SBW Magazine & History Project

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace: • 197905
199611

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
Next revisionBoth sides next revision
199611 [2016/12/07 10:17] – joan199611 [2016/12/07 10:26] – [Widden Wanderings] joan
Line 76: Line 76:
  
 **About the Magazine.**\\ **About the Magazine.**\\
 +
 The October edition of //The Sydney Bushwalker// asked for a response to some questions on the magazine. The October edition of //The Sydney Bushwalker// asked for a response to some questions on the magazine.
  
Line 245: Line 246:
 This was not surprising, of course, given that we were scaling the fence of the Westmead Hospital's nursing quarters and nurses are not stupid. And even if they were, they have unions to protect :them. Unfortunately, bushwalkers don't and even if they did, I've got a feeling Wilf would not curb his passion for finding adventure in the suburbs without a fight. This was not surprising, of course, given that we were scaling the fence of the Westmead Hospital's nursing quarters and nurses are not stupid. And even if they were, they have unions to protect :them. Unfortunately, bushwalkers don't and even if they did, I've got a feeling Wilf would not curb his passion for finding adventure in the suburbs without a fight.
  
-There is, of course, always a bright side. In this case, there were no guard , dogs waiting on the other side.+There is, of course, always a bright side. In this case, there were no guard dogs waiting on the other side.
 So, it was with some surprise, and not inconsiderable awe, that I found Wilf surpassed himself on his recent flexiday walk from Waterfall to Otford. It completely dispelled any association of flexidays with rest, relaxation, spoiling oneself, the luxury of a day off, etc. So, it was with some surprise, and not inconsiderable awe, that I found Wilf surpassed himself on his recent flexiday walk from Waterfall to Otford. It completely dispelled any association of flexidays with rest, relaxation, spoiling oneself, the luxury of a day off, etc.
  
-Six of Us took off for what turned out to be an experience straight out of the "X Files" (for those who don't understand take a look at Channel 10 on Wednesday nights). It's true the walks program said something about a tunnel or two and it's true. I only spoke to Wilf via answer machines and its true I thought he was joking when he said 'bring a torch', but I never thought we'd be doing a sort of combination 'great railways of the world/great disused tunnels of the world' tour over 22 km of the south coast. Silly me. I'm sure the clues were there if I'd been clever enough to switch to "Wilf alert" mode.+Six of us took off for what turned out to be an experience straight out of the "X Files" (for those who don't understand take a look at Channel 10 on Wednesday nights). It's true the walks program said something about a tunnel or two and it's true. I only spoke to Wilf via answer machines and its true I thought he was joking when he said 'bring a torch', but I never thought we'd be doing a sort of combination 'great railways of the world/great disused tunnels of the world' tour over 22 km of the south coast. Silly me. I'm sure the clues were there if I'd been clever enough to switch to "Wilf alert" mode.
  
 The eccentric tone of the day started when We met at Central railway and one of our civic minded members turned up with a swag of glossy magazines s/he (no clues) had retrieved from a recycling bin and proceeded to give them away to puzzled peak hour commuters. The eccentric tone of the day started when We met at Central railway and one of our civic minded members turned up with a swag of glossy magazines s/he (no clues) had retrieved from a recycling bin and proceeded to give them away to puzzled peak hour commuters.
Line 258: Line 259:
 Walking through them was not as bad as it sounds, the worst part was getting to the end and finding the exits were blocked up and having to brave the walk back. They say the journey home is always shorter, but, believe me, they weren't talking about tunnels. Walking through them was not as bad as it sounds, the worst part was getting to the end and finding the exits were blocked up and having to brave the walk back. They say the journey home is always shorter, but, believe me, they weren't talking about tunnels.
  
-But the pinnacle of them all was the 'X File' tunnel. No movie director could hope to create such an atmospheric set: to approach the tunnel we slipped through silent expanses of paddocks littered with rusted machinery, disused equipment and broken fences. EverYthing was old and run-down. A series of open sided sheds led up to the tunnel which was approached via an ancient, narrow track that once shuttled coal into the depths of the tunnel. Makeshift open drainage spilt polluted water around corners and onto uneven levels of earth, ingrained with countless layers of metal and stones.+But the pinnacle of them all was the 'X File' tunnel. No movie director could hope to create such an atmospheric set: to approach the tunnel we slipped through silent expanses of paddocks littered with rusted machinery, disused equipment and broken fences. Everything was old and run-down. A series of open sided sheds led up to the tunnel which was approached via an ancient, narrow track that once shuttled coal into the depths of the tunnel. Makeshift open drainage spilt polluted water around corners and onto uneven levels of earth, ingrained with countless layers of metal and stones.
  
 Smells were everywhere, but there was a particular indescribable earth odour that needed a clothespeg on the nose to avoid. As we didn't have any, we tried to stop breathing which only turned our faces bright red and intensified the smell when we inevitably had to gulp in huge mouthfuls of oxygen moments later.  Smells were everywhere, but there was a particular indescribable earth odour that needed a clothespeg on the nose to avoid. As we didn't have any, we tried to stop breathing which only turned our faces bright red and intensified the smell when we inevitably had to gulp in huge mouthfuls of oxygen moments later. 
  
-There was a loud humming noise coming from some unidentifiable, piece of vibrating machinery in the last shed we passed, which showed strange signs of recent habitation. Lights were on, bench spaces looked used and even a noticeboard had a few scribbled messages. But there was not a single sign of human presence. It was pure ghost town-ville. The 'X Files' tunnel was long and illuminated by a few sparse bare light bulbs which dotted its length until the eyes could no longer focus. Jumbo size clear plastic tubing hung from the ceiling of the tunnel, like a huge transparent sausage pulsating with a life of its own, as it laboriously pumped air or some sort of gas, to somewhere in the hidden blackness of the tunnel. Rickety scaffolding leaned against the walls in the distance. Obviously: something was going on, some sort of operation, but what? Again, not a single human being was anywhere to be seen. Had they all been beamed up to an overhead satellite from some foreign and hostile planet for which this celestial backblock was home? What sinister schemes and secrets were being planned and plotted by the aliens in the depths of the tunnel? Was the clear plastic tubing pumping some sort of life support breathing gas to them?+There was a loud humming noise coming from some unidentifiable, piece of vibrating machinery in the last shed we passed, which showed strange signs of recent habitation. Lights were on, bench spaces looked used and even a noticeboard had a few scribbled messages. But there was not a single sign of human presence. It was pure ghost town-ville. The 'X Files' tunnel was long and illuminated by a few sparse bare light bulbs which dotted its length until the eyes could no longer focus. Jumbo size clear plastic tubing hung from the ceiling of the tunnel, like a huge transparent sausage pulsating with a life of its own, as it laboriously pumped air or some sort of gas, to somewhere in the hidden blackness of the tunnel. Rickety scaffolding leaned against the walls in the distance. Obviously something was going on, some sort of operation, but what? Again, not a single human being was anywhere to be seen. Had they all been beamed up to an overhead satellite from some foreign and hostile planet for which this celestial backblock was home? What sinister schemes and secrets were being planned and plotted by the aliens in the depths of the tunnel? Was the clear plastic tubing pumping some sort of life support breathing gas to them?
 We attacked the problem by doing what all bushwalkers do - we turned our bewildered faces to the leader and asked him. With a look that clearly did not invite follow-up questions, Wilf declared they were growing mushrooms. As for the people, well, they were probably on a flexiday, he said.  We attacked the problem by doing what all bushwalkers do - we turned our bewildered faces to the leader and asked him. With a look that clearly did not invite follow-up questions, Wilf declared they were growing mushrooms. As for the people, well, they were probably on a flexiday, he said. 
  
Line 349: Line 350:
 The Government's historic forestry reform package delivers ten new National Parks and reserves and defers approximately 671,000 ha from logging pending its assessment for inclusion in a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system. The deferred area is based on the Conservation Criteria outcome in the IFA report. The Government's historic forestry reform package delivers ten new National Parks and reserves and defers approximately 671,000 ha from logging pending its assessment for inclusion in a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system. The deferred area is based on the Conservation Criteria outcome in the IFA report.
  
-**The Australian said of this decision: "Carr's Forestry Package Hailed as National Blueprint."**+The Australian said of this decision: "Carr's Forestry Package Hailed as National Blueprint."
  
 120,000 ha has been identified in the South-East Forest National Park - 90,000 ha to be reserved immediately and the rest to be confirmed through the six month Comprehensive Regional Assessment. This exceeds the Government's election promise and preserves the highly contested south-east forest forever. 120,000 ha has been identified in the South-East Forest National Park - 90,000 ha to be reserved immediately and the rest to be confirmed through the six month Comprehensive Regional Assessment. This exceeds the Government's election promise and preserves the highly contested south-east forest forever.
Line 367: Line 368:
  
  
-Beware the 'Ultraviolet Hangover'.\\ +Beware the 'Ultraviolet Hangover'. 
-Skin cancer -who is at risk? \\+ 
 +Skin cancer - Who is at risk? \\
 Everyone under the sun: Two out of three people who live their lives in Australia will require treatment for at least one type Of skin cancer during their lifetime. This is the highest rate in the world. The good news is that most skin cancer can be prevented. Everyone under the sun: Two out of three people who live their lives in Australia will require treatment for at least one type Of skin cancer during their lifetime. This is the highest rate in the world. The good news is that most skin cancer can be prevented.
  
-What causes skin cancer?\\+**What causes skin cancer?**\\
 The major cause of skin cancer is exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. What is ultraviolet radiation? Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is produced by the sun and includes the rays UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA leads to wrinkling and premature ageing of the skin. UVA together with UVB causes skin damage which leads to skin cancer. UVB causes sunburn and skin damage which leads to skin cancer. UVC is reflected and absorbed by the atmosphere so very little reaches the earth. The major cause of skin cancer is exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. What is ultraviolet radiation? Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is produced by the sun and includes the rays UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA leads to wrinkling and premature ageing of the skin. UVA together with UVB causes skin damage which leads to skin cancer. UVB causes sunburn and skin damage which leads to skin cancer. UVC is reflected and absorbed by the atmosphere so very little reaches the earth.
  
Line 439: Line 441:
  
 ===== Tick Alert===== ===== Tick Alert=====
-How to remove a Tick- A Tick in time prevent Lyme =====+**How to remove a Tick- A Tick in time prevent Lyme** 
  
 REMOVAL\\ REMOVAL\\
Line 459: Line 461:
  
 Ixodes ticks primarily transmit Lyme disease Ixodes ticks primarily transmit Lyme disease
 +
 lava → nymphs → adults → engorged adult lava → nymphs → adults → engorged adult
 +
  
 **LYME DISEASE SYMPTOMS**\\ **LYME DISEASE SYMPTOMS**\\
Line 494: Line 498:
 by Paul McCann by Paul McCann
  
-The area around upper Widden Brook & its tributaries has always been of interest to me since the 1970's I had some trip notes from various NPA trips in the 1970's. I managed to convert the old OR's to the newer maps & led a few walks in the upper reaches of Widden Brook with the Wilderness Society and the NPA. This walk was postponed from the SBW August program & took place over the recent October long weekend.+The area around upper Widden Brook & its tributaries has always been of interest to me since the 1970's. I had some trip notes from various NPA trips in the 1970's. I managed to convert the old OR's to the newer maps & led a few walks in the upper reaches of Widden Brook with the Wilderness Society and the NPA. This walk was postponed from the SBW August program & took place over the recent October long weekend.
  
 After a few last minute cancellations and the Friday night drive to Dunn's Swamp east of Rylstone (near Mudgee) we set of with a party of six, five being prospectives. We followed an old overgrown logging track following a tributary of Never Never Creek to a saddle. This 'saddle marks the Great Dividing Range separating the Cudgegong-Macquarie catchment (Murray-Darling) from the catchment of Widden Brook which flows into the Hunter River. We descended down a steep gully into Widden Brook and followed the stream downstream past lovely coachwood trees, tree ferns and towering sandstone cliffs above us. In several places the stream cuts into the base of the sandstone cliffs creating interesting overhangs. Progress was slower. planned due to the higher water level in the creek. We tried to keep the boots dry, however as we progressed downstream we eventually took to wading through the creek. We reached the intended lunch stop at about 3.30 pm. I decided not to proceed any further for the day as there were no campsites for the next few hours. We set up camp on a near the creek under the rainforest canopy. We had a fire between some large boulders which offered perfect seats and backrests. As the evening progressed I noticed the sky becoming overcast with high cloud building up. After happy hour and dinner we all went to bed early to catch up on some sleep. The sound of the trickling water in the creek was very relaxing. After a few last minute cancellations and the Friday night drive to Dunn's Swamp east of Rylstone (near Mudgee) we set of with a party of six, five being prospectives. We followed an old overgrown logging track following a tributary of Never Never Creek to a saddle. This 'saddle marks the Great Dividing Range separating the Cudgegong-Macquarie catchment (Murray-Darling) from the catchment of Widden Brook which flows into the Hunter River. We descended down a steep gully into Widden Brook and followed the stream downstream past lovely coachwood trees, tree ferns and towering sandstone cliffs above us. In several places the stream cuts into the base of the sandstone cliffs creating interesting overhangs. Progress was slower. planned due to the higher water level in the creek. We tried to keep the boots dry, however as we progressed downstream we eventually took to wading through the creek. We reached the intended lunch stop at about 3.30 pm. I decided not to proceed any further for the day as there were no campsites for the next few hours. We set up camp on a near the creek under the rainforest canopy. We had a fire between some large boulders which offered perfect seats and backrests. As the evening progressed I noticed the sky becoming overcast with high cloud building up. After happy hour and dinner we all went to bed early to catch up on some sleep. The sound of the trickling water in the creek was very relaxing.
199611.txt · Last modified: 2016/12/07 10:29 by joan
Donate Powered by PHP Valid HTML5 Valid CSS Driven by DokuWiki