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 . K to KKanan ra to I(atooml on Saturday 9th September (Leader: Jan Mohandas (Tel: 872-2315), Grade: Very hard, Distance: 55 km) Limit: 10. Contact Jan before September 1st to discuss about this walk.
 . Overnight walk: Canons Farm - Canons Ck - Breakfast Ck - Blackhorse ridge- Mobbs Soak (camp) - Splendour Rock - Mt. Werrigal - Medlow gap - Carlons Farm (Leader: Geoff Bradley (Tel: 498-5506), Grade : Medium, Distance: 30 km)
-CYCLING THROUGH HISTORY IN ARALUEN VALLEY
-by Wal Liddle Walter Liddle - L n Frazer of the Bic cle Institute - John Sutherland
+=====Cycling through history in Araluen Valley=====
-It was warm with a cool breeze when we alighted from the Monaro Express at 12.15 on the 10th January and collected our heavily laden bikes from the guard's van. Donning our helmets, we rode into Queanbeyan, where we stopped for pasta, tomato sandwiches and fish and chips. We pedalled along a tarred road, our destination Captain's Flat. The road seemed never eqding and a slight headwind made the flat ground seem uphill.
-Every now and then we caught a glimpse of the Molonglo River as we passed through cattle country, until we came to an English-style church near the road. This was the Anglican Church
+by Wal Liddle
-of Foxlow. Climbing over a stile, we saw it was made of 'chertl, an ancient mudstone formed
-million years ago. In the graveyard we looked at inscriptions on the headstones, but
+Walter Liddle - Lyn Frazer (of the Bicycle Institute) - John Sutherland
-without prior knowledge of the pioneer families of the district, went away ignorant.
-About 5 pm we rode past a sawmill and over the Molonglo Bridge near Captains Flat. The
+It was warm with a cool breeze when we alighted from the Monaro Express at 12.15 on the 10th January and collected our heavily laden bikes from the guard's van. Donning our helmets, we rode into Queanbeyan, where we stopped for pasta, tomato sandwiches and fish and chips. We pedalled along a tarred road, our destination Captain's Flat. The road seemed never ending and a slight headwind made the flat ground seem uphill.
-town consisted of fibre houses set out in two or three criss-cross streets overshadowed by a
-huge spoil heap with remnants of mining equipment scattered about. A two-storey brick hotel
+Every now and then we caught a glimpse of the Molonglo River as we passed through cattle country, until we came to an English-style church near the road. This was the Anglican Church of Foxlow. Climbing over a stile, we saw it was made of 'chert', an ancient mudstone formed 400 million years ago. In the graveyard we looked at inscriptions on the headstones, but without prior knowledge of the pioneer families of the district, went away ignorant.
-(circa 1940), tea rooms and a general store were in the short main street. Opposite was the
-football oval, camping ground and RSL Club. After dining in the tea rooms we asked if it
+About 5 pm we rode past a sawmill and over the Molonglo Bridge near Captains Flat. The town consisted of fibro houses set out in two or three criss-cross streets overshadowed by a huge spoil heap with remnants of mining equipment scattered about. A two-storey brick hotel (circa 1940), tea rooms and a general store were in the short main street. Opposite was the football oval, camping ground and RSL Club. After dining in the tea rooms we asked if it would be possible to have a hot shower in the toilet block in the camping grounds. The local Rotary Club had the key. Alas, the President was not prepared to drive 10 km to town to open the showers for three bike riders, so dusk saw us splashing ourselves with icy water in the river at the back of the camp site.
-would be possible to have a hot shower in the toilet block in the camping grounds. The local
-Rotary Club had the key. Alas, the President was not prepared to drive 10 km to town to open the showers for three bike riders, so dusk saw us splashing ourselves with icy water in the river at the back of the camp site.
+I awoke stiff and sore from the previous day's 45 km, and joined John and Lyn for a muesli breakfast. On the first hill out of town the gears on my bike seized, bringing me to a standstill. I found that the locking ring to the back cluster had come undone, resulting
-I awoke stiff and sore from the previous day's 45 km, and joined John and Lyn for a
+in the loss of most of the ball bearings. With John's help I put the wheel together again and cycled on with a wobbly set of cogs. A strange noise came from the back axle and the chain came off every now and then, but we managed to keep moving. The day's riding on dirt
-muesli breakfast. On the first hill out of town the gears on my bike seized, bringing me to
+roads led us into Tallanganda State Forest and over the Great Dividing Range. I walked up a lot of the hills, while my companions cycled slowly on with their low gears.
-a standstill. I found that the locking ring to the back cluster had come undone, resulting
-in the loss of most of the ball bearings. With John's help I put the wheel together again
+Although it was hot, there was a cool wind and we were protected by the eucalypts which overhung the road. We enjoyed great views of the Bendoura and Berlang State Forests. In these forests are Iron Bark, Silvertop Ash, Sydney Peppermint, Turpentine, Yellow Stringybark and Spotted Coastal Grey Box with an understory of Burrawang Palms.
-and cycled on with a wobbly set of cogs. A strange noise came from the back axle and the
-chain came off every now and then, but we managed to keep moving. The day's riding on dirt
+The further we went, the rougher the road became, with stones, water channels and corrugations. Traffic was almost non-existent. We had lunch at the Ballaba Bridge on a tributary of the Shoalhaven River. That afternoon, after a grueling 10 km of stony road, we came to
-roads led us into Tallanganda State Forest and over the Great Dividing Range. I walked up a
-lot of the hills, while my companions cycled slowly on with their low gears.
-Although it was hot, there was a cool wind and we were protected by the eucalypts which overhung the road. We enjoyed great views of the Bendoura and Berlang STate Forests. In
-these forests are Iron Bark, Silvertop Ash, Sydney Peppermint, Turpentine, Yellow Stringybark and Spotted Coastal Grey Box with an understory of Burrawang Palms.
-The further we went, the rougher the road became, with stones, water channels and corrugations. Traffic was almost non-existent. We had lunch at the Ballaba Bridge on a tributary
-of the Shoalhaven River. That afternoon, after a grueling 10 km of stony road, we came to
 Major's Creek, which consisted of a wide verandah hotel, a general store, a church and twenty houses.
-At the pub we enquired the way to Araluen as our map and a signpost seemed to be showing different directions. The local drinkers told us the sign was correct but the road down the
-mountain was very rough and steep. In the 1800's this dirt road was used by horse-drawn
+At the pub we enquired the way to Araluen as our map and a signpost seemed to be showing different directions. The local drinkers told us the sign was correct but the road down the mountain was very rough and steep. In the 1800's this dirt road was used by horse-drawn
 vehicles, with a log tied to the back to slow them down. In those times the way was so narrow that alternate days were allocated for the up or down journey.
-We stopped at Clarkels Lookout to admire the view over the valley. It was near this
-spot in 1865 that a gang of bushrangers held up the gold coach and its escort of four mounted
+We stopped at Clarke's Lookout to admire the view over the valley. It was near this spot in 1865 that a gang of bushrangers held up the gold coach and its escort of four mounted troopers. The gang, led by Thomas Clarke, fired and told the troopers to "BAIL UP", but the escort returned their fire. One of the guards slipped away into the bush and surprised the robbers from behind, thus foiling the robbery.
-troopers. The gang, led by Thomas Clarke, fired and told the troopers to "BAIL UP", but the escort returned their fire. One of the guards slipped away into the bush and surprised the robbers from behind, thus foiling the robbery.
-The Sydney Bushwalker
-Page 5
-June 1989
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-Page 6 The Sydney Bushwalker June 1989
 In the 1850's and 60's Major's Creek, Araluen, Braidwood and Nerrigundah districts were the scene of one of Australia's biggest gold rushes. The area was very isolated and living conditions were primitive for the people living in tents and bark shanties which had stringybark roofs and dirt floors. Only bush tracks led to the settlements. From Sydney to the goldfields by bullock dray took three months.
-Our journey down the mountain was 'scary' as the road's earth banks had been washed away, making the hairpin bends and steep drops to the valley floor even more alarming. We had to stop halfway down as our hands were aching from the constant pressure on the brakes. We freewheeled another two kilometres
-until we reached the ford at Araluen Creek. Refilling our water bottles we coasted on a flat road, past apple and peach orchards until we came to
+Our journey down the mountain was 'scary' as the road's earth banks had been washed away, making the hairpin bends and steep drops to the valley floor even more alarming. We had to stop halfway down as our hands were aching from the constant pressure on the brakes. We freewheeled another two kilometres until we reached the ford at Araluen Creek. Refilling our water bottles we coasted on a flat road, past apple and peach orchards until we came to Appletree Flat. Here we camped in a beautiful grassy glade with tall gums towering overhead.
-Appletree Flat. Here we camped N7 in a beautiful grassy glade with tall gums towering overhead.
-Next day we rode through the sleepy villages of Araluen North, Araluen and Araluen Lower. The main street of Araluen contained a hotel and a derelict post office with a shingle roof. It was hard to believe that the area had once supported 29 hotels.
+Next day we rode through the sleepy villages of Araluen North, Araluen and Araluen Lower. The main street of Araluen contained a hotel and a derelict post office with a shingle roof. It was hard to believe that the area had once supported 29 hotels. These had featured imported German bands and dancing girls from Sydney as entertainment.
-These had featured imported German bands and dancing girls from Sydney as entertainment.
 The road twisted and turned, following Deua/Mbruya River with Deua National Park on one side and the Wandera State Forest on the other. We stopped for lunch at the junction of two streams and went 'skinny dipping' in the crystal water which flowed past sandy banks.
 It was near here that the Jubilee Inn had stood, a favourite haunt of the bushrangers, who were able to survey the road from vantage points overlooking the valley. We reached Muruya late that afternoon, after pedalling 65 km, and booked into the luxury of the local caravan park, hot showers and all. That evening, in a local restaurant, we paid for our return to Sydney via Pioneer Bus, $24 each plus $10 for each bike.
-* -X
 CONSERVATION SUBMISSIONS
 In addition to the Kanangra-Boyd Submission detailed last month, Alex Colley has written
@@ Line 213: / Line 193: @@
 ##########
 June 1989 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 7
-FAMOUS LAST WORDS
+=====Famous Last Words=====
 by Bill BUrke
-,ftimpahm.
-(First published in the magazine January 1977)
+Chris rang on Thursday to check up that the trip was going - "There's been a bit of rain." "Not to worry," says I, "not nearly enough to stop this trip." And so a party of ten spread over three cars set out on an ordinary routine easy weekend walk.
-Chris rang on Thursday to check up that the trip was going - "There's been a bit of rain." "Not to worry," says I, "not nearly enough to stop this trip." And so a party of ten spread
-over three cars set out on an ordinary routine easy weekend walk.
+Advance car (mine) arrived at Goodman's Ford at 10 pm. The weather was fine but a few spots of rain shortly afterwards hastened the erection of our tents and soon to bed to be lulled to sleep by the steady drum of rain on the tent. Faintly heard some of the others arrive and had a momentary twinge of sympathy over thoughts of putting up tents in the rain before slumber reclaimed me.
-Advance car (mine) arrived at Goodman's Ford at 10 pm. The weather was fine but a few
-spots of rain shortly afterwards hastened the erection of our tents and soon to bed to be lulled
+Morning dawned with the rain continuing in a steady stream, the ground soggy and running with water, but memories of a pile of driftwood from a previous trip proved accurate and I soon had a pile of dry firewood. A quick look at the Wollondilly River - low and clear showed that all was well.
-to sleep by the steady drum of rain on the tent. Faintly heard some of the others arrive and had a momentary twinge of sympathy over thoughts of putting up tents in the rain before slumber reclaimed me.
-%ming dawned with the rain continuing in a steady stream, the ground soggy and running with water, but memories of a pile of driftwood from a previous trip proved accurate and I soon had a pile of dry firewood. A quick look at the Wollondilly River - low and clear showed
+Breakfasted to the accompaniment of steady rain and then into the cars and on our way to Barralier, only to have a flat tyre and then second thoughts about the possible condition of the road. Second thoughts were best and so we left the cars high and reasonably dry near the old stone house. Lucky, as we would never have made it over the grassy road, and even if we had the road was subsequently cut by flooding and a fall of large boulders.
-that all was well.
-Breakfasted to the accompaniment of steady rain and then into the cars and on our way to Barralier, only to have a flat tyre and then second thoughts about the possible condition of the road. Second thoughts were best and so we left the cars high and reasonably dry near the
+No trouble at the river crossing at Barrallier - only knee deep - dropped in on the Cousins who now occupy Tony Carlon's old house, to extend the usual courtesies walkers should always observe when passing through private property, then off up Murruin Creek. Bindook Creek for lunch and Wattley Hollow at 4 pm for the night camp.
-old stone house. Lucky, as we would never have made it over the grassy road, and even if we
-had the road was subsequently cut by flooding and a fall of large boulders.
+Wet rocks slowed some of the party and these together with cold saturated feet from the numerous creek crossings allied with the continual rain made conditions generally unpleasant and cold. Stops were only long enough to enable the tail-enders to catch up. No opportunity to laze and yarn and enjoy the many green grassy flats that are such a feature of Murruin Creek in sunny weather.
-No trouble at the river crossing at Barrallier - only knee deep - dropped in on the Cousins who now occupy Tony Carlon's old house, to extend the usual courtesies walkers should always observe when passing through private property, then off up Murruin Creek. Bindook Creek for
-Lunch and Wattley Hollow at 4 pm for the night camp.
+Lunch was to be a 20 minute stand and eat; a fire would have taken too long and it was too cold and miserable to stand around. Revived memories of a similar lunch break at the junction of Christy's Creek and the Kowmung many years ago. It was a Finch-Wyborn trip. We
-Wet rocks slowed some of the party and these together with cold saturated Feet from the numerous creek crossings allied with the continual rain made conditions generally unpleasant and cold. Stops were only long enough to enable the tail-enders to catch up. No opportunity to laze and yarn and enjoy the many green grassy flats that are such a feature of Murruin Creek in sunny weather.
-Lunch was to be a 20 minute stand and eat; a fire would have taken too long and it was too cold and miserable to stand around. Revived memories of a similar lunch break at the junction df Christy's Creek and the Kowmung many years ago. It was a Finch-Wyborn trip. We
 had traversed the Tonalli Range and had seen nothing but mist and driving rain for 21 days on that occasion.
-I was half-way through my lunch when the tail-enders arrived. Two soaked and shivering
-with gear totally unsuitable for wet weather, and the third to quote "I'm freezing." He looked it, and it didn't take long to realise that another three hours up the ridge to arrive
+I was half-way through my lunch when the tail-enders arrived. Two soaked and shivering with gear totally unsuitable for wet weather, and the third to quote "I'm freezing." He looked it, and it didn't take long to realise that another three hours up the ridge to arrive
-at a soaking wet campsite on the highlands just on dusk was out of the question. We promptly
+at a soaking wet campsite on the highlands just on dusk was out of the question. We promptly suspended lunch, got a fire going, and put our freezing member to bed.
-suspended lunch, got a fire going, and put our freezing member to bed.
-It was an unfriendly, wet afternoon. Some slept and the remainder spent their time
+It was an unfriendly, wet afternoon. Some slept and the remainder spent their time collecting firewood and standing around a fire built to withstand any amount of rain. A half-hour break in the rain gave us an opportunity to dry out wet groundsheets and other gear. Plans were made by the more energetic for a 7 am start to complete the trip as per program. Tea was cooked in the rain and eaten standing up in the rain. Dark closed in with the rain, and bodies rapidly disappeared into the green, gold and red tents dotting the grassy flat.
-collecting firewood and standing around a fire built to withstand any amount of rain. A
-half-hour break in the rain gave us an opportunity to dry out wet groundsheets and other gear. Plans were made by the more energetic for a 7 am start to complete the trip as per program.
-Tea was cooked in the rain and eaten standing up in the rain. Dark closed in with the rain,
-and bodies rapidly disappeared into the green,gold and red tents dotting the grassy flat.
-Page 8 The Sydney Bushwalker June 1989
 Murruin Creek was still shallow and clear and Bindook Creek still hidden beneath the boulders lining its mouth.
 Stacked some wet wood between some sheets of old iron on the fire, and so, after 6 hours standing round in the rain, Chris and I - the last two - wished each other a cheery goodnight and off to bed. Not for long, however. My drying system worked only too well, and within
 half an hour the wood was not only dry but burning brightly. A hurried dash to scatter the burning wood in all directions and then stand on one of the burning sticks, before restacking the precious morning firewood.
 Awoke to the sound of roaring water down the creek. Other noises around the fireplace indicated that some at least were prepared to move off at 7 am as planned. Some remaining coals and the dry wood made firelighting easy; soon all were up bright and energetic, even if not brimming over with enthusiasm. Laurie had spent most of the night in a soaking wet bag due to the heavy rain. Murruin Creek was now a muddy torrent and Bindook had well and truly swallowed up the boulders at the mouth. Beyond, the junction was a wide yellow river covering the valley floor.
 I had hoped to send the tail-enders back down the creek, but one look was enough to raise doubts as to the wisdom of attempting to cross Murruin Creek at the Wollondilly junction, so decided to cross here and follow the right bank all the way down. Pat, Dick and Mal called for volunteers to continue on, and finding none decided to go anyway.
-Trip back was uneventful. Rain had stopped but a waist-deep crossing of the first side
-creek, together with constant contact with wet bushes and the numerous sidlings soon had the
+Trip back was uneventful. Rain had stopped but a waist-deep crossing of the first side creek, together with constant contact with wet bushes and the numerous sidlings soon had the party soaked again. We did actually have a dry (overhead) lunch break.
-party soaked again. We did actually have a dry (overhead) lunch break.
-Arriving back at the Cousins home to be greeted with, "You look a miserable lot. YQU
+Arriving back at the Cousins home to be greeted with, "You look a miserable lot. You won't be able to cross the Wollondilly - the river is 5 feet over the bridge." "Have an old shed down there where we used to live; you are welcome to that - has a stove and there is plenty of firewood." There really are some lovely people on the fringes of our walking country. Walkers should never forget this and rally to their support in the occasional dispute with the ultra pure environmentalists. Sensible land use both for recreational use and to earn a living is the best we can expect unless we are all prepared to go and jump immediately into the hereafter.
-won't be able to cross the Wollondilly - the river is 5 feet over the bridge." "Have an old
-shed down there where we used to live; you are welcome to that - has a stove and there is plenty of firewood." There really are some lovely people on the fringes of our walking country. Walkers should never forget this and rally to their support in the occasional dispute
+Inspection revealed a palace; carpet on the floor, two stoves, a pot-belly and a cooker no less, and with the assistance of Mr. Cousins the party was soon settled in; fires were going, wet gear draped round and the inevitable cup of tea in the making. Time passed, numerous phone calls were made to acquaint all at home about our late arrival, and we wondered about Pat and his party. The creek was checkednand looked none too promising. Mr. Cousins had mentioned the possibility of using his boat. And lo! there they were; had crossed and were on their way to the bridge when the Cousins directed them down to the shed.
-with the ultra pure environmentalists. Sensible
-land use both for recreational use and to earn a living is the best we can expect unless we are all prepared to go and jump immediately into the hereafter.
+Roll call on the provision front revealed that we had enough for at least one meal. Two heavy-weights produced a loaf of vogel bread each, and others contributed an assortment of riso-rica, a potato, peas, soups and dried fruit, all of which ended up in a first class stew. Mr. Cousins offered us chops and biscuits which we declined, and on another visit fresh milk, weetbix and biscuits for breakfast, which we accepted with pleasure. John Redfern went up to the house to collect the goodies and numerous cups of tea, cakes, scones, jam and cream; later returned to describe all this to us with great gusto.
-Inspection revealed a palace; carpet on the floor, two stoves, a pot-belly and a cooker no less, and with the assistance of Mr. Cousins the party was soon settled in; fires were going, wet gear draped round and the inevitable cup of tea in the making. Time passed, numerous phone calls were made to acquaint all at home about our late arrival, and we wondered
-about Pat and his party. The creek was checked
+Both Chris and Pat were anxious to get back to work and so a dawn start was planned in the hopes that the river would have dropped sufficiently to allow a crossing. Breakfast was a cold affair and we hurried away without even disturbing the dogs - they had more sense. A check of our river marker revealed that the bridge would be still under water and so it proved to be. No sign even of the guide posts at either end.
-and looked none too promising. Mr. Cousins
-had mentioned the possibility of using his boat. And lo! there they were; had crossed and
+Cup of tea was declared - marvellous thing, a cup of tea - whilst we considered our position. Was soon consumed and as the rain started to sprinkle again I decided to head for the verandah of the Jock Creek Hut, information by courtesy of Mr. Cousins, whilst the others stayed to wish the river down. Was soon comfortable in a cane armchair midst the cow dung and other assorted paraphernalia. The rain continued and one by one the others drifted in. Dick was the last and finding all chairs occupied did a little furter exploration to find an open room with - wonder of wonders - a double bed complete with mattress. A proposal by him and Pat that all should head for Wombeyan Caves receiving little support, he promptly retired to bed for several hours.
-were on their way to the bridge when the Cousins directed them down to the shed.
-Roll call on the provision front revealed that we had enough for at least one meal. Two
-heavy-weights produced a loaf of vogel bread each, and others contributed an assortment of riso-rica, a potato, peas, soups and dried fruit, all of which ended up in a first class stew. Mr. Cousins offered us chops and biscuits which we declined, and on another visit fresh milk,
-weetbix and biscuits for breakfast, which we accepted with pleasure. John Redfern went up to the house to collect the goodies and numerous cups of tea, cakes, scones, jam and cream; later returned to describe all this to us with great gusto.
-Both Chris and Pat were anxious to get back to work and so a dawn start was planned in the
-hopes that the river would have dropped sufficiently to allow a crossing. Breakfast was a
-cold affair and we hurried away without even disturbing the dogs - they had more sense. A
-check of our river marker revealed that the bridge would be still under water and so it proved
-to be. No sign even of the guide posts at either end.
-June 1989 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 9
-Cup of tea was declared - marvellous thing, a cup of tea - whilst we considered our position. Was soon consumed and as the rain started to sprinkle again I decided to head for the verandah of the Jock Creek Hut, information by courtesy of Mr. Cousins, whilst the others stayed to wish the river down. Was soon comfortable in a cane armchair midst the cow dung and other assorted paraphernalia. The rain continued and one by one the others
-drifted in. Dick was the last and finding all chairs occupied did a little furter exploration to find an open room with - wonder of wonders - a double bed complete with mattress. A proposal by him and Pat that all should head for Wombeyan Caves receiving little support, he promptly retired to bed for several hours.
 The weather was getting bleaker and colder and my burnt foot was starting to make its presence felt, so I slipped into my sleeping bag and made myself even more comfortable in the armchair. A trick I learnt in the army; if you have no place to go, then lie back and
 enjoy what you can of the situation.
-And so the morning passed. The ever restless Chris and Pat decided to head for Wombeyan Caves without packs and bring back taxis; made a further lengthy inspection of the river, reported a Police Car and much waving of arms and shouting which indicated that a lengthy wait was in progress, and then changed their minds and headed back to Barrallier for
-news via the phone. Laurie Quaken - wandering in circles - was cajoled into lighting a
+And so the morning passed. The ever restless Chris and Pat decided to head for Wombeyan Caves without packs and bring back taxis; made a further lengthy inspection of the river, reported a Police Car and much waving of arms and shouting which indicated that a lengthy wait was in progress, and then changed their minds and headed back to Barrallier for news via the phone. Laurie Quaken - wandering in circles - was cajoled into lighting a fire for another cuppa. Mal, John and Alan Fall rechecked the river.
-fire for another cuppa. Mal, John and Alan Fall rechecked the river.
-Lunch was served. One sweet bixie, one dry bixie and one very small piece of cheese
+Lunch was served. One sweet bixie, one dry bixie and one very small piece of cheese per person.
-per person.
 Come 3 pm, even I got restless and the whole party proceeded to the river to perform obtuse mathematical calculations as to the rate of fall and other probabilities or possibilities. The top half of the guide posts were now visible and an obvious pressure wave had
-formed over the bridge. Dick, the ever ambitious - the crossing of Murruin Creek must have
+formed over the bridge. Dick, the ever ambitious - the crossing of Murruin Creek must have gone to his head - contemplated swimming the river. As we had no wish to lose a good friend this was vetoed. Back to the fire to wonder over the fate of our restless duo who raced in
-gone to his head - contemplated swimming the river. As we had no wish to lose a good friend
-this was vetoed. Back to the fire to wonder over the fate of our restless duo who raced in
 at 6 pm more intent on regaling us with stories of sao biscuits thick with butter and cheese, tea with milk and sugar, etc, than with the information that the river would not fall at least before Wednesday and possibly not before Saturday.
-Decision made, we threw on our parkas and raced off the ten or somiles to Wombeyan Caves. The first party consisting of Pat, Dick, Mal, Alan and myself arrived at 9.45 pm
-and the remainder half an hour later. The manager of the kiosk remained guardedly behind
+Decision made, we threw on our parkas and raced off the ten or so miles to Wombeyan Caves. The first party consisting of Pat, Dick, Mal, Alan and myself arrived at 9.45 pm and the remainder half an hour later. The manager of the kiosk remained guardedly behind
-his fly-screen door and who can blame him. The arrival of five dirty, smelly, dripping
+his fly-screen door and who can blame him. The arrival of five dirty, smelly, dripping bodies encased in parkas out of the dusk would be enough to scare anyone. No, there was no local transport available. No, he didn't think we could ring Goulburn, the exchange was closed. "You people certainly get yourselves in a mess, don't you?" Yes, he would try to ring Goulburn - the atmosphere was thawing all the time - didn't we want to know the cost? Yes, he would open up the kiosk and let us buy some food. The flydoor actually opened. A slight delay and then the taxis were on the way, kiosk opened, food purchased between much talk and laughter and then a friendly, affable soul raced off down the road to open up a public shelter shed complete with electric light and water hot enough to make the inevitable tea and this time, coffee.
-bodies encased in parkas out of the dusk would be enough to scare anyone.
-No, there was no local transport available. No, he didn't think we could ring Goulburn,
+Had barely finished eating and cleaning up when the taxis arrived and we were off to Goulburn. The driver was friendly and talkative, the others dozed off to sleep and I was regaled with stories of the odd types of men and women who hire taxis. He was dubious about getting down to the Wollondilly on the other side, but after I mentioned the police car, promptly replied, "Where the 'fuzz' can go, we can go." A brief stopover at the all-night B.P. garage in Goulburn whilst the drivers reported to base and then we were on our way again. By 2 am we were back at our cars. A hurried whip around to raise the necessary cash, equally hurried start up of motors and we were on our way for a 5.30 am homecoming - some to work and others to catch up on lost sleep.
-the exchange was closed. "You people certainly get yourselves in a mess, don't you?"
-Yes, he would try to ring Goulburn - the atmosphere was thawing all the time - didn't we
-want to know the cost? Yes, he would open up the kiosk and let us buy some food. The
-flydoor actually opened. A slight delay and then the taxis were on the way, kiosk opened,
-food purchased between much talk and laughter and then a friendly, affable soul raced off down the road to open up a public shelter shed complete with electric light and water hot enough to make the inevitable tea and this time, coffee.
-Had barely finished eating and cleaning up when the taxis arrived and we were off to Goulburn. The driver was friendly and talkative, the others dozed off to sleep and I was
-regaled with stories of the odd types of men and women who hire taxis. He was dubious about getting down to the Wollondilly on the other side, but after I mentioned the police car,
-promptly replied, "Where the 'fuzz' can go, we can go." A brief stopover at the all-night
-B.P. garage in Goulburn whilst the drivers reported to base and then we were on our way again.
-By 2 am we were back at our cars. A hurried whip around to raise the necessary cash,
-equally hurried start up of motors and we were on our way for a 5.30 am homecoming - some to work and others to catch up on lost sleep.
 In retrospect, a lovely extended weekend with an extra ten mile walk, a 130 mile taxi drive and $14 per head must go on record as the longest, costliest crossing of the Wollondilly ever.
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 THE SYDNEY BUSHWA E
 CANOE & CAMPING