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+===== The Northern Hemisphere Compass. =====
+- Geof Wagg
+If you've ever heard the expression used, that so and so is a "charlie", and you've wondered just what exactly is meant, then read this story. This is about a __real__ charlie.
+The idea, if I remember correctly, was to do a marathon Sunday walk in order to demonstrate just how easy this type of walk really was - no! Don't laugh yet! Read a little further and have a really good one. And the next thing, although I can see now that I shouldn't have done it, or if I did I should have kept a wary watch for the twinkle in his eye, was to ask Malcolm to suggest a route as I had not the vaguest idea about Sunday walk country. Of course Malc suggested one (and I'll bet his eye twinkled) but all unheeding I copied it straight on to the Walks Programme without even viewing it on the map. It read:-
+"Mt. Kuring-gai - Woodnuts - Bobbin Head - Cowan Creek - Bare Creek - Gordon Creek - Gordon"
+I don't know if I can remember the names and conditions of all the members that started with me, but I can think of a few and I'm sure that others will occur as we go along. There was me (although I still sometimes get to wishing that I hadn't been) and there was Snow and Henry Ford and Heather Joyce and George Grey, and there was Stitt with his broken leg either still in plaster or just out, and a chap he picked up with from Bessarabia or Mesapotamia or Indonesia or somewhere. Oh yes, and there was Jane Putt too, who brought a friend of Colins from the Melbourne Walkers called Pat. Somehow Jane got the idea that we were leaving on the 6 p.m. train on Saturday night, whereas it was the 6 a.m. train on Sunday morning and I didn't realise her error until the last minute and had to send an urgent telegram. Then Jenny Madden thought she might come, either just before or just after Bruce was born, but as things turned out, I'm rather relieved that she didn't. So you see it was the kind of trip that you could say it was imperative it should go right - a trip that was taking place before the critical eyes and under the turned up nose of the world. You could say I should have been more circumspect about letting all these observers come on such a trip. You could say practically anything and be right - now!
+Well, I had misgivings that morning right from the moment I opened one eye and saw the weather. It was the kind that causes most people to roll over on to their other side and go back to sleep. The kind that when you're outside, the sir droops so low you have to stoop to get under it. Anyway, I got up. The only bright spot in the morning was dragging Snow out because he felt even worse than I did.
+We had something for breakfast that tasted like sawdust and discussed the transport problem. The problem was because some people with vehicles wanted to use them, but felt thwarted because the walk commenced and ended at far divergent points. Finally, it was resolved that Stitt should drive to Gordon (the proposed finishing point). Snow and George, with as many passengers as could be crammed in, would drive to Hornsby where we would all meet and proceed by train to Mt. Kuring-gai (the proposed starting point). Then after the walk Stitt would be able to drive the other drivers up to Hornsby for their cars and they in turn would drive back to Gordon for their passengers. This all sounds most involved, and, in fact, it was.
+The only snag was that we finished the walk at another place that wasn't Mt. Kuring-gai or Hornsby or Gordon, but this didn't matter because Stitt had pulled out of the trip and gone home about midday, so he wouldh't have been able to drive anyone anywhere anyway. So that clears that up.
+When, at Hornsby, all the starters were assembled and boarding the train, I noticed that Stitt was swinging from a thong on his wrist, an evil looking geology pick. I didn't think to ask him why he'd brought it, but I remember it made me feel rather uncomfortable.
+Another unhappy incident occurred after we alighted from the train at Mt. Kuring-gai. I suddenly realised I had no definite idea of which side of the subway led in the right direction, or which road we should take. In a flap I dragged our the map and right there in the dim light of the subway began to puzzle it out. Presently I was rescued by some members who had apparently missed me, and frankly I was very grateful, although I did feel rather embarrassed as they dragged me into the light of day and the despising gaze of the party. I felt this augered not well for the future and so did they.
+After this I relegated myself to the end of the line and everything went swimmingly all the way to Bobbin Head. As a matter of fact, "Swwimmingly" is a very appropriate term because from about woodnuts on, it rained like there was no bottom in the sky anymore.
+Beneath one of the picnic shelters at Bobbin Head, everyone gathered to wring water out of their socks, hair, etc., in preparation for the next stage, up Cowan Creek. We seemed to be doing fairly well because it was still only 9 o'clock or so and I thought to myself that most Sunday walkers are just catching trains about now and felt almost happy again. So happy, in fact, that I thought I'd have another try at leading, perhaps to redeem my reputation. Little did I suspect the ignominy still in store. And yet the track along the bank seemed definite enough - how could anything go wrong.
+I supnose you've seen that track up Cowan Creek. It ducks round behind Halvorsen's boatshed then, like most such tracks, follows faithfully the peculiarities of the bank. After about half a mile, the bushes began to hang over quite a bit, so I guess that this marks the extent of the average picnicers excursions.
+We were no average picnicers. On we strode while the rain poured over us in unbelievable volume, loading every bush and branch so that to brush it was like being doused with a bucket of cold water. Rain saturated everything we wore and every word we spoke; trickled down collars and sleeves and dripped into eyes and ears; then every so often - splash - a branch would give you another bucketfull in the face. Henry Ford marched beside me tactfully passing on handy hints about the route. Stitto strode behind me swinging his confounded rock pick. After a while I offered to carry it and he peacably passed it over, much to my relief.
+Just about then the main track started up a ridge end and we reached the extremity of Henry's prior experience. I wasn't so worried, however, because just across the slimy rocks of a side creek, I could see a continuation of the track. Ha! Ten paces later and round a corner, it vanished into a mass of rocks and tangled shrubbery.
-THE NORT HEYISPHERE COMPLSS
-- Goof Wagg
-If you've over heard the expression used, that so and so is a "charlie", and youTve wondered dust -what exactly is meant then read this story. This is about a RELL charlie.
-The idea, if I remember correctly, was to do a marathon Sunday walk in order to ;demonstrate just haw easy this type Af- walk really was - no!' Don't laugh yet: Read a little fUlther and have a really good one. ' 21.nd the next thing, although I can see now that I shouldn't have done it, or if I did I should have kept a wary watch for -alb twinkle in his eye, was to ask Malcolm to  suggest a route as I had not the vaguest idea about Sunday -walk country. Of course Male suggested one (and I'll bet-his eye twinkled) but all unheeding I copied it straight on to the WalksProgramme without even viewing it on the map. It read:-
-"ET. KURING-W3I - WOODNUTS BOBBIN HELD - COWLN CREEK - BILRE CREEK - GORDON CREEK - GORDON"
-' I don't know if I can remember the names and conditions of all the members that started with me, but I can think of a few and I'm sure that others will occur as we go along. There was me (although I still sometimes get to -wishing that I hadn't been) and there was Snow_ and Hcnry Ford nnd 'Heather Joye-- and George, Grey,. pad there was Stitt -with his broke/vie& either stifl inlaster or just'outl and a. chap he ricked up. with from Bessarabia or rletapotamih- r
-. Indonbst,: or SoMewhbre. Ohjyos,Yand there was Jane Platt ton, ihn brought ?-1. friend of Colins from..the. Melbourne :Walkers called Pate- Somehow Jane got-the:.  idea that we were leaving on the 6 n m. train on Saturday night, uhdrens-it was the 6 a m. train nn Sunday morning and I didn't realise her error until-tho - last minute and had to send an urgent telegram. Then Jenny Haddon thought she might come, either just before or just after'BrUce was born, but as things - turned out, I'm rather relieved that she didn't. So ynu see it'ivas-the kind of trip that you could say it was imperative it should g- right - n trip that was taking place before the critical ayes and under #le turned Un no'ee of the world. You could say I. should have been more circumspect about lett/nit-all these observora come on such a trip. You could:sr7 prnctically nnythinr and be right - now
-.I had misgivings that. morning right trom.,the moment I c r)oned :(5n8 eye and saw the weather. It was the kind that amazes most neonlo to roll over on to their other side and go back to sleep. The kind thnt-mhehTynere outside, the sir droops so low you have to stoop to get under it. - Anyway, I' got up. The -nly bright epot in the morning was dragging Snow out becnuse he felt even worse than I did.
-We had something for breakfast that tasted like sawdust Pnd discussed the transport problem. The problem was because some --)eo7lo with vohicles - wilted to use them, but felt thwarted because the walk uTilonced and endea-at far divergent -xpints. Finally, it was resolved that Stitt should drive to -- Gordon (the proposed finishing point). Snow and George, with as mant passengers as could be crammed in, would'drive to Hornsby where we would 5,11 meet ;A,:nd - -- proceed by train to ht. Euring-gai (the proposed starting point). Then after
--
-the walk Stitt would be able to drive the other drivers up tfl Hornsby'for their cars and they in turn would drive back to GorezIon for their passengers. This all sounds most involved, and, in fact, it was.
-.
-The only snag was that we finished the walk at another place that wasn't Mt. Kuring-gai or Hornsby or Gordon, but this didn't matter because' Stitt had pulled out of the trip and gone home about midday, so he wOuldh't have been able to drive anyone anywhere anyway. So thrA clears that un.
-ITaen, at Hornsby, all the starters were assembled and bonrdiag
-the train, I noticed that Stitt was swinging from P thong on his wrist, an evil lookin geology pick. I didn't think to ask him why he'd brought it, but I remember it made me feel rather uncomfortable.
-Ilnother unhappy incident occurred after we alighted from the train at Mt. Huring-gai. I suddenly realised-I had'no definite idea of-whiah side of the subway led in the riFht direction, or which road we should take. In a flm I dragged our the r_inD and right there in the dim light of the subway began to 7-puzzle it nut. P-resently I was rescued by some members who had apparently missed me, and frankly I was very grateful, although I did feel rather embarrassed as they dragged mo into the light of day and the despising Gaze of the party. I felt this auEered not well for the future and so did they.
-;Star this I relegated myself to the end of the line and everything went swimmingly all the way. tn Bobbin Head. Ls a matter of fact, "Swngly" is a very appropriate term because from about Nbednuts on, it rained like there was no bottom in the sicy anymore.
-Beneath one of the picnic shelters-at Bobbin Head, everyone gathered to wring water out of-their socks, hair, etc., in-r)rennratien for the next - stage, 12--) Cowan Creek. We seemed to be doing fairly well bec-use it was still only 9 o'clock or so and I thought to myself that most Sunday walkers are just catching trains about now and felt almost haer-yy again. So ha7-7, in fact,
-that I thought I'd have rv-lother try at leading, perhaps to redeem my reputation. Little did I suspect the ignominy still in store. dInd yet the track along the bank seemed definite enough - haw could anythin,:: 0-..) wrong.
-I supnose you've seen that track up C.)wan Creek. It ducks round behind Halvorsen's boatshed then, like most such tracks, follows faithfully the peculiarities of the bank. -niter about half a mile, the bushes began to hang over quite a bit, so I guess that this marks the extent of the average Dicnicers
-excursions.
-We we-re no average picnicers. On we strode while the rain poured over us in unbelievable volume, loadinE every bush and branch se that to brush
-it was like being doused with a bucket of cold water. 'Rain saturated everything we wore and every word we spoke; trickled down cellars and sleeves and dripped into oyes and oars; then every so often - splash - a branch would give you another bucketfull in the face. Henry Ford marched beside mu tactfully passing on handy hints clout the route. Stitto strode behind mc swinging his
-confounded rock pick. After a while I offered to carry it and he peacably
-passed it over, much to or relief.
-Just about then the main tracIr. Started up a ridge end 'ind we rbAched the extremity of Henry's prior exnerience. I wasn't sn mnrriecl, however, because just-across the slimy reeks of a side creek, I could see a continuation of the track. Ha! Ten paces later and round a corner, it vanished int- a mass of rocks and tangled shrubbery.
-,
 "Better going in the creek," I proclaimed. The creek rocks were awkward and slippery and, as well as that, the valley seemed to be dividing into about twelve different parts.
-"If we climb ap this side, we can't go wrong," I decreed, nnd they credulouely followed me. "21nyway, we'll be able to see where we're ;-foing," I murmured.
-From the to it became clear that our way was r'issecterl by'Side --- creeks and we should actually have climbed a dividing snur in the centre aboat -- half a mile up. Down we went again, sidling in what seemed the right c'iroction, but once in the gully, the misty rain closed in and just what was the right direction?
+"If we climb up this side, we can't go wrong," I decreed, and they credulouely followed me. "Anyway, we'll be able to see where we're going," I murmured.
-I wish to say here that I'd never used a cor_Inass before and I've never trusted one since, but I thought a compass might be useful, so I asked if anyone had one handy. Next thing this little chnip was standing before me, holding out a compass and wearing the most trustworthy 'grin yFYu've over eeen. Now I couldn't for the life of me remember seeing him oh the trin before, although I suppose he must have been there all the time, and besides, I had other things on my mind, so I thanked him and took the compass.
-"By the way," he said; "it's a Northern Hemisnhere cnrry-Iss."- And when it comes to snap decisions, I'm just the bloke tomake then, right or wrong, so I said, "Right! We'll turn the man upside down." So it was that we - 'Picked our route with the north direction of the man orientated tn the south point of the compass.
+From the top it became clear that our way was dissected by side creeks and we should actually have climbed a dividing spur in the centre about half a mile up. Down we went again, sidling in what seemed the right direction, but once in the gully, the misty rain closed in and just what was the right direction?
-EVerything worked out well. We cross the Creek here, take thflt - ridge there, should be able to sec that trig otc. etc." I sunnose the creek
--
+I wish to say here that I'd never used a compass before and I've never trusted one since, but I thought a compass might be useful, so I asked if anyone had one handy. Next thing this little chap was standing before me, holding out a compass and wearing the most trustworthy grin you've ever seen. Now I couldn't for the life of me remember seeing him on the trip before, although I suppose he must have been there all the time, and besides, I had other things on my mind, so I thanked him and took the compass.
-must have been flowing in the wrong direction, but the mAp was folded un smal and I didn't notice that. 221yway, we crossed the creek, climbed the ridge, found the trig, lost half the party and settled down to wAit. After tii6h. "hallooine, they turned up and we nressed steadfastly on, marching-lang a-- track we'd found. Gradually we drew ahead of the Froun around Stitto, whose broken leg was troublin,7 him some, and in this order we came to the RaT - which wasn't on the maP.
-The explanation came easily - too easily. "Old map, new road. Civic -progress overtakes the cartographers." And so we pressed on hoping to reach Bare Creek for lunch. Still we were uneasy. The road wasn't leading in quite the right direction and, come to think of it, that trig back there hadn't been quite right. Better have another look at the map.
+"By the way," he said, "it's a Northern Hemisnhere compass." And when it comes to snap decisions, I'm just the bloke to make then, right or wrong, so I said, "Right! We'll turn the map upside down." So it was that we picked our route with the north direction of the map orientated to the south point of the compass.
-"Hrn-ra-rn,"
-"Look," said Henry, "If we turn the Mao Around like this. Now-6-fly we came 1.17) this ridge instead, there'd be the trig, the track, this road and even those houses there."
+Everything worked out well. We cross the creek here, take that ridge there, should be able to see that trig etc. etc." I suppose the creek must have been flowing in the wrong direction, but the map was folded up small and I didn't notice that. Anyway, we crossed the creek, climbed the ridge, found the trig, lost half the party and settled down to wait. After much "hallooing", they turned up and we pressed steadfastly on, marching along a track we'd found. Gradually we drew ahead of the group around Stitto, whose broken leg was troubling him some, and in this order we came to the __road__ - which wasn't on the map!
-As soon as he revolved the map I been to feel uncomfortable, and the  discomfort increased with every word he s7ooke.. immediate thought was, "How on earth can I keep this from the others", but even as I thought, I saw it was too late. They emerged from the scrub, looked at the road, then along it to where we'd halted. Someone took out a map and they all gathered round
-Ii.
+The explanation came easily - too easily. "Old map, new road. Civic progress overtakes the cartographers." And so we pressed on hoping to reach Bare Creek for lunch. Still we were uneasy. The road wasn't leading in quite the right direction and, come to think of it, that trig back there hadn't been quite right. Better have another look at the map.
-pointing at the map and at the country around. Stitt' scratched his head in a puzzled way, then George pointed to the other side 'of the map. Slowly I saw the map revolve, they to the man, the road, at ME: They were all looking at me. Suddenly Stitt's voice rang out, "You fool Wagg:" and as one man they began to advance threateningly in my direction. The people in the houses around stopped whatever they were doing and stared, while the children ran to the fences determined not to miss a single stroke. Nearer and nearer they came, a row of blazinc, eyes, clondhed fists and stomping feet. Nearer - nearer - stomp: Stomp! STOMP! STOMP!!
-I don't recall what happened (I suspect Henry must have won them over somehow), but the next thing I remember, they were discussinc what to do. As far as I can recall, Stitt and his friend from Indo Chinn went one way and the rest of us went another. We seemed to go down a steep ridge side to a creel: where we had lunch in a kind of cave. Lfter lunch we climbed up another ridge, which they said was the rioht ridge, although it didn't look any different from mine. We walked a lbng way along a track until we came
+"Hm-m-m,"
-to a main road, but they just ignored this and crossed over as quickly asthey could (between cars) and plunged down into the scrub on the other side. They said this was' Bare Creek or Bear Crook - I don't know. which - but from the way the cutting grass and other shrubbery grows, no-one could over have called it
-Bare Creek. On the other hand, we didn't see any bears either.
+"Look," said Henry, "If we turn the map around like this. Now say we came up this ridge instead, there'd be the trig, the track, this road and even those houses there."
-finyway, we shoved painfoTly through this dense rhubarb and the afternoon Wore itself away with little to enliven it exCept an eight foot carpet snake, which coiled itself 'around Henry Ford's arm.
-The shades of night were falling fast and we were just beginning to face the thought of being overdue when someone said they could remember having had afternoon tea hero on a trip led by Dave Ingram. This made us feel quite safe again to know we were on' the beaten track, so we Choofed along and Presently came to a track, which came to a r:-)ad, which in turn became a highway with a bus stop. We waited a -while, but as no buses came, started to walk again along the highway. It was a terribly long way - about as long as the rest of the walk; and when we got near the station (which I can't remember the name of) they started to take to these back streets. These were all as black as the inside of a whale with his mouth'shut and I reckon if Henry hadn't known his way about, we'd have been there yet.
+As soon as he revolved the map I been to feel uncomfortable, and the discomfort increased with every word he spoke. My immediate thought was, "How on earth can I keep this from the others", but even as I thought, I saw it was too late. They emerged from the scrub, looked at the road, then along it to where we'd halted. Someone took out a map and they all gathered round pointing at the map and at the country around. Stitt scratched his head in a puzzled way, then George pointed to the other side of the map. Slowly I saw the map revolve, they pointed to the map, the road, at __me__! They were all looking at me. Suddenly Stitt's voice rang out, "You fool Wagg!" and as one man they began to advance threateningly in my direction. The people in the houses around stopped whatever they were doing and stared, while the children ran to the fences determined not to miss a single stroke. Nearer and nearer they came, a row of blazing eyes, clenched fists and stomping feet. Nearer - nearer - stomp: Stomp! STOMP! __STOMP__!!
-Nell, 'at last we arrived at this station (whichever it was) and I've never been so glad to hit Katoomba station after any walk I've over dope as I was then. It didn't even and the way a decent walk does, with a good comrady trip home together in the train, because beds scattered every which way to pick up cars and catch trains, eta.
-Ever since then I have been off compasses and off. Sunday walks, although I don't suppose it is fair to blame Sunday walking for everything that happened that day. In loss rational moments I am inclined to blame everything, even the rain,- on that blasted northern hemisphere compass.
+I don't recall what happened (I suspect Henry must have won them over somehow), but the next thing I remember, they were discussing what to do. As far as I can recall, Stitt and his friend from Indo China went one way and the rest of us went another. We seemed to go down a steep ridge side to a creek where we had lunch in a kind of cave. After lunch we climbed up another ridge, which they said was the __right__ ridge, although it didn't look any different from mine. We walked a long way along a track until we came to a main road, but they just ignored this and crossed over as quickly as they could (between cars) and plunged down into the scrub on the other side. They said this was Bare Creek or Bear Creek - I don't know which - but from the way the cutting grass and other shrubbery grows, no-one could over have called it Bare Creek. On the other hand, we didn't see any bears either.
-HOORff F' SCHAFER
+Anyway, we shoved painfully through this dense rhubarb and the afternoon wore itself away with little to enliven it except an eight foot carpet snake, which coiled itself around Henry Ford's arm.
+The shades of night were falling fast and we were just beginning to face the thought of being overdue when someone said they could remember having had afternoon tea here on a trip led by Dave Ingram. This made us feel quite safe again to know we were on the beaten track, so we choofed along and presently came to a track, which came to a road, which in turn became a highway with a bus stop. We waited a while, but as no buses came, started to walk again along the highway. It was a terribly long way - about as long as the rest of the walk; and when we got near the station (which I can't remember the name of) they started to take to these back streets. These were all as black as the inside of a whale with his mouth shut and I reckon if Henry hadn't known his way about, we'd have been there yet.
+Well, at last we arrived at this station (whichever it was) and I've never been so glad to hit Katoomba station after any walk I've over done as I was then. It didn't even end the way a decent walk does, with a good comrady trip home together in the train, because bods scattered every which way to pick up cars and catch trains, etc.
+Ever since then I have been off compasses and off Sunday walks, although I don't suppose it is fair to blame Sunday walking for everything that happened that day. In less rational moments I am inclined to blame everything, even the rain, on that blasted northern hemisphere compass.
+----
+=== Hooray F' Schafer. ===
 Just had news from Germany that Neil and Christa are engaged. Christa returned to Germany with her parents a while ago and Schafer has just caught up with her again.
-.
+----
 WHITE W.LITER, BLIMP - CAUTION ON THE COLO (L.G.AJN)
 - "Pluto"