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|Newnes, Glen Davis, Mt Uraterer to Capertee and Glen Alice|" | |Newnes, Glen Davis, Mt Uraterer to Capertee and Glen Alice|" | ||
|Now What Are You Really Looking For?|A.L. Wyborn|10| | |Now What Are You Really Looking For?|A.L. Wyborn|10| | ||
- | |Ode to the Comissioner | + | |Ode to the Commissioner |
---- | ---- | ||
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===== Editorial - Conservation Publicity ===== | ===== Editorial - Conservation Publicity ===== | ||
- | Two publications on bushland conservation have been printed lately. One of these, the 1949 issue of the Journal of the Wild Life Preservation Society, is, in effect, a summary of the Society' | + | Two publications on bushland conservation have been printed lately. One of these, the 1949 issue of the Journal of the Wild Life Preservation Society, is, in effect, a summary of the Society' |
The National Park has always been in the forefront of the Society' | The National Park has always been in the forefront of the Society' | ||
Line 71: | Line 71: | ||
===== Bivouac ===== | ===== Bivouac ===== | ||
- | Here for a span of three short days was home, those few square yards of canvas, and some cord ta-t-)ned | + | Here for a span of three short days was home,\\ |
- | Now, we doprt; and on the springing turf scarce lingers yet the ty.,print of our bed. Only a wisp of fern, so7o_e blackened stones remain, rute witness to our sojourn here, and in the sunlit silence blue wren flits, prospecting with his little broll-nie wife for ' | + | these few square yards of canvas, and some cord\\ |
+ | tautened | ||
+ | the earth itself our anchor. | ||
+ | tramped the bush tracks, prepared prodigious meals,\\ | ||
+ | pursued our pleasant necessary tasks,\\ | ||
+ | ate, drank, were merry; and when evening came\\ | ||
+ | stretched limbs well-wearied | ||
+ | and warmed our hearts in kindly comradeship. | ||
- | There have been conquerors who swept the earth, and men acclaimed them but the embittered soil brought forth no harvest where their feet had passed, and the torn hills might wait two decades long before | + | Now, we depart; |
+ | scarce lingers yet the imprint of our bed.\\ | ||
+ | Only a wisp of fern, some blackened stones\\ | ||
+ | remain, mute witness to our sojourn here,\\ | ||
+ | and in the sunlit silence blue wren flits,\\ | ||
+ | prospecting with his little brownie wife\\ | ||
+ | for morsels hidden from the human glance. | ||
- | Paltry ambition this, and negative, | + | There have been conquerors who swept the earth,\\ |
+ | and men acclaimed them: but the embittered soil\\ | ||
+ | brought forth no harvest | ||
+ | and the torn hills might wait two decades long\\ | ||
+ | before the deep woods clothed their flanks again. | ||
- | ====== Newnes Glen Davis Mt Uraterer to Capertee Mt. and Glen Alice ====== | + | Paltry ambition this, and negative, |
+ | but fame enough when we pack up at last\\ | ||
+ | our bivouac of threescore years and ten,\\ | ||
+ | sufficient if we leave no hurt to mar\\ | ||
+ | earth' | ||
+ | may there be sunlight, and such sense of peace\\ | ||
+ | that wanderers who come upon the place,\\ | ||
+ | pause and say: " | ||
+ | |||
+ | K.M. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Newnes, Glen Davis, Mt Uraterer to Capertee Mt. and Glen Alice ===== | ||
by " | by " | ||
- | Note. Photographs illustrating this trip appeared in the December issue of the Sydney Bushwalker, | + | __Note__. Photographs illustrating this trip appeared in the December issue of the Sydney Bushwalker. |
- | Old Newnes shale works were being pulled down, the bricks had been sold for 100 and were being cleaned and carted away. Two big chimneys had been blasted down and the third was to go on Tuesday. The red bricks had weathered into the scenery of the valley, quite unlike the aluminium painted tanks, pipes and stacks | + | Old Newnes shale works were being pulled down, the bricks had been sold for £100 and were being cleaned and carted away. Two big chimneys had been blasted down and the third was to go on Tuesday. The red bricks had weathered into the scenery of the valley, quite unlike the aluminium painted tanks, pipes and stacks of Glen Davis, which glitter astride the Capertee Valley. Wattle was in full bloom among the ruins which will soon be no more than a rubble of mortar. |
- | of Glen Davis, which glitter astride the Capertee Valley. Wattle was in full bloom among the ruins which will soon be no more than a rubble of mortar. | + | |
- | We followed the pipeline across to Glen Davis. We passed the tin shacks of the coal and shale miners (the man at the works complained that miners did not stay long at Glen Davis), the blno | + | We followed the pipeline across to Glen Davis. We passed the tin shacks of the coal and shale miners (the man at the works complained that miners did not stay long at Glen Davis), the black evil smelling swill from the retorts dumped by the roadside on the way to the coal mine in Running Stream Creek. |
- | evil smelling swill from the retorts dumped by the roadside on the way to the coal mine in Running Stream Creek. | + | |
- | A few miles down from Running Stream Creek, crossing two substantial valleys coming in on the right, we came to the first in the cliffs on the north side of the Capertee - Grassy Mountain. It isn't grassy at all, unless you look very closely, but :LI; is good basalt soil and stones coming right down to the banks of the river. The basalt holds most of the way up, but at the top there is some easily passed sandstone. | + | A few miles down from Running Stream Creek, crossing two substantial valleys coming in on the right, we came to the first in the cliffs on the north side of the Capertee - Grassy Mountain. It isn't grassy at all, unless you look very closely, but it is good basalt soil and stones coming right down to the banks of the river. The basalt holds most of the way up, but at the top there is some easily passed sandstone. |
- | The course from the top is north by compass, and we only ran off our ridge into one valley on the left - fortunately it had | + | |
- | some water in it. We eventually cane to a hill just west of Green Mt. and could see Mt. Uraterer and Gosper' | + | |
- | Along here were more woody pear trees - we had seen the first along some most beautiful Callitris along the Capertee - indeed all the ridges seemed to have a plentiful sprinkling of them, some | + | |
- | of them very good specimens, and many of them with a liberal sprinkling of pears. The small woody pear bushes had vivid red glowing tips. | + | |
- | Mt. Uraterer has been cleared of trees and is grassy. Cattle and horses were grazing and there were some stockyards between the mountain and Gosper' | + | The course from the top is north by compass, and we only ran off our ridge into one valley on the left - fortunately |
- | all round us. One of the best views I have seen, a view of mountains, not of valleys. Mt. Coricudgy stood to the north like a | + | |
- | great crocodile' | + | |
- | than anything else, but Dunn's Mt. and Mt. Capertee y as well as a dozen others, were also prominent. One of OUP more immediate objectives, Mt. Boonbourwa, did not stand out at all since it was in front of other higher mountains. | + | |
- | Its- no use trying | + | |
- | of 77. North of Mt. Uraterer there are a number of ridges, nom0 them | + | |
- | quite long. There is at least Prickly Ridge, Thorny Ridge and Mountain Holly Ridge. All of them except one leads into a deep gorge. We saw exactly the same woody pear on nearly all of them. The formula for getting on the right one can, only be applied after walking along wrong ones for at least a day. You come to a point, which the Leader can define for you in terms of compass bearings on Mt. Uraterer and Tyan Pic dimly glimpsed through the trees. From this most precisely defined point you cross a deep gully, find that the ridge is tending too far to the west and in any case comes to a steep saddle, become disgusted, cross back over the same gully, now much deeper, on to the missing ridge. It has a track on it, very faint but very reassuring. | + | |
- | A mile or two before Davis' | + | Along here were more woody pear trees - we had seen the first along some most beautiful Callitris along the Capertee - indeed all the ridges seemed |
- | been a regular watering point in the days when the track was reg111nri y used. It would probably be difficult to find coming in the oppoite direction, since the track leading on from it was not very distinct and was difficult to pick up again. Oar Trackfindey; | + | |
- | The Cranky One made the first damper in his life at abol:,c;his stage and it was quite surprising how good it was - at least the strictly rationed party devoured it at a gulp, carbon and all. | + | |
- | As might be expected | + | Mt. Uraterer has been cleared of trees and is grassy. Cattle and horses were grazing and there were some stockyards between the mountain and Gosper' |
- | suggested - length exactly five feet, straight | + | |
- | Standard specifications for a fire. Here there can be no doubt that it must be parallel and must be a roaring mass of flame throughout its entire length. Research into the working of atomic piles, when it is published, may provide a guide to methods by which the complexion | + | |
- | The size and arrangements of stockpiles of fuel and water. The number of times pots and utensils must be cleaned during each meal period with water of standard temperature and soapiness | + | It's no use trying to pronounce Mt. Uraterer from just reading the name, but something like Ura - torra might get you by. |
- | and with precisely defined scourers. | + | |
+ | North of Mt. Uraterer there are a number of ridges, some of them quite long. There is at least Prickly Ridge, Thorny Ridge and Mountain Holly Ridge. All of them except one leads into a deep gorge. We saw exactly the same woody pear on nearly all of them. The formula for getting on the right one can only be applied after walking along wrong ones for at least a day. You come to a point, which the Leader can define for you in terms of compass bearings on Mt. Uraterer and Tyan Pic dimly glimpsed through the trees. From this most precisely defined point you cross a deep gully, find that the ridge is tending too far to the west and in any case comes to a steep saddle, become disgusted, cross back over the same gully, now much deeper, on to the missing ridge. It has a track on it, very faint but very reassuring. | ||
+ | |||
+ | A mile or two before Davis' | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Cranky One made the first damper in his life at about this stage and it was quite surprising how good it was - at least the strictly rationed party devoured it at a gulp, carbon and all. | ||
+ | |||
+ | As might be expected with a party of such violent characters on a long walk some fundamental disagreements arose about such basic topics as - | ||
+ | |||
+ | | ||
+ | |||
+ | | ||
+ | |||
+ | The size and arrangements of stockpiles of fuel and water. The number of times pots and utensils must be cleaned during each meal period with water of standard temperature and soapiness and with precisely defined scourers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The gathering of bracken for those who wouldn' | ||
- | The gathering of bracken for those who wouldn' | ||
It must be clear, however, that issues with regard to none of these topics can be satisfactorily resolved until some outstanding philosopher is prepared to write theses on the following subjects. | It must be clear, however, that issues with regard to none of these topics can be satisfactorily resolved until some outstanding philosopher is prepared to write theses on the following subjects. | ||
- | 8. | + | |
(1) The nature and limitations of a food list, and | (1) The nature and limitations of a food list, and | ||
- | (2) Why co-operation in camp arrangements necessarily doubles the work of each co-operator and imposes a reginenJe tio,e which would not be tolerated during the ordinary working da4, | ||
- | a Until these theses have been written and the conclusions der- | ||
- | ived from them duly incorporated Into the general rules of the Club there is only one safe procedure which might be followed, and that is to select a portion of the bush in which there is no chance of meeting anyone at all and walk alone as a compLe-oely self-contained | ||
- | unit. | ||
- | Davis' | ||
- | formations visible at the bottom of it and an outle': | ||
- | narrow canyon; a high range of hills almost completely enclreles | ||
- | We would have liked to go down to the bottom of it but we hc,;,-i ]cs time on the approaching ridges and had '3o ny. | ||
- | About this time the Cranky One was mislaj0 pau ijoy | ||
- | the scenery and the rest of the party rushed ec., -eine t-?ck | ||
- | was not sufficiently defined to follow a delicae reeicii on e;:eee, | ||
- | The C.O. feeling secure in the knowledge that he ,;ws- caxEryin | ||
- | major portion of the food supply applied the well-known r:2:=nciele of | ||
- | staying put3 retired to the highest piece of gPound nearby, atan | ||
- | orange and made himself comfortable. The R.O,P. came to a halt about a mile or so around the crater and proceederi blvrn green | ||
- | gum leaves at a great rate. Unfortunately a fairly 1-,f_zh wind | ||
- | carried the smoke away behind the hill and the Lo s'3 One never saw it. In the meantime the Leader retraced steps and eventually came idpon the L.O. Everything had worked according to the rules. | ||
- | On past Davists | + | (2) Why co-operation in camp arrangements necessarily doubles the work of each co-operator and imposes a regimentation which would not be tolerated during the ordinary working day. |
- | It was along the tops which were either bare or only sparsely covered with trees; the views were magnificent. In this area, and for that matter for most of the rest of the trip doon to Glen Alice, | + | |
- | ending in a series of beehive shaped rocks. Such experience as we had suggested that most of them would be negotiable up or down the spaces between the beehives. | + | Until these theses have been written and the conclusions derived from them duly incorporated into the general rules of the Club there is only one safe procedure which might be followed, and that is to select a portion of the bush in which there is no chance of meeting anyone at all and walk alone as a completely self-contained unit. |
- | On the top of Boonbourwa we found that our compasses varied depending on the height above the rocks, suggesting that some caut- ion 'might be necessary in taking bearings around here. | + | |
- | At tho Ovens the Trackfinder, | + | Davis' |
- | Weariness or laziness prevented us from either following the tops along from here or from climbing Coricudgy. We followed the road along the Cudgegong River until we came to a house at the | + | |
- | foot of Native Dog Hill with Mt. Bin Ben well back on the left. From here we headed straight for Capertee | + | About this time the Cranky One was mislaid. He paused to enjoy the scenery and the rest of the party rushed on. Since the track was not sufficiently defined to follow a delicate position arose. The C.O. feeling secure in the knowledge that he was carrying a major portion of the food supply applied the well-known principle of staying put, retired to the highest piece of ground nearby, ate an orange and made himself comfortable. The R.O.P. came to a halt about a mile or so around the crater and proceeded to burn green gum leaves at a great rate. Unfortunately a fairly high wind carried the smoke away behind the hill and the Lost One never saw it. In the meantime the Leader retraced steps and eventually came upon the L.O. Everything had worked according to the rules. |
+ | |||
+ | On past Davis' | ||
+ | |||
+ | On the top of Boonbourwa we found that our compasses varied depending on the height above the rocks, suggesting that some caution | ||
+ | |||
+ | At the Ovens the Trackfinder, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Weariness or laziness prevented us from either following the tops along from here or from climbing Coricudgy. We followed the road along the Cudgegong River until we came to a house at the foot of Native Dog Hill with Mt. Bin Ben well back on the left. From here we headed straight for Capertee | ||
About Umbiella Ck. Forget it altogether or else you will be led into a lot of trouble as we nearly were since we had arranged for a car to meet us along it. The creek is Capertee Nile Right Arm, and if you call it anything else the local inhabitants won't know what you are talking about. | About Umbiella Ck. Forget it altogether or else you will be led into a lot of trouble as we nearly were since we had arranged for a car to meet us along it. The creek is Capertee Nile Right Arm, and if you call it anything else the local inhabitants won't know what you are talking about. | ||
- | Capertee Mt0 is like most of the other mountains we climbed in the district - sandstone well up with a capping of basalt. | ||
- | There are magnificent trees on the basalt country right up to the | + | Capertee Mt. is like most of the other mountains we climbed in the district - sandstone well up with a capping of basalt. |
- | very highest point. Boronia was growing on the dry sandstone | + | |
- | edges, | + | We spent a whole day looking for the track down to the Capertee |
- | We spent a whole day looking for the track down to the Cay, | + | |
- | leading around the mountain and up on to it, but none of them led | + | Perhaps the next section should not be written; it certainly cannot be written adequately. |
- | away from it. We know where the track is now, but try as we could we couldn' | + | |
- | Perhaps the next section should not be written; it certainly | + | We headed down into a gully. Unfortunately, |
- | cannot be written adequately'. | + | |
- | We headed down into a gully. Unfortunately, | + | The leader occasionally took to the wombat burrows, and in happier circumstances it would have been amusing watching him disappear down a hole in the ground dragging his pack after him. |
- | thought ourselves lucky at the time, the final drop was fairly | + | |
- | the worst varieties (except blackberries) that I have ever met, | + | Lower down there were some magnificent tree ferns and near the beginning was the biggest cedar I have ever seen - there' |
- | interspersed with giant nettles, all lacing together the fallen trees of the last generation. Have you ever seen the nettles which tower up over you and droop down and dangle in your face? The average height of the mess was from ten to fifteen feet. The language used was much as might be expected, but even with doubling and redoubling the emphasis was often felt to be inadequate, and there were many even more expressive silences. | + | |
- | The leader ocassionally took to the wombat burrows, and in happier circumstances it would have been amusing watching him disappear down a hole in the ground dragging his pack after him. | ||
- | Lower down there were some magnificent tree ferns and near the beginning was the biggest cedar I have ever seen - there?d probably | ||
- | be a fortune in it, but it would have to come out by a helicopter. | ||
We came out on to river fiats covered with wattles, all a blaze of colour. | We came out on to river fiats covered with wattles, all a blaze of colour. | ||
- | The next day nobody wanted to do anything except the C.0. With restless vigour he decided to explore the way to Tyan Pic from the Capertee Nile Right Arm side. Although the exploration was successful too much time was wasted to make | + | The next day nobody wanted to do anything except the C.O. With restless vigour he decided to explore the way to Tyan Pic from the Capertee Nile Right Arm side. Although the exploration was successful too much time was wasted to make the final accent - at least that was his story and I have no reason to doubt it. |
- | at least that was his story and I have no reason to | + | |
- | ====== Now What Are You Really Looking For ? ====== | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | ===== Now What Are You Really Looking For ? ===== | ||
by A.L. Wyborn | by A.L. Wyborn | ||
- | Have you ever noticed how a few small names on a map can be the start of a new adventure in walking? | + | Have you ever noticed how a few small names on a map can be the start of a new adventure in walking? |
- | over maps and then take a chance on a certain area n:f6 kr,c-wn cffrLe. , | + | |
- | walkers. The fossicking round for information | + | |
- | quite surprising discoveries, | + | |
- | We could get very little " | + | |
- | so decided to take a risk and go and see for 31, | + | |
- | and Glen Innes could not be so spectacillar, | + | |
- | MN rOtrfELD | + | |
- | 471 | + | |
- | SUNGULLA | + | |
+ | We could get very little " | ||
- | Z | + | However the uncertainty only served to act as a spur, so Easter Thursday found us on the Brisbane Express, bound for Bluff Rock, two stations before Tenterfield. The station before, Sandy Flat, was to have been our starting point, but the historic interest of Bluff Rock changed our plans. The actual Rock is close to the railway line with the usual type of bluff face, and is easily climbed from the back. Many years ago some recalcitrant blacks were driven off the granite Bluff to deaths. |
- | TER ' 'q 0 '- 13") MAN '2 | + | |
- | -.::-..0 ::: ,14. tt | + | |
- | t ".: & | + | |
- | DEE _.s: ..... | + | |
- | However the uncertainty only served to ar'.G as a spr, so En,;tr Thursday found us on the Brisbane Exprs, bonc. ;:e-o | + | Another interesting |
- | two stations bePore Tenterfiold, | + | |
- | was to have been our starir, | + | |
- | Bluff-Rock changed our plan, rf e.actoI Ro-2z lc 31e50 to i;:,?P- rail- | + | |
- | way line with the usual t145 of bluff face, and to easily | + | |
- | from the back. Many years' | + | |
- | Another interesting | + | |
- | While making a few phone calls to recommended " | + | |
- | 'With his huge hairy arms, unshaven face, small eyes and red hair, he was coun:; | + | |
- | filled with m' | + | |
- | literally thrust upon us by olTr friend we started or tough | + | |
- | trip - on RegAs motor tricle down the line for several m4.1es0 The rucsacs and I were on the outrigger board *Jim in front of Reg (the driver), and Laurie behind hiii making an unusual load for A railway trike. It was tough going, there 'Doing no windshield! | + | |
- | More nebulous advice from a fai,mer friend fRegis and we wero off, under our own power this time, ror the main range about six miles to the east. The range is not; parulaly to | + | |
- | approach, as mentioned before, and the tc--)s covered with | + | |
- | heavy timber which shields many good panoraE,as :nor,: the walker. On the way across we skirted an isolated hill and were impeded to some extent by many six foot dingo fonces made in two heights of wire netting. The top height was flimsily secured by battens to the sturdy ground posts, and caused some amusement as we swayea back and forth to get over. | + | |
- | Jondol was our first mountain, a granite out,crop with views back along the Cottesbrook Creek to Bluff Rock. We camped in | + | |
- | a small saddle with clear water at about 4,500 feet, one mile south along the range from Jondol. | + | |
- | , The walking next morning was very much up and down ridges, but quite pleasant among open forest lands and grassy tops. Such a top was Coolamangera, | + | |
- | usual disc. It was a fitting spot for lunL; | + | |
- | One of the best glimpt 9 was our nert o '3tive - 12-;.g pirabo | + | |
- | 1441 | + | |
- | framed through a gap in tall-ceb calyptJ ; that had_obviouTJly been cut by surveyors to take s sight on the peak. | + | |
- | Going down from Bajimba on hO easteT,n de ef t".,19 we | + | |
- | passed through thick !jungle flora, a..cd one,. pc yf | + | |
- | another nice view of Big Spi:c,abo tfitst1in !:h:,h 1-pilcac; also, | + | |
- | about one mile to the north of | + | |
- | At the bottom, amid cool f.:_lrn2 we fron :he | + | |
- | clear Five Bull Creek, and =-;:-) | + | |
- | road, which e later learned. led a f=r7 -pileo | + | |
- | east. We did not follow the road for lcr4s | + | |
- | Spirabo early next morning, so we clibe,7, an (JJ!1 | + | |
- | gully about 500. ferA tc-) | + | |
- | between Big and Littb in a trtkF-t_ | + | |
- | ensured a comfortable OEJ-0) | + | |
- | We had to wait ;()Illa nT' | + | |
- | thus making the ollmt, of BIg ,.r:rlil-), orao | + | |
- | the most spectacular pa.:,A of th.=. a, ifC16 I tO cc,02.:y on | + | |
- | top ensured panoramic view9 Bi l' | + | |
- | plainly visible 60 miles to the while to he ea sG Ecoky | + | |
- | River and Clarence River valley:: 3p-aved as a 3C,C.:-; :13 ragged | + | |
- | gorges stretching to the coast n,-; m!lse dJ.s tant ' | + | |
- | we proposed to climb was Capoompei7a, | + | |
- | the form of perfectly preserved sea shells, both loo-,;e and :libed--led in rocks. The range is remarkable for its hypes of rocks. Jondol was granite, Bajimba volcanic ,and now limestone. | + | |
- | Down from the peak we broke camp and descended a ridge to the op-en Morven Creek. We surprised a black-brushed red fox which went streaking away across the swamp land. Large red-son anftills dotted the flat until we stopped for lunch near a little farmhouse nestling on the hillside. Here much to our disgust, a young flamer was just completing the ringbarking of a huge peppermint eucalypt because - "the roots are stopping the grass from growing" | + | |
- | Clem got hold of the axe while still embeoled in the tree, and, quick as a flash, I had his photo for future propaganda purposes. We learned from the farmer that 'Big Speriby" | + | |
- | Taking a rough road from here we crossed back over to the western side of the Great Divide toward Deepwater River. Tvi, miles from the river, as evening was drawing in o shopped a car r=ing | + | |
- | towards Its, and who should it be but Mr. A. Cox, an old | + | |
- | I had been referred to as an expert on the eistii He nad just | + | |
- | returned from the Royal Show, and not having heard of us:, looked a little scared at being stopped on such a lonely road by three tranp-like specimens, as I 3 er thought we must have appeared. | + | |
- | He was definitely an author. on the surrounding co=tz,y, and did be' | + | |
- | let us know it! He ridicul ur tale about llmestone and pliocee. | + | |
- | to give us a treatise about 26 different species of ira;ILhe. To Laurie/s demurrers he replied, | + | While making a few phone calls to recommended " |
- | Much other land he owned in the distrie ared on it ran | + | |
- | Black Poll cattle. Amongst them was the hbes.Ela-AA: | + | More nebulous advice from a farmer friend of Reg's and we were off, under our own power this time, for the main range about six miles to the east. The range is not particularly to approach, as mentioned before, and the tops are mostly covered with heavy timber which shields many good panoramas from the walker. On the way across we skirted an isolated hill and were impeded to some extent by many six foot dingo fences made in two heights of wire netting. The top height was flimsily secured by battens to the sturdy ground posts, and caused some amusement as we swayed back and forth to get over. |
- | world, a sister to a champion bull in Chicag, | + | |
- | about everything," | + | Jondol was our first mountain, a granite out,crop with views back along the Cottesbrook Creek to Bluff Rock. We camped in a small saddle with clear water at about 4,500 feet, one mile south along the range from Jondol. |
- | That night we camped | + | |
- | a few miles along the unin1; | + | The walking next morning was very much up and down ridges, but quite pleasant among open forest lands and grassy tops. Such a top was Coolamangera, |
+ | |||
+ | One of the best glimpses was our next objective, Big Spirabo, framed through a gap in tall eucalypts, that had obviously been cut by surveyors to take s sight on the peak. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Going down from Bajimba on the eastern side of the Divide we passed through thick jungle flora, and at one vantage point had another nice view of Big Spirabo, this time with Little Spirabo also, about one mile to the north of it. | ||
+ | |||
+ | At the bottom, amid cool ferns, we slaked out thirst from the clear Five Bull Creek, and then, surprisingly, | ||
+ | |||
+ | We had to wait some time next morning for a heavy mist to lift, thus making the climbing of Big Spirabo worth while. It was easily the most spectacular part of the trip, as the huge rocky outcrop on top ensured panoramic views. Bulblair Sugarloaf near Guyra was plainly visible 60 miles to the south, while to the east the Rocky River and Clarence River valleys appeared as a series of wild rugged gorges stretching to the coast 80 miles distant. The next mountain we proposed to climb was Capoompeta, but it did not look so spectacular from Big Spirabo, so we decided very little would be lost if we did not have time for it. Up here too, we found traces of limestone in the form of perfectly preserved sea shells, both loose and embedded in rocks. The range is remarkable for its types of rocks. Jondol was granite, Bajimba volcanic, and now limestone. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Down from the peak we broke camp and descended a ridge to the open Morven Creek. We surprised a black-brushed red fox which went streaking away across the swamp land. Large red-soil anthills dotted the flat until we stopped for lunch near a little farmhouse nestling on the hillside. Here, much to our disgust, a young flamer was just completing the ringbarking of a huge peppermint eucalypt because - "the roots are stopping the grass from growing" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Taking a rough road from here we crossed back over to the western side of the Great Divide toward Deepwater River. Two miles from the river, as evening was drawing in, we stopped a car coming towards us, and who should it be but Mr. A. Cox, an old gentleman I had been referred to as an expert on the district. He had just returned from the Royal Show, and not having heard of us, looked a little scared at being stopped on such a lonely road by three tramp-like specimens, as I later thought we must have appeared. He was definitely an authority on the surrounding country, and did he let us know it! He ridiculed our tale about limestone and proceeded | ||
+ | |||
+ | Much other land he owned in the district, and on it ran his Black Poll cattle. Amongst them was the "best Black Poll in the world, a sister to a champion bull in Chicago." | ||
+ | |||
+ | That night we camped | ||
The end of the trip had turned but very easy. We had found what we were looking for and added another area of New South Wales to our knowledge, even though it was relatively unspectacular. | The end of the trip had turned but very easy. We had found what we were looking for and added another area of New South Wales to our knowledge, even though it was relatively unspectacular. | ||
- | ====== Ode to the Commisioner | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | ===== Ode to the Commissioner | ||
Dear Mr. Railway Commissioner, | Dear Mr. Railway Commissioner, | ||
- | I see by this morning' | + | I see by this morning' |
- | That the start of my doom is approaching, | + | That the start of my doom is approaching, |
- | For you in your wrath have decreed | + | I' |
- | That " | + | |
- | No thought for the weary and ovenaue | + | For you in your wrath have decreed\\ |
- | His hopes of a " | + | That " |
- | If in the fdte f.' | + | No thought for the weary and overdue |
- | It wont be for a l' | + | His hopes of a "ride" you've demolished. |
+ | |||
+ | If in the future for a ticket | ||
+ | It wont be for a " | ||
+ | "A fare and a third" will be the password\\ | ||
+ | To ride on the first class landing. | ||
+ | |||
+ | W.G. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- |
195001.1500519005.txt.gz · Last modified: 2017/07/20 12:50 by tyreless