R.S.L.) a grand view of the War Memorial from the Archibald Memorial. We terminated the walk at Town Hall Station and the happy band dispersed after thanking Gax for an entertaining and inexpensive weekend.
-There has been no report of the Friday night trip. It was
-also a test walk and as the leader intended to ignore traffic lights
-C.
-and traffic signals we are inclined to fear the worst. See Stop Press.
-Oonser,vaionists are invited to con'6aci: IJ:Le cfurator of the Botanical Gardens who will issue free, one trowel, one box of petunias, and directions where to dig. And don't forget to keep next weekend free. Remember the big Eastern Suburbs Railway working bee.
@@ Line 178: / Line 172: @@
 Six Committee members and two prospectives turned up on the official walk to Willawarrin led by Peggy Bransdon. The two prospectives wanted to make it a test, but the terrain was a little restricted. An impromptu meeting was held and it was agreed that a test could be led in that country. So next morning all but the two sensible members of the Committee rose at or before dawn and soon after plunged into the undergrowth. By keeping off roads and tracks and going up and down like ants a suitable walk was led. Lunch was partaken at Hungry Beach and Homer Cotter's eyes were seen to acquire that yearning look. So after a hurried meal we sped on to the Basin, arriving in time to catch the 3 p m. boat. The prospectives were scraped from head to foot after their race through the prickles and have no hesitation in saying that sufficient blood was drawn to count it as a test.
-The Club's dance was held despite the adverse industrial situation. Things were a little dim at first, but brightened considerably When Herb Morris motor-bike was carried up the stairs and the light directed on to the dance floor. The orchestra provided original music with an almost barbaric flavour. This was, so it is believed, because though we only paid for three musicians, five turned up. They didn't all play at once though. The piano and drums were almost non-stop but one never knew when the spirit would move the saxophonist or the trumpeter. We certainly had our money's worth. Hollywood never put on a better show.
+The Club's dance was held despite the adverse industrial situation. Things were a little dim at first, but brightened considerably when Herb Morris' motor-bike was carried up the stairs and the light directed on to the dance floor. The orchestra provided original music with an almost barbaric flavour. This was, so it is believed, because though we only paid for three musicians, five turned up. They didn't all play at once though. The piano and drums were almost non-stop but one never knew when the spirit would move the saxophonist or the trumpeter. We certainly had our money's worth. Hollywood never put on a better show.
 Won't it be just too too interesting when the lights go on and we know who has joined the Club!