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- | THE SYDNEY | + | ====== |
- | .BUSH \NA LKER | + | |
- | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The ydney Bushwalkers, | + | A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney |
- | e | + | |
- | EDITOR: Helen Gray, 209 Malton Road, Eipping | + | |
- | BUSINESS MANAGER: Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, | + | |**EDITOR**| Helen Gray, 209 Malton Road, Epping, |
- | 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. |
- | Jim grown VV. | + | |
- | Mountain Equipment Ad. V 7 | + | |
- | The February General Meeting | + | ===== Contents ===== |
- | Annual Subscriptions | + | | | |Page| |
- | Spiro' | + | |Au Clair de la Lune| Jim Brown|2| |
- | Social Notes for April - Christine Austin | + | |As the Sparks fly| Peter Christian| 6| |
- | Office Bearers 1979 -12 | + | |Mountain Equipment Ad| | 7| |
- | Paddy' | + | |The February General Meeting| Barry Wallace|8| |
- | News of Members | + | |Annual Subscriptions| | 9| |
- | Autumn Walks Programme | + | |Spiro' |
- | Obituary | + | |Social Notes for April| Christine Austin|11| |
- | Blood and Slime, or Reunion ' | + | |Office Bearers 1979| |12| |
- | As Spor ks Pzter CiHri 6 | + | |Paddy' |
- | Page 2. THE SIDNEY BUS- ' | + | |News of Members| |14| |
- | AU CLAIR DE LA-LUNE | + | |Autumn Walks Programme|Spiro Hajinaketas|15| |
- | OlLiMATINCIL' | + | |Obituary |
+ | |Blood and Slime, or Reunion '79| Puffing Billy|16| | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Au Clair de la Lune ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | **(Or Beating the Heat)**\\ | ||
by Jim Brown. | by Jim Brown. | ||
- | More than twenty years ago, and. before Burragorang was flooded. by Warragarta | + | |
- | Then almost five years back, returning from a summer trip into the Blue Breaks, I found. a delicate mauve-colored. | + | More than twenty years ago, and before Burragorang was flooded by Warragamba |
- | The two ideas of walking again by the summer full moon, and capturing my mauve " | + | |
- | 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 " | + | Then almost five years back, returning from a summer trip into the Blue Breaks, I found a delicate mauve-colore |
- | milkman' | + | |
- | By the time I'd driven through Blackheath about 8.0 o' | + | The two ideas of walking again by the summer full moon, and capturing my mauve " |
- | 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 " |
- | Page 3 THE SYDNEY BUSHV1ALKER u 1979 | + | |
- | ... | + | By the time I'd driven through Blackheath about 8 o' |
- | 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' | + | |
- | 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' | + | 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 | + | |
- | 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' |
- | 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' |
- | 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 | + | |
- | .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' | + | 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 " | + | 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 |
- | 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' | + | |
- | 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' |
- | 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 | + | Let me describe Wednesday as a " |
- | 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 | + | |
- | There' | + | 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' |
- | 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 | + | |
- | 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | There' | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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' | 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' | ||
- | 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 | + | |
- | 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 |
- | 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. | 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 | + | 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 |
- | 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,\\ |
- | | + | 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 * | + | |
- | 17 FALCON ST, CROWS NEST. 2085 Ph. 439 2454, 438 1647 | + | |
- | EQUIPMENT PTV LTD | + | |
- | 62 CLARENCE ST., SYDNEY. 2001 Ph. 29 4840 | + | |
- | Page THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER March, 1979. | + | |
- | THE FEBRUARY GENERAL METING. | + | |
by Barry Wallace. | 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 | + | |
- | The minutos | + | 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 |
- | 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' | + | |
- | , The Treasurer' | + | The minutes |
- | ; Busj ness arising saw a Motion passed requiring the Coolana Committee to meet at three-monthly intervals and report to the General Meeting. | + | |
- | | + | 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 | + | |
- | , | + | The Treasurer' |
- | TheAustraliajDay | + | |
- | - Tony Marshall' | + | Business |
- | 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. |
- | 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. | + | |
+ | The following weekend, 19,20,21 saw Peter Levander leading 10 people | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Australia Day weekend saw Bob Hodgson and four other garlic-sodden wrecks exploring Yarramun and Dumbano | ||
+ | |||
+ | Tony Marshall' | ||
+ | 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' | ||
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. | 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 | + | |
- | . After-all that it was just a matter of announcements, | + | 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 |
- | ' | + | |
+ | After all that it was just a matter of announcements, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Annual Subscriptions | ||
The subscription rates for 1979 were decided at the Annual General Meeting and are now due and payable. They are as follows:- | The subscription rates for 1979 were decided at the Annual General Meeting and are now due and payable. They are as follows:- | ||
- | Ordinary Member. | + | Ordinary Member. |
- | 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 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' | + | ===== Spiro' |
by David Cotton. | by David Cotton. | ||
- | Nineteen people attended Spiro Hajinakita61 | + | |
- | 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' | + | Nineteen people attended Spiro Hajinakita' |
- | 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 | + | |
- | 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, | + | 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 | + | 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 |
- | 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, |
- | 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 | + | |
- | 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 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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 | ||
+ | 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. | 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. | A beaut trip, Spiro. Well done. | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | SOCIAL EWES FOR APRIL. | + | ===== Social News for April ===== |
by Christine Austin. | 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 | + | This night has been set aside as a free night to discuss Easter walks. However, we thought your discussions |
- | 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. | 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 | + | ===== S.B.W. OFFICE BEARERS - 1979 ===== |
- | The following office-bearers and committee members were elected at the S.BA. Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, 14th March, 1979:.- | + | |
- | President Vice-Presidents | + | The following office-bearers and committee members were elected at the S.B.W. Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, 14th March, 1979:- |
- | Secretary | + | |
- | Assistant Secretary | + | |President |
- | Treasurer | + | |Vice-Presidents|*Bob Hodgson| |
- | Walks Secretary | + | | |Len Newland| |
- | Social Secretary | + | |Secretary|*Sheila Binns| |
- | 'Assistant Social Secretary Membership Secretary | + | |Assistant Secretary| Barbara Bruce| |
- | Assistant Membership Secretary | + | |Treasurer|*Neil Brown| |
- | Federation Delegates | + | |Walks Secretary|*Spiro Hajinakitas| |
- | Substitution Federation Delegate Conservation Secretary | + | |Social Secretary|*Ailsa Hocking| |
- | Magazine Editor | + | |Assistant Social Secretary|Not yet appointed| |
- | Magazine Business Manager Duplicator Operator | + | |Membership Secretary|*John Redfern| |
- | Keeper of Maps & Timetables Equipment Hire | + | |Assistant Membership Secretary|Not yet appointed| |
- | Search & Rescue ContactsFazeley Read | + | |Committee Members|*Hans Stichter| |
- | Bob HodEson | + | | |*Gordon Lee| |
- | Len Newland_ Sheila Binns Barbara Bruce Neil Brown - - Spiro Hajinakitas Ailsa HoCkirt | + | | |*Marcia Shappert| |
- | Not yet appointed | + | | |*Denise Brown| |
- | Not yet appointed | + | |Federation Delegates|*Christine Austin| |
- | Marcia Shappert Denise Brown | + | | |*Stephen Hodgman| |
- | Christine Austin Stephen Hodgman Spiro Hajinakitas Gordon Lee | + | | |Spiro Hajinakitas| |
- | Not yet appointed | + | | |Gordon Lee| |
- | John Holly | + | |Substitution Federation Delegate|Not yet appointed| |
- | ONO 1. 06. | + | |Conservation Secretary|Alex Colley| |
- | Marcia Shappert Don Finch | + | |Magazine Editor| |
- | Ray Hookway | + | |Magazine Business Manager|Bill Burke| |
- | Archivist Phil Butt | + | |Duplicator Operator| |
- | Auditor Gordon Redmond | + | |Keeper of Maps & Timetables| |
- | Solicitor Colin Broad | + | |Equipment Hire|---| |
- | Trustees Heather White | + | |Search & Rescue Contacts|Marcia Shappert| |
- | Gordon Redmond Bill Burke | + | | |Don Finch| |
- | Coolana Management Committee Dot Butler | + | | |Ray Hookway| |
- | George Gray | + | |Archivist| Phil Butt| |
- | John Redfern | + | |Auditor| Gordon Redmond| |
- | Brian Hart | + | |Solicitor| Colin Broad| |
- | Kosciusko | + | |Trustees| Heather White| |
- | Barry Wallace | + | | |Gordon Redmond| |
+ | | |Bill Burke| | ||
+ | |Coolana Management Committee| Dot Butler| | ||
+ | | |George Gray| | ||
+ | | |John Redfern| | ||
+ | | |Brian Hart| | ||
+ | | |Barry Wallace| | ||
+ | |Kosciuszko | ||
+ | |Projectionist| Hans Beck| | ||
* Indicates members of the Committee. | * Indicates members of the Committee. | ||
- | 40. | + | |
- | Lightweight bushwaiking and camping gear. | + | |
- | CLOTHING FOR ALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | + | **DEEPEST SYMPATHY**\\ |
- | Pouch Parka; Pullover type hooded jacket in proofed nylon, Front zip pocket end zip at throat. Draw cord | + | 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. |
- | in hem. So compact it fits into its own pocWt. Weight t3q1s | + | |
- | ' | + | **OUR PRESIDENT**\\ |
- | by experienced walkers to be an todistionsible | + | Fazeley |
- | item of their gear. Weight 11b7ozs. Improved | + | |
- | model, made to Paddy' | + | On February 27th, as we were putting the February |
- | Everything for the well dressed' | + | |
- | heavy, wool., | + | Please add to your new membership list (non-active) |
- | overpanis, sting Singlets, bush hats, | + | |
- | webbing belts etc. | + | **NOT TO BE OUTDONE**\\ |
- | BUNYIP RUCKSACK | + | John Redfern, our Membership Secretary, who joined the club at the same time as Fazeley has made 1979 his unlucky,year too. He fell in Barber' |
- | This is ' | + | |
- | SENIOR RUCKSACK | + | He, too, is recovering at home (with umpteen stitches in his leg). But he, too, made it to the Annual General Meeting. Get well soon, John. |
- | A single pocket, shaped rucksack.. Suitable 'for over-: night camping. Weight 1103s. | + | |
- | BUSHMAN RUCKSACK | + | |
- | Has sewn-in curved bottom | + | We regret to report the death of a former member, Claude Haynes on February 12. Claude joined Sydney Bushwalkers in 1945; from 1949 to 1955 he was Club auditor. |
- | . for extra comfort in *carrying:. Witt hold 30Ibs, 2 pocket model 11/4lbs. 3 pocket model 1 ' | + | |
- | 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%; | + | |
- | 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. . | + | |
- | . , | + | |
- | 60 ' 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. | + | |
- | ) | + | |
- | fl | + | |
- | OUR PRESIDENT. | + | |
- | Pazeley | + | |
- | On February 27th, as we were putting the February | + | |
- | Please add to your new membership list (non-active) | + | |
- | 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' | + | |
- | He, too, is recovering at home (with umpteen stitches in his Xg). | + | |
- | 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. | 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. | + | |
+ | ===== Autumn Walk Programme ===== | ||
Correction to TEST WALKS markings. | 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. | + | 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 | + | Please alter your Walks Programme as indicated below. It would also be appreciated if members mentioned these corrections |
- | TriRs NOT indicated as Test Walks?, but which should be marked | + | |
- | 1)' | + | Walks NOT indicated as Test Walks, but which should be marked |
- | 0 | + | |
- | Walks. | + | 1)Easter 13/16 April - Budawangs. Leader: TONY DENHAM. 0 |
- | TM s shown as Test Walks which are NOT of the re uired standard | + | |
- | and arc -not .Test Wa1ks - | + | 2)Sunday 29th April - Blackheath. Leader: DIANA LYNN. 0 |
- | Anzac Day 25th April Cowan to HaWkesbury | + | |
- | Leader: JIM BROWN. (All track walking) | + | Trips shown as Test Walks which are NOT of the required |
- | Sunday 6th May Waterfall to Engadine. Leader: NEIL BROWN. | + | |
- | * * * * * * * * * * * | + | 1)Anzac Day 25th April Cowan to Hawkesbury |
- | CONGRATULATIONS to Doone and Lesley Wyborn | + | |
- | on the birth of their first baby, a boy. | + | 2)Sunday 6th May Waterfall to Engadine. Leader: NEIL BROWN. |
- | _ | + | |
- | s | + | |
- | Page 1 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER March, 1979 | + | CONGRATULATIONS to Doone and Lesley Wyborn on the birth of their first baby, a boy. |
- | | + | |
- | BLOOD AND SLIME OR REUNION' | + | |
+ | ===== Blood and Slime, or Reunion | ||
by Puffing Billy | 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 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. | ||
- | " | + | |
- | " | + | " |
- | Mr. and Miss (separately, | + | |
- | deluge really started. | + | " |
+ | Mr. and Miss (separately, | ||
But I'm ahead of myself; let's go back to the beginning. First, though, a moment' | But I'm ahead of myself; let's go back to the beginning. First, though, a moment' | ||
- | Trusty H-frame on my back, lilo under one arm and esky under the other, | + | |
- | I mooched off down the track with Heather and Don Finch doing their second all-home-comforts pack-horsing trip down the hill. My, of my, how we used to look down on those hikers on the Palms track with their trannies, their | + | Trusty H-frame on my back, lilo under one arm and esky under the other, I mooched off down the track with Heather and Don Finch doing their second all-home-comforts pack-horsing trip down the hill. My, of my, how we used to look down on those hikers on the Palms track with their trannies, their Sunday Teles, their lemonade and their sheilas under their arms! Though, come to think of it, there must always have been an element of the hiker in S.B.W; else, where did all those second generation reuners come from? |
- | Sunday Teles, their lemonade and their sheilas under their arms: Though, | + | |
- | come to think of it, there must always have been an element of the hiker in S.B.W; else, where did all those second generation reuners come from? | + | There was the faintest hint of a drizzle in the air, interspersed with bright patches of sun as I came across George, under the direction of his manager, Helen, erecting the signs to the campfire site. He pressed steadily ahead with his task, to a helpful accompaniment from Phil Butt. "That arrow' |
- | There was the faintest hint of a drizzle in the air, interspersed with | + | it's up on a pole? Or, radar used to check speed. Well, what checks it now?" I was really surprised to learn the adjectives that George' |
- | bright patches of sun as I came across George, under the direction of his manager, Helen, erecting the signs to the campfire site. He pressed steadily ahead with his task, to a helpful accompaniment from Phil Butt. "That arrow' | + | |
- | it's up on a pole? Or, radar used to sheck speed. Well, what checks it now?" | + | Arrived at the site, I pitched my tent on a terrace overlooking the campfire amphitheatre. Then I decided to move it. Helen catching sight of me called out, " |
- | I was really surprised to learn the adjectives that George' | + | |
- | Arrived at the site, I pitched my tent on a terrace overlooking the campfire amphitheatre. Then I decided to move it. Helen catching sight of me called out, " | + | Lolling back on lilo, bewitched by the early afternoon sun into thinking that a pleasant weekend lay ahead, and with a mellowing cup of Nirvana in my hand, I watched the reuners |
- | Page 17 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER March, 1979 | + | |
- | Lolling back on lilo, bewitched by the early afternoon sun into | + | " |
- | thinking that a pleasant weekend lay ahead, and with a mellowing cup of Nirvana in my hand, I watched the reunerr | + | |
- | clicking; Stephen and Wendy Hodgman by pushbike from Berry via Mt. Cambewarra, no less; Sniro under a Japanese parasol to keep the sun off and with the kids in tow - hey wait on. SPIRO WITH KIDS??: Relax - they were borrowed, of | + | |
- | course. The Rigbys came from the deep south, also with borrowed family. | + | |
- | looking | + | |
"You don't look for the Maddens", | "You don't look for the Maddens", | ||
- | Next, clompety-clomp, | + | |
- | Bob Hodgson, came Fazeley, our first-ever four-legged president, encased from toe to hip in two and a half tonnes of plaster of Paris. And with her own private throne. | + | Next, clompety-clomp, |
- | " | + | |
- | with tonnes of plaster encasing you? The throne did present a problem, though: how, to site it and the president' | + | " |
- | water tap, the shed and surrounding friends. Fortunately, | + | |
- | MER-RAA-AAOW-WOO-AAAH::: ' | + | MER-RAA-AAOW-WOO-AAAH!!!! The Nirvana spilled from my hand; the sun ducked behind a towering cloud; fifteen kids ducked behind their mothers' |
- | ducked behind a towering cloud; fifteen kids ducked behind their mothers' | + | |
- | saw, cutting down and cutting up a dead tree for Bill Burke, Jim Vatiliotis, | + | |
- | ?hil Butt and Barry Wallace to build the camp fire. | + | |
Soon, all was in readiness. The sun reappeared; colourful tents dotted the natural amphitheatre; | Soon, all was in readiness. The sun reappeared; colourful tents dotted the natural amphitheatre; | ||
- | pitched his tent nearby and reinforced the supply of Nirvana; Debbie and | + | pitched his tent nearby and reinforced the supply of Nirvana; Debbie and Geoffrey gathered the firewood - and Jupiter Pluvius arrived. And Jupiter Pluvius stayed. It got darker; it got noisier; it got wetter; it put out our fire with the steak half raw; and the only cheer was the inner cheer. |
- | Geoffrey gathered the firewood - and Jupiter Pluvius arrived. And Jupiter Pluvius stayed. It got darker; it got noisier; it got wetter; it put out our fire with the steak half raw; and the only cheer was the inner cheer. | + | |
- | We cowered in our tents and hunched over our half-cooked dinners and glowered at the liouid | + | We cowered in our tents and hunched over our half-cooked dinners and glowered at the liquid |
- | And then the true genius of the Coolana Committee, | + | |
- | of the years of effort by Dot, George and their assistants was revealed for all to witness. | + | And then the true genius of the Coolana Committee, |
- | 0 "We must have a shed," they had said, "and a fireplace in it, for the times of total fire ban when you're not allowed a fire in the open, not even ate' | + | |
- | Down the hill we waded and swam in our hooded anoraks and groundsheets, | + | "We must have a shed," they had said, "and a fireplace in it, for the times of total fire ban when you're not allowed a fire in the open, not even fire water." |
- | 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 | + | Down the hill we waded and swam in our hooded anoraks and groundsheets, |
- | 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, | + | |
- | By way of divertisement, | + | 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, |
- | degenerate tale of "Lord Lundy", | + | |
- | bonnet, whose mother' | + | By way of divertisement, |
- | 11 ... drat the miserable, peevish brat. | + | |
+ | "... drat the miserable, peevish brat. | ||
Why don't they drown the little beast?" | Why don't they drown the little beast?" | ||
- | At which point I could have sworn I heard real-life mother-in-law, | + | |
- | murmer approvingly, | + | At which point I could have sworn I heard real-life mother-in-law, |
- | Neither the efforts of Helen Gray as his mother, Susan as the cat with detachable ears and tail, Christine Austin as "his mother' | + | |
- | some dignity or other", | + | Neither the efforts of Helen Gray as his mother, Susan as the cat with detachable ears and tail, Christine Austin as "his mother' |
- | Curator of Big Ben. Until, at last, Jim Brown - The Duke, his ancient grand sire - could bear the shame no more and quoth "My language fails. Go out and govern New South Vales." | + | |
- | They were succeeded by our singing group, the Scrub Bashers - the voices | + | They were succeeded by our singing group, the Scrub Bashers - the voices of John Redfern, Ailsa Hocking, Judith Rostron and that Lynnet-chorister-returnedfrom-Aberdeen, |
- | of John Redfern, Ailsa Hocking, Judith Rostron and that Lynnet-chorister-returnedfrom-Aberdeen, | + | |
- | Jim Brown inducted President Fazeley for the second time, assisted by | + | Jim Brown inducted President Fazeley for the second time, assisted by just enough has-been presidents to festoon her with the accoutrements of office. "Just what I need", said Fazeley with feeling when The Bone was handed to her. |
- | just enough has-been presidents to festoon her with the accoutrements of office. "Just what I need", said Fazeley with feeling when The Bone was handed to her. | + | |
- | To conclude the concert, Digby Rigby as the lost leader, and Helen Gray as the " | + | To conclude the concert, Digby Rigby as the lost leader, and Helen Gray as the " |
- | lines, | + | |
- | " | + | "In mud and slime they wander,\\ |
- | Prosoective | + | Prospective |
- | 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 | + | Just because |
- | coffee', with good, rich fruit cake to replenish the energy we had expanded in singing. | + | Up around her ears".\\ |
- | Page 19 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER March, 1979 | + | |
+ | 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. | ||
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 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. | 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. | ||
+ | |||
But down in the tin shed, things were still happening. And, by golly, they went on happening until one thirty Sunday morning when Bob Hodgson blew his last, long harmonica breath and the assembly prepared to - hey: hang on: | But down in the tin shed, things were still happening. And, by golly, they went on happening until one thirty Sunday morning when Bob Hodgson blew his last, long harmonica breath and the assembly prepared to - hey: hang on: | ||
what's this dual apparition of push bikes materialising through the flood? | what's this dual apparition of push bikes materialising through the flood? | ||
- | Peter. Sargent and Leon Vella, by pushbike through the furious stormy rages, all thecway | + | |
- | On Sunday morning, dawn broke like a tidalbore inthe firth of Forth! Four times I awakened, listened to the Indian Pacific. roaring over my head, cowered deeper into my Paddy-down and hoped that by some miracle my breakfast eggs might cook themselves. The fifth-time, a different miracle occurred: in the silence, albeit grey, I found that Jupiter had relented long enough to let the breakfast fires start up around the camp, and for the Sunday gossippero and photographers to start their rounds. Soon, we were all self- consciously peeing over our shoulders whenever Don Matthews or David Cotton got within telephoto range. | + | Peter Sargent and Leon Vella, by pushbike through the furious stormy rages, all the way from Sydney. And still alive. "Have we missed all the singing?" |
- | Ere long, a furtive parasol came creeping through the bushes; | + | |
- | pan and plate, and covered it ever so scientifically with glowing coals. | + | On Sunday morning, dawn broke like a tidal bore in the firth of Forth! Four times I awakened, listened to the Indian Pacific. roaring over my head, cowered deeper into my Paddy-down and hoped that by some miracle my breakfast eggs might cook themselves. The fifth time, a different miracle occurred: in the silence, albeit grey, I found that Jupiter had relented long enough to let the breakfast fires start up around the camp, and for the Sunday gossippero and photographers to start their rounds. Soon, we were all self- consciously peeing over our shoulders whenever Don Matthews or David Cotton got within telephoto range. |
- | Its foray finished, the parasol departed as furitively as it had come. | + | |
- | A nervy morning then began. Between showers, the cooks came in waves to the embers, and retreated whenever the rain returned. At each temporary clearing in the torrent, a new batch of dampers appeared. Black ones, white ones, big ones, small ones - and a brilliant red one, stained by the blood of a thousand leeches. Gem Gagne' | + | Ere long, a furtive parasol came creeping through the bushes; |
- | Then the parasol reappeared and out fiam under came Spiro, timing his entry as dramatically | + | pan and plate, and covered it ever so scientifically with glowing coals. Its foray finished, the parasol departed as furitively as it had come. |
+ | |||
+ | A nervy morning then began. Between showers, the cooks came in waves to the embers, and retreated whenever the rain returned. At each temporary clearing in the torrent, a new batch of dampers appeared. Black ones, white ones, big ones, small ones - and a brilliant red one, stained by the blood of a thousand leeches. Gem Gagne' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Then the parasol reappeared and out from under came Spiro, timing his entry as dramatically - and as fittingly - as Mephistopheles at the fall of Faust. Nonchalantly, | ||
Meanwhile, down at the shed, a ranger from the NPWLS dropped in to discuss prospects for a mutually beneficial land swap. Dot Butler, Bill Burke and Brian Hart promptly gave him an impressive, erudite Royal Tour of the Coolana hectares. | Meanwhile, down at the shed, a ranger from the NPWLS dropped in to discuss prospects for a mutually beneficial land swap. Dot Butler, Bill Burke and Brian Hart promptly gave him an impressive, erudite Royal Tour of the Coolana hectares. | ||
- | Page lc THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER March, 1979 | + | |
- | Now appeared the damper judge. Our mouths salivate and we waited with baited breath for the verdict. Could this be the year that some greater genius would achieve immortability by toppling the might Spiro as the all-time damper champ? | + | Now appeared the damper judge. Our mouths salivate and we waited with baited breath for the verdict. Could this be the year that some greater genius would achieve immortability by toppling the might Spiro as the all-time damper champ? |
- | Drawing deep his breath, the judge began: | + | |
- | "We can live without literature, music and art; | + | Drawing deep his breath, the judge began:\\ |
- | We can live without conscience and live without heart; We can live without talent and live without books; But civilized man cannot live without cooks." | + | "We can live without literature, music and art;\\ |
- | Then he continued, "And by the looks of some of these dampers, it could be dangerous to live with them:" | + | We can live without conscience and live without heart;\\ |
- | The judge soon demonstrated that he not only had a finely developed knowledge of the art of cooking damper; but a finely developed instinct for survival, too. He dragooned Dot Butler and Len Newland as tasters. Colour, crustiness, taste, texture - all were carefully savoured, and savoured again, until four were on one side and classed as equal in superiority of calibre. And then, one other; a solitary, larger, golden-browner, | + | We can live without talent and live without books;\\ |
- | Now, here ends our story. Here returns our darkest enemy, J.P., with renewed energy after his morning rest. It rained, it poured, it bucketed down. We shrank into our tents and ate our cold lunches until, tails between our legs and groundsheets over our bodies and packs, we beat our hasty retreat up the hill, revved our motors and ran for home. All except Fazeley. Mink can run in the rain on four legs, but not Fazeley. So, enter the knights in shining armour, albeit rusty and wet. Magdy Hammad and Victor Lewis, Sherpa | + | But civilized man cannot live without cooks." |
- | porters extraordinaire, | + | |
- | And the water is orobably | + | Then he continued, "And by the looks of some of these dampers, it could be dangerous to live with them." |
- | Note: Facts, opinions and other -tatements | + | |
+ | The judge soon demonstrated that he not only had a finely developed knowledge of the art of cooking damper; but a finely developed instinct for survival, too. He dragooned Dot Butler and Len Newland as tasters. Colour, crustiness, taste, texture - all were carefully savoured, and savoured again, until four were on one side and classed as equal in superiority of calibre. And then, one other; a solitary, larger, golden-browner, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Now, here ends our story. Here returns our darkest enemy, J.P., with renewed energy after his morning rest. It rained, it poured, it bucketed down. We shrank into our tents and ate our cold lunches until, tails between our legs and groundsheets over our bodies and packs, we beat our hasty retreat up the hill, revved our motors and ran for home. All except Fazeley. Mink can run in the rain on four legs, but not Fazeley. So, enter the knights in shining armour, albeit rusty and wet. Magdy Hammad and Victor Lewis, Sherpa porters extraordinaire, | ||
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+ | And the water is probably | ||
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+ | Note: Facts, opinions and other statements | ||
197903.txt · Last modified: 2016/12/04 00:00 by joan