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 Vegetables, such as green beans, broccoli, green peas or brussel sprouts can be mixed with lentils and cooked.
+=====Walking The Line.=====
-WALKING THE LINE
 by Jim Brown
-Some forty to fifty years ago one of the tests used by Police to determine whether a person they had detained was "under the influrence" (oh, yes, alcohol, of course) was a requirement that he walk along a straight line drown on the floor of the Police Station.
-I suppose you could say it was a sort of "test walk", although hardly of the nature that bush walkers associate with that term.
+Some forty to fifty years ago one of the tests used by Police to determine whether a person they had detained was "under the influrence" (oh, yes, alcohol, of course) was a requirement that he walk along a straight line drown on the floor of the Police Station. I suppose you could say it was a sort of "test walk", although hardly of the nature that bush walkers associate with that term.
 There were many occasions when I "walked the line" - but not the one on the Police Station floor. My "line" was a railway line and I was there either because it was a convenient way to get back to a station (NO, NOT a Police Station), or because I had railroading photography in mind.
-No.., railway lines aren't straight, of course, but their curvature is quite gentle compared with the weaving course of the arrested toss-pots. In fact at that time the tightest
-curves on the State Rail network were of 4-or 5- chains radius - can you imagine an arc taken out of the circumference of a circle with a diameter of 200 metres and a circumference of about 630 metres? These were the tightest bends, and found only on a few hilly stretches, like the Richmond-Kurrajong extension, or the Tarana-Oberon Branch, both of which went out of
+No, railway lines aren't straight, of course, but their curvature is quite gentle compared with the weaving course of the arrested toss-pots. In fact at that time the tightest curves on the State Rail network were of 4- or 5-chains radius - can you imagine an arc taken out of the circumference of a circle with a diameter of 200 metres and a circumference of about 630 metres? These were the tightest bends, and found only on a few hilly stretches, like the Richmond-Kurrajong extension, or the Tarana-Oberon Branch, both of which went out of operation years ago. On the Main lines the curves were much more gradual, the most severe that comes to mind being a bend on the Illawarra Line, south of Helensburgh, with a radius of 9 -chains - say a segment out of a circle 360 metres in diameter.
-operation years ago. On the Main lines the curves were much more gradual, the most severe
-that comes to mind being a bend on the Illawarr-a Line, south of Helensburgh, with a radius of 9 -chains-- say a segment out of a circle 360 metres in diameter.
+Naturally, the permitted speed of trains negotiating such curves was severely restricted, being about 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) on a 9-chain curve, increasing to 36 or 40 m.p.h. on the 12- and 14-chain curves that were common on all mountainous sections of line. The reason is pretty obvious - in addition to the delay and disruption to timetables caused by derailments resulting from excessive speed around curves, there was the messy business of re-railing vehicles and repairing damage to both track and rolling stock. In addition Rail officials were required to investigate and report on derailments, and this could be a tedious and time-consuming task. I was once told by a "reliable source" that in the days when we still had trams in Sydney streets, wily old Traffic Inspectors always carried a broken bit of fishplate in their trucks, and from time to time would hit it with an axe to produce a "bright" dent: if no other reason for a derailment could be detected, the bit of steel plate could be produced as evidence that the wheel-flange of a tram had hit the "obstruction" on the line.
-Naturally, the permitted speed of trains negotiating such curves was severely restricted, being about 5 m.p.h. (40 km/h) on a 9-chain curve, increasing to 36 or 40 m.p.h. on the 12- and14-chain curves that were.common on all mountainous sections of line. The reason is
-pretty-obvious - in addition to the delay and disruption to timetables caused by derailments resulting from.excessive speed around curves, there was the messy business of re-:railing
+The lack of curvature on the line trodden by the drunkards may have dismayed them, but I never had any problems with bends in the railway. Other factors, such as embankments, and particularly cuttings or tunnels, could be awkward, however, and over the years I evolved systems designed to minimise the hazards and induce greater peace of mind. In case you should ever find it expedient or necessary to "walk the line", these are my rules:-
-vehicles and repairing damage to both track and rolling stock. In addition Rail officials
-were required to investigate and report on derailments, and this could be a tedious and time-
+Rule 1 - On lines with two tracks, walk on the right-hand track. This is the same principle as walking on a road when there's no footpath - you face the oncoming traffic. If you have to walk a single-line railway, well, the best of British good luck to you.
-consuming task. I was once told by a-"reliable source" that in the days when we still had
-trams in Sydney streets, wily old Traffic Inspectors always carried a broken bit of fishplate in their trucks, and from time to time would hit it with an axe to produce a."bright" dent: if no other reason for a derailment could be detected, the bit of steel plate could be produced as evidence that the wheel-flange of a tram had hit the "obstruction" on the line.
+Rule 2 - If you need to pass through cuttings, try to ensure the party is well spread out in groups of no more than two or three people. There isn't much room between the cutting wall and the train if your party does have to scuttle off the line into the gutters, and packs can take up a bit of that space. Remember, too, that the rails may be 4 ft 8 1/2 inch (about 143 cm) apart, but the width of rolling stock may be up to almost 10 ft (say 260 cm) at the floor level of the vehicles - an overhang of 75 cm each side of the rails.
-The lack of curvature on the line trodden by the drunkards may have dismayed them, but I never had any problems with bends in the railway. Other factors, such as embankments, and particularly cuttings or tunnels, could be awkward, however, and over the years I evolved systems designed to minimise the hazards and induce greater peace of mind. In case you should
-ever find it expedient or necessary to "walk the line", these are my rules:-
+Rule 3 - Walk quietly, discourage noisy chatter and keep on listening for approaching trains. If you do hear one - GET RIGHT OFF __BOTH__ TRACKS. The rationale for this is that the noise of an "Up" train may mask the sound of another on the "Down" line. (In Rail parlance, "up" is travelling towards the capital city, and "down" going away from the city, but knowing that won't help you if you don't see or hear the approaching train.) Keep in mind that a train running at 80 km/h may take several hundred metres to stop, even if the driver does see you and makes a "full emergency brake application".
-Rule 1 - On lines with two tracks, walk on the right-hand track. This is the same principle
-as walking on a road when there's no footpath - you face the oncoming traffic. If you
+I should like to be able to say that, having formulated these basic rules and having imparted them to any in my company, I have had a tranquil career when "walking the line". Poppycock! - one experience will suffice.
-have to walk a single-line railway, well, the best of British good luck to you.
-Rule 2 - If you need to pass through cuttings, try to ensure the party is well spread out in groups of no more than two or three people. There isn't much room between the cutting wall and the train if your party does have to scuttle off the line into the gutters, and packs can take up a bit of that space. Remember, too, that the rails may be
+On a day, walk I led in the Brisbane Water National Park, we came out on the "down" track of the busy Northern Line just outside the southern portal of the long (1.75 km) Woy Woy tunnel, with about 2 km to walk along the line to Wondabyne, almost half of it through cuttings. There were 38 people in my party, so I clambered down the ladder on to the line, paused, signalled for silence and listened. All clear, so I summoned the party to follow. (Actually I could see right through the tunnel and there was nothing in it.) As each group came down the ladder I counselled them; over and over again, in the bare bones of my "rules", then sent them off in extended formation and watched the tail come down.
-ft Fq inch (about 143 cm) apart, but the width of rolling stock may be up to almost 10 ft (say 260 cm) at the floor level of the vehicles - an overhang of 75 cm each side of the rails.
-Rule 3 - Walk quietly, discourage noisy chatter and keep on listening for approaching trains. If you do hear one - GET RIGHT OFF BOTH TRACKS. The rationale for this is that the
+One of the last down slipped on a damp sandstone ledge, fell a couple of metres and ended sprawled on the track. We picked him up, dusted him down, found he was only slightly bruised and shaken, and then followed the main party. As my little group of three emerged from the first cutting we could see the party ahead - half of them walking on the "up" line (probably because the "down" line had recently been re-ballasted, and the new blue-metal was sharp and uncomfortable underfoot). All the party had coalesced into groups of seven or eight, and they were talking volubly. There was no possibility of overtaking them to restore "order", so we followed on the alert for south-bound "up" trains, and ready to yell loudly.
-noise of an "Up" train may mask-the sound of another on the "Down" line. (In Rail
-parlance, "up" is travelling towards the capital city, and "down" going away from the city, but knowing that won't help you if you don't see or hear the approaching train.) Keep in mind that a train running at 80 km/h may take several hundred metres to stop,
+Happily no trains passed and 38 bodies, complete with 76 arms and 76 legs reached and overcrowded the tiny Wondabyne platform. Next day, looking at the extra grey hairs in my skull as I shaved, I murmured, like the legendary Raven - "Nevermore  except when I'm on my own".
-, even if the driver does see you and makes a "full emergency brake application".
-Page 6 The Sydney BuShwalker June 1991
+Well, all right, I've had a couple of scares even on my own, the one I remember best being in the Carlos Gap Tunnel on the single-track Mudgee Line, north of the town of Capertee. I'd gone there to photograph some of the final days of steam-train operation on the switch-back bit of line near Brogans Creek, where it skirts below huge sandstone cliffs, while out across Capertee Valley the eastern skyline includes Tyan Pic, Coricudgy and the other basalt tops: I was part-way through Carlos Gap tunnel when I heard the splutter of a motorised fettlers' trolley outside the north end, and dived into one of the refuges which are provided at intervals of about 50 metres in tunnel walls. I believe the three men on the trike never even suspected my presence.
-I should like to be able to say that, having formulated these basic rules and having imparted. them to any in my company, I have had a tranquil career when "walking the line". Poppycock!' one experience will suffice.
-On a day, walk I led in the Brisbane Water National Park, we came out on the "down" track
-of the busy Northern Line just outside the southern portal of the long (1.75 km) Woy Way tunnel, with about 2 km to walk along the line to Wondabyne, almost half of it through cuttings. There were 38 people in my party, so I clambered down the ladder on to the line, paused, signalled for silence and listened. All clear, so I summoned the party to follow. (Actually
-I could :See right through the tunnel and there was nothing in it.) As each group came down the ladder I counselled them; over and over again, in the bare bones of my "rules", then Sent them off in extended formation and watched the tail come down.
-One of the last down slipped on a damp sandstone ledge, fell a couple of metres and ended sprawled on the track. We picked him up, dusted him down, found he was only slightly bruised and shaken, and then followed the main party. As my little group of three emerged from the first cutting we could see the party ahead - half of them walking on the "up" line (probably because the "down" line had recently been re-ballasted, and the new blue-metal was sharp and uncomfortable underfoot). All the party had coalesced into groups of seven or eight, and they
-were talking volubly. There was no possibility of overtaking them to restore "order", so we followed on the alert for south-bound "up" trains, and ready to yell loudly.
--Happily no trains passed and 38 bodies, complete with 76 arms and 76 legs reached and overcrowded the tiny Wondabyne platform. Next day, looking at the extra grey hairs in my skull as I shaved, I murmured, like the legendary Raven - "Nevermore  except when I'm on my own".
-Well, all right, I've had a couple of scares even on my own, the one I remember best being in-the'Carlos Gap Tunnel on the single-track Mudgee Line, north of the town of Capertee. I'd
-gone there to photograph some of the final days of steam-train operation on the switch-back bit-of line near Brogans Creek, where it skirts below huge sandstone cliffs, while out across Cap'ertee Valley the eastern skyline includes Tyan Pic, Coricudgy and the other basalt tops: I wath part-way through Carlos Gap tunnel when I heard the splutter of a motorised fettlers1 trolley outside' the north end, and dived into one of the refuges which are provided at intervals
-of about SO metres in tunnel walls. I believe the three men on the trike never even suspected. my presence.
 There's not much else I can tell you about "walking the line". Except "It's illegal." "It's potentially deadly." - and "Be careful."
-LIMERICK
-In Reply to Errol Sheedy)
+=====Limerick.=====
+(In Reply to Errol Sheedy)
 by Jim Brown
-This-Sheedy bloke's got to be nuts!
-I can say this without "ifs" or "buts": For my toes are not bent
+This Sheedy bloke's got to be nuts!\\
-Where in sandshoes I went,
+I can say this without "ifs" or "buts":\\
-Though I could use a new set of guts
+For my toes are __not__ bent\\
-(Oh, and if anyone has a cheap set of re-treaded lungs,
+Where in sandshoes I went,\\
-they could perhaps be-useful.)
+Though I could use a new set of guts...
-GOOD WALKING, ERROL MATE -
-June 1991 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 7
+(Oh, and if anyone has a cheap set of re-treaded lungs, they could perhaps be useful.)
+Good walking, Errol mate -
 VALE PAUL SHARP