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-THE SYDNEY
+====== THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER MARCH - 1979 ======
-.BUSH \NA LKER
-A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The ydney Bushwalkers, Box 4476, G.P.O. Sydney, 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7.30 p m. at the Wireless Institute building, 14 Atchison Street, St. Leonards. ',Enquiries concerning the Club should be referred to Marcia Shappert - Tel. 30 2028.
+A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bushwalkers, Box 4476 GPO, Sydney, 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7.30 pm. at the Wireless Institute Building, 14 Atchison Street, St. Leonards. Enquiries concerning the Club should be referred to Mrs. Marcia Shappert - Telephone 30-2128.
-e
-EDITOR: Helen Gray, 209 Malton Road, Eipping 2121 Tel. 86 6263
-BUSINESS MANAGER: Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford2118. Tel. 371 1207
+|**EDITOR**| Helen Gray, 209 Malton Road, Epping, 2121, Telephone 86-6263|
-TYPIST: Kath Brown
+|**BUSINESS MANAGER**| Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive Carlingford, 2118. Telephone 871-1207|
-DUPLICATOR OPERATOR: Bob Duncan, Tel. 869 2691
+|**TYPIST**| Kath Brown|
-MARCH - 1979 VVIV
+|**DUPLICATOR OPERATOR**| Bob Duncan. Telephone 869-2691|
-Jim grown VV.
-Mountain Equipment Ad. V 7
-The February General Meeting - Barry Wallace - 8
+===== Contents =====
-Annual Subscriptions - 9
+| | |Page|
-Spiro's Spectacular - David Cotton -10
+|Au Clair de la Lune| Jim Brown|2|
-Social Notes for April - Christine Austin -11
+|As the Sparks fly| Peter Christian| 6|
-Office Bearers 1979 -12
+|Mountain Equipment Ad| | 7|
-Paddy's Ad. -13
+|The February General Meeting| Barry Wallace|8|
-News of Members V -14
+|Annual Subscriptions| | 9|
-Autumn Walks Programme -:Spiro Hajinaketas -15
+|Spiro's Spectacular| David Cotton|10|
-Obituary
+|Social Notes for April| Christine Austin|11|
-Blood and Slime, or Reunion '79 - Puffing Billy-16
+|Office Bearers 1979| |12|
-As Spor ks Pzter CiHri 6
+|Paddy's Ad.| |13|
-Page 2. THE SIDNEY BUS- 'WALKER 1979.
+|News of Members| |14|
-AU CLAIR DE LA-LUNE
+|Autumn Walks Programme|Spiro Hajinaketas|15|
-OlLiMATINCIL'I1HE HEAT
+|Obituary | |16|
+|Blood and Slime, or Reunion '79| Puffing Billy|16|
+===== Au Clair de la Lune =====
+**(Or Beating the Heat)**\\
 by Jim Brown.
-More than twenty years ago, and. before Burragorang was flooded. by Warragarta Dam, I walked. one summer's night by an almost full moon on quiet bush roads along the floor of the valley. Something of the magic of the shining rivor; the sleeping mountains brodding in the calm, warm air; the scents of the bush and the sounds of the birds and insects stayed with me as a nostalgic memory.
-Then almost five years back, returning from a summer trip into the Blue Breaks, I found. a delicate mauve-colored. Melaleuca flower growing on a fine-leaved. shrub on Big Stringybark Range - -etween Butcher's Creek and. the road along Scotts Main Range. The film in the camera was finished., so. I couldn't record it, and. I've not since seen it growing in any other place.
+More than twenty years ago, and before Burragorang was flooded by Warragamba Dam, I walked one summer's night by an almost full moon on quiet bush roads along the floor of the valley. Something of the magic of the shining river; the sleeping mountains brooding in the calm, warm air; the scents of the bush and the sounds of the birds and insects stayed with me as a nostalgic memory.
-The two ideas of walking again by the summer full moon, and capturing my mauve "bottle brush" on Scotts Main coalesced. into a single project, and I pre-empted well in advance the mid-week days of January 9-121 which led. up to the January full moon. The plan was:- Kanangra, the Gingra Range by daylight, a long spell on the Kowmung, a moonlit walk on the Cedar Road., a Visit to Butcher's Creek, return by night to the Kolivmung, then a daylight exit up Gingra Creek and. Craft's Ridge back to Kanangra.
-By Monday, January. 8th, the auguries were not good. We'd had. three hot days, and the most optimistic TV weather reporters were talking hopefully but vaguely about a cool change "possibly by Wednesday". My own forecast was-based on our cat washing its bars and the colour of the
+Then almost five years back, returning from a summer trip into the Blue Breaks, I found a delicate mauve-colore Melaleuca flower growing on a fine-leaved. shrub on Big Stringybark Range between Butcher's Creek and the road along Scotts Main Range. The film in the camera was finished, so. I couldn't record it, and I've not since seen it growing in any other place.
-milkman's shirt, and proved even more precise - infernally hot. I began to think how-to beat the heat, and concluded that here would be a lot to support walking by night whenever it seemed feasible.
- By the time I'd driven through Blackheath about 8.0 o'clock on the Tuesday morning I could feel the burn of the sun through my shirt on the back of My right shoulder. Before long I had. unbuttoned my shirt down the front, and opened. the front angle window, allowing a blast of hot, eucalyptus-scented air to dry my face and neck. On arrival at Kanangm at 9.509 it was blowing from the north-west and raising dust eddies on the road.. The distance was heat-hazed. Cicadas blared frenetically from every tree. The sky was cloudless.
+The two ideas of walking again by the summer full moon, and capturing my mauve "bottle brush" on Scotts Main coalesced into a single project, and I pre-empted well in advance the mid-week days of January 9-12 which led up to the January full moon. The plan was: Kanangra, the Gingra Range by daylight, a long spell on the Kowmung, a moonlit walk on the Cedar Road, a visit to Butcher's Creek, return by night to the Kowmung, then a daylight exit up Gingra Creek and Craft's Ridge back to Kanangra.
-Convinced now that my prediction based on the cat and. the milkman was well founded., I went about changing some of the clothing and food in my pack, replacing long trousers with a sleeping sheet, and tossing out some tucker which needed cooking in favour of a tin of beef. At 10.20 I was away, and by dint of going as slowly as possible on the few short rising grades, I managed to take until 11.30 to cross the plateau and reach the Coal Seam Cave with its water supply - a good. spot for shade and. an early lunch.
-The shade was very welcome. Less welcome was the discovery that
+By Monday, January 8th, the auguries were not good. We'd had three hot days, and the most optimistic TV weather reporters were talking hopefully but vaguely about a cool change "possibly by Wednesday". My own forecast was based on our cat washing its ears and the colour of the milkman's shirt, and proved even more precise - infernally hot. I began to think how to beat the heat, and concluded that here would be a lot to support walking by night whenever it seemed feasible.
-Page 3 THE SYDNEY BUSHV1ALKER u 1979
-...
+By the time I'd driven through Blackheath about 8 o'clock on the Tuesday morning I could feel the burn of the sun through my shirt on the back of my right shoulder. Before long I had unbuttoned my shirt down the front and opened. the front angle window, allowing a blast of hot, eucalyptus-scented air to dry my face and neck. On arrival at Kanangra at 9.50 , it was blowing from the north-west and raising dust eddies on the road. The distance was heat-hazed. Cicadas blared frenetically from every tree. The sky was cloudless.
-the bluo-painted oil drum which now forms the water catchment was less than one-third full, and there was no drip into it - ten days previously it had. been full, and I couldn't help wondering if some New Year weekend visitors had been stupidly prodigal with the meagre supply. Another unwelcome aspect was the flies: normally they are loath to go into dark and shady sfots, but now the whole interior of the overhang was droning with a' massive population of all kinds of bush flies. I wonder if, at about 35C they too seek shelter from the bite of the sun?
-Feeling rather a heel to deplete the water even further, I filled a plastic flask, and used the half-billy that I'd emptied out of it to steep shirt and shorts and then put them on wet. Uhen I left at 12.20 pm, I estimated about ,4 hours down the ridge to the Kowmung. It should take less, of course, but I knew that the great danger was an excessive increase in body heat leading to dehydration. In that fierce sun one sweated profusely, but the strong dry wind, mopped up the moisture, and one wouldn't appreciate how quickly the body was losing fluid. My only answer was to crawl along on the few humps where it was necessary to go uphill, pausing under almost every shady tree. On the predominantly falling gradients
+Convinced now that my prediction based on the cat and the milkman was well founded, I went about changing some of the clothing and food in my pack, replacing long trousers with a sleeping sheet, and tossing out some tucker which needed cooking in favour of a tin of beef. At 10.20 I was away, and by dint of going as slowly as possible on the few short rising grades, I managed to take until 11.30 to cross the plateau and reach the Coal Seam Cave with its water supply - a good. spot for shade and an early lunch.
-managed -to maintain a fairly steady but very, conservative and economical
- pace. Within 30 minutes of leaving the Coal Seam my clothes had dried out and after an hour the water in the flask was unpalatably warm.
+The shade was very welcome. Less welcome was the discovery that the blue-painted oil drum which now forms the water catchment was less than one-third full, and there was no drip into it - ten days previously it had been full, and I couldn't help wondering if some New Year weekend visitors had been stupidly prodigal with the meagre supply. Another unwelcome aspect was the flies; normally they are loath to go into dark and shady spots, but now the whole interior of the overhang was droning with a massive population of all kinds of bush flies. I wonder if, at about 35°C they too seek shelter from the bite of the sun?
-From about 3.30 pm the heat of the day eased a little, and the longer tree shadows gave more shelter from the sun, but at these lower elevations the wind was often lost and the improvement was less marked than I'd hoped. It took just under 5 hours to come to the Kowmung and over the last hour
- I could feel the effects of dehydration and stopped briefly at intervals of about 15 minutes, even on this steadily falling section of the ridge, wherever there was a good blast of wind. At the junction of Gingra Greek with the:Kowmung I halted only long enough to drop the pack and take off. my watbh, and-then walked into the river up to my neck, clothing and all. The flies, which had. become more and. more pestilential over the last hour, rose in an agitated. buzzing swarm and tried to concentrate on the small area of inc that wasn't submerged.
+Feeling rather a heel to deplete the water even further, I filled a plastic flask, and used the half-billy that I'd emptied out of it to steep shirt and shorts and then put them on wet. Uhen I left at 12.20 pm, I estimated about 4 hours down the ridge to the Kowmung. It should take less, of course, but I knew that the great danger was an excessive increase in body heat leading to dehydration. In that fierce sun one sweated profusely, but the strong dry wind, mopped up the moisture, and one wouldn't appreciate how quickly the body was losing fluid. My only answer was to crawl along on the few humps where it was necessary to go uphill, pausing under almost every shady tree. On the predominantly falling gradients managed to maintain a fairly steady but very conservative and economical pace. Within 30 minutes of leaving the Coal Seam my clothes had dried out and after an hour the water in the flask was unpalatably warm.
-I don't know how hot it was that evening. I do know that three times between 5.15 and 8.15 pm, whilst I rested on the mainly shadowed west bank of the Kbwmung and cooked a meal, I walked into the river wearing shirt and shorts, and the clothing dried off on me within -an hour each time. -The sun had set behind Ti Willa when I started off on the first "moonlit" stage with the ascent up the Cedar Road on to Scott's Main Range. The road rises 1200 ft in about 2 miles, but I was pleased to find that in the absence of the direct beat of the sun, and provided I was satisfied to plod along quietly, I was not unduly hot, sweaty, thirsty or uncomfortable.
-.A large and waxing moon lit my way from the top of the hill, past the site of Bran Jan House and north along the Cedar Road. It didn't give enough light to let me see clearly some dark-coloured birds about the size of a pigeon which seamed content to hop or flap along the road
+From about 3.30 pm the heat of the day eased a little, and the longer tree shadows gave more shelter from the sun, but at these lower elevations the wind was often lost and the improvement was less marked than I'd hoped. It took just under 5 hours to come to the Kowmung and over the last hour.
-Page 4 TEE SYDNEY US ALR 1979.
-just ahead of me. It did light up the paler waistcoats of the numerous kangaroos and wallabies which stood to attention at the roadside until I was within a few yards: And it did give enough light to see vaguely the seven or eight horses which galloped off up the trail ins haze of dust at my. approach. And all the while the hot night air shrilled to the cicadas. In fact they kept up their courting song all that night and. all the next day without a second's pause. The flies turned in about 9.0 pm.
+I could feel the effects of dehydration and stopped briefly at intervals of about 15 minutes, even on this steadily falling section of the ridge, wherever there was a good blast of wind. At the junction of Gingra Greek with the Kowmung I halted only long enough to drop the pack and take off my watch, and then walked into the river up to my neck, clothing and all. The flies, which had become more and more pestilential over the last hour, rose in an agitated buzzing swarm and tried to concentrate on the small area of me that wasn't submerged.
-Ahout_10.45_,I came to New Yards Ridge where a church recreational club, has a permanent encampment, consisting of a chapel, two huts and the framework of another. There was tank water there, just as hot as the water I'd carried from the Kowmung in. my flask, but it provided a good reason to stop and sleep under the stars, with my tent as part of the under- body, and lying-naked in just the sleeping sheet. The air was scented with the aromatic smell of eucalyptus trees in the heat.
-Let mc describe Wednesday as a "lay-day". I got away in the first glimmers of light and it was evident it would be a real broiler. It did almost reach 4000 in Sydney that day - probably it was 42 or 430 on Butcher's Creek where I arrived about 6.45 am and spent practically all the daylight hours thoving from one patch of shade to another and soaking myself in the stream at intervals of 40 to 45 minutes. Mostly I wore shirt and shorts for the dunkings because I then stayed damp and cooler for most of the next half hour. For lunch I opened the can of meat and found the jelly content was almost liquid. My butter had. been in a molten condition for over 24 hours.
+I don't know how hot it was that evening. I do know that three times between 5.15 and 8.15 pm, whilst I rested on the mainly shadowed west bank of the Kowmung and cooked a meal, I walked into the river wearing shirt and shorts, and the clothing dried off on me within an hour each time. The sun had set behind Ti Willa when I started off on the first "moonlit" stage with the ascent up the Cedar Road on to Scott's Main Range. The road rises 1200 ft in about 2 miles, but I was pleased to find that in the absence of the direct beat of the sun, and provided I was satisfied to plod along quietly, I was not unduly hot, sweaty, thirsty or uncomfortable.
-It was a tedious day, and the problem of extricating myself occupied some of my time. Eventually I decided I would move back up on to Scott's Main Range and south along it that night so that I could look for my mauve Molaleuca near Bran Jan soon after daylight on Thursday. Then if there were no abatement in the heat-wave conditions, I would go down on to the Kowmung for breakfast and creep along up Gingra Creek, keeping by th e water and taking most of the day if necessary. For thb slugging ascent of qmftJeellaitzEt.,,,elnlit 1900 ft through sera, and the rest of the trip back to Kanangra - well, this could be in the "cool" of the evening on"72hureday or very early on Friday.
-It 7.0 pm, with lengthening shadows, I started off up the ridge, and had climbed maybe 500 ft or so before I realised that the atmosphere was almost pleasant. Then, as I climbed out of the sink of the valley it dawned on me that the wind, which had. been strong from the north-west all day, was now piping on my left cheek. Cheers - It' wasa southerly buster. I went on into the moonlight.
+A large and waxing moon lit my way from the top of the hill, past the site of Bran Jan House and north along the Cedar Road. It didn't give enough light to let me see clearly some dark-coloured birds about the size of a pigeon which seamed content to hop or flap along the road just ahead of me. It did light up the paler waistcoats of the numerous kangaroos and wallabies which stood to attention at the roadside until I was within a few yards. And it did give enough light to see vaguely the seven or eight horses which galloped off up the trail in a haze of dust at my approach. And all the while the hot night air shrilled to the cicadas. In fact they kept up their courting song all that night and all the next day without a second's pause. The flies turned in about 9.0 pm.
-It took a long while to cool down. At 9.0 pm I was back at the church encampment, and decided I could let down my hair and spend another night there while the temperature moderated. By 1.0 am it was necessary to switch from the sheet-bag to my summer-weight sleeping bag, and dawn on Thursday came in cloudy and quiet, with just a breath of a south-west breeze, If felt it would become clear, sunny and probably pretty hot later, as I could see some open sky in the direction of what little wind was
-Page 5 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER ,1979.
+About 10.45, I came to New Yards Ridge where a church recreational club, has a permanent encampment, consisting of a chapel, two huts and the framework of another. There was tank water there, just as hot as the water I'd carried from the Kowmung in my flask, but it provided a good reason to stop and sleep under the stars, with my tent as part of the under-body, and lying naked in just the sleeping sheet. The air was scented with the aromatic smell of eucalyptus trees in the heat.
-blowing. Hopefully, though, it would be a lot less torrid than the two previous days. This forecast, which was arrived at without reference to either the cat or the milkman, and purely from the size and shape of the horse-droppings on the Cedar Road, was also surprisingly accurate.
-Off at 5.15, with hardly any light in the gloomy morning. Not even clair de lune - the moon was down. This brought me to Bran Jan at 6.309 with firm but grey daylight There on the patch of grass where the hut used to stand was a queer creature like a miniature wallaby - barely 15 inches high, bla6k or dark brown with a creamy chest, heavily taloned front paws, and a xiliculous black tail over 2 feet long. It was foraging around and made no attempt to move off. Indeed it waited while I took a couple of slides, then slowly shambled into the bush. I noticed it was blind_ in on6 eye - in fact I suspect the injury had happened in recent weeks from the flies clustering around the eye socket.
+Let me describe Wednesday as a "lay-day". I got away in the first glimmers of light and it was evident it would be a real broiler. It did almost reach 40°C in Sydney that day - probably it was 42° or 43° on Butcher's Creek where I arrived about 6.45 am and spent practically all the daylight hours moving from one patch of shade to another and soaking myself in the stream at intervals of 40 to 45 minutes. Mostly I wore shirt and shorts for the dunkings because I then stayed damp and cooler for most of the next half hour. For lunch I opened the can of meat and found the jelly content was almost liquid. My butter had been in a molten condition for over 24 hours.
-Leaving the pack there, I went on the short distance to the top of the Big Stringybark Range, and began casting around. Plenty of white-flowering melaleuca frau small shrubs up to good sized treed, but I had almost given up when I spotted a pink-purple patch, and there it was - my elusive mauve bottlobrush. The flowering was almost over and most of what remained was ready to crucible at a touch, but I did the best I could with what was left, cursing the dullness of the light'. Back to Bran Jan, on with the pack, and down to breakfast at about 8.0 am on the Kowmung. Meanwhile the cloud dispersed and the sun shone - almost too warmly.
-There's no doubt three hours walking before breakfast stimulates the appetite, even when the day ahead doesn't look too attractive. I tried to remember what the going was like along Gingra Creek, and from distant memories dredged up a recollection that it resembles Breakfast Creek. I calculated it was about six miles to Craft's Ridge and found myself quoting Banjo Patterson's Ballad of the Calliope - "if we make a knot an hour, it's way enough to steer" - well, enough to get to Gabes Creek and the foot of Craft's Ridge,by 3.0 or 4.0 pm. Then - well, the weather would dictate the next move.
+It was a tedious day, and the problem of extricating myself occupied some of my time. Eventually I decided I would move back up on to Scott's Main Range and south along it that night so that I could look for my mauve Melaleuca near Bran Jan soon after daylight on Thursday. Then if there were no abatement in the heat-wave conditions, I would go down on to the Kowmung for breakfast and creep along up Gingra Creek, keeping by the water and taking most of the day if necessary. For the slugging ascent of Craft's Ridge about 1900 ft through scrub, and the rest of the trip back to Kanangra - well, this could be in the "cool" of the evening on Thursday or very early on Friday.
-In the event, Gingra Creek was a piece of cake. The day did get quite warm, but at times there was a pleasant fresh wind. The banks of the creek have, I think, suffered from the 1978 floods and in many places whore I am sure there were level grassy flats, it is now a case of trudging over river stones. In places, though, I found sections of the old Cut trail in quite fair condition, especially where the track had. been carved out of the hillside some distance above the creek to bypass rocky defiles. That trail really paid off at the strange little ravine of purple slaty rocks just downstream from Gabes Creek, where the going in the crook bed looked difficult in spots. Although I spent almost five hours getting to Gabes Creek, this included a leisured lunch break, plus two or three fairly lengthy halts to "cool off".
-From about 2.0 pm to 4,0 pm I rested in_the shade of a good sized casuarina, where there was a nice pool of. clear water flowing over multi-
+At 7.0 pm, with lengthening shadows, I started off up the ridge, and had climbed maybe 500 ft or so before I realised that the atmosphere was almost pleasant. Then, as I climbed out of the sink of the valley it dawned on me that the wind, which had been strong from the north-west all day, was now piping on my left cheek. Cheers- It was a southerly buster. I went on into the moonlight.
-._
-Page 6 THE SIDNEY BUSETIALICER 1979.
+It took a long while to cool down. At 9.0 pm I was back at the church encampment, and decided I could let down my hair and spend another night there while the temperature moderated. By 1.0 am it was necessary to switch from the sheet-bag to my summer-weight sleeping bag, and dawn on Thursday came in cloudy and quiet, with just a breath of a south-west breeze. It felt it would become clear, sunny and probably pretty hot later, as I could see some open sky in the direction of what little wind was blowing. Hopefully, though, it would be a lot less torrid than the two previous days. This forecast, which was arrived at without reference to either the cat or the milkman, and purely from the size and shape of the horse-droppings on the Cedar Road, was also surprisingly accurate.
-coloured stones. This was followed by a final dunking in shirt and shorts,. and I addressed myself to the ridge, taking it over so slowly. It was steep, it was bushy, but nowhere really troublesome and most of the way there was evbn a faint pad where others had gone before. As I gained height the view-became impressive but not photographic because of a thick heat haze that dwelled over the whole landscape.
+Off at 5.15, with hardly any light in the gloomy morning. Not even clair de lune - the moon was down. This brought me to Bran Jan at 6.30, with firm but grey daylight. There on the patch of grass where the hut used to stand was a queer creature like a miniature wallaby - barely 15 inches high, black or dark brown with a creamy chest, heavily taloned front paws, and a ridiculous black tail over 2 feet long. It was foraging around and made no attempt to move off. Indeed it waited while I took a couple of slides, then slowly shambled into the bush. I noticed it was blind in one eye - in fact I suspect the injury had happened in recent weeks from the flies clustering around the eye socket.
+Leaving the pack there, I went on the short distance to the top of the Big Stringybark Range, and began casting around. Plenty of white-flowering melaleuca from small shrubs up to good sized trees, but I had almost given up when I spotted a pink-purple patch, and there it was - my elusive mauve bottlebrush. The flowering was almost over and most of what remained was ready to crumble at a touch, but I did the best I could with what was left, cursing the dullness of the light. Back to Bran Jan, on with the pack, and down to breakfast at about 8.0 am on the Kowmung. Meanwhile the cloud dispersed and the sun shone - almost too warmly.
+There's no doubt three hours walking before breakfast stimulates the appetite, even when the day ahead doesn't look too attractive. I tried to remember what the going was like along Gingra Creek, and from distant memories dredged up a recollection that it resembles Breakfast Creek. I calculated it was about six miles to Craft's Ridge and found myself quoting Banjo Patterson's Ballad of the Calliope - "if we make a knot an hour, it's way enough to steer" - well, enough to get to Gabes Creek and the foot of Craft's Ridge, by 3.0 or 4.0 pm. Then - well, the weather would dictate the next move.
+In the event, Gingra Creek was a piece of cake. The day did get quite warm, but at times there was a pleasant fresh wind. The banks of the creek have, I think, suffered from the 1978 floods and in many places where I am sure there were level grassy flats, it is now a case of trudging over river stones. In places, though, I found sections of the old cut trail in quite fair condition, especially where the track had been carved out of the hillside some distance above the creek to bypass rocky defiles. That trail really paid off at the strange little ravine of purple slaty rocks just downstream from Gabes Creek, where the going in the crook bed looked difficult in spots. Although I spent almost five hours getting to Gabes Creek, this included a leisured lunch break, plus two or three fairly lengthy halts to "cool off".
+From about 2.0 pm to 4.0 pm I rested in_the shade of a good sized casuarina, where there was a nice pool of clear water flowing over multi-coloured stones. This was followed by a final dunking in shirt and shorts, and I addressed myself to the ridge, taking it over so slowly. It was steep, it was bushy, but nowhere really troublesome and most of the way there was even a faint pad where others had gone before. As I gained height the view became impressive but not photographic because of a thick heat haze that dwelled over the whole landscape.
 The stack of splintered boulders which forms Pages Pinnacle came up at 6.30 pm; and half an hour later I was rounding the north end of Craft's Wall to join the Gangerang track. The Grand Gorge was so hazed that the Spires were barely visible, and the high ground around Big Misty was a vague gold-grey silhouette against the fiery western sky.
-I sauntered along now, pretending to myself that I could really go a good deal faster if necessary. I was quite amazed at my feeling of wellbeing considezing the harsh weather of the past three days. In fact, it was then I resolved to write up the trip, not because it was in any way a remarkable one, but becaUse my experience may just happen to help any other walker caught out in similar extreme conditions. The key points appeared to be - (1) Walk slowly (2) Keep wet if you can (3) Valk by night or in the cooler morning and evening hours Whenever you can.
-In the end I lived up to Point (3), arriving back at Kanangra car
+I sauntered along now, pretending to myself that I could really go a good deal faster if necessary. I was quite amazed at my feeling of wellbeing considering the harsh weather of the past three days. In fact, it was then I resolved to write up the trip, not because it was in any way a remarkable one, but because my experience may just happen to help any other walker caught out in similar extreme conditions. The key points appeared to be - (1) Walk slowly (2) Keep wet if you can (3) Walk by night or in the cooler morning and evening hours whenever you can.
-park with an almost full-moon over my right shoulder, the daylight virtually gone, and the clock showing 9.0 pm. In fact, I arrived "au clair de la lune".
-* * * * * * * * * *
+In the end I lived up to Point (3), arriving back at Kanangra car park with an almost full-moon over my right shoulder, the daylight virtually gone, and the clock showing 9.0 pm. In fact, I arrived "au clair de la lune".
-AS THE SPARKS FLY.
+===== As the Sparks fly =====
 by Peter Christian.
-As the sparks fly like fire-flies up through the trees Some shine embedded in the canopy of stars.
-As the warmth and laughter with cheery souls does please, Happy am I in bushland with friends of gentle heart.
+As the sparks fly like fire-flies up through the trees\\
-As the shadows dance on the ghostly eucalypt,-
+Some shine embedded in the canopy of stars.\\
-They tempt me to climb up, came up for one quick-waltz.
+As the warmth and laughter with cheery souls does please,\\
-As the flames lick and scorch the virgin braiich is stripped, Just as fickle greed licks at our finer feelings.
+Happy am I in bushland with friends of gentle heart.\\
-As the sparks fly, mischievous smoke dips and swee.Ps, Weaving now through unkempt hair, flaring my nostrils wide. As my thoughts wander on the wild world that sleeps, How much longer will this peace and joy be here to share?
+As the shadows dance on the ghostly eucalypt,-\\
-As the glowing coals quickly pale to dying embers, Faces leave the dimming light, retire for the night.
+They tempt me to climb up, came up for one quick-waltz.\\
-As the voices die the owls haunting cry sadly- remembers, Ashes cool as content we slumber, deep in the wilderness.
+As the flames lick and scorch the virgin branch is stripped,\\
-SOME FEATURES
+Just as fickle greed licks at our finer feelings.\\
-Adjustable fop
+As the sparks fly, mischievous smoke dips and sweeps,\\
-tenstoners
+Weaving now through unkempt hair, flaring my nostrils wide.\\
-Padded Shoulder
+As my thoughts wander on the wild world that sleeps,\\
-straps 2.
+How much longer will this peace and joy be here to share?\\
-Adiustable
+As the glowing coals quickly pale to dying embers, \\
-internal alloy
+Faces leave the dimming light, retire for the night.\\
-frame Closed cell foam
+As the voices die the owls haunting cry sadly- remembers,\\
- paddingl a
+Ashes cool as content we slumber, deep in the wilderness.
-Canvas Babk 4 Padded hip fins 8
-Quick release Bergbuckle 6
+===== The February General Meeting =====
-Soul, for eGfree pri4
-PO. Erox 703. Ctows
-MOUNTAIN *
-FALCON ST, CROWS NEST. 2085 Ph. 439 2454, 438 1647
-EQUIPMENT PTV LTD
-CLARENCE ST., SYDNEY. 2001 Ph. 29 4840
-Page THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER March, 1979.
-THE FEBRUARY GENERAL METING.
 by Barry Wallace.
- It was a warm and h umid evening with the occasional light spatter of rain when the President called the 20 or so members present to order at about 2017 hours and began the meeting.. Bob Milne was the first new member called, but prior cammittments had him teaching a tech class "somewhere in the west". John Sproggon and Jo Van Sommers however were welcomed in the usual manner.
-The minutos of the previous meeting were read and received with no business arising.
+It was a warm and humid evening with the occasional light spatter of rain when the President called the 20 or so members present to order at about 2017 hours and began the meeting. Bob Milne was the first new member called, but prior committments had him teaching a tech class "somewhere in the west". John Sproggon and Jo Van Sommers however were welcomed in the usual manner.
-Correspondence In comprised the usual magazines and ciroulars together with a copy of the F.Bal. minutes, a letter from the N.P.A. regarding the Ettrema Wilderness, a Federation letter to George and Helen Gray (?), a- letter from the National Trust regarding a forthcoming enquiry into off-road. vehicles, and a notice about the forthcoming N.P.W.S. Foundation Appeal' for funds.
-, The Treasurer's Report showed a starting balance of $1336.55, 'Income of $227.4, Expenditure of $89.00 and a Closing Balance of $1,474.69 so, we are bankruptcy-bound just for the present. Treasurer also sought and reeived,approval for investment of $1,000 from the Coolana account.
+The minutes of the previous meeting were read and received with no business arising.
-; Busj ness arising saw a Motion passed requiring the Coolana Committee to meet at three-monthly intervals and report to the General Meeting.
- The 'Walks Report began with Bob Hodgson leading 12 people on a beaut Davies Canyon trip on the 12,13,14 January. _Marcia Shappert reported 'ilmembers and unspecified others enjoying a very pleasant weekend at Coolana at the same time. John Redfern's Kanangra Walls trip saw 8 persons sweating their way up Roots Ridge to reach the cars at 2030 on the Sunday. Speaking of Sundays, Ian Debert's Sunday walk that weekend attracted 11 people into the burnt-out ruins of Kangaroo Greek.
+Correspondence In comprised the usual magazines and ciroulars together with a copy of the F.B.W. minutes, a letter from the N.P.A. regarding the Ettrema Wilderness, a Federation letter to George and Helen Gray (?), a letter from the National Trust regarding a forthcoming enquiry into off-road vehicles, and a notice about the forthcoming N.P.W.S. Foundation Appeal for funds.
-The following weekend, 19,20,21 saw Peter Levander leading 10 people ona,Kowmung li-b trip which saw a severe outbreak of gravel rash among thkii-los because of the low river level. Len Nevdand's Springwood ramble attracted 23 starters, and the other Sunday walk, Sheila Binns! Waterfall to Heathoote ramble saw 7 souls brave the searing heat through the many pools.
-,
+The Treasurer's Report showed a starting balance of $1336.55, Income of $227.40, Expenditure of $89.00 and a Closing Balance of $1,474.69 so, we are bankruptcy-bound just for the present. Treasurer also sought and received approval for investment of $1,000 from the Coolana account.
-TheAustraliajDay weekend saw Bob Hodgson and four other garlic- sodden wrecks exploring Yarramun and DuMbano creeks. The same weekend, : Spiro led13 ImeMbers, 5 prOspectives and one visitor on a not.L.quite-toprogramme walk from Kanangra. Neil Brown's day walk on the Sunday saw 29 bods churnkg the waters of Karloo Pool.
-- Tony Marshall's li-b trip on the weekend 2,3,4 February went sans li-los but attracted 5 people who could swim without them. Ian Debert reported 17 people on his Tootie Creek base-camp trip, and the Sunday walk
+Business arising saw a Motion passed requiring the Coolana Committee to meet at three-monthly intervals and report to the General Meeting.
-Page 9 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER March, 1979.
-- ....... . . ... ..... . saw Joe Marton substituting for an indisposed. Bill Hall with a party of around 20 People on the Waterfall to Lilyvale track.
+The Walks Report began with Bob Hodgson leading 12 people on a beaut Davies Canyon trip on the 12,13,14 January. Marcia Shappert reported 4 members and unspecified others enjoying a very pleasant weekend at Coolana at the same time. John Redfern's Kanangra Walls trip saw 8 persons sweating their way up Roots Ridge to reach the cars at 2030 on the Sunday. Speaking of Sundays, Ian Debert's Sunday walk that weekend attracted 11 people into the burnt-out ruins of Kangaroo Greek.
-The weekend of 9,10,11 February saw Alastair Battye in the WollongaMbe, in a heatwave, in daylight, with a party which varied from 15 on the first day to 24 on the second. There were obvious signs of overcrowding if not overuse of the Wollongambe portion of the route. -Gem Gagne's Gourmet weekend attracted 9 people on a ver-ry hot slob trip on the Wollondilly. The Sunday saw Jim Brown lead 32 people on the Waterfall to Heathcote ramble with 2 dropouts along the way.
+The following weekend, 19,20,21 saw Peter Levander leading 10 people on a Kowmung li-lo trip which saw a severe outbreak of gravel rash among the li-los because of the low river level. Len Nevdand's Springwood ramble attracted 23 starters, and the other Sunday walk, Sheila Binns' Waterfall to Heathoote ramble saw 7 souls brave the searing heat through the many pools.
+The Australia Day weekend saw Bob Hodgson and four other garlic-sodden wrecks exploring Yarramun and Dumbano creeks. The same weekend, Spiro led 13 members, 5 prospectives and one visitor on a not-quite-to-programme walk from Kanangra. Neil Brown's day walk on the Sunday saw 29 bods churning the waters of Karloo Pool.
+Tony Marshall's li-lo trip on the weekend 2,3,4 February went sans li-los but attracted 5 people who could swim without them. Ian Debert reported 17 people on his Tootie Creek base-camp trip, and the Sunday walk saw Joe Marton substituting for an indisposed Bill Hall with a party of around 20 People on the Waterfall to Lilyvale track.
+The weekend of 9,10,11 February saw Alastair Battye in the Wollongambe, in a heatwave, in daylight, with a party which varied from 15 on the first day to 24 on the second. There were obvious signs of overcrowding if not overuse of the Wollongambe portion of the route. Gem Gagne's Gourmet weekend attracted 9 people on a ver-ry hot slob trip on the Wollondilly. The Sunday saw Jim Brown lead 32 people on the Waterfall to Heathcote ramble with 2 dropouts along the way.
 The Federation Report brought news of concern over government changes to the Heritage Commission and Conservation Acts. A motion was carriod that we send a telegram to Mr.Paul Landa and write to Mr.. Mulock expressing our concern.
-General 'Business brought a motion that we write to Paul Lauda suggesting a 5 c. deposit on all soft drink -dans and bottles. It was also 'resolved that attendance statistics for committee members be DO longer inclUded in the annual report.
-. After-all that it was just a matter of announcements, and the meeting ended. at 2140:
+General Business brought a motion that we write to Paul Lauda suggesting a 5 c. deposit on all soft drink cans and bottles. It was also resolved that attendance statistics for committee members be no longer included in the annual report.
-'ANNUAL 'SUBSCRIPTIONS 1979.
+After all that it was just a matter of announcements, and the meeting ended at 2140.
+===== Annual Subscriptions 1979 =====
 The subscription rates for 1979 were decided at the Annual General Meeting and are now due and payable. They are as follows:-
-Ordinary Member. gnt -
+Ordinary Member. $10.50\\
-Married couple -
+Married couple - $12.50\\
-Full-time student member $ 6 - 0
+Full-time student member $ 6.50\\
 The subscription for non-active members is decided by committee and will be advised later.
-The Magazine is posted free to all members, but non-active members and others who would like to receive the magazine can do so for an annual subscription this year of $ 4-g()
- The Treasurer will take cash or cheques any time - either in the Clubroom, or posted to Box 4476 G.P.O., Sydney, 2001.
+The Magazine is posted free to all members, but non-active members and others who would like to receive the magazine can do so for an annual subscription this year of $ 4.50
-*******-X-X-*
+The Treasurer will take cash or cheques any time - either in the Clubroom, or posted to Box 4476 G.P.O., Sydney, 2001.
-Page THE SYDNEY -BUSHWALUR March, 1979.
-SPIRO'S SPECTACULAR..
+===== Spiro's Spectacular =====
 by David Cotton.
-Nineteen people attended Spiro Hajinakita61 spectacular Australia Day weekend walk from Kanangra- Gingora Ridge - Kowmung Elver - Cox's River - Kanangra River Kanangra Creek - Kanangra.
-The people were as varied as their packs, tall thin people with tall thin packs, short fat people with short fat packs and some rather roundish people with roundish packs..... I suppose if the pack fits' it. Regulars-included Dot Butler, Bill Burke, John Redfern, Brian Hart, with a nice mixture of members and energetic prospective members.
+Nineteen people attended Spiro Hajinakita's spectacular Australia Day weekend walk from Kanangra- Gingora Ridge - Kowmung Elver - Cox's River - Kanangra River Kanangra Creek - Kanangra.
-Kanangra weather was quite typical with heavy fog and light rain, which caused a slight delay by the party losing the track very early- in the trip, and the proposed route down to the Kowmung via Giagera Creek was substituted by the much faster walking route along Gingera Ridge as we got off to a rather late start.
-Lunch on Saturday was a rather pitiful spectacle with walkers moping about feeding and refreshing themselves without getting wetter or their gear wet. I was walking in my undershorts, which is a very practical attire for the Kanangra in the wet, so I was able to have a sit down lunch without getting any wetter than I already was. Hy gay rendition of "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" didnet seem to be generally appreciated.
+The people were as varied as their packs, tall thin people with tall thin packs, short fat people with short fat packs and some rather roundish people with roundish packs..... I suppose if the pack fits, wear it. Regulars included Dot Butler, Bill Burke, John Redfern, Brian Hart, with a nice mixture of members and energetic prospective members.
-The flood damage along the Kowmung - Cox 's - Kanangra River/Creek systems that we have heard so much about recently is astonishing. On my last trip along the same route it was mostly grassy banks with a mixture of lawyer vine, blackberry, stinging nettles and snakes. Now all this has been, replaced by vast stretches of large looSe round river rocks and boulders. Almost everyone had trouble with their feet and footwear, and sticking plaster repair jobs were in progress at most rest 'breaks.
-The Cox's River (I prefer to call it the Lithgow River) was unusually clean, although the underwater vegetation showed that it is still badly polluted. One of our prospective members: was suffering from extreme thirst so I suggested that if she drank the Cox's and ate a,biscuit to get her stomach acids working it would probably be all right. Brian Hart strongly disagredd with this theory; it seems to be a dilemma betwoen getting a belly6-ache or becoming dehydrated. Ideally new chums-should carry- some reliable or boiled water until they can last 'between billy stops or learn to find good water in side creeks or seeps.
+Kanangra weather was quite typical with heavy fog and light rain, which caused a slight delay by the party losing the track very early in the trip, and the proposed route down to the Kowmung via Gingera Creek was substituted by the much faster walking route along Gingera Ridge as we got off to a rather late start.
-Sunday afternoon provided me with a little excitement. As we had made camp early I had gone off wandering by myself, I had had a bad fall during the afternoon and after sitting around for a short,while I had stiffened up like a robot that had been left out in the rain. I had got upstream about three or four miles when I heard what I thought was a faint "coo-e&'. On giving reply a pack of dingoes started howling between where I was and where the camp was. Not knowing whether a pack of dingoes will attack man,
-Page.44. TIM SYDNEY BUSHIVALKER -March-I-1979.
+Lunch on Saturday was a rather pitiful spectacle with walkers moping about feeding and refreshing themselves without getting wetter or their gear wet. I was walking in my undershorts, which is a very practical attire for the Kanangra in the wet, so I was able to have a sit down lunch without getting any wetter than I already was. My gay rendition of "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" didn't seem to be generally appreciated.
-I grabbed the nearest piece of suitable wood (weighing about half a ton and about twenty feet long) and decided to change it for a more suitable wady of about -five feet in length and thick enough to get a good handgrip around, and made my way back to camp as quickly as I could.. I was pleased to note that the pack of dingoes retreated up the mountain as I approached, them. The area in the vicinity of the Marooba Karoo Creek is really spectacular and no doubt a dingoes' paradise.
-The climax of the trip was the rather short and very steep climb out to Kanangra via Murdering Gully with its beautiful and varying views of the Thurat Spires, looking so large at the beginning of-the climb and then so small as one climbs higher and looks down on these incredible formations.
+The flood damage along the Kowmung- Cox's - Kanangra River/Creek systems that we have heard so much about recently is astonishing. On my last trip along the same route it was mostly grassy banks with a mixture of lawyer vine, blackberry, stinging nettles and snakes. Now all this has been, replaced by vast stretches of large loose round river rocks and boulders. Almost everyone had trouble with their feet and footwear, and sticking plaster repair jobs were in progress at most rest breaks.
+The Cox's River (I prefer to call it the Lithgow River) was unusually clean, although the underwater vegetation showed that it is still badly polluted. One of our prospective members  was suffering from extreme thirst so I suggested that if she drank the Cox's and ate a biscuit to get her stomach acids working it would probably be all right. Brian Hart strongly disagreed with this theory; it seems to be a dilemma between getting a belly-ache or becoming dehydrated. Ideally new chums should carry some reliable or boiled water until they can last between billy stops or learn to find good water in side creeks or seeps.
+Sunday afternoon provided me with a little excitement. As we had made camp early I had gone off wandering by myself, I had had a bad fall during the afternoon and after sitting around for a short while I had stiffened up like a robot that had been left out in the rain. I had got upstream about three or four miles when I heard what I thought was a faint "coo-ee'. On giving reply a pack of dingoes started howling between where I was and where the camp was. Not knowing whether a pack of dingoes will attack man, I grabbed the nearest piece of suitable wood (weighing about half a ton and about twenty feet long) and decided to change it for a more suitable waddy of about five feet in length and thick enough to get a good handgrip around, and made my way back to camp as quickly as I could. I was pleased to note that the pack of dingoes retreated up the mountain as I approached them. The area in the vicinity of the Marooba Karoo Creek is really spectacular and no doubt a dingoes' paradise.
+The climax of the trip was the rather short and very steep climb out to Kanangra via Murdering Gully with its beautiful and varying views of the Thurat Spires, looking so large at the beginning of the climb and then so small as one climbs higher and looks down on these incredible formations.
 The whole trip was spectacular. I took about 240 black and white photographs to add to my growing collection. The weather cleared during Saturday and the remainder of the weekend was mostly clear with some overcast periods.
 A beaut trip, Spiro. Well done.
-* * * * * * * * * *
-SOCIAL EWES FOR APRIL.
+===== Social News for April =====
 by Christine Austin.
-April 11th.
-This night has been set aside as a free night to discuss Easter
+April 11th\\
-walks. However, we thought your discussions could_ be flavoured with some
+This night has been set aside as a free night to discuss Easter walks. However, we thought your discussions could be flavoured with some cheese and bread. Please bring your own bread (cheese will be provided). If time permits you to make it, some home-made bread would be greatly welcomed.
-cheese and bread. Please bring your own bread (cheese will be provided). If time permits you to make it, some home-made bread would be greatly welcomed.
 Don't forget that the General Meeting will be on the third Wednesday in April (18th), and that on the 25th April (Anzac Day) the clubroom will be closed.
-*************
-Page IZ THE SYDNEY BUSHWALICER March, 1979.
 S.B.W. OFFICE BEARERS - 197.24
-The following office-bearers and committee members were elected at the S.BA. Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, 14th March, 1979:.-
+The following office-bearers and committee members were elected at the S.B.W. Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, 14th March, 1979:.-
 President Vice-Presidents
 Secretary
@@ Line 185: / Line 217: @@
 * Indicates members of the Committee.
 .
-Lightweight bushwaiking and camping gear.
+.
-CLOTHING FOR ALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
-Pouch Parka; Pullover type hooded jacket in proofed nylon, Front zip pocket end zip at throat. Draw cord
-in hem. So compact it fits into its own pocWt. Weight t3q1s
-'Eidex' hooded oilskin zip froirt parkas,c,orts: 4-wed
-by experienced walkers to be an todistionsible
-item of their gear. Weight 11b7ozs. Improved
-model, made to Paddy's specifications. All sizes.
-Everything for the well dressed' bushvvalker
-heavy, wool.,shifts,, wind_ jackets, duvets,
-overpanis, sting Singlets, bush hats,
-webbing belts etc.
-BUNYIP RUCKSACK
-This is 'shaped' rucksack is excellent for children. Use- full day pack. Weight 14ozs.
-SENIOR RUCKSACK
-A single pocket, shaped rucksack.. Suitable 'for over-: night camping. Weight 1103s.
-BUSHMAN RUCKSACK
-Has sewn-in curved bottom
-. for extra comfort in *carrying:. Witt hold 30Ibs, 2 pocket model 11/4lbs. 3 pocket model 1 'Albs.
-PIONEER RUCKSACK
-Extra large bag with four external pockets and will
-. carry abOut 40Ibs of camp gear. Weight Vilbs.
-KIANDRA MODEL Hooded hag.
-Extra filled wveeirl,
-cofnpact..
-Aporox
-HOTHAM MODEL Super warm
-box quilted.
-Added ceg
-room.
-/0qaprox - SUPER LIGHT MODEL Half the -
-Weight and
-pecked size
-of tvguiar
-bags. x
-.5%;.'.dia. ?lbs.
-Everything for the bushaalker Joe from blankets and air matt- r resses, stretchers, boots, compasses, maps. books, stoves and lamps to-cooking ware and freeze dried and
-dehydrated foods. .
-. ,
-' ciiP001, ST. SYDNEY 26-2686.61-7215
-Page 14 THE SYDNEY BUSHWAIZER March, 1979.
 DEEPEST SYMPATHY
-To our two club members Hans and Otto Stichter, we offer deepest/ sympathy on the recent death of their father, Mx. Otto Stichter Snr., in a car accident. To their mother, injured in the same accident, we 4sh a speedy recovery.
+To our two club members Hans and Otto Stichter, we offer deepest/ sympathy on the recent death of their father, Mx. Otto Stichter Snr., in a car accident. To their mother, injured in the same accident, we wish a speedy recovery.
-)
-fl
 OUR PRESIDENT.
-Pazeley is now out of hospital and back home at Neutral She is managing to get around on her crutches with one-leg in heavy plaster. She even managed to get to the Annual General Meeting!
+Fazeley is now out of hospital and back home at Neutral Bay. She is managing to get around on her crutches with one leg in heavy plaster. She even managed to get to the Annual General Meeting!
-On February 27th, as we were putting the February magaZine together at the Gray's plaCe. who should arrive but Fazeley ("Iivejcome to help as promised") en route from Maitland to North Shore Hospital.. It was too late to alter that magazine, so it's hoped no one travelled to Maitland after that date!
+On February 27th, as we were putting the February magazine together at the Gray's place, who should arrive but Fazeley ("I've come to help as promised") en route from Maitland to North Shore Hospital. It was too late to alter that magazine, so it's hoped no one travelled to Maitland after that date!
 Please add to your new membership list (non-active) 2-
 Alice and Allan Wyborn - Phone 063.5941-53
 NOT TO BE OUTDONE  *
-John Redfern,- our Membership Secretary, who joined the club at the/ same time as Fazeley, has made 1979 his unluoky,year too.: He fell in Barber's Creek last weekend, badly cutting his left leg below the kn ph. (Yes! Identical place to Fazeley's injury!)
+John Redfern,- our Membership Secretary, who joined the club at the/ same time as Fazeley, has made 1979 his unluoky,year too.: He fell in Barber's Creek last weekend, badly cutting his left leg below the knee. (Yes! Identical place to Fazeley's injury!)
-He, too, is recovering at home (with umpteen stitches in his Xg).
+He, too, is recovering at home (with umpteen stitches in his leg).
 But he, too, made it to the Annual General Meeting. Get well sobn, John. A
 We regret to report the death of a former member, Claude Haynes on February 12. Claude joined Sydney Bushwalkers in 1045; from 1949 to 1955 he was club auditor.
 As well as being a walker, he was always a keen surfer (he was a Bondi Life Saver for many years). Despite being blind in his last years, Claude still played bowls. It was following a game of bowls that he died, at his home on the Gold Coast.
-Page 15 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER March, 1979.
 AUTUMN WALKS PROGRAME.
 Correction to TEST WALKS markings.
  - Y.' . - . .... . .....
 Unfortunately a few errors in the indication of TEST WALKS occurred in the current (March to May>,Walks.Programme.
-Please alter your Walks Programme as indicated below. It would also be appreciated if members mentioned these corrections-toprosPective members, as prodpectives,dO not always get a copy of the magazine.
+Please alter your Walks Programme as indicated below. It would also be appreciated if members mentioned these corrections to prospective members, as prospectives do not always get a copy of the magazine.
 TriRs NOT indicated as Test Walks?, but which should be marked
 )' Easter 7. 13/16 April - Budawangs. Leader: TONY DENHAM. Day Test
 Walks. 2) 0 Sunday 29th April - Blackheath. Leader: DIANA LYNN.
-TM s shown as Test Walks which are NOT of the re uired standard
+TM s shown as Test Walks which are NOT of the required standard and are not Test Walks
-and arc -not .Test Wa1ks -
+Anzac Day 25th April Cowan to Hawkesbury River.
-Anzac Day 25th April Cowan to HaWkesbury River.
 Leader: JIM BROWN. (All track walking)
 Sunday 6th May Waterfall to Engadine. Leader: NEIL BROWN.
-* * * * * * * * * * *
-CONGRATULATIONS to Doone and Lesley Wyborn
-on the birth of their first baby, a boy.
+CONGRATULATIONS to Doone and Lesley Wyborn on the birth of their first baby, a boy.
-_
-s
+===== Blood and Slime, or Reunion '79 =====
-Page 1 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER March, 1979
- fiNINIM1111.1.110111.100111=11.MBOONNINE1001011M.O.MIWINIIIINNION.
-BLOOD AND SLIME OR REUNION'79
 by Puffing Billy
 There should be a special protection by the Almighty, against people like George Gray. With that baby-twinkle innocence in his smile and the beguiling softness of his accents, I just naturally trusted him. Never again, though.
-"There's water laid on at Coolana now," he said, "both at the shed and at the campfire area." But I never dreamt that he meant laid on all round - above, below, in our hair, in our pants, in our kids and in our pudding. By tea-time Saturday it sloshed around our ankles; by campfire time it washed our knees; on Sunday morning it ruined six dampers; and at the car%park on Sunday afternoon, with David Cotton and Victor Lewin both bogged to the a:celtrees, we could have lilo'd down the road.
-"It's thQ. wettest reunion since 1950," yelled Jim and Kath above the roar of the rain. For 30 years consecutively, come pancake day, they've attended reunions as Mr. and Mrs. Brown, and for unknown years before as
+"There's water laid on at Coolana now," he said, "both at the shed and at the campfire area." But I never dreamt that he meant laid on all round - above, below, in our hair, in our pants, in our kids and in our pudding. By tea-time Saturday it sloshed around our ankles; by campfire time it washed our knees; on Sunday morning it ruined six dampers; and at the car park on Sunday afternoon, with David Cotton and Victor Lewin both bogged to the a:celtrees, we could have lilo'd down the road.
+"It's the wettest reunion since 1950," yelled Jim and Kath above the roar of the rain. For 30 years consecutively, come pancake day, they've attended reunions as Mr. and Mrs. Brown, and for unknown years before as
 Mr. and Miss (separately, of course). So I believed them. And later, the
 deluge really started.
@@ Line 305: / Line 299: @@
 Down the hill we waded and swam in our hooded anoraks and groundsheets, until more than 80 -'of which half were offspring - were dripping on Dot's
 crazy-slate concrete floor: on lilos, cushions, rugs, a folding chair for Fazeley and, would you believe, a queen-size inner-spring mattress.
-Page f B THE SYDNEY BUCHWALKER March, 1979
 By the light of LPG, we had Paganini, Larry Adler and Burl Ives, winging along through all our campfire classics, until better light revealed them as Gordon Lee, Bob Hodgson and Len Newland respectively, wity Barbara Bruce as conductor, swingster, M.C. and lead singer all in one. Eventually, we realised that we could hear our voices singing, instead of Jupiter Pluvius roaring on the roof. And 10 while we were in the safety of the shed, old Jupiter held off and listened.
 By way of divertisement, the Dot Butler theatre company acted out the
@@ Line 312: / Line 306: @@
 ... drat the miserable, peevish brat.
 Why don't they drown the little beast?"
 At which point I could have sworn I heard real-life mother-in-law, Frances,
 murmer approvingly, "Hear, hear".
@@ Line 327: / Line 322: @@
 Spiro now announced that in the period that the rain had held off, Dot Butler, Christine Austin and other willing hands had helped him to prepare the supper. soon, we thronged around with our mugs. of steaming cocoa and
 coffee', with good, rich fruit cake to replenish the energy we had expanded in singing.
-Page 19 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER March, 1979
 The 1979 reunion sing-song was over. Or was it just beginning? Going up the hill towards my tent and bed, I found the official campfire merrily blazing, lighting up the amphitheatre with a cheerful, orange glow, while
 the voices of Barry and Barbara led the ringing and the skirrl of the bagpipes in the background made a pleasant lullaby. Then Jupiter Pluvius returned.