198401
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198401 [2014/12/07 11:49] – kclacher | 198401 [2016/03/17 15:15] – [TRIP DATE CHANGE.] kclacher | ||
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====== THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER ====== | ====== THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER ====== | ||
- | ==== Established June 1931 ==== | + | ==== Established June 1931 ==== |
- | A monthly | + | A monthly |
- | Editor: Evelyn Walker, 158 Evans Street, Rozelle, 2039. Telephone 827-3695.\\ | + | |Editor:| Evelyn Walker, 158 Evans Street, Rozelle, 2039. Telephone 827-3695.\\ |
- | Business Manager: Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford, | + | |Business Manager:| Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford, |
- | Production Manager: Helen Gray.\\ | + | |Production Manager:| Helen Gray.\\ |
- | Typist: Kath Brown.\\ | + | |Typist:| Kath Brown.\\ |
- | Duplicator Operator: | + | |Duplicator Operator:|Phil Butt.\\ |
- | ===== January 1984 ===== | + | ==== January 1984 ==== |
+ | | | |Page | | ||
+ | |Wallowing at Wyanbene | ||
+ | |Poem - Reproduced by permission from "The Quiet Land" | ||
+ | |Tigers Not Extinct | ||
+ | |It Turned Out Fine Again |Tom Wenman | ||
+ | |Yalwal Instructional | ||
+ | |The Coolana Pyramid | ||
+ | |Eastwood Camping Centre Advertisement | ||
+ | |Meeting Notes - November General Meeting | ||
+ | |Head Due South - Reprint from August 1960 |Carl Doherty | ||
+ | |"Of Ships and Shoes and Sealing Wax...." | ||
+ | |Walking' | ||
+ | |Social Notes for February | ||
- | Wallowing at Wyanbene | + | ===== WALLOWING AT WYANBENE ===== |
- | Poem - Reproduced by permission from "The Quiet Land" by Peter Dombrovskis and Ellen Miller | + | By Roger Browne and Michelle de Vries Robbe |
- | Tigers Not Extinct | + | |
- | It Turned Out Fine Again Tom Wenman | + | |
- | Yalwal Instructional | + | |
- | The Coolana Pyramid | + | |
- | Eastwood Camping Centre Advertisement 10\\ | + | |
- | Meeting Notes - November General Meeting | + | |
- | Head Due South - Reprint from August 1960 Carl Doherty 12\\ | + | |
- | "Of Ships and Shoes and Sealing Wax...." | + | |
- | Walking' | + | |
- | Social Notes for February | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ===== WALLOWING AT WYANBENE. ===== | + | |
- | By Roger Browne and Michelle de Vries Robbe. | + | |
Friday 16th December saw 16 people discovering the Deua National Park. Heavy rain had fallen recently, and we squelched along the track from the car park to our campsite on the Upper Shoalhaven River. " | Friday 16th December saw 16 people discovering the Deua National Park. Heavy rain had fallen recently, and we squelched along the track from the car park to our campsite on the Upper Shoalhaven River. " | ||
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Tourists were guided through this cave around the turn of the century, but they were certainly a hardier breed than the type who walk the electrically lit cement paths of caves like Jenolan today. The old tourists had to carry candles for light, and endure much mud, water and squeezing. Some iron ladders were installed for them on the unclimbable sections, and most of these are still there. We climbed up them into a cavern where tree roots grow through the roof, and bats were flying around and hanging from the ceiling. | Tourists were guided through this cave around the turn of the century, but they were certainly a hardier breed than the type who walk the electrically lit cement paths of caves like Jenolan today. The old tourists had to carry candles for light, and endure much mud, water and squeezing. Some iron ladders were installed for them on the unclimbable sections, and most of these are still there. We climbed up them into a cavern where tree roots grow through the roof, and bats were flying around and hanging from the ceiling. | ||
- | We returned to the wind tunnel, and those who had done enough caving were taken outside. Eight remained, and we climbed the difficult slope to the wind tunnel and pushed | + | We returned to the wind tunnel, and those who had done enough caving were taken outside. Eight remained, and we climbed the difficult slope to the wind tunnel and gushed |
- | Wyanbene is basically a river cave, and we followed the underground river upstream past chamber after chamber of flowstone, rimstone pools, shawls, columns, helictites, stalactites, | + | Wyanbene is basically a river cave, and we followed the underground river upstream past chamber after chamber of flowstone, rimstone pools, shawls, columns, helictites, stalactites, |
Returning to the outside world after caving is a beautiful experience. The air becomes warm and welcoming, the smell of dust gives way to the aromas of plants, animals and moist earth, and the light appears filtered and bright to eyes accustomed to feeble yellow torchlight reflected off muddy rocks. | Returning to the outside world after caving is a beautiful experience. The air becomes warm and welcoming, the smell of dust gives way to the aromas of plants, animals and moist earth, and the light appears filtered and bright to eyes accustomed to feeble yellow torchlight reflected off muddy rocks. | ||
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On Sunday morning, eight people opted for the long walk to the Deua, while the rest selected the "soft option" | On Sunday morning, eight people opted for the long walk to the Deua, while the rest selected the "soft option" | ||
- | The park has been scarred by the construction of a large network of fire trails since the map was compiled (1975). The old foot and horse trails appear to have fallen into disuse and we were not able to locate them, even though we crossed their positions on the map-many times. However, one of the fire trails followed our general route for much of the way. The fire trail is 4 km shorter (at 18 km) than the old horse trail, but involved 100 m more climbing (for a total vertical of 900 m). Parts of the fire trail are extremely steep. The last 3 km follows Curmurlee Creek, a delightful mountain stream which feeds the Deua River. At the Deua we found an excellent swimming hole and stopped for a swim and a short (but not hurried) lunch. | + | The park has been scarred by the construction of a large network of fire trails since the map was compiled (1975). The old foot and horse trails appear to have fallen into disuse and we were not able to locate them, even though we crossed their positions on the map-many times. However, one of the fire trails followed our general route for much of the way. The fire trail is 4 km shorter (at 18 km) than the old horse trail, but involved 100 in more climbing (for a total vertical of 900 m). Parts of the fire trail are extremely steep. The last 3 km follows Curmurlee Creek, a delightful mountain stream which feeds the Deua River. At the Deua we found an excellent swimming hole and stopped for a swim and a short (but not hurried) lunch. |
- | The downward trip had taken 3 hours, but the return trip took from 3 to 5 hours, depending on the walker. Fortunately, | + | The downward trip had taken 3 hours, but the return trip took from 3 to 5 hours, depending on the walker. Fortunately, |
- | We regrouped at the campsite. Roger' | + | We regrouped at the campsite. Roger' |
- | cough in to Braidwood, where it was repaired. | + | |
+ | The long climb out from the Deua, and the mechanical problems, meant that that it was almost midnight before the last participant was safety home, tired but happy. | ||
- | On Sunday morning Bob decided to curtail the walk somewhat by leading up the first likely creek downstream. On the assurance of Snow and another authority that "once above the cliff line the plateau beyond is as flat as a | + | ===== POEM ===== |
- | table", | + | |
- | behind owing to Snow and George insisting an leading off down side spurs, and their peculiar habit of stopping every now and again to eat waratah seeds. The Mount Cameron track was located after much meandering along the ridge and we overhauled the main party at dusk. | + | |
- | The campsite was in a shallow saddle well sheltered and with no chance of anyone drowning as there was no water within a mile. Rona and Dot devoured their leg of mutton - I do not say devoured without justification. Their method, which is rather unique, consists of ramming a stake through a pre-cooked leg and throwing it in the fire until it gets hot or you get impatient. Having removed it from the fire it is held by the stake and the thin end of the leg and revolved until a section appears which looks hot enough, smells all right or can be torn apart without the nose obstructing the work of devouring it. It is passed from one to the other and heated as frequently as required. Another innovation was a Mellah-making competition which for coagulation was won by Gwen Seach and for flavour by Heather. In order to get a flying start the following morning we rolled in rather early. | + | by Ellen Miller |
- | The flying start wasn't even a flutter as it was seven before anyone stirred. According to Duncan' | + | From THE QUIET LAND by Peter Dombrovskis (photos) |
+ | Reproduced by permission. | ||
- | One of the stockmen and a couple of dogs took off to round up Helen, while the others were given correct directions to find Newnes. More barking from the dogs in the timber, more yelling from us and round the hill came Duncan and the Butlers so we waited a little longer. Helen came trotting around the hill. She stumbled up to the group and looking Duncan straight in the face said, "It just goes to prove that you cannot estimate a person' | + | Shadowy places. |
- | expect a man to have full command of his faculties. At that hour a slight error was permissible" | + | |
- | The order of march was now reversed - the idea being to reach Newnes, bring the cars up and so save Lyndsey the last four miles' walk. On Dot's request a member of the Catholic Bushwalkers, | + | Mysterious places. |
- | left the pine forest she clearly marked our way with large arrows, muttering as she drew them, "You can't trust Duncan, he'd go astray anywhere" | + | |
- | A lift to the pub spared us the last four miles roadbash also and speeded up our move out. With the exception | + | Often full of misty rain. |
- | Katoomba was uneventful. | + | |
- | *(Note: The "old railway" | + | Light doesn' |
+ | It slips into it like long, slanting fingers,\\ | ||
+ | or filters in a lacy pattern through | ||
- | "OF SHIPS AND SHOES AND SEALING WAX "\\ | + | Or glistens on patches of wet leaves. |
- | by Jim Brown. | + | |
+ | Sometimes, a green light. | ||
+ | |||
+ | And it doesn' | ||
+ | for darkness comes quickly in a rain forest. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Days seem shorter here than on the open moorland. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Camping places are difficult to find, for the forest floor\\ | ||
+ | is seldom flat and is littered with fallen trees\\ | ||
+ | and criss-crossed by streams. One sleeps around roots,\\ | ||
+ | or on a hill, or curled like a caterpillar. | ||
+ | |||
+ | And if a fire has to be lit in this rain-sodden\\ | ||
+ | part of the wilderness, and the flames begin to flicker,\\ | ||
+ | the darkness is black, and thick,\\ | ||
+ | and filled with small sounds… | ||
+ | |||
+ | and it is so easy to imagine things. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== TIGERS NOT EXTINCT ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Alex Colley | ||
+ | |||
+ | As Gordon Lee has pointed out, the Tigers did some notable walks. The original (1937) Tigers accomplished this, not by walking fast but by starting early and walking steadily all day. There was time to enjoy the bush, take photographs, | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the early days of the Club very few walks were cancelled and nearly all were completed according to programme, despite the fact that many walks were in little known country and maps often crude. One reason why walks were completed as per schedule was that, in those days, we relied almost exclusively on public transport. Trains and buses had to be caught on time, and having been conveyed to the start by public transport, we had to get back to it. It was difficult to cancel walks and almost impossible to chicken out by short-circuiting a walk, because there were no parked cars to return to. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Gordon' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Gordon is wrong an one point. Some of the Tigers have gone- beyond, but many have not. Despite their astronomical age they are neither toothless nor decrepit. They are still bushwalking; | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== IT TURNED OUT FINE AGAIN (OR DON'T TRUST THE WEATHER) ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Being a record of Gordon Lee's walk 2, 3, 4 December\\ | ||
+ | by Tom Wenman | ||
+ | |||
+ | Walk out to Coal Seam Cave on a Friday night? What ever for? However on this occasion it proved to be worthwhile. Mind you, as I stumbled along a slippery muddy path in the darkness, with a fast-fading torch, I did wonder if my journey was really necessary. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The trip by car to Kanangra had been wet for most of the way and generally a wet weekend had been indicated. It was therefore with some relief to note that it was not raining when we eventually climbed out of our vehicle and began the walk. For the most part the weather held (which was why it seemed a good idea the next morning) and the cave welcomed us with a dry floor and space to remove our wet parkas after the encounters with wet scrub. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Gordon had led us unerringly through the dark, misty, and moonless night. At the foot of the 'short cut' descent to the cave however, obviously feeling suitably elated he attempted a sort of 'pas de soil' and disappeared with a shout into the darkness. We peered anxiously down as it appeared that Gordon had mistaken the location for his display of exuberance. All was well, however, and his descent had been brief and a four-point landing effected an the path leading to the cave. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Morning revealed, beneath the overhang of the cave, a wet green panorama of gum trees and shrubs with a mist drifting amongst them. This, with the sound of rain and the dripping water from the overhang suitably dampened ou she drew them, “You can't trust Duncan, he'd go astray anywhere”. Curiosity gaining the upper hand we asked why her interest in Bob. “Well,” answered Dot, constructing a great timber arrow pointing towards the valley, “Rona is with him and I don't want her to miss school tomorrow”. | ||
+ | |||
+ | A lift to the pub spared us the last four miles roadbash also and speeded up our move out. With the exception of my car taking a rest on the steepest part of the road out and holding up half a dozen cars, the run to Katoomba was uneventful. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *(Note: The “old railway” mentioned is the line built about 1907 to carry shale oil products from Newnes to the western line at Newnes Junction about 10 miles east of Lithgow. The railway ceased operating in the 1930s, but the formation, including the famous “Glow Worm Tunnel” still exists. J.B.) | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== "OF SHIPS AND SHOES AND SEALING WAX" | ||
+ | by Jim Brown | ||
I don't know why I pay so much heed to what Don Matthews says, unless it's because he so often says the same thing I an thinking. Indeed, perhaps, he's the best argument I know for astrology, that notoriously unscientific cult. You see, he was born under the sign of Cancer (20 June - 20 July approx) which is designated by the sign of the Crab, and is presumably a lot better than being a Capricorn (sign of the Goat) or an Aries (the Ram). I mean, where else except in a Crab would you find a gentle, retiring and normally rather shy person who will still get up at a Reunion campfire and cheerfully play the Goat (though NOT a Capricorn)? I don't know the answer to that, because I, too, was born under the sign of the Crab. | I don't know why I pay so much heed to what Don Matthews says, unless it's because he so often says the same thing I an thinking. Indeed, perhaps, he's the best argument I know for astrology, that notoriously unscientific cult. You see, he was born under the sign of Cancer (20 June - 20 July approx) which is designated by the sign of the Crab, and is presumably a lot better than being a Capricorn (sign of the Goat) or an Aries (the Ram). I mean, where else except in a Crab would you find a gentle, retiring and normally rather shy person who will still get up at a Reunion campfire and cheerfully play the Goat (though NOT a Capricorn)? I don't know the answer to that, because I, too, was born under the sign of the Crab. | ||
- | At any rate Don recently told me he had been on Roy Braithwaite' | + | At any rate Don recently told me he had been on Roy Braithwaite' |
(This, in turn, reminds me of a story dating back to the War years. A blacked-out train pulls into a blacked-out station. " | (This, in turn, reminds me of a story dating back to the War years. A blacked-out train pulls into a blacked-out station. " | ||
- | Actually, I had a fair idea what was afoot at Helensburgh. I had been down there a few days earlier, passing through the shopping centre on a rail bus: had seen Otford Station as two platforms with a great trench (and no rails) in between; had walked back to Lilyvale along the tracks, chatting to some of the surveyors, shovelmen and drivers of bulldozers and other exotic machinery. I had observed the shortened " | + | Actually, I had a fair idea what was afoot at Helensburgh. I had been down there a few days earlier, passing through the shopping centre on a rail- bus: had seen Otford Station as two platforms with a great trench (and no rails) in between; had walked back to Lilyvale along the tracks, chatting to some of the surveyors, shovelmen and drivers of bulldozers and other exotic machinery. I had observed the shortened " |
- | As a result I had phoned | + | As a result I had Phoned |
Well, you may say, what's all this scribbling in aid of? I have to admit, nothing in particular. After all, I did call it, quoting the Alice in Wonderland nonsense "of ships and shoes and sealing wax.....and cabbages and kings. | Well, you may say, what's all this scribbling in aid of? I have to admit, nothing in particular. After all, I did call it, quoting the Alice in Wonderland nonsense "of ships and shoes and sealing wax.....and cabbages and kings. | ||
- | WALKING' | + | ===== WALKING' |
- | News release from the Premier' | + | News release from the Premier' |
A new activity called " | A new activity called " | ||
" | " | ||
- | SOCIAL NOTES FOR FEBRUARY 1984. by Jo Van Sommers. | + | ===== SOCIAL NOTES FOR FEBRUARY 1984. ===== |
+ | |||
+ | by Jo Van Sommers. | ||
- | February 1 - Committee Meeting.\\ | + | |February |
- | 8 - General Meeting.\\ | + | | |8 |General Meeting. |
- | 15 - Members Slide Night. " | + | | |15 |Members Slide Night. " |
- | are invited to bring their slides and prints.\\ | + | | |22 |Magazine Wrapping Night. An experiment in doing the magazine at the Club night - join the hitherto secret rites - get stuck into the wrapping and labelling. |
- | 22 - Magazine Wrapping Night. An experiment in doing the | + | | |29 |Double Header Slide Night:- Keith Docherty' |
- | magazine at the Club night - join the hitherto secret | + | |
- | rites - get stuck into the wrapping and labelling.\\ | + | |
- | 29 - Double Header Slide Night:- Keith Docherty' | + | |
- | scenes, insects and flowers. Colin Barnes calls his | + | |
- | similar subject " | + | |
- | LETTER TO THE CLUB FROM THE LANE COVE CUB & SCOUT TROOP. | + | ===== LETTER TO THE CLUB FROM THE LANE COVE CUB & SCOUT TROOP ===== |
I am writing as a concerned parent on behalf of the 1st Lane Cove Cub & Scout Troop to ask whether any of your members would be interested in becoming a Warranted Cub Leader. 1st Lane Cove, the oldest troop in Lane Cove, desperately needs more leaders (we have one but need three) and faces dissolution if none is forthcoming. What the Cubs are missing most at the moment are opportunities for bushwalking and camping. | I am writing as a concerned parent on behalf of the 1st Lane Cove Cub & Scout Troop to ask whether any of your members would be interested in becoming a Warranted Cub Leader. 1st Lane Cove, the oldest troop in Lane Cove, desperately needs more leaders (we have one but need three) and faces dissolution if none is forthcoming. What the Cubs are missing most at the moment are opportunities for bushwalking and camping. | ||
If any of your membership is interested, he/she can contact Club President, Joe Berry, 38 Cope Street, Lane Cove, 428-4820 for further information.\\ | If any of your membership is interested, he/she can contact Club President, Joe Berry, 38 Cope Street, Lane Cove, 428-4820 for further information.\\ | ||
- | Thank you. ANN P. NIXON. | + | Thank you.\\ |
+ | Ann P. Nixon | ||
- | TRIP DATE CHANGE. Morong Deep trip programmed for 10,11,12 February has been changed to 17,18,19 February. | + | ==== TRIP DATE CHANGE |
+ | Morong Deep trip programmed for 10,11,12 February has been changed to 17,18,19 February. | ||
198401.txt · Last modified: 2016/03/17 15:16 by kclacher