196908
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196908 [2016/04/15 20:57] – [The July General Meeting] kennettj | 196908 [2016/04/23 13:43] – [Yerranderie] kennettj | ||
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...... if you would pray brother, pray for a clean death. | ...... if you would pray brother, pray for a clean death. | ||
- | (Furphy wrote of the sleeper cutter with his fingers caught in a split log, the other hand reaching, scrabbling, but never catching the axe to | + | |
- | chop off the fingers, the skeleton barely holding the cloth together). | + | (Furphy wrote of the sleeper cutter with his fingers caught in a split log, the other hand reaching, scrabbling, but never catching the axe to chop off the fingers, the skeleton barely holding the cloth together). |
There is serenity in a lot of Fitzgerald' | There is serenity in a lot of Fitzgerald' | ||
- | ... I think in your unanswering tombs | + | |
- | you feel, though me todays known bliss because, you, living, saw such blooms in coloured spring times far from this. | + | ... I think in your unanswering tombs\\ |
- | The practical surveyor peeps through in " | + | you feel, though me todays known bliss \\ |
- | ...... the gain | + | because, you, living, saw such blooms |
+ | in coloured spring times far from this. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The practical surveyor peeps through in " | ||
+ | |||
+ | ...... the gain\\ | ||
was learning what not to expect. | was learning what not to expect. | ||
- | Or in " | ||
- | ...... saying which In turn about and face concrete and glass as things familiarknown | ||
- | like brick, shell mortar and grey Hawkosbury stone. | ||
- | Not surprisingly many of the newer poets took explorers and erectud | ||
- | elaborate but very moving symbolic structures around them. Kenneth Slessor, | ||
- | an editor of the Sydney Sun, in "Fivo Visions of Captain Cook": | ||
- | Men who ride broomsticks with a mesmerist Mock the ty-nhoon. So, too, it was with Cook. | ||
- | Although Judith Wright took a rather large volume, "The Generations of Men" to record the misfortunes of her forbears, the Dalwoods of the Hunter | ||
- | Valley vineyard, two lines of verse are the crystallisation ... he weathered all the striding years | + | Or in " |
- | till they ran widdershins in his brain. Or, from an early poem published in wartime: | + | ...... saying which in turn about and face \\ |
- | ... round us, round the company of lovers Death draws his cordons in. | + | concrete and glass as things familiar known\\ |
- | There is a lighter side to modern poetry which nevertheless draws its strength from the same sources. David Campbell' | + | like brick, shell mortar and grey Hawkesbury stone. |
+ | |||
+ | Not surprisingly many of the newer poets took explorers and erected elaborate but very moving symbolic structures around them. Kenneth Slessor, an editor of the Sydney Sun, in "Five Visions of Captain Cook": | ||
+ | |||
+ | Men who ride broomsticks with a mesmerist \\ | ||
+ | Mock the typhoon. So, too, it was with Cook. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Although Judith Wright took a rather large volume, "The Generations of Men" to record the misfortunes of her forbears, the Dalwoods of the Hunter | ||
+ | he weathered all the striding years\\ | ||
+ | till they ran widdershins in his brain. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Or, from an early poem published in wartime:\\ | ||
+ | ... round us, round the company of lovers | ||
+ | Death draws his cordons in. | ||
+ | |||
+ | There is a lighter side to modern poetry which nevertheless draws its strength from the same sources. David Campbell' | ||
... look at me as they look for rain. | ... look at me as they look for rain. | ||
- | Or, A. G. Austin in a dugout in Torbruks | + | |
- | In my cave lives a solitary rat, (A celibate rat, | + | Or A. G. Austin in a dugout in Torbruk\\ |
- | I can vouch for that). | + | In my cave lives a solitary rat, \\ |
- | I can't resist John Manifold' | + | (A celibate rat, I can vouch for that). |
- | ...I knew a most superior camper | + | |
+ | I can't resist John Manifold' | ||
+ | ...I knew a most superior camper | ||
+ | Whose methods were absurdly wrong. | ||
+ | He did not live on tea and damper | ||
+ | But took a little stove along. | ||
There are a whole host of poets, contemporary in the last thirty years. They are worth reading. | There are a whole host of poets, contemporary in the last thirty years. They are worth reading. | ||
+ | |||
+ | --------------- | ||
+ | |||
Recent historical writings suggest that the " | Recent historical writings suggest that the " | ||
- | few permanently successful | + | few permanently successful |
- | began their operations. Pressure for closer settlement came from the middleclass | + | |
- | backloading, | + | |
- | of land holding were entirely effective, due mainly from basic misconceptions | + | |
- | of agriculture | + | |
- | TriZi 13USB7ALKER August, | + | |
====== The Yo-Yos Go Nordic ====== | ====== The Yo-Yos Go Nordic ====== | ||
- | . | + | A Yo-yo is a person with enough energy to put on skis, ski downhill to the lifts and run, with increasing confidence and diminishing adventure the one run until lunchtime. At lunchtime, he will ski downhill from the top of the lift to the hut and give his day ticket to a similar spirit with less energy who couldn' |
- | A Yo-yo is a person with enough energy to put on skis, ski downhill to the lifts and run.,.wit12 | + | |
- | . merely pleads that one changed one's parka and could ...... Just this time? | + | In a season with little snow, the fall of nearly one foot as we arrived was sufficient to put off our cross country trip. We needed to get back our confidence, this snow will only last another day; how do we wax?, where do we go? These discussions in a warm hut after a superb meal are a wonderful excuse for not washing up and it seems a pity to lose such a fruitful and divisive subject by going. |
+ | |||
+ | Four of us had bought cross country skis. Bill Bourke proved to be a dedicated yo-yo, but Don Matthews, Helen Gray and myself took our skis from the rack and then, from some inner compulsion, secret voice or logical deduction achieved the greatest spread of waxes for the one condition that was possible. I went for sticky purple, Helen for sticky orange, and Don for sticky green with a touch of sticky blue under the foot. The results wore identical - we could walk downhill as fast as we could walk uphill. Don rationalised that the object was to walk uphill and you couldn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | **PERISHER GAP** The next day, 8.30am, Spiro Ketas, Snow Brown, Shirley Dean and Duncan, the advance party have hired skis from the Cooma Hut, presumably waxed for the expected conditions. Helen, Don, Bill Bourke and myself have done the washing up and have joined them for the run into Farm Creek and the crossing of the snowy at Guthega. The weather is magnificent. One by one we slide off. And fall. There is an unbreakable crust of ice. It is of the clear artificial variety encountered in lemon squash. It is possible to stand and run straight, but then there is no turning resistance. Falling is so easy; your bindings take effect half way along the big toe. The Gap is full of brittle laughter and the sound of brittle skis and bodies coming to some sort of accomodation with the ice. Bodies meet the snow in attitudes undreamt, toes have teen turned in arcs on the far side of astonishment, | ||
+ | |||
+ | **GUTHEGA; | ||
+ | |||
+ | Someone says, "Where now, leader?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Everyone looks at Mathews. Mathews is mute. In agony Mathews searches his soul. Finally he speaks. | ||
- | In a season with little snow, the fall of nearly one foot as we arrived was sufficient to put off our cross country trip. We needed to get back our confidence, this snow will only last another day; how do we wax?, 'where do we co? These discussions in a.warm hut after a superb meal are a wonderful excuse for not washing | + | "I was thinking |
- | Four of us had bought cross country skis. Bill Bourke proved to be a dedicated yo-yo, but Den Matthews, Helen Gray and myself took our skis from the rack and then, from some inner compulsion, secret voice or logical deduction achieved the greatest spread of waxes for the one condition that was possible. I went for sticky purple, Helen for sticky orange, and Don for sticky green with a touch of sticky blue under the foot. The results wore identical - we could walk downhill as fast as we could walk uphill. Don rationalised that the object was to walk uphill and you couldn' | + | But aren't you the Leader? No. Then who is? |
- | PERISHER GA.,7 The next day, 8Y) Spiro Ketas, Snow Brown, Shirley Dean and Duncan, the advance party have hired skis from the Cooma Hut, presumably waxed for the expected conditions. Helen, Don, Bill Bourke and myself have done the washing up and have joined them for the run into Farm Crook and the crossing of the snowy at Guthega. The weather is magnificent. One by one we slide off. And fall. There is an unbreakable crust of ice. It is of the clear artificial variety encountered in lemon squash. It is possible to stand and run straight, but then there is no turning resistance. Falling is so easy; your bindings take effect half way along the big toe. | + | |
- | The Gap is full of brittle laughter and the sound of brittle skis and bodies coming to some sort of accomodation with the ice. Bodies meet. the 'sr.e.w in -attitudes unCrearat, toes have teen turned in arcs on the far side | + | No one wants to be first among equals. I have forgotten who is carrying |
- | GUTHEGA; 70 can see Tait peeping over the skyline, The level snow across | + | |
+ | Consett Stephen Pass is a great white bowl of sparkling ice above us. Duncan takes a higher tack at the mountain so that he is above and behind me every time I look up. Helen has found a fluted buttress leading onto a very steep slope. Below the buttress there is an even steeper slope falling off into the creek. Mature consideration tells me I will roll forever if I try below the buttress. It is a damn awkward buttress. Trudge, trudge, trudge. The skis hold an astonishing angle on the ice. Duncan still above and. behind, Helen' | ||
- | .....= | ||
- | the dam has been the easiest yet, and spirits are renewed. | ||
- | Someone SVS, " | ||
- | Everyone looks at Mathews. Mathews is soul. Finally he speaks. | ||
- | . "I was thinking of going up the Summit the Chalet" | ||
- | -But aren't you the Leader? -No. | ||
- | -Then who is? | ||
- | mute. In agony he searches his | ||
- | Road towards Spencers Creek and | ||
- | No one wants to be first among equals. I have forgotten who is carrying the roast leg of lamb for lunch. Onwaxas. Among the trees of Guthega Creek we fina new wazards. Snow drifted over the miniature ' | ||
- | hidden rocks. Lill Bourke finds one big .enough to conceal himself, and | ||
- | from which he escapes by climbing a tree, skis and all. Helen and Duncan try Sliding until Duncan loses a stock hundreds of feet above the creek, gives his skis to Helen to carry, retrieves his stock and then foots it until he can persuade Helen to bring his skis dawn to him. The line of skiers expands, contracts, finally halts with everyone present so that a screwdriver can be founa and matches jammed into Helen' | ||
- | Consett Stephen Pass is a great white bowl of sparkling ice above us. Duncan takes a higher tack at the mountain so that he is above and behind me every time I look up. Helen has found a fluted buttress leading onto a very steep slope. Below the buttress there is an even steepr slope falling off into the creek. Mature consideration tells me I will roll forever if I try below the buttress. It is a damn awkward buttress. Trudge, trudge, trudge. The skis hold an astonishing angle on the ice. Duncan still above and. behind., Helen' | ||
We have reached the pass. | We have reached the pass. | ||
- | Duncan, holen and myself climb a small pinnacle of rock coated in ice. 7o climb to the top on skis. Dill Bourke reaches the pass and takes off | ||
- | his skis. The others come into view, toiling, walking, dragging skis across the slope of the pass. We foregather, rest, eat. The leg of lamb is carved and then the bone passed around. | ||
- | Tait is too remote, another hour's climb at least. There is a low ridge shielding us from the view of rTatsons Crags. Is it worth while to climb? Duncan, Helen and myself, having rested longer, are the only ones who think so. On the reverse slope the sound of skis on ice is astonishing. The ice is wierdly wind abraded - the view is magnificent, | ||
- | Then we turned back Duncan | + | Duncan, |
- | There comes a time on any trip when apprehension about getting home at all gives way to the lessor apprehension | + | Tait is too remote, another hour's climb at least. |
- | Sunset and the Rearguard ci.;me to the Gap at the same time. We looked back at the Main Range and the sculptured pink ice of the Gap. Ahead of us the shadow of the Earth crept into the skye Perisher Gap astonishingly delineated. In darkness we skied gingerly down. Irony of irony the skis ran, turned, checked. In the light of the drying room there were long patches of white wood rubbed free of all wax and tar. | + | |
- | In the all-electric kitchen, Joan Rigby had soup and coffee waiting for us. | + | When we turned back Duncan almost immediately disappeared. The pass up which we had trudged must surely " |
+ | There comes a time on any trip when apprehension about getting home at all gives way to the lessor apprehension of getting home before dark. Returning up Farm Creek, Mathews, Helen and myself began again to have binding problems. We formed the steadily plodding rearguard, watching the various styles of the others as they moved up Perisher Gap. Duncan still maintaining a higher track, Shirley marching competitively, | ||
+ | Sunset and the Rearguard came to the Gap at the same time. We looked back at the Main Range and the sculptured pink ice of the Gap. Ahead of us the shadow of the Earth crept into the sky. Perisher Gap astonishingly delineated. In darkness we skied gingerly down. Irony of irony the skis ran, turned, checked. In the light of the drying room there were long patches of white wood rubbed free of all wax and tar. | ||
+ | In the all electric kitchen, Joan Rigby had soup and coffee waiting for us. | ||
====== Andean Expedition ====== | ====== Andean Expedition ====== | ||
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Be amazed at the sophistication of a typed letter from this wild and rugged spot. Our donated Remington typewriter, carried in to base camp in rawhide nets on the backs of mules over incredibly rugged terrain, is doing a sterling job. Our base camp is situated at 14,200 ft. in a grassy cirque completely encircled by snowy giants roaring up at incredibly steep angles to heights of 20,000 ft. Yesterday, Keith McNaughton and I made the first ascent to the Expedition' | Be amazed at the sophistication of a typed letter from this wild and rugged spot. Our donated Remington typewriter, carried in to base camp in rawhide nets on the backs of mules over incredibly rugged terrain, is doing a sterling job. Our base camp is situated at 14,200 ft. in a grassy cirque completely encircled by snowy giants roaring up at incredibly steep angles to heights of 20,000 ft. Yesterday, Keith McNaughton and I made the first ascent to the Expedition' | ||
- | Today we are having a rest day at base camp. Some Indians have been up to see us from the village of Yanama, 7 kms. down the Rio de Yanama Valley, about 3,000 ft. below us. They came bearing potatoes (papas) which they bartered for a block of Cadbury' | + | Today we are having a rest day at base camp. Some Indians have been up to see us from the village of Yanama, 7 kms. down the Rio de Yanama Valley, about 3,000 ft. below us. They came bearing potatoes (papas) which they bartered for a block of Cadbury' |
- | Cows pasture to l6,000ft in the high upland pastures and our camp is frequently invaded by the inquisitive beasts who won't take no for an answer but come right up to the camp., brsing | + | Cows pasture to 16,000ft in the high upland pastures and our camp is frequently invaded by the inquisitive beasts who won't take no for an answer but come right up to the camp browsing |
- | The days are fine and sunny. But as soon as the sun sinks below the surrounding mountains the temperature drops sharply and we rug up in our down jackets. It is quite pleasant | + | The days are fine and sunny. But as soon as the sun sinks below the surrounding mountains the temperature drops sharply and we rug up in our down jackets. It is quite pleasant |
- | inside the Moad.e | + | |
- | Fay Retchford | + | Fay Retchford and Leslie |
- | On 26th June, Richard Bennett decided he must fulfil his obligations to Channel 9 of Melbourne, and make them a complete recording of a climb, Seeing that they had specified that they wore particularly interested in the woman climber, I was to be star of the piece. I had to wear a photogenic crash helmet and colourful gloves and see that my socks were pulled up and my shirt-tail tucked in and my sun-cream was tastefully applied. It was suggested. that I borrow Fay's uplift brassiere to give more sex appeal to | + | On 26th June, Richard Bennett decided he must fulfil his obligations to Channel 9 of Melbourne, and make them a complete recording of a climb. Seeing that they had specified that they wore particularly interested in the woman climber, I was to be star of the piece. I had to wear a photogenic crash helmet and colourful gloves and see that my socks were pulled up and my shirt-tail tucked in and my sun-cream was tastefully applied. It was suggested. that I borrow Fay's uplift brassiere to give more sex appeal to |
- | the picture, but a fair go is a fair go - I cant breathe in the damn things and anyhow, a mountaineer doesn' | + | the picture, but a fair go is a fair go - I cant breathe in the damn things and anyhow, a mountaineer doesn' |
long, I began to steam up so out came the shirt tail for ventilation, | long, I began to steam up so out came the shirt tail for ventilation, | ||
- | It's curving underside was hung with great glistening icicles and the whole effect was one of breathtaking beauty. We picked our way gingerly along this fragile airy skyway. John Gamlen and Keith EcNaughton | + | It's curving underside was hung with great glistening icicles and the whole effect was one of breathtaking beauty. We picked our way gingerly along this fragile airy skyway. John Gamlen and Keith McNaughton |
The girls are taking this film out with them when they leave today, so it should reach Australia in about three weeks time. Channel 9 has been asked to let Peter Marsh know when it will be filmed, so he will pass the information on to anyone interested. | The girls are taking this film out with them when they leave today, so it should reach Australia in about three weeks time. Channel 9 has been asked to let Peter Marsh know when it will be filmed, so he will pass the information on to anyone interested. | ||
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Marion Lloyd | Marion Lloyd | ||
- | Well, after packing Landrover, we couldn' | + | Well, after packing Landrover, we couldn' |
We passed through Oberon about midnight, then headed towards Black Springs. Unfortunately Alan was very mixed up about the directions and of course the road map of N.S.W. was over 30 years old and everything was out added to this we were of the firm opinion that we are NEVER wrong. However we eventually got to Black Springs and then Alan couldn' | We passed through Oberon about midnight, then headed towards Black Springs. Unfortunately Alan was very mixed up about the directions and of course the road map of N.S.W. was over 30 years old and everything was out added to this we were of the firm opinion that we are NEVER wrong. However we eventually got to Black Springs and then Alan couldn' | ||
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About 1.5 miles up the road was the residential section. Most of those dwellings were made of mud bricks. The Church' | About 1.5 miles up the road was the residential section. Most of those dwellings were made of mud bricks. The Church' | ||
- | In one backyard was an old relic of a T model Ford; about 10 yards away was half a rusty old bikeframe. Margaret Wyborn informs me that it is probably the sorrowful remains of Ross's old bike that was abandoned on the last successful Mittagong - Katoomba trip. Coincidence again - Dot Noble took a photo of me attempting to ride this bike; there were several peaks in the background. Later, Dot showed a photo of a man on a horse in almost exactly the same position where I posed. It had been taken many years before by Mrs. Noble whilst doing a geology thesis at Yerranderie when she was at University. | + | In one backyard was an old relic of a T model Ford; about 10 yards away was half a rusty old bike frame. Margaret Wyborn informs me that it is probably the sorrowful remains of Ross's old bike that was abandoned on the last successful Mittagong - Katoomba trip. Coincidence again - Dot Noble took a photo of me attempting to ride this bike; there were several peaks in the background. Later, Dot showed a photo of a man on a horse in almost exactly the same position where I posed. It had been taken many years before by Mrs. Noble whilst doing a geology thesis at Yerranderie when she was at University. |
To our delight, in another backyard was a double seater outhouse, so We all had to take it in turns in pairs to try it out. At one stage there was quite a queue. This little episode reminded me of a hilarious book called "The Specialist" | To our delight, in another backyard was a double seater outhouse, so We all had to take it in turns in pairs to try it out. At one stage there was quite a queue. This little episode reminded me of a hilarious book called "The Specialist" | ||
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The happiest people are those who think the most interesting thoughts. Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, | The happiest people are those who think the most interesting thoughts. Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, | ||
- | W. C. Phelps. (Many thanks to Marian & Owen), | + | W. C. Phelps. (Many thanks to Marian & Owen). |
196908.txt · Last modified: 2023/08/21 18:10 by sbw