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195806 [2016/04/07 20:58] – [The Smoke of Their Passing] kennettj | 195806 [2016/04/08 09:16] – [In Tasmania's South West (Part 3)] kennettj | ||
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One of the delights of having an outer suburban cottage is in growing a garden which reminds you enough of the bush so that you don't have to go walking and can stay at home to grow a garden which reminds you of the bush, etc., but it's still good to get away from it all now and again, especially when you leave the day before six inches of rain overnight, and even if you run into foul weather at Kosciusko and rain in Melbourne and come home worn out to find that ... | One of the delights of having an outer suburban cottage is in growing a garden which reminds you enough of the bush so that you don't have to go walking and can stay at home to grow a garden which reminds you of the bush, etc., but it's still good to get away from it all now and again, especially when you leave the day before six inches of rain overnight, and even if you run into foul weather at Kosciusko and rain in Melbourne and come home worn out to find that ... | ||
- | The weeds across the garden grew in wildest profusion. \\ | + | The weeds across the garden grew \\ |
+ | in wildest profusion. \\ | ||
'Twas hard to pick just what was what\\ | 'Twas hard to pick just what was what\\ | ||
Which weeds were flowers and which were not\\ | Which weeds were flowers and which were not\\ | ||
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Such was the scene witnessed by a circling eagle the morning that Joan, Arthur, Henry and I set out from Lake Pedder to trek to Mt. Anne. Fortunately, | Such was the scene witnessed by a circling eagle the morning that Joan, Arthur, Henry and I set out from Lake Pedder to trek to Mt. Anne. Fortunately, | ||
- | A clump <If small trees, practically the only shelter on the plain, afforded us a shady lunch spot where we could let our restless spirits wander over the sharp peaks and dips of the Arthur Range. For the moment it was enough to admire from afar, but inwardly I knew the Arthurs would bring me back to Tassie some other day. Replenished, | ||
- | (or was it rum cocoa) and discussed plans for Anne, dark, clouds' | ||
- | had been transformed into a distinctly ominous one. But that's so typical of the South-West; changes in the weather for better | ||
- | or worse can occur with such frightening speed. ' However, the weather did not seem to matter then, not when bodies as tired as ours were being called to that haven of tents and sleeping bags we had come to appreciate so much | ||
- | But in the morning it was a different story - the low and threatening cloud ceiling took the edge off our enthusiasm. The mountains which had surrounded us in alltheir glory the previous day had suddenly ceased to exist. Eliza' | ||
- | appeared into a forbidding sea of grey less than half-way up its length - the conditions were ngt exactly promising for an exposed | ||
- | high camp but our hopes woulf be dashed, Our plan was to carry two days food up to a spot just underneath the top of | ||
- | Mt. Eliza, a recognised campsite from which the Mt. Anne plateau | ||
- | can be comfortably explored. So, stringing up the excess food and gear from a tree, we set off Up the ridge and reached our objective after a steady two hour climb. Several members of the Launcestqn Walking Club were already encamped, straining at the leash for an attempt on Anne at the first break in the weather. As the first bout of icy rain stung our faces we carved two tent sites out of the small dead timber which covers the ridge at this point. might mention the necessity of placing a stout log across the bottom end of the tent to prevent sleeping bodies from sliding out of cover down the 30g slope. A biting, southerly provided a hint of what conditions could be like in prolonged bad weather. Later in the afternoon the swirling all-around-east gave some sign of breaking and a two-club party hurried to the tops, but it was all so much wishful thinking; once or twice the murk thinned out to give us tantalising glimpses of great boulder-Rtrewn glopes and | ||
- | plunging ridges; there was nothing for it but to return to camp with fingers crossed for the day to come. | + | A clump of small trees, practically the only shelter on the plain, afforded us a shady lunch spot where we could let our restless spirits wander over the sharp peaks and dips of the Arthur Range. For the moment it was enough to admire from afar, but inwardly I knew the Arthurs would bring me back to Tassie some other day. Replenished, |
- | After tossing | + | |
- | I can ever remember, I awoke to Arthur' | + | Our goal was now well in sight but what's this? Surprise of surprises! Without warning we had suddenly stumbled on the most delightful little creek running fair slap-bang through the middle of those soggy plains. The sparkling clear water ran swiftly over a bed of clean smooth stones, so reminiscent of our own Blue Mountains. After consulting the map I realised that it was the lower reaches of Condeminion Ck., whose source lies high up on the slopes of Mt. Anne - no wonder it was the best water in Tasmania! We made a pleasant camp amidst a clump of trees higher up the creek, just where it runs past the foot of the climbing ridge. It was mighty good to relax through the long summer twilight and put a mug of soup, a giant plate of " |
- | As it was barely five o' | + | |
- | the tent's flap but it was worth it. From a pale but clear sky | + | As we lingered over coffee (or was it rum cocoa) and discussed plans for Anne, dark clouds came sweeping up from the south - in ten minutes a cloudless sky had been transformed into a distinctly ominous one. But that's so typical of the South-West; changes in the weather for better or worse can occur with such frightening speed. However, the weather did not seem to matter then, not when bodies as tired as ours were being called to that haven of tents and sleeping bags we had come to appreciate so much. |
- | above the freshly-risen sun slanted down to wake up the landscape spread beneath our camp like a huge relief map. We looked down here and there onto the tops of fleecy clouds, clouds that were to gradually dissolve as a promise of warmth grappled with the chill morning air, and there up above was the peak of Anne, | + | |
- | waiting so calmly for us. There also close at hand were the | + | But in the morning it was a different story - the low and threatening cloud ceiling took the edge off our enthusiasm. The mountains which had surrounded us in all their glory the previous day had suddenly ceased to exist. Eliza' |
- | Tassie crew, already well advanced with breakfast. The challenge | + | |
- | or the shame, I'm not sure which, was overpowering - I shed my sleeping bag and jumped out of the tent with a whoopl | + | After tossing |
- | Equipped with one only day pack a very excited party started off for what promised to be a day of days. As we climbed higher, wide panoramic views to the south and west began to open | + | above the freshly-risen sun slanted down to wake up the landscape spread beneath our camp like a huge relief map. We looked down here and there onto the tops of fleecy clouds, clouds that were to gradually dissolve as a promise of warmth grappled with the chill morning air, and there up above was the peak of Anne, waiting so calmly for us. There also close at hand were the Tassie crew, already well advanced with breakfast. The challenge or the shame, I'm not sure which, was overpowering - I shed my sleeping bag and jumped out of the tent with a whoop (This article has not yet been corrected by my companions who may hold their own opinions). |
- | up and even Frenchman' | + | |
- | of the plateau, four pairs of eyes were suddenly held spellbound by the magnificent sight of Federation Peak playing hide and seek | + | Equipped with one only day pack a very excited party started off for what promised to be a day of days. As we climbed higher, wide panoramic views to the south and west began to open up and even Frenchman' |
- | with a line of low horizon clouds. It was then that I became convinced that one day I would have to plan a trip to Federation - | + | of the plateau, four pairs of eyes were suddenly held spellbound by the magnificent sight of Federation Peak playing hide and seek with a line of low horizon clouds. It was then that I became convinced that one day I would have to plan a trip to Federation - once seen it could never be forgotten. Indeed, in the excitement of recording this thrilling scene four times over with the tele lenses, we almost forgot that Mt. Anne, so close at hand, was still to be climbed. Fortunately, |
- | once seen it could never be forgotten. Indeed, in the excitement | + | high regions of Tasmania, improved with age and by nine o' |
- | of recording this thrilling scene four times over with the tele lenses, we almost forgot that Mt. Anne, so close at hand, was still | + | |
- | to be climbed. Fortunately, | + | Eventually we were together again, climbing up among the crumbling dolerite columns of which Mt.Anne is made; and what a terrific thrill to stand upon that summit on such a day. Just about everything that was worth seeing in southern Tasmania could be seen and appreciated; |
- | high regions of Tasmania, improved with age and by nin o' | + | |
- | along the tops towards our objective, there was so much to see on every side and so many tempting visions for our caneras | + | |
- | I'd rather not say how long it took to cover those two miles. I | + | |
- | remember looking back at one stage and seeing a tiny figure on the skyline darting from one edge of the plateau to the other. | + | |
- | Poor Henry, his photographic impulses just would not let him come on. Eventually we were together again, climbing up among the | + | |
- | crumbling dolerite columns of which Mt. 1.nne is made; and what a | + | |
- | terrific thrill to stand upon that summit on such a dayl Just about everything that was worth seeing in southern Tasmania could be seen and appreciated; | + | |
- | blue sky. Just to complete the picture, we were again visited by | + | |
- | our old friend Lloyd Jones of the P_ero Club. He flew the Cessna | + | |
- | over from Lake Pedder and buzzed us a friendly twice, skimming | + | |
- | over our heads so low that we could easily enjoy the astonished expressions on the faces of his tourist passengers. That !plane | + | |
- | covered the distance from Pedder to Anne in five minutes flat, a journey that would take we bushmalkers | + | |
- | achievement behind us. | + | |
Lunchtime saw avery entranced party satisfying their scenic | Lunchtime saw avery entranced party satisfying their scenic | ||
appetites with what surely must be one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. From the rocky eastern edge of the plateau our gaze shot down plummeting precipices into the | appetites with what surely must be one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. From the rocky eastern edge of the plateau our gaze shot down plummeting precipices into the | ||
- | lovely blue depths of Juddfs | + | lovely blue depths of Judd' |
- | the lake the incredibly steep slopes of Mt. Sarah Jane, completely covered by the densest and greenest mantle of vegetation (something for the tigers) I have ever seen, rose up nearly to our own level. Far beyond the southern tip of the Charm and some intriguing hanging lakes cradled in their own circle of mountains, the sheer slab nf Federation Peak dominated the razor-sharp horizon of the Lrthur | + | the lake the incredibly steep slopes of Mt. Sarah Jane, completely covered by the densest and greenest mantle of vegetation (something for the tigers) I have ever seen, rose up nearly to our own level. Far beyond the southern tip of the Charm and some intriguing hanging lakes cradled in their own circle of mountains, the sheer slab nf Federation Peak dominated the razor-sharp horizon of the Arthur |
The rest of the day was spent in leisurely exploring the many interesting features of this remarkable mountain mass. Wild flowers there were a-plenty and of course Henry and Arthur were in their element while Joan and I contented ourselves with trying | The rest of the day was spent in leisurely exploring the many interesting features of this remarkable mountain mass. Wild flowers there were a-plenty and of course Henry and Arthur were in their element while Joan and I contented ourselves with trying | ||
to photograph the landscape at large. Finally, after almost twelve | to photograph the landscape at large. Finally, after almost twelve | ||
hours of exposure in that brilliant sunshine, it was no hardship to return to our high camp and think about the inner man, for we had had our fill in overflowing measure. At twenty minutes to nine we sipped coffee and watched with wonderment as the sun, distorted into the shape of a fiery ten gallon hat, sank into the | hours of exposure in that brilliant sunshine, it was no hardship to return to our high camp and think about the inner man, for we had had our fill in overflowing measure. At twenty minutes to nine we sipped coffee and watched with wonderment as the sun, distorted into the shape of a fiery ten gallon hat, sank into the | ||
- | ocean fifty miles to the south-west. It had been OUR day from beginning to end, and as the fullmoon | + | ocean fifty miles to the south-west. It had been OUR day from beginning to end, and as the full moon peeked over Mt. Anne, we |
- | slid into our sleeping bags to sleep the sleep which only the great outclors | + | slid into our sleeping bags to sleep the sleep which only the great outdoors |
The next morning it was time to be off the mountain. Only three days remained of our trip, the three days it would take us | The next morning it was time to be off the mountain. Only three days remained of our trip, the three days it would take us | ||
to walk out to Maydena. Only the continuing spell of fine weather tempered our regret at leaving Mt. Anne behind. And so, quietly, each engrossed in his own thoughts, we descended the ridge and looked back, and looked back again. At Condeminion Ck. the gear was recovered and the loads reorganised - ah, that loathsome lump | to walk out to Maydena. Only the continuing spell of fine weather tempered our regret at leaving Mt. Anne behind. And so, quietly, each engrossed in his own thoughts, we descended the ridge and looked back, and looked back again. At Condeminion Ck. the gear was recovered and the loads reorganised - ah, that loathsome lump | ||
- | was getting lighter at last and it was not hard to take. Lunch and a well-earned bath at Huon Crossing | + | was getting lighter at last and it was not hard to take. Lunch and a well-earned bath at Huon Crossing |
out ait Mt. Anne again for the last tiz,3 its peak ablaze in the low rays of the evening sun. Spread over a respectable period of about | out ait Mt. Anne again for the last tiz,3 its peak ablaze in the low rays of the evening sun. Spread over a respectable period of about | ||
three hours, it was a pleasure to engage in a marathon eating effort of six " | three hours, it was a pleasure to engage in a marathon eating effort of six " | ||
Line 207: | Line 187: | ||
It was here that the famous Tasmanian h:, | It was here that the famous Tasmanian h:, | ||
unexpectedly and so unstintingly to glorious hot baths and home- cooked food. Civilisation would indeed have been hard to take without such compensations. | unexpectedly and so unstintingly to glorious hot baths and home- cooked food. Civilisation would indeed have been hard to take without such compensations. | ||
- | i nd so our trip had ended, as end they all must; that is except for the hundreds of colour | + | i nd so our trip had ended, as end they all must; that is except for the hundreds of colour |
was concerned, it had only just begun. THE END | was concerned, it had only just begun. THE END | ||
- | L.NYONE WP.,NT A BAG? | + | |
- | The sleeping variety. Standard length Paddymade sleeping | + | |
- | bag in good order - 4. See Eric Pegram or ring XB04401. | + | |
====== Your Walking Guide ====== | ====== Your Walking Guide ====== | ||
- | Walk No. | + | Walk No.\\ |
- | 5. interest of this walk is the Davies Canyon Section with rock scrambling and some rope work might be necessary. The walk back to Katoomba is river and track walking. Cost - 52/2. | + | 57. interest of this walk is the Davies Canyon Section with rock scrambling and some rope work might be necessary. The walk back to Katoomba is river and track walking. Cost - 52/2.\\ |
- | 58 An easy walk through the scenic | + | 58 An easy walk through the scenic |
- | added attraction of the famous "glow worm tunnel" | + | 59 A good test walk through country that deserves more attention, All types of walking with kodachromatic |
- | 29/5. | + | views makes a camera an essential. Cost - 22/2.\\ |
- | 59 It good test walk through country that deserves more | + | 60 "The Mount Solitary Test Walk". An excellent walk for prospectives who have done little or no mountain trips. A medium climb of 2,000 feet, then a good track to Katoomba. Excellent views of Cox and Kedumba Valley. Cost - 22/2.\\ |
- | 59 attention, All types of walking with kodachromatic | + | 61 A pretty walk along creek and river.\\ |
- | views makes a camera an essential. Cost - 22/2. | + | 62 A good Grose River trip with the ever popular Blue Gum Forest. Rock scrambling along river. Walk would be accepted as a test walk. Cost - 26/-.\\ |
- | 60 "The Mount Solitary Test Walk". An excellent walk for prospectives who have done little or no mountain trips. A medium climb of 2,000 feet, then a good track to Katoomba. Excellent views of Cox and Kedumba Valley. Cost - 22/2. | + | 63 rock climbing trip to the famous Three Sisters. A combined climbing weekend with the Sydney Section of the New Zealand Alpine Club and the Sydney Rock Climbers. Cost - 22/2.\\ |
- | 61 A pretty walk along creek and river. | + | 64 A typical Admiral Trip in the Glenbrook area. The walk would be interesting. Cost - 12/3.\\ |
- | 62 A good Grose River trip with the ever popular Blue Gum | + | |
- | Forest. Rock scrambling along river. Walk would be | + | |
- | accepted as a test walk. Cost - 26/-. | + | |
- | 63 | + | |
- | I. rock climbing trip to the famous Three Sisters. A combined climbing weekend with the Sydney Section of the New Zealand Alpine Club and the Sydney Rock Climbers. Cost - 22/2. | + | |
- | 64 L typical Admiral Trip in the Glenbrook area. The | + | |
- | walk would be interesting. Cost - 12/3. | + | |
65 A good test walk in the Shoalhaven area and Bungonia Gorge. Walk includes two 2,000 feet climbs with | 65 A good test walk in the Shoalhaven area and Bungonia Gorge. Walk includes two 2,000 feet climbs with | ||
- | panoramic views. Cost - 37/5. | + | panoramic views. Cost - 37/5.\\ |
- | 66 L medium test walk through the lower Grose River with | + | 66 A medium test walk through the lower Grose River with some ridge walking. Cost 16/3.\\ |
- | ,. some ridge walking. Cost 16/3. | + | 67 A scenic walk in the Hawksbury |
- | 67 A scenic walk in the Haw6sbury | + | |
- | WALK NO. 65 JULY 4-5-6 SHOLLMVEN R-BUNGONIL | + | WALK NO. 65 JULY 4-5-6 SHOALHAVEN BUNGONIA\\ |
- | LEADER - Ron Knightley. This walk will NOT go as per programme, as transport will, be by car, from Sydney to Long Point and back. Numbers will be limited - first come, first booked. The Saturday is rough and tough, with about 4,000 feet of uphill and 2,000 feet down. Sunday is easier, with a mere 2,000 feet down and up. Moderate walkers need not be scared, 'though, as some white anting | + | LEADER - Ron Knightley. This walk will NOT go as per programme, as transport will be by car from Sydney to Long Point and back. Numbers will be limited - first come, first booked. The Saturday is rough and tough, with about 4,000 feet of uphill and 2,000 feet down. Sunday is easier, with a mere 2,000 feet down and up. Moderate walkers need not be scared though, as some white anting likely on the Saturday. |
- | LIKE TO THROW OTHER PEOPTRIS | + | |
- | Then COMB to the Judo Display on the 25th June and see how it's done. A collection will be taken to assist a fund for purchasing Judo Mats. | + | **LIKE TO THROW OTHER PEOPLE' |
- | pTPIISE | + | Then come to the Judo Display on the 25th June and see how it's done. A collection will be taken to assist a fund for purchasing Judo Mats. |
- | 11. | + | |
+ | PLEASE | ||
====== The Smoke of Their Passing ====== | ====== The Smoke of Their Passing ====== | ||
Line 304: | Line 276: | ||
As it was only mid-afternoon, | As it was only mid-afternoon, | ||
- | Having caught on, I was first back in carp and soon had the fire coked up. Perhaps at this juncture I could slip in a serious word of commendation for my carping | + | |
- | she had discovered. Before long, even Irish pronounced the dammed water fit for human consumption - only she didn't define " | + | Having caught on, I was first back in camp and soon had the fire coked up. Perhaps at this juncture I could slip in a serious word of commendation for my camping |
- | A starlit evening was spent in quiet yarning by the campfire - culture, lotteries, theology and Dormie' | + | |
- | into the down. Thc bench order was; Audrey, Pam, me. All slept well except Audrey - the tent was abdulled and Pam spent the night,. | + | A starlit evening was spent in quiet yarning by the campfire - culture, lotteries, theology and Dormie' |
- | rolling in Audrey' | + | |
- | with Audrey pushed out to shiver under the stars. The next night we reversed the order and put Pam on the outside - so she rolled the other way and pushed us both out. How's that for gratitude? | + | The leader' |
- | The leader' | + | |
Dawn found us flannel flowers pounding the same path and just as the sun rose into a cloudless sky we witnessed the simple but impressive commemoration service. It would be sacrilege for one so flippant as I to attempt the description of this moving ceremony, so I'll leave it for someone more coherent. | Dawn found us flannel flowers pounding the same path and just as the sun rose into a cloudless sky we witnessed the simple but impressive commemoration service. It would be sacrilege for one so flippant as I to attempt the description of this moving ceremony, so I'll leave it for someone more coherent. | ||
- | Back to Merri-merrigal for breakfast, | + | |
- | 14. | + | Back to Merri-merrigal for breakfast, |
- | 15. | + | |
- | peaceful about a fag in the calm sunshine of early morning an John Stubfoot and I awoke from our reverie to find that all the others had dispersed into the bush. As their packs had gone | + | Now, you who've been on Blue Dog will remember that there' |
- | with them, we divined that the dispersion was permanent. So we up packs and after fem. | + | |
- | Now, you who've been on Blue Dog will remember that there' | + | John Bumblefoot reached the saddle first and he was looking quite worried as I caught up.\\ |
- | a little timbered saddle about ten yards across, just before you | + | " |
- | get onto the ridge proper, to swing right and than left, hoping that you have n't swung too far right or too far left - last time I was there I swung too far left and did four of Merrigal Creek' | + | " |
- | waterfalls before darkness caught me. I didn't know then that | + | " |
- | the fourth one was the last one and that the Cox was flowing quietly just round the bend from the boulders on which I tried to sleep. | + | |
- | John Bumblefoot reached the saddle first and he was looking quite worried as I caught up. | + | In front : Horrors! What if we took a wrong turn and got lost? S R would search the rearguard positions and I wouldn' |
- | " | + | "Oh, come off it," said I. "We couldn' |
- | " | + | "We better make sure," said John. " |
- | " | + | |
- | In front J Horrors1 That if we took a wrong turn and got lost? S R would search the rearguard positions and I wouldn' | + | |
- | before my eyes. Or was it an enigmatic smile? | + | |
- | "Oh, come off it," said I. "We couldn' | + | |
- | crossed just down the gully' | + | |
- | "We better make sure," said John. " | + | |
As the echoes of our cries died away, faint calls came back. " | As the echoes of our cries died away, faint calls came back. " | ||
"Ditto ditto," | "Ditto ditto," | ||
- | We cooeed again. | + | |
- | " | + | We cooeed again. " |
- | "No, up there," | + | "No, up there," |
- | that two other parties were also converging on Blue Dog? | + | |
- | We yelled yet again. | + | We yelled yet again. "Over there" we cried together, both pointing east - we knew, because the response had sounded like a public address system, butchers' |
- | "Over there j," we cried together, both pointing east - we knew, because the response had sounded like a public address system, butchers' | + | |
- | Soon we were with them once again, metaphoric tails between | + | Soon we were with them once again, metaphoric tails between our legs - and whether it was by accident or design know not, but when we got mobile again someone else was guarding the rear. Up and down, along, around, about - a half hour of this kind of progress and we were looking down on the Breakfast Creek Cox River junction. Like terriers after a snake the party began the long drop down the Blue Pup. Something went wrong, though, because by the time Irish and I had done a hundred |
- | _ | + | |
- | our legs - and whether it was by accident or design know not, but when we got mobile again someone else was guarding the rear. | + | As the first lady down, Irish was rechristened the Greyhound and there was an impish gleam in her eyes when the misguided ones began trickling in a few minutes later.\\ |
- | Up and down, along, around, about - a half hour of this kind of progress and we were looking down on the Breakfast Creek CoxRiver | + | "What happened to you?" she asked with studied innocence.\\ |
- | the long drop down the Blue Pup. Something went wrong, though, because by the time Irish and I had done ahundred | + | " |
- | Ls the first lady down, Irish was rechristened the Greyhound and there was an impish gleam in her eyes when the misguided ones began trickling in a few minutes later. | + | |
- | "What happened to you?" she asked with studied innocence. | + | As we munched lunch a whirlwind passed along the bank, over Breakfast Ck., and disappeared |
- | " | + | " |
- | Sufficient to sq7 that the Blue Pup was renamed the Blue Bitch - Ed.) | + | It was Michael Elfick with some S.T.C. confreres, setting a Hilltop-to-Katoomba record - over the hundred miles in two days. I made a mental note never to be following an Elfick sortie. |
- | Ls we munched lunch a whirlwind passed along the bank, over Breakfast Ck., end disaPpeared | + | |
- | " | + | At the Harry' |
- | It was Michael Elfick with some S.T.C. confreres, setting | + | |
- | a Hilltop-to-Katoomba record - over the hundred miles in two days. I made a mental note never to be following an Elfick sortie. | + | I must have had aquatic amnesia, for my mind is a blank until 4.45 p m., when John Sorefoot and I were to be seen lounging |
- | At the Harry' | + | |
- | to travel, eat and sleep in my wet dads, even when pushed out into the cold by Pam. | + | Having picked the site I departed up the creek to gather firewood. |
- | I mast have had aquatic amnesia, for my mind is a blank until 4.45 p m., when John Sorefoot and I were to be soen loungingg' | + | |
- | "Of course," | + | |
- | first in camp tonight, and my tent goes right there on that lush patch of lawn." | + | |
- | Having picked the site I departed up the creek to gather firewood. | + | |
- | were to rest. Foiled again. | + | |
Breakfast next morning was interrupted by the rugby league whistle and the public address system. | Breakfast next morning was interrupted by the rugby league whistle and the public address system. | ||
- | " | + | " |
- | They did, too; Ron Baker and Col Ferguson up Gnlong | + | |
- | Last again, I trailed them to the bottom of the Six Foot track where I found cups of tea all ready a-boiling. | + | Last again, I trailed them to the bottom of the Six Foot track where I found cups of tea all ready a-boiling. The long, steady trudge up to the Megalong |
- | The long, steady trudge up to the Megdong | + | |
- | quickly I hit the front. Onward and upward, stride by stride, | + | Well, no - not quite. As I cleared the trees at the top of the track I became conscious of someone breathing down my neck. It was Beryl Collins, flimsiest-looking of the prospectives, |
- | and I was soon out of sight of all the rest. Of all the rest? | + | |
- | Well, no - not quite. As I cleared the trees at the top of the | + | At the causeway we found Ron and Colin, fire going and tea ready. I had to admit that Brian' |
- | track I became conscious of someone breathing down my neck. It | + | |
- | was Beryl Collins, flimsiest-looking of the prospectives, | + | By the time us males and the two girls reached Explorers' |
- | At the causeway we found Ron and Colin, fire going and tea ready. I had to admit that Brian' | + | |
- | non. Not only had he organised this advance preparation, | + | |
- | There was room for some of the girls as well, Eileen Taylor, having sprained her ankle, was first priority. Then Pam Baker discovered that she had to catch an early train; then | + | |
- | Canada - well, now, let's be frank about this. Let's admit that Isobel Wilkie and P.udrey | + | |
- | By the time us males and the two girls reached Explorers' | + | |
- | a pub, it not - it's a cafe; but it was just as good as, because Brian' | + | |
the presence of The Law at an adjacent table we were soon washing down our fillets mignon with beer and hock. | the presence of The Law at an adjacent table we were soon washing down our fillets mignon with beer and hock. | ||
- | The walk was over; but if you think this is the end of the story you're wrong. It goes on for a long time yet - | + | |
- | hilarity every time we meet in the club; chuckles over kodachromes at odd times; and I still haven' | + | The walk was over; but if you think this is the end of the story you're wrong. It goes on for a long time yet - hilarity every time we meet in the club; chuckles over kodachromes at odd times; and I still haven' |
- | seeds out of my sox. In fact, the story is probably just | + | |
- | beginning, because I give notice of a motion at the next Annual General to appoint Messrs. Baker and Fergumn | + | |
And I'm sure that all my companions on that trip will carry with acclamation (magno clamor) my vote of thanks to an excellent leader. | And I'm sure that all my companions on that trip will carry with acclamation (magno clamor) my vote of thanks to an excellent leader. | ||
- | 18. | ||
====== Commemorative Service at Splendour Rock ====== | ====== Commemorative Service at Splendour Rock ====== | ||
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On the morning of 26th April, just as the sun rose clear above the cloud sea in the valley of the Cox, Federation President Paul Driver led an assembly of bushwalkers in a moving ceremony to mark the tenth anniversary of the dedication of the memorial plaque at Splendour Rock. | On the morning of 26th April, just as the sun rose clear above the cloud sea in the valley of the Cox, Federation President Paul Driver led an assembly of bushwalkers in a moving ceremony to mark the tenth anniversary of the dedication of the memorial plaque at Splendour Rock. |
195806.txt · Last modified: 2016/04/25 15:22 by kennettj