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- | SYDNEY BUSHWALKER is a monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers Box 4476 GPO Sydney 2001. To advertise in this magazine, please contact the Business Manager. | + | **SYDNEY BUSHWALKER** is a monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers |
- | Editor: Patrick James | + | |
- | 5/2 Hardie Street Neutral Bay 2089 | + | |Editor| Patrick James, 5/2 Hardie Street Neutral Bay 2089 Telephone |
- | Telephone 9953 8384 | + | |Business Manager| George Mawer, 42 Lincoln Road Georges Hall, Telephone |
- | Business Manager: George Mawer | + | |Production Manager| Fran Holland| |
- | 42 Lincoln Road Georges Hall | + | |Printers| Kenn Clacher, Tom Wenman, Barrie Murdoch, Margaret Niven & Les Powell| |
- | , Telephone 9707 1343 | + | |
- | Production Manager: Fran Holland Printers: Kenn Clacher, Tom Wenman) , Barrie Murdoch, Margaret Niven | + | THE SYDNEY BUSH WALKERS INCORPORATED was founded in 1927. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milsons Point Railway Station). |
- | & Les Powell | + | |
- | THE SYDNEY BUSH WALKERS INCORPORATED was founded in 1927. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milsons Point Railway Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wednesday. | + | President: Tony Holgate\\ |
- | | + | Vice-President: |
- | Treasurer: Greta James | + | Public Officer: Fran Holland\\ |
- | Secretary: Michele Powell | + | Treasurer: Greta James\\ |
- | Walks Secretary: Eddy Giacomel | + | Secretary: Michele Powell\\ |
- | SocialSetretary: Peter Dalton | + | Walks Secretary: Eddy Giacomel\\ |
- | Membership Secretary: Barry Wallace | + | Social Secretary: Peter Dalton\\ |
- | New Members Secretary: | + | Membership Secretary: Barry Wallace\\ |
- | | + | New Members Secretary: |
- | Conservation | + | Conservation Secretary: Bill Holland\\ |
- | Ma gazige,Editor Patrick James | + | Magazine |
- | Committee Members: | + | Committee Members: Suzanne Garland & Don Wills\\ |
- | Suzanne Garland & Don Wills | + | Delegates to Confederation: |
- | Delegates to Confederation: | + | |
- | Jim Callaway & Ken Smith | + | **OCTOBER 1997** |
- | OCTOBER 1997 | + | |
In This Issue, No. 755 | In This Issue, No. 755 | ||
- | 2 Editorial | + | |
- | 3 70 Years | + | |2|Editorial| |
- | 3 Put Your Best Foot Foremost | + | |3|70 Years| |
- | 3 70"' | + | |3|Put Your Best Foot Foremost |
- | 5 Newspaper Cuttings and Extracts 7 The Wombat | + | |3|70th Anniversary Celebrations| |
- | 7 Untitled Song | + | |5|Newspaper Cuttings and Extracts| |
- | 8 A Colo-Uraterer Venture | + | |7|The Wombat |
- | 11 First Perambulator to Kanagra | + | |7|Untitled Song| |
- | 19 Molly-Moo-Ma | + | |8|A Colo-Uraterer Venture |
- | 21 Five Returns Dulbolla, Please | + | |11|First Perambulator to Kanangra |
- | 22 Both Ends of the Budawangs | + | |17|Over Gangerang in a Hurry| |
- | 22 Geoff Wagg: comments | + | |19|Molly-Moo-Ma| |
- | 22 Finding the Castle | + | |21|Five Returns Dulbolla, Please| |
- | 24 untitled | + | |22|Both Ends of the Budawangs| |
- | 25 Paralyser 1956 | + | |22|Geoff Wagg: comments| |
- | 28 Phobias | + | |22|Finding the Castle |
- | 29 Reunion 1957 | + | |24|Untitled | |
- | 31 Frank Rigby: comments | + | |25|Paralyser 1956| |
- | 31 The Walker' | + | |28|Phobias| |
- | 32 Bush: | + | |29|Reunion 1957| |
- | 33 Hyrrin | + | |31|Frank Rigby: comments| |
- | 33 Wildlife in the Apsley Gorge | + | |31|The Walker' |
- | 35 Hot Stuff | + | |32|Bushwalking |
- | 36 Helen Gray; comments | + | |33|Hymn of Hate | |
- | 36 Yet another Bungle | + | |33|Wildlife in the Apsley Gorge | |
- | 38 We'll be Marooned | + | |35|Hot Stuff| |
- | 39 Destination Mawson' | + | |36|Helen Gray; comments| |
- | 40 Era | + | |36|Yet another Bungle |
- | 41 Reminiscences of Things | + | |38|We'll be Marooned |
- | 45 The Snow Bowl | + | |39|Destination Mawson' |
- | 46 The Rains Came | + | |40|Era | |
- | 46 Hilltop to Katoomba via Bimlow Tableland | + | |41|Reminiscences of Things| |
- | 47 The Virgin Queen | + | |45|The Snow Bowl| |
- | 48 Judy O' | + | |46|The Rains Came | |
- | 48 Anyone Can be a good Cook | + | |46|Hilltop to Katoomba via Bimlow Tableland |
- | 49 A Tribute to the Silent Dignity of a Friend | + | |47|The Virgin Queen | |
- | 50 A Short Note on K to K in a Day | + | |48|Judy O' |
- | 51 Acknowledgements | + | |48|Anyone Can be a good Cook | |
- | 51 The Editor | + | |49|A Tribute to the Silent Dignity of a Friend |
- | 52 Index of Articles and Poems | + | |50|A Short Note on K to K in a Day | |
+ | |51|Acknowledgements| | ||
+ | |51|The Editor | ||
+ | |52|Index of Articles and Poems| | ||
Advertisers | Advertisers | ||
- | P 4 | ||
- | P 16 P 44 | ||
- | Back cover | ||
- | Willis' | ||
- | Paddy Pallin | ||
- | fie | + | P 4 Willis' |
- | Editorial Happy seventieth anniversary to you all. This special edition of the Sydney Bushwalker is to celebrate our seventy years from 1927 to 1997. To mark our 60th anniversary, | + | P 16 Eastwood Camping Centre\\ |
- | The way selected to celebrate in print the 70th anniversary was a very simple concept, to prepare an anthology of SBW writings from the last seventy years. In our archives we have a wealth of articles which today are as fresh and as entertaining as they were When first published. | + | P 44 Alpsports\\ |
- | If only one person selected the articles there was a risk of bias in time, or style or theme. If 400 people made the selection it would take for ever with the end result as thick as a telephone directory. The chosen process, was elegantly simple, the people who wrote the chapters in the Book (one chapter per decade) were asked to select two articles per decade, with editorial licence being used to find a replacement for Jim Brown and a new wordsmith for the last decade. To allow for some democracy in the selection an invitation to all members was made in the August magazine to nominate articles for inclusion. | + | Back cover |
- | The main selection of L.Cydney | + | |
- | The articles are presented in chronological order of their publication. Although' | + | ====== |
- | Sydney Bushwalker except some newspaper reports which set the scene in 1927/28 and two poems. As appropriate, | + | |
- | As you read the articles, bear in mind that over these seventy years many developments have happened. Plastic, Nylon and other synthetic fibres came into general use in the 50s and 60s about a generation after our start. Reliable topographic maps started in the 60s and 70s; the 1:25,000 series now cover the whole of the eastern division of New South Wales. In the beginning they used road maps and cycling maps. By today' | + | Happy seventieth anniversary to you all. This special edition of the Sydney Bushwalker is to celebrate our seventy years from 1927 to 1997. To mark our 60th anniversary, |
- | This anthology didn't just happen; it didn't fall off the back of a truck' | + | |
- | The Sydney | + | The way selected to celebrate in print the 70th anniversary was a very simple concept, to prepare an anthology of SBW writings from the last seventy years. |
- | The Sydney | + | |
- | Ladies and gentlemen, Sydney Bush Walkers all, with pride and pleasure, the 701h Anniversary Special Edition, anthology of bushwalking stories and verse. | + | If only one person selected the articles there was a risk of bias in time, or style or theme. |
- | alktr | + | |
- | ... | + | The main selection of Sydney |
- | 70 Years | + | |
- | We all delight in the memories and stories of oue experiences in SBW. Sometimes the walk is never over, it just keeps getting retold over and over. We often concentrate on the trips that went wrong, the hardships, the mishaps, the risks. But lets not forget the positive side; the beauty of the Australian bush, the discovery of ourselves, the thrill of exploration, | + | The articles are presented in chronological order of their publication. |
- | Let us reune.... Tony Holgate, President. | + | |
- | Put your best foot Foremost | + | As you read the articles, bear in mind that over these seventy years many developments have happened. |
+ | |||
+ | This anthology didn't just happen; it didn't fall off the back of a truck ready to be posted. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ladies and gentlemen, Sydney Bush Walkers all, with pride and pleasure, the 70th Anniversary Special Edition, anthology of bushwalking stories and verse. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | We all delight in the memories and stories of our experiences in SBW. Sometimes the walk is never over, it just keeps getting retold over and over. We often concentrate on the trips that went wrong, the hardships, the mishaps, the risks. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Let us reune…. Tony Holgate, President. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
by Kath McKay | by Kath McKay | ||
- | 0 stricken maid | + | |
- | Seek not the aid | + | O stricken maid \\ |
- | Of corn pad, slave or plaster | + | Seek not the aid\\ |
- | Of any sort; | + | Of corn pad, slave or plaster\\ |
- | You'll simply court | + | Of any sort;\\ |
+ | You'll simply court\\ | ||
The worst kind of disaster. | The worst kind of disaster. | ||
- | Bushwalker (male) | + | |
- | Shun knife and file, | + | Bushwalker (male)\\ |
- | Of razor blades beware! | + | Shun knife and file,\\ |
- | Be sure to treat | + | Of razor blades beware!\\ |
- | Your precious feet | + | Be sure to treat\\ |
+ | Your precious feet\\ | ||
With kindness and with care. | With kindness and with care. | ||
- | Feet, believe me, Are VIP, | + | |
- | To treat 'em rough forbear | + | Feet, believe me,\\ |
- | For sure as egg | + | Are VIP,\\ |
- | Your suffering legs | + | To treat 'em rough forbear\\ |
- | | + | For sure as egg\\ |
- | The Sydney | + | Your suffering legs\\ |
- | Anniversary Celebrations | + | Won't grow another pair. |
- | 11-12 Oct. Reunion at Coolana: The | + | |
- | weeding and gardening have been completed and Coolana is a picture of beauty and joy. This celebration is a reunion for members, prospective member, ex-members and their family. | + | The Sydney |
- | When parking at Coolana, move forward and/or sideways and leave room for others. What to bring: everything, especially good voice and good cheer. Be prepared as usual for hot, cold, wet and/or dry weather. Bush toilets will be available. Water is available on the River Flats. | + | |
- | Following SBW traditions of long standing entertainment has been specially commissioned for the campfire. | + | |
- | Coola n a is located in the Kangaroo Valley. | + | ====== |
- | By the Hume Highway, about 200 km from Sydney, via Mittagong, Bowral, Moss Vale, Fitzroy Falls and Kangaroo Valley, turn into Mount Scanzi Road, 2nd right after Hampden Bridge. By the Princes Highway, about 180 km from Sydney. Turn off to Kangaroo Valley at either Berry or Bomaderry | + | |
- | Coolana is on the Tallowa Dam Road, about 100 metres west of the intersection with Mount Scanzi Road (previously known as Tallowa Dam Road). NRMA map Southern Highlands shows the general location of the Land (in grid H7) and access routes; on this map Mount Scanzi Road is shown as Bugong. Road. The Land is located at the junction of the two western CMA maps (scale | + | |
- | 1: | + | 11-12 Oct. Reunion at Coolana: The weeding and gardening have been completed and Coolana is a picture of beauty and joy. This celebration is a reunion for members, prospective member, ex-members and their family. |
- | .. | + | |
- | - - ' Kangaroo Valley | + | When parking at Coolana, move forward and/or sideways and leave room for others. |
- | .. . . 9028-4-S | + | |
- | . . . | + | Following SBW traditions of long standing entertainment has been specially commissioned for the campfire. |
- | . .. Berry | + | |
- | .. .., - 9028-3-N | + | Coolana |
- | Special Notice: for those senior members of the Club a 4WD vehicle will be available, if required, to take you from the parking area downhill to the River Flats, and back! | + | |
- | Friday 17 Oct. Dinner | + | By the Hume Highway, about 200 km from Sydney, via Mittagong, Bowral, Moss Vale, Fitzroy Falls and Kangaroo Valley, turn into Mount Scanzi Road, 2nd right after Hampden Bridge. |
- | At the North Sydney Leagues Club, Abbott St., Cammeray. Parking is available at the Club. For public transport users the Club is a short cab or bus trip from North Sydney station. (buses 202, 203, 207 and 208) | + | |
- | er | + | Coolana is on the Tallowa Dam Road, about 100 metres west of the intersection with Mount Scanzi Road (previously known as Tallowa Dam Road). NRMA map Southern Highlands shows the general location of the Land (in grid H7) and access routes; on this map Mount Scanzi Road is shown as Bugong Road. The Land is located at the junction of the two western CMA maps (scale 1:25000). |
- | We have the -.Celebrity Room (main ftinction | + | |
- | Pam. Allen, the New South Wales Minister for the Environment, | + | 8928-1-S Bundanoon\\ |
- | The dinner is not formal but Club dress rules do apply, smart casual is the way to dress. If in doubt ring the North Sydney Leagues Club. | + | 9028-4-S |
- | Sunday 19 Oct. Picnic-Barbeque at | + | 8928-2-S Burrier\\ |
- | Manly Dam. The opportunity for everyone to get together in an atmosphere spiced with the aroma of fried onions and burnt meat. Meet old friends from way back when, be photographed with the president of you choice. A day as costly as you wish make it; ling prawns and champagne or bangers and beer. | + | 9028-3-N |
- | We have booked Picnic Areas aB, 3C and 3D which are accessible to by car, by foot or by wheelchair. | + | |
- | To find us look for the SBW signs. There is a fee of $6 per car to enter the Manly Dam site. To enter by foot costs nothing. | + | Special Notice: |
- | What to bring? Bring what you'd normally bring to a barbeque in a park, barbeque, table, chairs, esky, food, drink, glasses, plates, camera, | + | |
- | Wednesday 22 Oct. Nostalgia | + | Friday 17 Oct. Dinner |
- | At the clubrooms, Kirribilli Neighbour Centre. This evening will have a fluid , unstructured format, but it will include a photographic collage by Don Matthews, the guru of the silver halides. Members are asked to bring their own nostalgia items. Bring photos of you and your friends, the walks you went on and places you visited. Be prepared for an evening of talking and listening. Bring a plate to go with the SBW drinks | + | |
- | Lower Mitchell Falls - a series of falls, cascades and pools - swim in them all. | + | At the North Sydney Leagues Club, Abbott St., Cammeray. Parking is available at the Club. For public transport users the Club is a short cab or bus trip from North Sydney station. (buses 202, 203, 207 and 208) |
- | Tidal Rapids - a waterfall that Rows upstream or down with the changing tide. | + | |
- | Western Gorge - 5 krh of narrow, spectacular gorge headed by a 70 m waterfall with four drops. | + | We have the Celebrity Room (main function |
- | Donkins Falls - a sheer drop of over 100m into a narrow gorge that meets the sea. | + | |
- | Unnamed Falls & Gorge - something this big should be on the map, but it's not. | + | Pam Allen, the New South Wales Minister for the Environment, |
- | Aboriginal art - dozens of sites in a variety of styles show that this has been a popular place for the last ten thousand years or so. | + | |
- | More? Of course.. please ask for | + | The dinner is not formal but Club dress rules do apply, smart casual is the way to dress. |
- | our brochure and trip notes. | + | |
- | Willis' | + | Sunday 19 Oct. Picnic-Barbeque at Manly Dam. The opportunity for everyone to get together in an atmosphere spiced with the aroma of fried onions and burnt meat. Meet old friends from way back when, be photographed with the president of you choice. |
- | 12 Carrington St Millner NT 0810 | + | |
- | . . | + | We have booked Picnic Areas 3B, 3C and 3D which are accessible to by car, by foot or by wheelchair. |
- | No one knows the area better than we do. Wet season or Dry, we'll show you the best the region has to offer | + | |
- | Phone: (08) 8985 2134 | + | To find us look for the SBW signs. There is a fee of $6 per car to enter the Manly Dam site. To enter by foot costs nothing. |
- | Fax: (08) 8985 2355 | + | |
- | Camp Fires on the Bush Trail | + | What to bring? |
+ | |||
+ | Wednesday 22 Oct. Nostalgia | ||
+ | |||
+ | At the clubrooms, Kirribilli Neighbour Centre. This evening will have a fluid , unstructured format, but it will include a photographic collage by Don Matthews, the guru of the silver halides. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
Sydney Sun, 3 June 1928. | Sydney Sun, 3 June 1928. | ||
- | If by any chance you are enthusiastic enough to wander off the motor roads for a little solitude among the gum-trees, don't be startled if you see a band of girls scrambling through the undergrowth as if they were escaping from custody. Do not be misled by the fact that they wear khaki shorts instead of short skirts into thinking that perhaps dryads were up to pranks. | + | |
- | The girls are members of the Sydney Bush Walkers' | + | If by any chance you are enthusiastic enough to wander off the motor roads for a little solitude among the gum-trees, don't be startled if you see a band of girls scrambling through the undergrowth as if they were escaping from custody. |
- | The kit means food for the day of longer, tent and blanket, and on camping trips the equipment always carried includes a torch, tomahawk, candles and first aid. outfit. Neither men nor women travel without a small housewife kit complete with needles and thread, and adhesive tape. The latter will mend a tear or patch a wound splendidly. | + | |
- | The Sydney Bush Walkers' | + | The girls are members of the Sydney Bush Walkers' |
- | Two trips are now organised every Sunday - a long walk and a short one, so that those who like walking and are not equal to the task of strenuous miles can still get out in the sunshine along the open road. As well as these official trips, members arrange parties among themselves for short distances and the more venturesome explore new tracks. Lectures and social gatherings are now a feature of the club's activities, and every Friday night the photographs are shown to members. A club photographic album is a record | + | |
- | of Wanderings | + | The kit means food for the day or longer, tent and blanket, and on camping trips the equipment always carried includes a torch, tomahawk, candles and first aid outfit. |
- | "Most of the women are as capable walkers as the men," said Mr. Debert, "and three of our members who recently walked from Blackheath to Richmond were the first women to do it. Yet it is curious that only those women who wear the correct costume stand up to the strenuous trails. Skirts are all right on straight walks, but when it comes to scrambling through rough country and undergrowth, | + | |
- | "Some of the women have done over 400 miles in walking trips alone since the club was established and it is amusing to see how friends are fired to join after hearing some of the pleasant times we have. Of course the hardships are never told and people say 'Oh I'd love to join up; I'm a very good walker' | + | The Sydney Bush Walkers' |
- | As a reward for their enthusiasm these walkers, who act as protectors of flora and fauna have seen parts of the country which are unknown to those who keep to motor roads and tram-lines. There are beaches not far from Sydney that are shining golden bays, never despoiled by the picnic-maker, | + | |
- | Six photos, blurred and un-reproducible, | + | Two trips are now organised every Sunday - a long walk and a short one , so that those who like walking and are not equal to the task of strenuous miles can still get out in the sunshine along the open road. As well as these official trips, members arrange parties among themselves for short distances and the more venturesome explore new tracks. |
- | Sydney Bush Walkers, a New Club, Sydney Morning Herald | + | |
- | The Sydney Bush Walkers was recently formed as a club, and from a mere handful of enthusiasts it has slowly but steadily grown to a membership of 80 odd walkers of both sexes. The Club consists of persons who like a little of the real bush and so take jaunts afoot, gaining an intensive knowledge | + | "Most of the women are as capable walkers as the men," said Mr. Debert, "and three of our members who recently walked from Blackheath to Richmond were the first women to do it. Yet it is curious that only those women who wear the correct costume stand up to the strenuous trails. |
- | fV. | + | |
- | of some of the unusual features of our wonderful bushlands, besides receiving physical recuperation. | + | "Some of the women have done over 400 miles in walking trips alone since the club was established and it is amusing to see how friends are fired to join after hearing some of the pleasant times we have. Of course the hardships are never told and people say 'Oh I'd love to join up; I'm a very good walker' |
- | Each Sunday or holiday, parties with packs on their backs can be seen on the broad highway or on some mountain trail. Organised walks under an experienced member who acts as a guide are arranged and members may avail themselves of such trips. The Club caters for all types of walkers, and its aims are briefly; to foster a bond of good-fellowship for those who love the great outdoors, the forests and the broad open life of the bush; to preserve the gentle art of tramping in these days of hurry and bustle, as walking is the greatest of exercises; to encourage walkers, lovers of nature and amateur explorers to reach and enjoy the beautiful and wild parts of this country; at all times to protect and preserve the flora and fauna of our land; to encourage others to appreciate the manly and wholesome recreation of walking. | + | |
- | The badge of the Club consists of a neatly drawn flannel. flower designed by Mr. A. Rigby. The club has been granted the use of the Boy Scouts Club room (third floor), 258 George Street, every Friday night, when members foregather for informal discussions re tracks, new beauty spots explored, the exchange of photographs and experiences. | + | As a reward for their enthusiasm these walkers, who act as protectors of flora and fauna have seen parts of the country which are unknown to those who keep to motor roads and tram-lines. |
+ | |||
+ | Six photos, blurred and un-reproducible, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sydney Bush Walkers, a New Club, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sydney Morning Herald | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney Bush Walkers was recently formed as a club, and from a mere handful of enthusiasts it has slowly but steadily grown to a membership of 80 odd walkers of both sexes. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Each Sunday or holiday, parties with packs on their backs can be seen on the broad highway or on some mountain trail. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The badge of the Club consists of a neatly drawn flannel flower designed by Mr. A. Rigby. | ||
Bushwalkers | Bushwalkers | ||
+ | |||
Sydney Morning Herald, 2 March 1928 | Sydney Morning Herald, 2 March 1928 | ||
- | During the last week three members of the Sydney Bush Walkers' | + | |
+ | During the last week three members of the Sydney Bush Walkers' | ||
Bushwalkers' | Bushwalkers' | ||
- | Sydney Morning Herald, 9 March 1928 Tomorrow a party of members of the Sydney Bushwalkers' | + | |
- | t9" Ssdne .0:# | + | Sydney Morning Herald, 9 March 1928 |
- | Sydney Morning Herald, 29 March 1928 The Sydney Bush Walkers' | + | |
- | Sydney Bush Walkers | + | Tomorrow a party of members of the Sydney Bushwalkers' |
+ | |||
+ | Bush Walkers | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sydney Morning Herald, 29 March 1928 | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney Bush Walkers' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sydney Bush Walkers | ||
The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 April 1928 | The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 April 1928 | ||
- | Over the weekend a party of 18 'members of the Sydney Bush Walkers' | + | |
- | The Sydney Bush Walkers, Lovers of the Out of Doors: Girls who wear Shorts, by J.D. The Australian Sporting and Dramatic News, 10 August 1929 | + | Over the weekend a party of 18 members of the Sydney Bush Walkers' |
- | There is in Sydney a group of young enthusiasts who are drawn together by the bond of good fellowship created by the love of Nature and the worship of the great outdoors. Such is the Sydney Bush Walkers' | + | |
- | Primarily walking is the chief aim of the members, but do not think that is where the club's activities commence and finish. These alert men and women of varying ages are almost all individualists, | + | The Sydney Bush Walkers, Lovers of the Out of Doors: Girls who wear Shorts, by J.D. The Australian Sporting and Dramatic News, 10 August 1929 |
- | ' | + | |
- | r,,, | + | There is in Sydney a group of young enthusiasts who are drawn together by the bond of good fellowship created by the love of Nature and the worship of the great outdoors. |
- | here and there :is an ardent | + | |
- | On Sundays and holidays, parties are to be seen on mountain trails, or following the bends and twists of our rivers. Many members devote the whole of their annual leave to some long and arduous walk. Roads are taboo, for these enthusiasts see no fun in walking to a place which can be visited by motor. Their aim is to visit the unfrequented spots, the places the tourist passes by in his desire to cover distance. While people are advising us to "see Australia first" the Bushwalkers are seeing the districts surrounding Sydney first, and they know their bushlands well. | + | Primarily walking is the chief aim of the members, but do not think that is where the club's activities commence and finish. |
- | Talk ' | + | |
- | They will tell you of glorious beaches near Sydney that are, as yet, unspoiled by the picnic-maker and his peelings, papers and inevitable trail of tin cans. How, many Sydney people know that there are corners of the National Park that might be the tropical jungle? The Bushwalkers know these places. | + | On Sundays and holidays, parties are to be seen on mountain trails, or following the bends and twists of our rivers. |
- | Another intensely interesting side of the club is its camping activities. Many of the places visited are approachable only by long walks that entail the necessity of carrying camping equipment. To the participants the evenings around a camp fire, with the fragrance of burning gum leaves, are never-tobe-forgotten memories. There is no place or time where conversation flows so freely as around a camp fire. Then there are solos and community singing. Various discussions are entered upon, | + | |
- | and in a group of people with such varied opinions many excellent topics are brought up. | + | Talk to any of them about National Park, Kuring-gai |
- | Food is carried also, and many tempting dishes are made by the walkers. Some members spend much time over the culinary art, but then one develops a very healthy appetite after a hard day's walk. | + | |
- | Walking trips are made through the winter and summer, but naturally more time is spent in swimming and basking in the sun in the summer, whereas the longer walks are embarked upon during the winter and spring. Members are free to wear whatever they like, but shorts, shirts and stockings find universal favour with both sexes. There is no doubt about the freedom and coolness of shorts; nor is there any about the scratches one has to contend with when wearing them! | + | They will tell you of glorious beaches near Sydney that are, as yet, unspoiled by the picnic-maker and his peelings, papers and inevitable trail of tin cans. How many Sydney people know that there are corners of the National Park that might be the tropical jungle? |
+ | |||
+ | Another intensely interesting side of the club is its camping activities. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Food is carried also, and many tempting dishes are made by the walkers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Walking trips are made through the winter and summer, but naturally more time is spent in swimming and basking in the sun in the summer, whereas the longer walks are embarked upon during the winter and spring. | ||
Two photos accompanied the article with the captions | Two photos accompanied the article with the captions | ||
- | 1. E. Austen, J. Debert. Miss W. Lewis. Miss F. Ramsey. H. Chardon. Miss A. Duncan and T. Herbert on the banks of the Nattai River. | + | |
- | 2. Sydney Bush Walkers with their full kit. The leader examines his road map. | + | 1. E. Austen, J, Debert, Miss W. Lewis, Miss F. Ramsey, H. Chardon, Miss A. Duncan and T. Herbert on the banks of the Nattai River. |
- | The Wombat by Denis Alexander*. As you splash along the track, | + | |
- | eyes alert and ears pinned back, | + | 2. Sydney Bush Walkers with their full kit. The leader examines his road map. |
- | you may have seen those queer square turds. In thought, if not expressed in words, | + | |
- | the stress of such defecation | + | ====== |
+ | |||
+ | by Denis Alexander* | ||
+ | |||
+ | As you splash along the track,\\ | ||
+ | eyes alert and ears pinned back,\\ | ||
+ | you may have seen those queer square turds.\\ | ||
+ | In thought, if not expressed in words,\\ | ||
+ | the stress of such defecation\\ | ||
baffles the imagination. | baffles the imagination. | ||
- | But it is not done to entertain us | + | |
- | the wombat has an oblong anus. | + | But it is not done to entertain us\\ |
- | So if your slumber is disturbed | + | the wombat has an oblong anus.\\ |
- | by cries and screams, don't be perturbed. | + | So if your slumber is disturbed\\ |
- | Eyes closed, teeth clenched and wracked in pain a wombat' | + | by cries and screams, don't be perturbed.\\ |
- | * Annual of Tasmanian Tramp No. 25 1984/85 Hobart Bushwalking Club Inc. | + | Eyes closed, teeth clenched and wracked in pain\\ |
- | Untitled Song by Jim Brown | + | a wombat' |
- | Please don't sue our Editor, Although he was to blame. He should not have said it, or At least not used your name. When we elect our Editors They' | + | |
- | , | + | * Annual of Tasmanian Tramp No. 25 1984/85 |
- | A Colo - Uraterer Venture | + | |
+ | Hobart Bushwalking Club Inc. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Jim Brown | ||
+ | |||
+ | Please don't sue our Editor,\\ | ||
+ | Although he was to blame.\\ | ||
+ | He should not have said it, or\\ | ||
+ | At least not used your name. | ||
+ | |||
+ | When we elect our Editors\\ | ||
+ | They' | ||
+ | But when their year is almost up\\ | ||
+ | They' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sydney | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | | ||
by Maxwell Gentle | by Maxwell Gentle | ||
- | Mr. Gordon Smith and I arrived at Capertee Railway Station at 4.30 am Thursday, February 5th, 1931. Daybreak found us walking leisurely along the undulating roadway that runs from Capertee to Glen Alice. It zigzagged around the head of Coca Creek and passed under the shadow of spectacular sandstone walls, but after awhile a more open country was reached, over which were scattered numerous sheep stations. After passing the Coca Creek ford we found ourselves in a broad valley. We had left the aptly-termed Tower Mountain behind us, and were now abreast of Mount Genowlan on our left and Canobla Gap on our right. The surrounding mountains gave an impression of great wildness. A few miles to the northward could be seen the Chimney Stack, which, from its conical appearance may have been a one-time volcano. Though the surrounding country was purely sandstone the bed of Coca Creek was composed of granite cobble stones. The creek itself was a chain of pools, fringed with river oaks and occasional willows. The undulating grassland through which it flowed was all taken up by sheep and cattle runs. | + | |
- | After passing the conical Mt. Canobla we found ourselves abreast of Mt. Gundangaroo, | + | Mr. Gordon Smith and I arrived at Capertee Railway Station at 4.30 am Thursday, February 5th, 1931. Daybreak found us walking leisurely along the undulating roadway that runs from Capertee to Glen Alice. |
- | That night we camped on the river bank 4 miles downstream from the Glen Alice Crossing. Naturally we felt very tired, having that day walked 27 miles along a hard, rocky road. We carried only 401b. packs, but had no sleep at all on the previous night. Next morning found us walking down through a valley that reminded us of the Burragorang, | + | |
- | rose higher and were much cleaner cut. The valley was narrowing in fast and soon presented the appearance of a gigantic canyon. A bridle track was followed along this section of the river and at times it rose a little above the river bed. An abandoned shale mine was passed in this locality and soon we reached the junction of the Running Stream. The water in it was quite good and a pleasant relief after the bad water of the Capertee. | + | After passing the conical Mt. Canobla we found ourselves abreast of Mt. Gundangaroo, |
- | The Running Stream gorge is an enormously deep and narrow canyon, and but for its presence there would be a more practicable route from the Capertee Valley to Gosper' | + | |
- | Late that afternoon I found myself sitting down in a semi-exhausted condition. I. was gazing upon a segment of the most expansive cyclorama of my life, and like a man in a dream I realized that I was on the crest of Uraterer and that Gordon Smith was beside me. In the foreground there was seen | + | That night we camped on the river bank 4 miles downstream from the Glen Alice Crossing. |
- | a maze of Wooded | + | |
- | Next morning we left with regret this throne of the everlasting hills to take on the big proposition of finding a way back to the Capertee Valley. On the way back we made three mistakes of note, and it was only because of the fact that I made very accurate calculations on the way that saved us from otherwise inevitable disaster. Shortly before dusk we reached the Capertee River and next morning faced another big proposition, | + | The Running Stream gorge is an enormously deep and narrow canyon, and but for its presence there would be a more practicable route from the Capertee Valley to Gosper' |
- | The bridle track continued on down the river and saved us much time. The sandstone bluffs that hemmed in the valley presented a very striking appearance and in my opinion the gorge scenery puts the Nattai and Burragorang Valleys in the shade. A few wallabies were seen and wonga pigeons and wild duck were in great numbers. About 3 miles before the Wolgan River Junction, the track died out and we plunged into the roughest river walking that I had up to this time experienced. The steep sided banks were strewn with boulders and over-grown with blackberry, lawyer vines, lantana and nettles. It came so | + | |
- | suddenly that it took the stomach out of me, and after doing 1.5 miles in 4 hours I suggested giving it up. However, my more determined mate knew only one word - " | + | Late that afternoon I found myself sitting down in a semi-exhausted condition. |
- | Next morning, after miles of similar work, we reached the point where the inflow of the Wolgan joins the Capertee and so forms the Colo. We could look up the Wolgan a short way and it appeared hellish rough. From this point the Colo flowed between huge boulders for about a mile, after which there was a long stretch of sandbank - a pleasant relief. Another mile, however, and rock-hopping was the order of things. Scrambling over boulders and bashing our way through lawyer vines and other creepers, alternated with short | + | |
- | stretches of sandbank. Frequent waist-deep wadings were necessary-, as was also the case down the whole length of the Colo; and treacherous quicksands had to be guarded against. The towering cliffs on each side of the valley presented a very broken appearance and occasionally we caught glimpses of gigantic sandstone caves at great heights above the river. Such was the order of things until the entrance of Wollemi Creek was reached. It had about as much water in it as Kanangra River. The Wollemi Gorge was hemmed in by towering precipices, and I doubt if its profound depths are ever disturbed by mankind. | + | Next morning we left with regret this throne of the everlasting hills to take on the big proposition of finding a way back to the Capertee Valley. |
- | Next morning we pushed onward again and much to our dismay the sandbanks disappeared. We found that clambering over boulders was good for all round muscular development. The rocks were purely of sandstone and in places had a topping of ironstone. The Colo River was in the form of long, smooth pools alternating with rapids, where the water flowed between barriers of boulders. As a rule these barriers were the only practicable crossing places. By this time our packs weighed only 30 pounds each, but with the hellish rough walking we found them quite heavy enough. The monotony of rock-hopping was broken here and there by a rough passage through lawyer vines. Occasionally blackberry and wild raspberry bushes barred the way, and these had to be gone around, either through the water, or around the hillsides above. We were very disappointed that the | + | |
- | ' | + | The bridle track continued on down the river and saved us much time. The sandstone bluffs that hemmed in the valley presented a very striking appearance and in my opinion the gorge scenery puts the Nattai and Burragorang Valleys in the shade. |
- | 8ya | + | |
- | blackberry was not in fruit; on the other hand a shot-gun was sadly missed on the trip. There were wild duck in droves, and never being disturbed they would provide excellent shooting at close range. Towards sundown our spirits were brightened by the re-appearance of sand-bars and that night we camped on a fine stretch of sand, beside a deep pool. We had covered 8 miles for the day. | + | Next morning, after 1½ miles of similar work, we reached the point where the inflow of the Wolgan joins the Capertee and so forms the Colo. We could look up the Wolgan a short way and it appeared hellish rough. |
- | On the following day we found that 4 miles was our limit. The going was frightfully rough and consisted of hauling one another over boulders and through crevasses. In places a rocky buttress would rise sheer out of the water, and sometimes the water was shallow enough to permit a passage around. In other cases it was doubtful if the depth could be measured in hundreds of feet. The Colo in this section is a magnificent canoeing stream and should satisfy the most exacting. Towering walls of sandstone rise almost from the water' | + | |
- | returned to camp we had breakfast and shortly after commenced our journey along the winding | + | Next morning we pushed onward again and much to our dismay the sandbanks disappeared. |
- | Next morning we breakfasted at the Wheeny Creek Crossing, and reached Kurrajong about mid-day. We had completed our trip down the Colo River. We would say it was noteworthy for its two main features, viz: magnificent scenery and the roughness of the walking. It occupied | + | |
- | The Sydney Bushwalker Dec. 1931: Maxwell Gentle. Gordon Smith | + | On the following day we found that 4 miles was our limit. |
- | wa | + | |
- | First Perambulator to Kanangra Tops: 1931 by Miles Dunphy | + | From information gathered previously we learned that many years ago a Government Surveyor constructed a track down the Colo River from the Wollangambe Junction to the Blacksmith' |
- | When a man acquires a small family and still is afflicted. with bush mania he has to pause frequently during his family-sustaining activities and cogitate furiously about what to do with the wife and nipper. Of course he could say quite brassily " | + | |
- | Well, about this perambulator trip. It was something different believe me; I've got a backache yet. First I roused the district. There is nothing like publicity; sometimes it produces results. I advertised as follows: " | + | Next morning we breakfasted at the Wheeny Creek Crossing, and reached Kurrajong about mid-day. |
- | child, and wished he could see the works when the child' | + | |
- | Margaret (that' | + | The Sydney Bushwalker Dec. 1931: Maxwell Gentle, Gordon Smith |
- | yard. It yawed, wobbled and was quite conversational about the axles, but otherwise behaved itself and Milo was delighted. I hadn't the heart to tell him he would probably have to walk. That kid has one fault in particular: he takes too much for granted. | + | |
- | We were horribly stuck for time, that is to say we had plenty of time, but the bush was calling and the kid and the wife were their camp gear about every half hour. When they get like that there is only one thing to do, so actually we were stuck for time. How to make the contraption hold a lot of gear and the boy too, was a problem. I placed this cross between a harvesting machine and a billycart before me, sat on a box, peeled two bananas and ate them slowly whilst I studied the problem. Bananas are excellent food, if somewhat slippery to the teeth. I got a great idea, a really brilliant idea, because it enabled me to put plenty of weight onto the pram in a quick, effective and economical manner. The fact that I had to push it made it doubly interesting; | + | ====== |
- | Assisted by Milo (he insisted) I fitted two canvas boxes at the sides, slung from little hardwood booms fitted across the pram. Another box was fitted to the front (or back; who knows which end of a pram is the front?), new washers were added to the axles to reduce the wobble, and some other removable improvements were made. Then blimey, there stood the Kanangra Limited (speed and springs) Express, nearly as wide as a sulky, replete with awning, stays, billycan box, side tucker and gear boxes, footrest for the passenger, rifle carrier, and new tyres. No other nipper ever had a go-cart like this one. Dismantled, packed and leg-roped so that it couldn' | + | |
- | The kid's education really began from the time we left Central Station. It was " | + | by Miles Dunphy |
- | Next morning I visited Oberon for additional tucker and 2 week's supply of apples and oranges for Milo. Back at camp, we fitted up and packed things into working order, and when ready for the road we found we had 199 lbs. gross load, to push, haul and carry.. It did not appear possible. | + | |
- | The pram complete weighed 135 lbs. (including Milo 26 lbs.). Marg's swag went 28 and my knapsack 36 lbs. Our food supply weighed 68 lbs. including the apples and oranges, some grapes and I dozen eggs. Also there were a rifle, torch, small axe, tent and rope, cans and the rest of the usual gear, together with some unusual but very necessary gear. I had heavy, hob-nailed boots and my idea was to carry the knapsack to help weight my feet down, and to enable me to push the heavy pram without skidding on the ground. It worked. | + | When a man acquires a small family and still is afflicted with bush mania he has to pause frequently during his family-sustaining activities and cogitate furiously about what to do with the wife and nipper. |
- | The start-off was not as auspicious as it was conspicuous, | + | |
- | "Ther yclqov uslywaiket. | + | Well, about this perambulator trip. It was something different believe me; I've got a backache yet. First I roused the district. |
- | about grade and road texture not thought of in either road-walking or motoring. | + | |
- | Next day opened fine and hot and saw Milo and ourselves in our element about camp. An old bloke breezed up with a nice horse, two friendly dogs and a most impressive caution about tiger snakes. Persistent inquiry elicited the facts that one had been killed hereabout the previous year and another 6 or 7 years before that. Anyway, Milo thought the horse belonged to Daddy Christmas. Young hopeful took to camp life with avidity, enjoyed his bath in the creek and spent much time building little dud cook-fires. | + | Margaret (that' |
- | The next half day went merrily enough mid we lunched near Duckmaloi Bridge, interrupted by minor observations and disturbances of the ever active and curious infant. The overturned skeleton of an old sulky was " | + | |
- | Whilst we lunched we had the Edith Hill in sight before us. It is a boomer for everything on wheels or feet so we bad to consider a plan of action. First I went a mile onward up the hill with all I could carry, including rifle, water and Marg's swag. Returning, Marg was put onto the towrope, the brat made comfortable, | + | We were horribly stuck for time, that is to say we had plenty of time, but the bush was calling and the kid and the wife were their camp gear about every half hour. When they get like that there is only one thing to do, so actually we were stuck for time. How to make the contraption hold a lot of gear and the boy too, was a problem. |
- | Next day the mist changed to fairly heavy rain but being very well fitted and glad of the cool change we preferred to push along to the Kanangra turnoff. The rain gradually eased off leaving everything deliciously cool and damp. Then we started the traverse of the six mountain tops to Cunnynghame' | + | |
- | Next day was misty and cool and raining off and on. With our small but efficient camp fire and snug quarters we enjoyed it. It was a great environment for the little bloke and a certain amount of wild life filled his day with interest, and we had time to tell him about it. Old Mr, Cunnynghame left his little hut and its column of blue-white wood smoke and came along for a lengthy yarn. He did not knew what to think about the pram; he was staggered; it was too much for him, but he appreciated company. He must lead a very lonely existence on this roof of the mountains. Mr. Don Wallace and two mates drifted along, bound on their first adventure into those big hills. They allowed themselves to be | + | Assisted by Milo (he insisted) I fitted two canvas boxes at the sides, slung from little hardwood booms fitted across the pram. Another box was fitted to the front (or back; who knows which end of a pram is the front?), new washers were added to the axles to reduce the wobble, and some other removable improvements were made. Then blimey, there stood the Kanangra Limited (speed and springs) Express, nearly as wide as a sulky, replete with awning, stays, billycan box, side tucker and gear boxes, footrest for the passenger, rifle carrier, and new tyres. |
- | wa | + | |
- | persuaded about certain things along the Kanangra-Gingra route by a sticky-beaking old timer :(not Cunnnynghame), | + | The kid's education really began from the time we left Central Station. |
- | Next day we pushed off for Boyd Creek, 7 miles away. The first 2 miles were difficult and had to be taken slowly. At the head of Little Morone Creek I got water from the secret spring and we had lunch at the side of the road. After lunch we hit the granite and some more teeth-rattling going far awhile, then the downhill section to the Boyd was comparatively easy. Arrived in good time and fixed a comfortable camp. The creek was not running; there was plenty of water in the rock holes but it had dried up several inches so far. By this time we realised our pram was a wonderful vehicle indeed. An ordinary pram would have fallen to bits long before this. The advantages of the solid iron frame were now obvious. The two- way spring system as fitted to ordinary prams would have thrown boy and load out on many an occasion or upset the pram. Nothing had gone wrong except that 3 tyres were worn, torn is a better word. The fourth tyre was not natural; nothing had happened to it. The little 10 inch wheels were miracles of strength. Plenty of oil in the bearings eased the pushing business and prevented undue wear on the hubs. So far so goad. Under her load Marg was toughening up quite well and was enjoying the venture. As for myself I had developed quite a decent rearward action about the legs. Without the pram I was inclined to scratch gravel too heartily and fall on my nose. The 4 pound boots with their ground- gripping hobnails were right good friends. Although nearly new, the middles of the heavy soles (they were American Army boots) were beginning to wear away. These boots were extraordinary articles; no other boots would have stood up to the work so well. | + | |
- | Next day we set off on the last stage and managed well until near Rocky Top where the pram had to be hauled up the rough ascent to it, whilst Milo walked (I forgot to state we planted some reserve tucker in a cache cairn of stones near the Boyd | + | Next morning I visited Oberon for additional tucker and 2 week's supply of apples and oranges for Milo. Back at camp, we fitted up and packed things into working order, and when ready for the road we found we had 199 lbs. gross load to push, haul and carry. |
- | Crossing. This eased the general load somewhat). Lunched on top in the sun because the pleasant day was cool at this altitude of 4160 feet. The descent of the Kanangra Pass onward was a "touch and go" bit of business. I felt sure it would be the graveyard of the little bus. For a short distance Milo walked but the large, loose stones were too rough for the little chap so we put Marg's swag in the pram whilst she carried him. The whole downhill stretch of nearly a mile and a half was done by walking backwards whilst pulling and easing the wheels between and over the rocks. | + | |
- | I never realised just how rough the track is until I found myself on this stunt. It was a wonder that the thing with its 120 pounds on four narrow, little wheels did not fall to pieces when being hauled and thumped over the gibbers of this rare track. I began to respect that pram, and its makers also, for they certainly knew their onions when they designed it. I had an idea that the next and final stretch to Kanangra would be easy, as certainly it is when walking with a pack, but it wasn' | + | The start-off was not as auspicious as it was conspicuous, |
- | We spent four happy days at Kanangra exploring the various plateaux: Mounts Seymour, Maxwell and Brennan to the east; Mounts Pindari, Bungin and the Wallaby Pass on the way to Mount Colboyd; also we went west over Kittani to Mount lanthe | + | |
- | tio | + | Next day opened fine and hot and saw Milo and ourselves in our element about camp. An old bloke breezed up with a nice horse, two friendly dogs and a most impressive caution about tiger snakes. |
- | of the Thurat Rivulet just above the great Kanangra Falls. | + | |
- | At 10 past 5 one afternoon | + | The next half day went merrily enough mid we lunched near Duckmaloi Bridge, interrupted by minor observations and disturbances of the ever active and curious infant. |
- | Next day we walked out with our normal loads (2 swags this time), Milo walking and being carried by turns, and camped the whole afternoon on the Boyd. The waterholes were noticeably lower. Next day we reached Cunnynghame' | + | |
- | The following day we scooted down the long hill to Edith, 8 miles from Oberon, and camped by the roadside. The miraculously good tyre fell off as we mounted the bank to the site. We reckoned there was no point in finishing the Oberon stretch with its two uphill lengths of loose metal, so ' | + | Whilst we lunched we had the Edith Hill in sight before us. It is a boomer for everything on wheels or feet so we bad to consider a plan of action. |
- | events happened this night and just how far they | + | |
- | were connected with each other it is impossible to say. About 8.30, I think it was, a magnificent meteor fell about west of us. I was outside and saw it plainly and I never saw a better one. It fell very low down to the horizon and if it hit the ground there was no apparent report. Now for the next. About an hour and a half or two hours later there occurred a single and peculiarly sharp detonation, obviously at a distance but very loud. It had a kind of rocketting quality as if the hills obstructed some of the sound waves. I remarked to Marg that it was a great explosion and that something remarkable had happened and also that it could hardly be connected with the meteor because of the long interval between. So much for what we saw and heard. Next day when we returned to Sydney we discovered that the initial fall of the great Dog Face Rock avalanche at Katoomba happened this same night, at 9.30 I believe. Several days later I learned -that a marked earth shake had occurred over a limited area of swampy country (I think it was) somewhere south of Bathurst. The name of the district was given me but I have forgotten it. Now, what do you make of that? | + | Next day the mist changed to fairly heavy rain but being very well fitted and glad of the cool change we preferred to push along to the Kanangra turnoff. |
- | Anyway, we established the fact that the type of strong " | + | |
- | The Sydney Bushwalker, June 1932: Margaret Dunphy, Miles Dunphy. Milo Dunphy. | + | Next day was misty and cool and raining off and on. With our small but efficient camp fire and snug quarters we enjoyed it. It was a great environment for the little bloke and a certain amount of wild life filled his day with interest, and we had time to tell him about it. Old Mr, Cunnynghame left his little hut and its column of blue-white wood smoke and came along for a lengthy yarn. He did not knew what to think about the pram; he was staggered; it was too much for him, but he appreciated company. |
- | )00f | + | |
- | t | + | Next day we pushed off for Boyd Creek, 7 miles away. The first 2 miles were difficult and had to be taken slowly. |
- | At Eastwood Camping Centre | + | |
- | WE'LL GET YOU COVERED | + | Next day we set off on the last stage and managed well until near Rocky Top where the pram had to be hauled up the rough ascent to it, whilst Milo walked (I forgot to state we planted some reserve tucker in a cache cairn of stones near the Boyd Crossing. |
- | Packs, Tents, | + | |
- | Give us a call now | + | We spent four happy days at Kanangra exploring the various plateaux: Mounts Seymour, Maxwell and Brennan to the east; Mounts Pindari, Bungin and the Wallaby Pass on the way to Mount Colboyd; also we went west over Kittani to Mount Ianthe |
- | eaabwood | + | |
- | Rprtg-ig | + | At 10 past 5 one afternoon |
- | (02) 9858 3833 | + | |
- | 3 Trelawney Street (PO Box 131) Eastwood. N.S.W. 2122 | + | Next day we walked out with our normal loads (2 swags this time), Milo walking and being carried by turns, and camped the whole afternoon on the Boyd. The waterholes were noticeably lower. |
- | usirwa | + | |
- | ',.: | + | The following day we scooted down the long hill to Edith, 8 miles from Oberon, and camped by the roadside. |
- | Over the Gangerang in a Hurry. | + | |
- | 7' | + | Anyway, we established the fact that the type of strong " |
- | I f -alkers | + | |
- | Part-1. | + | The Sydney Bushwalker, June 1932: Margaret Dunphy, Miles Dunphy, Milo Dunphy. |
- | . Max Gen Tie | + | |
- | Gordon Sm I th | + | |
- | Hilma G alliott | + | ====== 0ver the Gangerang in a Hurry ====== |
- | Ale X Coll E y | + | |
- | Jack Debe R t | + | |
- | Bill McCo S ker | + | The Famous Gangerang Trip: A party Of Sydney |
- | David Ste A d | + | |
- | Dot Eng L ish | + | Part-1. |
- | Len Scot L and | + | |
- | It might have been advertised as a lightning conducted tour- of the Gangerang and its environs. The party consisted of (1) a snake lover; (2) a masseuse; (3) a vegetarian; (4) a heretic; (5) another Committee member; (6) a dealer in tonics; (7) a speed merchant; (8) one who had been " | + | Max Gen |
+ | Gordon Sm I th\\ | ||
+ | Hilma G alliott\\ | ||
+ | Alex Coll E y\\ | ||
+ | Jack Debe R t\\ | ||
+ | Bill McCo S ker\\ | ||
+ | David Ste A d\\ | ||
+ | Dot Eng L ish\\ | ||
+ | Len Scot L and | ||
+ | |||
+ | It might have been advertised as a lightning conducted tour of the Gangerang and its environs. | ||
Part-2 | Part-2 | ||
- | Leaving Wentworth Falls in darkness, we descended Kedumba to await dawn. Morning mists were rising as we crossed Cox's River and Scot's Main to the Kowmung. After another night' | + | |
- | Part-3. | + | Leaving Wentworth Falls in darkness, we descended Kedumba to await dawn. Morning mists were rising as we crossed Cox's River and Scot's Main to the Kowmung. |
- | FRIDAY: Rain, rain. Murmurs of " | + | |
- | SATURDAY: Morn and all morns thereafter - Sheer horror! Forced to rise long, long before dawn, Folks, beware Debert. | + | Part-3. |
- | SUNDAY: Tracking down of cave seen by Max some generations ago. Cloudmaker; be still mine thumping heart, just a little higher. Envy of well- | + | |
- | travelled member' | + | FRIDAY: |
- | MONDAY: Carlon' | + | |
- | McCosker make it? He does.. Narrow Neck to Katoomba - don't give out, legs, keep moving. Train gone? Surely the porters got to be jesting? | + | SATURDAY: |
- | TUESDAY: Homes Ah! Soft, soft bed. | + | |
+ | SUNDAY: | ||
+ | |||
+ | MONDAY: | ||
+ | |||
+ | TUESDAY: | ||
Part-4 | Part-4 | ||
- | ANZAC WEEK-END MEETING OF THE TIWILLA | + | |
- | The Cloudmaker Stakes: (For an anonymous cheque for 10 presented by a gentleman with a carpet snake). | + | ANZAC WEEK-END MEETING OF THE TI-WILLA |
- | First Division: All except Max got away to an even start on Friday night, Max left at the barrier at Central., but drew even at the ten mile mark and headed the field down Kedumba Creek.' | + | |
- | Second Division: Hilma first away - load all the way up Ti-Willa with Gordon running second and Len in ninth position. Max galloping strongly up Cloudmaker, however Len came through on the rails and looked a certain winner on the downgrade. Spectacular finish by Max, who ran well down the last two miles to win by two lengths from Hilma and Len. | + | The Cloudmaker Stakes: (For an anonymous cheque for £10 presented by a gentleman with a carpet snake). |
- | Third Division: Jack led the field early but baulked and fell in at the water-jump while striving for the lead. Dave and Gordon first past eight mile mark, Bill lead at Canon's Head, but rounding the turn Len again came through smartly on the rails and was first into the straight, while Alex sprinted up into sixth position. Coming up the straight Jack clapped on the pace and got to the front. At this stage he looked a certain winner but Dot spurted over the last half-furlong to win by half a pack and a double helping of plum pudding. | + | |
+ | First Division: All except Max got away to an even start on Friday night, Max left at the barrier at Central., but drew even at the ten mile mark and headed the field down Kedumba Creek. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Second Division: Hilma first away - load all the way up Ti-Willa with Gordon running second and Len in ninth position. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Third Division: Jack led the field early but baulked and fell in at the water-jump while striving for the lead. Dave and Gordon first past eight mile mark, Bill lead at Carlon's Head, but rounding the turn Len again came through smartly on the rails and was first into the straight, while Alex sprinted up into sixth position. | ||
Part-5 | Part-5 | ||
- | Max arriving at Central with leather coat, umbrella and no pack. | + | |
- | 1. Waking in the dawn and hearing Jack bellow out ad nauseam "get up and pack." | + | Max arriving at Central with leather coat, umbrella and no pack. |
- | 2. Watching Dot, who reputedly lives on nettles and ground-berries, | + | |
- | vegetables and pudding plus cream, milk and scones. | + | 1. Waking in the dawn and hearing Jack bellow out ad nauseam "get up and pack." |
- | 3. Hilma' | + | |
- | 4, Jack Debut - naval officer. | + | 2. Watching Dot, who reputedly lives on nettles and ground-berries, |
- | 5. Bill leaning over the bank after a meal of curried salmon and banana fritters. | + | |
- | 6. Max's pancake. | + | 3. Hilma' |
- | 7. Lennie leading the Charge of the Light Brigade. | + | |
- | 8. The general dislike for the chocolate ration. | + | 4. Jack Debert |
- | 9. Katoornba | + | |
+ | 5. Bill leaning over the bank after a meal of curried salmon and banana fritters. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 6. Max' | ||
+ | |||
+ | 7. Lennie leading the Charge of the Light Brigade. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 8. The general dislike for the chocolate ration. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 9. Katoomba | ||
Part-6 | Part-6 | ||
- | Impressions, | + | |
- | Undeniable fact that when on a long arduous walk tempers can become worn and frayed. Marvellous what excellent good humour prevailed throughout. Appropriately enough the existing spirit was similar to that which we celebrated - The Spirit of Anzac. | + | Impressions, |
- | Splendid foresight and good leadership combined with the whole party' | + | |
+ | Undeniable fact that when on a long arduous walk tempers can become worn and frayed. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Splendid foresight and good leadership combined with the whole party' | ||
Part-7 | Part-7 | ||
- | The passengers called a derisive "Have a good time" as we detrained about 9 PM, at Wentworth Falls on Friday of Anzac week-end. Jupiter Pluvius threatened to be our unwelcome companion hence the derision. | + | |
- | We walked through showers to Kedumba Creek and camped at 11.30. Next day, the swimmers (all except, one) discovered a glacier called by the ignorant Cox's River. Drank fizz on Policeman' | + | The passengers called a derisive "Have a good time" as we detrained about 9 PM, at Wentworth Falls on Friday of Anzac week-end. |
- | Camped that night at the confluence (enough of that) of Kowmung and Ti-Willa Creeks. Fast broken, we were away by 7.30 and climbing until 12.30. We topped Cloudmaker 4,000ft. Phew; what a climb. Wishing I had no breakfast. Kanangra clearing 5.30 and the biggest thing of the trip Max's pancake. | + | |
- | Next morning via Cox, Breakfast and Carlon Creeks to Carlon' | + | We walked through showers to Kedumba Creek and camped at 11.30. |
+ | |||
+ | Camped that night at the confluence (enough of that) of Kowmung and Ti-Willa Creeks. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Next morning via Cox, Breakfast and Carlon Creeks to Carlon' | ||
Part-8 | Part-8 | ||
+ | |||
" | " | ||
- | Rain! RAIN!! RAIN!!! The drizzling, driving dampener of spirits. But not of the Incompatibles - that, dear reader, was the start of our epic ANZAC week-end grind - care of Gordon Smith and Max Gentle - from Wentworth Falls, to Katoomba. Hast ever RUN* with Gordon & Co.? No? You should try it. When your feet ache; you are weak and dizzy for want of food; when every fibre of your being cries stop! The Incompatibles say WALK!! And then, like those immortal heroes: " | + | |
- | What though the leader wore out 3 pairs of shoes; and another Incompat. went berserk, borrowed an axe and mutilated a pair of 1/14/00 shoes; and still another tells you he was " | + | Rain! RAIN!! RAIN!!! The drizzling, driving dampener of spirits. |
- | : / | + | |
- | an unconquerable urge to go ON. Ever ONWARD. For peaks must topple ere you rest. | + | What though the leader wore out 3 pairs of shoes; and another Incompat. went berserk, borrowed an axe and mutilated a pair of £1/14/00 shoes; and still another tells you he was " |
- | Did I say REST? (My mind is still deranged.) How can one rest when 4.30 AM, marks the rising of the chief Incompat namely Debert - and with what cajolery, threats, water splashing and bellowing does he belabour you until finally you struggle out into the bleak, cheerless, cold light of dawn. | + | |
- | Even when the turkey dinner at Carton's turns out to be roast mutton; when you puff and pant up steep slopes; cross rivers innumerable times; scale vertical rocky faces; and finally RACE* into Katoomba to discover your watches are all 10 minutes slow and you have to wait 6 hours for the next train: it is a freezing night; you have no long pants; your knees are frozen stiff; the waiting room floor is hard; and the prospect of work 2 hours after you hit town looms like a Spectre before you; you feel like sitting down and having a good old MOAN (like me.) But, forever restless, you are Now an INCOMPATIBLE and must pooh- pooh the idea of toughness and add " | + | Did I say REST? (My mind is still deranged.) |
- | * VOTE both these words are meant as written. Beginner. | + | |
+ | Even when the turkey dinner at Carlon's turns out to be roast mutton; when you puff and pant up steep slopes; cross rivers innumerable times; scale vertical rocky faces; and finally RACE* into Katoomba to discover your watches are all 10 minutes slow and you have to wait 6 hours for the next train: it is a freezing night; you have no long pants; your knees are frozen stiff; the waiting room floor is hard; and the prospect of work 2 hours after you hit town looms like a Spectre before you; you feel like sitting down and having a good old MOAN (like me.) But, forever restless, you are Now an INCOMPATIBLE and must pooh-pooh the idea of toughness and add " | ||
+ | |||
+ | * NOTE: both these words are meant as written. | ||
Part-9 | Part-9 | ||
+ | |||
A story of Youth - nine people thrilling with the awful energy of life, with all the wonder of the world within them and a great love in their hearts for the music of things that happen. | A story of Youth - nine people thrilling with the awful energy of life, with all the wonder of the world within them and a great love in their hearts for the music of things that happen. | ||
+ | |||
A story of nights! that were seas of silence, on whose unfathomable deeps of sky the quiet moon sailed, infinitely far away in the pure clear air, among silver edged islands of cloud; | A story of nights! that were seas of silence, on whose unfathomable deeps of sky the quiet moon sailed, infinitely far away in the pure clear air, among silver edged islands of cloud; | ||
+ | |||
Mornings that opened shy eyes in a mist of rain, light, timid and tentative, that lay along the ground and crept from ridge to ridge, and a growing ripple of sound as the world awoke; | Mornings that opened shy eyes in a mist of rain, light, timid and tentative, that lay along the ground and crept from ridge to ridge, and a growing ripple of sound as the world awoke; | ||
- | Afternoons when everything seemed just sunshine and sky and rolling hills of green velvet as far as eye could see; or the dipple dapple of forest trees and a play alight | + | |
+ | Afternoons when everything seemed just sunshine and sky and rolling hills of green velvet as far as eye could see; or the dipple dapple of forest trees and a play of light and shade. | ||
And over all the wild keen smell of bushland earth wet after the rain, or the hot gum-scented air that made the blood dance in the veins and went to the head like wine. | And over all the wild keen smell of bushland earth wet after the rain, or the hot gum-scented air that made the blood dance in the veins and went to the head like wine. | ||
- | And ever a little trail of figures went on, leaving behind the gentle playful breeze and the shy wide- eyed denizens of the bush. | + | |
+ | And ever a little trail of figures went on, leaving behind the gentle playful breeze and the shy wide-eyed denizens of the bush. | ||
A story of effort and achievement, | A story of effort and achievement, | ||
- | Editor' | ||
- | parr I David Stead (snake lover) | ||
- | part 2 Max Gentle (perilously short offbod) part 3 Ilihna Gal/lot! | ||
- | part 4 Alex Colley (another Committee member) part 5 Gordon Smith (speed merchant) | ||
- | part 6 Bill McCosker | ||
- | part 7 Jack Debert or Len Scotland (vegetarian) part 8 Jack Debert or Len Scotland | ||
- | part 9 Dot English (Butler)(masseuse) | ||
- | Who of Jack Debert, Niko Galliott and Bill McCosker | ||
- | was the dealer in tonics, the heretic and one who knelt on Kanagra and prayed is not longer known. | ||
- | The Sydney Bushwalker, July 1937: Alex Colley, Jack Debert, Dot English. Hilma Galliott. Max Gentle. Bill McCosker, Len Scotland. Gordon Smith. David Stead | ||
- | *************************************** | ||
- | MOLLY-MOO-MA by Clare Kinsella. | ||
- | It was on a Sabbath morning In the soft autumnal weather In the deep and narrow valley Where the river Grose runs swiftly Flowing onward ever onward. ('Tis a habit this of river) | ||
- | Leaping, swirling, sweeping, sparkling, | ||
- | Laughing over rocks and pebbles, Spilling into sunny shallows | ||
- | Where the forest giants the tall gums Strong and stately there the tall gums Look down to the quiet waters Look down at their leafy branches At their beauty there reflected, On this lovely Sabbath morning Down the valley by the river Came a party of bush walkers Members of the S.B.W. | ||
- | Headed by the stalwart Herbert Whipped in by the stalwart Derbert Both were mighty men of action | ||
- | Friends were they and sworn blood brothers (Sworn to talk the others thought them) | ||
- | For they talked all through the morning | ||
- | For they chattered in the evening And at night when soft the full moon | ||
- | Rode above the limped waters Still their voices and their laughter Broke into the silver silence. | + | Editor' |
- | Swift the leader bounded onward swift the leader stalwart Herbert Sometimes on the track but mostly Off it in some rocky chasm. | + | |
- | And behind him, leaping, stumbling Stubbing toes and wet with perspiration (What we do for rhythm!) | + | part 1 David Stead (snake lover) |
- | Came the puffing, panting, party, Came the others on probation For this was indeed a test walk Yes, indeed it was a test walk. Test of brawn and test of muscle, Would these uninitiated | + | |
- | These poor creatures on probation Carry on the great traditions | + | part 2 Max Gentle (perilously short of food) |
+ | |||
+ | part 3 Hilma Galliott | ||
+ | |||
+ | part 4 Alex Colley (another Committee member) | ||
+ | |||
+ | part 5 Gordon Smith (speed merchant) | ||
+ | |||
+ | part 6 Bill McCosker | ||
+ | |||
+ | part 7 Jack Debert or Len Scotland (vegetarian) | ||
+ | |||
+ | part 8 Jack Debert or Len Scotland | ||
+ | |||
+ | part 9 Dot English (Butler)(masseuse) | ||
+ | |||
+ | Who of Jack Debert, Hilma Galliott and Bill McCosker was the dealer in tonics, the heretic and one who knelt on Kanagra and prayed is not longer known. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney Bushwalker, July 1937: Alex Colley, Jack Debert, Dot English, Hilma Galliott, Max Gentle, Bill McCosker, Len Scotland, Gordon Smith, David Stead | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== Molly-Moo-Ma ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Clare Kinsella | ||
+ | |||
+ | It was on a Sabbath morning In the soft autumnal weather\\ | ||
+ | In the deep and narrow valley\\ | ||
+ | Where the river Grose runs swiftly \\ | ||
+ | Flowing onward ever onward. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ('Tis a habit this of river)\\ | ||
+ | Leaping, swirling, sweeping, sparkling, \\ | ||
+ | Laughing over rocks and pebbles,\\ | ||
+ | Spilling into sunny shallows | ||
+ | |||
+ | Where the forest giants the tall gums \\ | ||
+ | Strong and stately there the tall gums \\ | ||
+ | Look down to the quiet waters\\ | ||
+ | Look down at their leafy branches | ||
+ | |||
+ | At their beauty there reflected, | ||
+ | On this lovely Sabbath morning\\ | ||
+ | Down the valley by the river\\ | ||
+ | Came a party of bush walkers | ||
+ | |||
+ | Members of the S.B.W.\\ | ||
+ | Headed by the stalwart Herbert\\ | ||
+ | Whipped in by the stalwart Derbert\\ | ||
+ | Both were mighty men of action | ||
+ | |||
+ | Friends were they and sworn blood brothers\\ | ||
+ | (Sworn to talk the others thought them)\\ | ||
+ | For they talked all through the morning\\ | ||
+ | For they chattered in the evening | ||
+ | |||
+ | And at night when soft the full moon\\ | ||
+ | Rode above the limped waters\\ | ||
+ | Still their voices and their laughter\\ | ||
+ | Broke into the silver silence. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Swift the leader bounded onward | ||
+ | swift the leader stalwart Herbert\\ | ||
+ | Sometimes on the track but mostly | ||
+ | Off it in some rocky chasm. | ||
+ | |||
+ | And behind him, leaping, stumbling | ||
+ | Stubbing toes and wet with perspiration | ||
+ | (What we do for rhythm!) | ||
+ | Came the puffing, panting, party, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Came the others on probation | ||
+ | For this was indeed a test walk \\ | ||
+ | Yes, indeed it was a test walk.\\ | ||
+ | Test of brawn and test of muscle, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Would these uninitiated | ||
+ | These poor creatures on probation\\ | ||
+ | Carry on the great traditions\\ | ||
Of the club the SBW? | Of the club the SBW? | ||
- | Would their burn and bury rubbish? Would they light a decent fire? Would they carry all their own food? Would they scrounge upon their fellows ? But the thought that made them tremble Made them shiver in their shoesee Would they be found compatible? Would that many headed ogre That dreaded ogre the Committee Weigh them up and find them wanting Cast them into outer darkness? As the sun approached its zenith Riding high across the heavens. Then the minds of all the party | + | |
- | Turned to thoughts of food and more food Then the leader noble Herbert Signalled to his brother Derbert Here we eat - went forth the edict. Soon beside the rushing river Underneath the casuarinas | + | Would their burn and bury rubbish?\\ |
- | Rose the smoke of many camp fire Curling blue the smoke of camp fires. | + | Would they light a decent fire?\\ |
- | One there was among the party She a maiden dark and lovely For the purpose of this poem (?) We shall call her Molly-moo-ma Molly-moo-ma, | + | Would they carry all their own food? \\ |
- | Longed to feel its cleansing freshness | + | Would they scrounge upon their fellows ? |
- | Wash away the stain of travel Wash away the dirt and perspiration | + | |
- | Not for long did sadness claim her Was she not a true bushwalker | + | But the thought that made them tremble\\ |
- | Did she not always strive to cherish In her heart their highest ideals? Should she let a trifling matter Trifling matter lack of costume, | + | Made them shiver in their shoesee\\ |
- | Keep her from the sparkling streamlet, Keep her from the cleansing waters, Keep her from her heart' | + | Would they be found compatible?\\ |
- | Walked beneath the casuarinas Till she found sweet isolation. | + | Would that many headed ogre\\ |
- | Here with speed she shed her clothing And approached the rippling streamlet; Soon like lovely Aphrodite Rose she from the foaming waters | + | That dreaded ogre the Committee |
- | But this foam was made from Lifebuoy (Lever Brothers please take notice You must not use this as copy For your B.O. advertising | + | |
- | Molly-moo-ma, | + | Weigh them up and find them wanting\\ |
- | Feeling but its cleansing freshness Heeding not the speeding current Heeding not its strength and power. Till in its fierce grip it held her | + | Cast them into outer darkness?\\ |
- | Took her onward, downward, downward, Over rocks and over pebbles Slipping, sliding, bumping, bounding Rushing over rocks and rapids. Vainly did she try to rise up Try to cling to rock or pebble But the current ran too swiftly All too swiftly ran the current Onward, onward, ever onward Merciless and strong it held her Till at length it brought her to the Spot where all the rest were gathered Round the leader stalwart Herbert And his brother stalwart Derbert. | + | As the sun approached its zenith\\ |
- | TY | + | Riding high across the heavens. |
- | Steadily their jaws were working Munching, crunching, chewing, biting, Stolidly they stared before them Heeded not the lovely damsel Lovely damsel, Molly-moo-ma, | + | |
+ | Then the minds of all the party\\ | ||
+ | Turned to thoughts of food and more food \\ | ||
+ | Then the leader noble Herbert\\ | ||
+ | Signalled to his brother Derbert | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here we eat - went forth the edict.\\ | ||
+ | Soon beside the rushing river\\ | ||
+ | Underneath the casuarinas\\ | ||
+ | Rose the smoke of many camp fire | ||
+ | |||
+ | Curling blue the smoke of camp fires.\\ | ||
+ | One there was among the party\\ | ||
+ | She a maiden dark and lovely\\ | ||
+ | For the purpose of this poem (?) | ||
+ | |||
+ | We shall call her Molly-moo-ma\\ | ||
+ | Molly-moo-ma, | ||
+ | Now this maiden, dark and lovely, | ||
+ | Dark and lovely Molly-moo-ma\\ | ||
+ | Gazed with longing at the water\\ | ||
+ | Longed to feel its cleansing freshness | ||
+ | Wash away the stain of travel\\ | ||
+ | Wash away the dirt and perspir-\\ | ||
+ | ation of her toilsome journey. | ||
+ | |||
+ | But alas she had no costume,\\ | ||
+ | Low her head she hung in sorrow\\ | ||
+ | Low above the rushing river.\\ | ||
+ | Not for long did sadness claim her | ||
+ | |||
+ | Was she not a true bushwalker\\ | ||
+ | Did she not always strive to cherish | ||
+ | In her heart their highest ideals? | ||
+ | Should she let a trifling matter | ||
+ | |||
+ | Trifling matter lack of costume,\\ | ||
+ | Keep her from the sparkling streamlet, | ||
+ | Keep her from the cleansing waters, | ||
+ | Keep her from her heart' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Taking but her cake of Lifebuoy,\\ | ||
+ | Rosy pink her cake of Lifebuoy | ||
+ | Silently she left the party\\ | ||
+ | Walked beneath the casuarinas\\ | ||
+ | Till she found sweet isolation. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here with speed she shed her clothing | ||
+ | And approached the rippling streamlet; | ||
+ | Soon like lovely Aphrodite\\ | ||
+ | Rose she from the foaming waters | ||
+ | |||
+ | But this foam was made from Lifebuoy | ||
+ | (Lever Brothers please take notice\\ | ||
+ | You must not use this as copy\\ | ||
+ | For your B.O. advertising | ||
+ | |||
+ | Molly-moo-ma, | ||
+ | Molly-moo-ma, | ||
+ | So she sported in the river\\ | ||
+ | Feeling but its cleansing freshness | ||
+ | |||
+ | Heeding not the speeding current | ||
+ | Heeding not its strength and power \\ | ||
+ | Till in its fierce grip it held her \\ | ||
+ | Took her onward, downward, downward, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Over rocks and over pebbles\\ | ||
+ | Slipping, sliding, bumping, bounding | ||
+ | Rushing over rocks and rapids.\\ | ||
+ | Vainly did she try to rise up | ||
+ | |||
+ | Try to cling to rock or pebble\\ | ||
+ | But the current ran too swiftly\\ | ||
+ | All too swiftly ran the current | ||
+ | Onward, onward, ever onward | ||
+ | |||
+ | Merciless and strong it held her\\ | ||
+ | Till at length it brought her to the Spot \\ | ||
+ | where all the rest were gathered | ||
+ | Round the leader stalwart Herbert\\ | ||
+ | And his brother stalwart Derbert. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Steadily their jaws were working | ||
+ | Munching, crunching, chewing, biting,\\ | ||
+ | Stolidly they stared before them\\ | ||
+ | Heeded not the lovely damsel\\ | ||
+ | Lovely damsel, Molly-moo-ma, | ||
+ | As the river swept her onward\\ | ||
+ | Racing onward to destruction! | ||
The Sydney Bushwalker: October 1937 | The Sydney Bushwalker: October 1937 | ||
- | "Five Returns Dulbolla, Please." | + | |
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
by Ray Kirby | by Ray Kirby | ||
+ | |||
The inimitable Ray Kirkby gives the low-down on the lighter side: Forestalling any libel suit by the Railways, we lay the entire article before you as his, and his alone. | The inimitable Ray Kirkby gives the low-down on the lighter side: Forestalling any libel suit by the Railways, we lay the entire article before you as his, and his alone. | ||
- | My dear, do you wish to be booked together with your parrot to Kilimanjaro via Kings Cross? Or do you wish to know how to do the cheapest submarine trip up the Yangtze Kiang? If so, I am your man. I am wonderful and I admit it myself. Of course I had to learn by hard experience but I may as well cash in on it and in years to come, as I drive past in my magnificent limousine from the palatial offices of " | + | |
- | Any simpleton can go to the Railway and ask, "Is there or is there not a certain train running?" | + | My dear, do you wish to be booked together with your parrot to Kilimanjaro via Kings Cross? |
- | However, actions speak louder than words, let us go to a concrete example. To commence our Queensland trip I considered it advisable to alight from the Brisbane Limited at Dulbolla. Dulbolla is a siding about 60 miles from Brisbane having quite three houses and no platform but only about a mile from the township of Rathdowney. | + | |
- | The N.S.W. Railway Guide does not mention the place so resort had to be made to " | + | Any simpleton can go to the Railway and ask, "Is there or is there not a certain train running?" |
- | reference to index or page. This time he had to make a few enquiries from me before he could proceed. Then he seized a Queensland Guide and, like a huntsman getting the fox, his eyes gleamed as he actually saw the name " | + | |
- | Of course, I am not blaming Alex for what happened Perhaps I should have had my party in for tutorial classes twice a week However, Alex offered to buy the tickets, just "Five returns Dulbolla please" | + | However, actions speak louder than words, let us go to a concrete example. |
- | same". Not having sufficient data in his possession Alex acquiesced. After sifting all the evidence I gathered that N.S.W. is unable to issue return tickets to Queensland stations other Brisbane, but what riled me was that on a distance calculation, | + | |
- | The official reluctantly agreed that this could be done but said it would make little difference in cost so I had to make a lot of calculations to prove, otherwise and then, only then, did he abandon his defences and surrender knowing that I had an atom bomb up each sleeve. With good grace (and, I felt, with some respect and a tinge of admiration for me) he handed me back lots of five pound notes and told me how to proceed. | + | The N.S.W. Railway Guide does not mention the place so resort had to be made to " |
- | The impact of a ticket to Border Tunnel onto the brain of the train officials had varying affects. Some expressed great astonishment, | + | |
- | 118 | + | Of course, I am not blaming Alex for what happened |
- | $. | + | |
- | aeroplane and yet, showed not the least curiosity In the early hours of the morning, when it was still dark, a ticket examiner came through the train and happened to catch Jean away from her home base. Unfortunately, | + | The official reluctantly agreed that this could be done but said it would make little difference in cost so I had to make a lot of calculations to prove, otherwise and then, only then, did he abandon his defences and surrender knowing that I had an atom bomb up each sleeve. |
- | Within hundreds of miles of our destination we got quite jumpy as to whether the train might forget or not be advised to stop at our destination. So I planned to ask the driver at Casino whether he 'intended to stop. However, just as I arrived at the 'engine, a station official handed him a form on 'which, a carbon copy, I could see the word " | + | |
- | "Only one stop today" he said cheerily, " | + | The impact of a ticket to Border Tunnel onto the brain of the train officials had varying affects. |
- | driver haughtily. | + | |
- | The road may have been hard, but the climax was worth it. The express came to a standstill and a voice called out "Seat numbers forty two to forty six Dulbolla" | + | Within hundreds of miles of our destination we got quite jumpy as to whether the train might forget or not be advised to stop at our destination. |
- | The Sydney Bushwalker: Sept. 1948: Alex Colley, Ted Constable. Edna Garrard. Ray Kirkby and Jean Kirkby. This article was republished in the December 1982 issue of the Sydney Bushwalker to mark the passing of Ray Kirkby. | + | |
- | Both Ends of the Budawangs | + | "Only one stop today" he said cheerily, " |
- | by Roger Browne | + | |
- | Kilpatrick Creek is close at hand, Leeches prowl for blood to suck, Wriggling, writhing, squirming, yuk! | + | The road may have been hard, but the climax was worth it. The express came to a standstill |
- | The Sydney Bushwalker | + | |
- | Geoff Wag g The artitleSIhave | + | The Sydney Bushwalker: Sept. 1948: Alex Colley, Ted Constable, Edna Garrard, Ray Kirkby and Jean Kirkby. This article was republished in the December 1982 issue of the Sydney Bushwalker to mark the passing of Ray Kirkby. |
- | Paralyser 1956 tells Jim Brown' | + | |
- | Finding The Castle by Kevin Ardill. | + | ====== |
- | I've finally lost my pyjama pants and though this news may not be startling you're going to hear the story even if it hurts you more than it hurts me. A gent by the name of Frank Leyden is the cause of the sad loss, Would 1 be interested in a car-cumwalking | + | |
- | Friday evening saw me dining on de fish and da chips close to Newtown station. I almost choked myself on a large bone when Edna Stretton poked her head through the car window (open), wished me a safe trip (why?) and then headed off to the pictures with her mother. Oh yeah! Frank and Bill Cosgrove arrived, stowed packs, and at 9.30 PM we threw out anchor at Nowra. There we window-shopped, | + | by Roger Browne |
- | Midnight and Tianjara Creek coincided so we camped alongside the road on a good spot about 60 yards from the creek. Next morning after breakfast and a good look at the falls we continued driving, and about 8 miles beyond the | + | |
- | creek stopped to ascertain the whereabouts of a timber track, By a stroke of luck we met a gentleman who has a first hand knowledge of the area. Frank had met him on a previous Ettrema trip, and in no time a pencil and paper was produced. Mr. Sturgiss has a mountain close to "the Castle" | + | Walkers march across the land,\\ |
- | Thankfully I slid my dry and unscathed legs behind the steering wheel, and bidding good-bye to the spry and helpful Mr. Sturgiss, we swung left along the timber track. For those interested, the turnoff is 23 miles from the main highway and ' | + | Kilpatrick Creek is close at hand,\\ |
- | The track continued up the hill and over, and the headwaters of a creek provided an excuse for lunch. I must confess that a glimpse of the country ahead made me extremely dubious of my choice of footwear. I had reckoned there was still a trip left in my Cox River sneakers and had worn them, and now as I chewed I was conscious of the impressive | + | Leeches prowl for blood to suck,\\ |
- | Somehow my Vita-Weets didn't seem as tasty as usual, and when the walk was resumed my feet dragged a little. They dragged a darn sight more when the track ended at the top of a steep slope clothed in thick scrub. Quite casually Frank suggests we shoot down to the creek and up the other side. The 'other side' looking something like the end of Solitary I'm encouraged no end. | + | Wriggling, writhing, squirming, yuk! |
- | Jack discovered the lawyer vine first which no doubt inspired him to find an easy way via rock faces down to the creek bed. Vigorous sapling growth and a diagonal course assisted up the 45 | + | |
- | degree slope to the base of rock faces where we sidled east.. The sidling stopped soon after and as I sipped water at the foot of a small waterfall the gang went ahead. By the time I caught-up, Len and Frank had found an accessible route to the tops and were almost up. The rest of us followed and after ploughing up a scrubby rocky slope we were rewarded by magnificent views. Below us were the various creeks feeding into the Clyde River, sandstone cliffs yellow in the sun, and Pigeon House majestic in the background. | + | The Sydney Bushwalker |
- | Then the ridge began to perform like a ridge shouldn' | + | |
- | We had decided to leave the tents as a set camp so at 8 o' | + | |
- | gniver4a | + | Geoff Wagg The articles I have chosen came from the latter half of my decade which is that most familiar to me. The names mentioned were all in the ' |
- | water in this creek, there' | + | |
- | Yadborough Creek, backgrounded by Currockbill-y | + | Paralyser 1956 tells Jim Brown' |
- | After lunch we regretfully headed back to where pyjama pants hanging from a tree indicated the position of the chimney. With tender memories of sections of the morning' | + | |
- | eye. A breathtaking view, my little ones; | + | |
- | something to be seen to be appreciated. | + | ====== |
- | We returned to our camp feeling extremely contented, had early tea and then talked on the | + | |
- | outskirts of a beaut log fire. A light shower during the night didn't improve the rest as rain could easily turn the timber track into a horror stretch. The morning was clear as we broke camp and started homewards, When we came to Hopalong' | + | by Kevin Ardill. |
- | The Sydney Bushwalker April 1955: 1955: Kevin Ardill. Bill Cosgror c. Len Fall, Jack Gentle. Frank Leyden, | + | |
- | Untitled by anon. | + | I've finally lost my pyjama pants and though this news may not be startling you're going to hear the story even if it hurts you more than it hurts me. A gent by the name of Frank Leyden is the cause of the sad loss, Would I be interested in a car-cum-walking |
- | Guzzle, guzzle toil and trouble, | + | |
- | Fire burn and billy bubble. | + | Friday evening saw me dining on de fish and da chips close to Newtown station. |
- | In with water, sugar, butter, | + | |
- | this brew will make you cough and splutter. Squeeze of lemon, then we've got | + | Midnight and Tianjara Creek coincided so we camped alongside the road on a good spot about 60 yards from the creek. |
- | the basic toddy, piping hot. | + | |
- | But what is this as I lick my thumb | + | Thankfully I slid my dry and unscathed legs behind the steering wheel, and bidding good-bye to the spry and helpful Mr. Sturgiss, we swung left along the timber track. |
+ | |||
+ | The track continued up the hill and over, and the headwaters of a creek provided an excuse for lunch. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Somehow my Vita-Weets didn't seem as tasty as usual, and when the walk was resumed my feet dragged a little. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Jack discovered the lawyer vine first which no doubt inspired him to find an easy way via rock faces down to the creek bed. Vigorous sapling growth and a diagonal course assisted up the 45 degree slope to the base of rock faces where we sidled east.. The sidling stopped soon after and as I sipped water at the foot of a small waterfall the gang went ahead. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Then the ridge began to perform like a ridge shouldn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | We had decided to leave the tents as a set camp so at 8 o' | ||
+ | |||
+ | After lunch we regretfully headed back to where pyjama pants hanging from a tree indicated the position of the chimney. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We returned to our camp feeling extremely contented, had early tea and then talked on the outskirts of a beaut log fire. A light shower during the night didn't improve the rest as rain could easily turn the timber track into a horror stretch. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney Bushwalker: April 1955: 1955: Kevin Ardill, Bill Cosgrove, | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by anon | ||
+ | |||
+ | Guzzle, guzzle toil and trouble,\\ | ||
+ | Fire burn and billy bubble.\\ | ||
+ | In with water, sugar, butter,\\ | ||
+ | this brew will make you cough and splutter. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Squeeze of lemon, then we've got\\ | ||
+ | the basic toddy, piping hot.\\ | ||
+ | But what is this as I lick my thumb\\ | ||
some scoundrel' | some scoundrel' | ||
- | Sydney | + | |
- | Busliwall vemar. | + | Sydney |
- | PARALYSER | + | |
- | In "South Col" the writer, Wilfred Noyce, offers a sub-title "One man's adventure on the Ascent of Everest 1953", and without prejudice I could fairly dub this "one man's recollections of Paralyser, 1956". You see, by noon on Sunday we were so widely scattered no one could hope to tell the story of all the parties and sub-parties and strays and individuals (of which I was one of the last named). | + | ====== Paralyser |
- | I dare say we should have realised it was going to be "one of them trips" when the leading locomotive stumbled over some debris carelessly knocked off an overhead bridge and did in its right semi-lunar cartilage. The second engine made valiant bids to lift back the crippled " | + | |
- | The Admiral and the others, to a total of six who had gone forward in the Madden car, were still sitting or sleeping in our tourist bus outside Katoomba station, where we dragged in at 11.45 PM, 51/2 hours out of Central and pursued by sundry Mails almost as though our hussy of a train was Marilyn Monroe. | + | by Jim Brown |
- | The coach trip out to Morong Creek was, as you must know, singularly uneventful. Some dozed fitfully and a nearly full moon silvered the frosty landscape, and the head-lamps wheeled ahead on a succession of white posts and avenues of quivering foliage. Up the hill past Jenolan we began to see patches of snow, and at the Oberon Road junction it was lying thickly in sheltered places. A quarter to three it was when we shuffled out into the tingling air at Morong Creek, and I had just enough time to pitch my tent hastily before my fingers became quite helpless. The pain of circulation returning after I was in my sleeping bag kept me awake long enough to hear the leader' | + | |
- | Of course we didn' | + | In "South Col" the writer, Wilfred Noyce, offers a sub-title "One man's adventure on the Ascent of Everest 1953", and without |
- | great exertions, had his party moving, they managed to be on the road at 8.30 AM. The formula was 1.7 miles back along the road, then north-east on to the ridge and then east. There was plenty of icy, crystalline snow in places; as though a giant had carelessly sprinkled the landscape with his salt-shaker; | + | |
- | For about a mile the terrain was fairly flat, and so damnably featureless. The Admiral dashed around out in front, wielding a compass and curbing those who were persistently swinging away to the north. Knowing there were a few others who had " | + | I dare say we should have realised it was going to be "one of them trips" when the leading locomotive stumbled over some debris carelessly knocked off an overhead bridge and did in its right semi-lunar cartilage. |
- | There' | + | |
- | Well, we weren' | + | The Admiral and the others, to a total of six who had gone forward in the Madden car, were still sitting or sleeping in our tourist bus outside Katoomba station, where we dragged in at 11.45 PM, 5½ hours out of Central and pursued by sundry Mails almost as though our hussy of a train was Marilyn Monroe. |
- | S | + | |
- | Paralyser is surrounded by scrub some fifteen or twenty feet high, so there' | + | The coach trip out to Morong Creek was, as you must know, singularly uneventful. |
- | Whilst all this halloo-ing and moving about went on between Snow and the Admiral I had time to ponder the effect on the two girls who were beginning to weaken after the lively morning' | + | |
- | It was going on for four when the last three cane down, with Brian toting two packs, looking rather wan, and quite resolved to make camp for the rearguard right there. It was determined that Stan, on arrival back at Katoomba on Sunday afternoon, would bring his car out as far towards Carlon' | + | Of course we didn' |
- | It now appeared that Ernie had gone on ahead up on the Buttress. He hadn't come down to us, so where? Well, he must have emerged higher up the creek and would follow down later. We wouldn' | + | |
+ | For about a mile the terrain was fairly flat, and so damnably featureless. | ||
+ | |||
+ | There' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Well, we weren' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Whilst all this halloo-ing and moving about went on between Snow and the Admiral I had time to ponder the effect on the two girls who were beginning to weaken after the lively morning' | ||
+ | |||
+ | It was going on for four when the last three cane down, with Brian toting two packs, looking rather wan, and quite resolved to make camp for the rearguard right there. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It now appeared that Ernie had gone on ahead up on the Buttress. | ||
" | " | ||
- | That one was easy. Jack Perry had finished lunch and walked on slowly down towards Konangaroo The Admiral gulped with relief. "Why do these things always happen on my trips?" | + | |
- | We left the Admiral to his grief and his rearguard and hastened down to the Cox to link up with Jack and camp in the failing light of a cloudy evening. Yet a snug, comfortable evening it was in the agreeable pastures at Konangaroo, with generous log fires, and afterwards a discussion on the best way out. After the subject had been bashed back and forth it was virtually agreed that the quickest and easiest route would be upriver to Breakfast Creek, thence Carlon' | + | That one was easy. Jack Perry had finished lunch and walked on slowly down towards Konangaroo |
- | Dot Butler says it was one of the few nights she had spent in a tent in ten years or some such absurd time. In the absence of caves that was as well for it rained with gentle persistence all night so that in the morning we blessed Jack Perry who had risen early and passed on to us a huge cheerful fire which served us all. Jack, with visions of an early train, pushed off as we crawled from our bags. How we all kidded ourselves, Jack and his early train, Stan and his rescue return to Megalong! | + | |
- | Being ready a little before the others, and having a slightly disabled left foot which was going to impede. me on rocky sections, I followed Jack's example and bowed out just ahead of the main party. Two miles up the Cox I made a decided bloomer - ignored a perfectly good knee-deep crossing and tried to force a ford higher up It cost me twenty minutes, wet me to the waist, and finally I had to retreat and cross just behind the others. I learned that Dot and Garth had gone 'back to aid the Admiral bring in the weary ones, and then saw the others gradually draw away from me: Stan and Bob Duncan, Dot Barr and Geoff Broadhead, and Snow and Heather and George | + | We left the Admiral to his grief and his rearguard and hastened down to the Cox to link up with Jack and camp in the failing light of a cloudy evening. |
- | Tva | + | |
- | The Wirkker. | + | Dot Butler says it was one of the few nights she had spent in a tent in ten years or some such absurd time. In the absence of caves that was as well for it rained with gentle persistence all night so that in the morning we blessed Jack Perry who had risen early and passed on to us a huge cheerful fire which served us all. Jack, with visions of an early train, pushed off as we crawled from our bags. How we all kidded ourselves, Jack and his early train, Stan and his rescue return to Megalong! |
- | Gray. Actually that sequence in not correct; Snow had forgotten to bring shorts, and after walking in slacks all Saturday had decided to emulate the feat of the Admiral of a year before, and keep his "longs dry by "doing a walk in underpants" | + | |
- | We remained on the east (or north, or north east) bank, which is to say the right, or true left, anyway, the other side, if you see what 1 mean, all the rest of the way along the Cox. And a fair cow it was Once near Blue Dog we had to sidle above steeply sloping rocks with the river rising and rushing below. The previous feet had made the way slippery and I was too far behind to hazard some of the ledges. So I went up high and caught my cape in the scrub and ripped it down the back. And the downpour continued. | + | Being ready a little before the others, and having a slightly disabled left foot which was going to impede me on rocky sections, I followed Jack's example and bowed out just ahead of the main party. |
- | Breakfast Creek was a shock. You know how it's usually a trickle of clear water over a bed of lovely smooth pebbles of many colours? Well, here it was, bashing and boiling along, almost waist deep at some of the crossings, discoloured and with quite respectable pressure waves. I honestly believe I'd have abandoned it and pushed on up the Cox to Tinpot Ridge if I hadn't come up with Dorothy Barr and Geoff Broadhead here. As it was, we forced a passage as a trio, linking arms to negotiate the worst crossings and cutting down the 37 fords to about 11, That mean( of course, clambering along some very slender pads, often going high, and sometimes wading around the foot of projecting ridges. At about 3 o' | + | |
- | We came to Carlon' | + | We remained on the east (or north, or north east) bank, which is to say the right, or true left, anyway, the other side, if you see what I mean, all the rest of the way along the Cox. And a fair cow it was! |
- | may chance to overtake, and could give a progress report on the movements of at least two of the party, plus a negative on the Admiral and his team who must be having a shocking journey. At all events, I parted from Dot and Geoff and strode out, still trying to walk some warmth into my shivering carcass. | + | |
+ | Breakfast Creek was a shock. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We came to Carlon' | ||
I passed Carlon' | I passed Carlon' | ||
- | The next couple of hours merge into a strange dreamlike kind of march. Rain was still falling and everywhere water was cascading, running, flowing. The night was full of the sounds, the thousand sounds, soft and angry, gentle and fierce, soothing and disturbing that water can make. My feet splashed stud swished through a succession of pools and gutters and creeks. By now my spasm of energy was spent; I was dragging, and my pack getting wetter and heavier. If I had seen any shelter, any place tolerably dry, in Megalong, I believe I'd have stopped then and there. I didn' | + | |
- | In a dazed, numb kind of way I made the climb, and finally came to the overhang just below the Hole itself There I stopped abruptly. From the darkness ahead came a frightening sound of a great volume of tumbling water. It occurred to me that it might be dangerous to try the Hole itself solo, and with a failing torch it was not the time to take chances. Here was refuge of a kind, the gravel at the back of the overhang was almost dry. | + | The next couple of hours merge into a strange dreamlike kind of march. |
- | The decision made, I lost no time. Off with my wettest clothes, on with the driest in my pack, and into my rather moist sleeping bag. As my hands became warm I realised that " | + | |
- | LhW | + | In a dazed, numb kind of way I made the climb, and finally came to the overhang just below the Hole itself. |
- | 8.30, after almost 12 hours literally on my feet. (I sat down for 2 or 3 minutes only twice all day). All that to make some 22 miles or so. | + | |
- | Ai all events, | + | The decision made, I lost no time. Off with my wettest clothes, on with the driest in my pack, and into my rather moist sleeping bag. As my hands became warm I realised that " |
- | I slept again, and at two o' | + | |
- | Next awake four o' | + | At all events, |
+ | |||
+ | I slept again, and at two o' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Next awake four o' | ||
So you sleep till seven and then push all the wet things into a wet pack and pull on a wet windjacket, because it's raining very lightly and you climb up Devil' | So you sleep till seven and then push all the wet things into a wet pack and pull on a wet windjacket, because it's raining very lightly and you climb up Devil' | ||
- | 1956: Brian Anderson (the Admiral), Dawn Askend, Dot Barr. Geoff Broadhead, David (Snow) Brown, Jim Brown. Dot Butler, Bob Duncan, Ernie French, George Gray, Garth Coulter. Heather Joyce, Stan Madden, Jack Perry and Vivienne?. | + | |
- | Jim Brown camped eight miles from Blackheath, | + | 1956: Brian Anderson (the Admiral), Dawn Askend, Dot Barr, Geoff Broadhead, David (Snow) Brown, Jim Brown, Dot Butler, Bob Duncan, Ernie French, George Gray, Garth Coulter, Heather Joyce, Stan Madden, Jack Perry and Vivienne ?, |
- | Went to sleep on his set of false teeth. | + | |
- | He awoke with a start, | + | Jim Brown camped eight miles from Blackheath,\\ |
- | "Why Lord bless my heart! | + | Went to sleep on his set of false teeth.\\ |
- | I've bitten myself from beneath!" | + | He awoke with a start,\\ |
+ | "Why Lord bless my heart!\\ | ||
+ | I've bitten myself from beneath!" | ||
Dot Butler, Editor (1956) | Dot Butler, Editor (1956) | ||
- | Phobias by Kath McKay | + | |
- | 0 walkers, as you go through life You'll find that phobias are rife. | + | ====== |
- | Phobia this and phobia that, | + | |
+ | by Kath McKay | ||
+ | |||
+ | O walkers, as you go through life\\ | ||
+ | You'll find that phobias are rife.\\ | ||
+ | Phobia this and phobia that,\\ | ||
Fear of dog and fear of cat; | Fear of dog and fear of cat; | ||
- | Androphobia: | + | |
- | Tridekaphobia: | + | Androphobia: |
- | and three, that is to say thirteen; | + | Tridekaphobia: |
+ | and three, that is to say thirteen;\\ | ||
Nudiphobia: being seen | Nudiphobia: being seen | ||
- | in the nuddy (or in the nude) | + | |
- | by some pert and peeking prude; | + | in the nuddy (or in the nude)\\ |
- | Gamophobia: fear of marriage | + | by some pert and peeking prude;\\ |
+ | Gamophobia: fear of marriage\\ | ||
(a phobia we all disparage) | (a phobia we all disparage) | ||
- | Walkers, novice or old buffer, | + | |
- | Very, very seldom suffer | + | Walkers, novice or old buffer,\\ |
- | Gynophobia: craven feah | + | Very, very seldom suffer\\ |
+ | Gynophobia: craven feah\\ | ||
of girls, the Weaker Sex (oh yeah) | of girls, the Weaker Sex (oh yeah) | ||
- | and so far we have not observed | + | |
- | that Lalophobia has unnerved | + | and so far we have not observed\\ |
- | those walkers who some fame are seeking | + | that Lalophobia has unnerved\\ |
+ | those walkers who some fame are seeking\\ | ||
by not infrequent Public Speaking; | by not infrequent Public Speaking; | ||
- | Nor do the horrid fear of heights | + | |
- | (Bathophobia) or dark nights | + | Nor do the horrid fear of heights\\ |
- | (Scotophobia) seem to trouble you, | + | (Bathophobia) or dark nights\\ |
+ | (Scotophobia) seem to trouble you,\\ | ||
Happy, carefree SBW. | Happy, carefree SBW. | ||
- | But two phobias beware, | + | |
- | avoid them with the utmost care: | + | But two phobias beware,\\ |
- | Ergophobia: fear of work, | + | avoid them with the utmost care:\\ |
+ | Ergophobia: fear of work,\\ | ||
(Although we're sure you never shirk) | (Although we're sure you never shirk) | ||
- | and lastly, (this is sure to sobia) | + | |
+ | and lastly, (this is sure to sobia)\\ | ||
Fear of walking: BASIPHOBIA. | Fear of walking: BASIPHOBIA. | ||
+ | |||
The Sydney Bushwalker May 1961 | The Sydney Bushwalker May 1961 | ||
- | Some of these phobias are not in the dictionary. Editor | + | |
- | Reunion 1957 by Geoff Wagg | + | Some of these phobias are not in the dictionary. |
- | The early autumn dawns as crisp as a slice of watermelon. The cool sun drifts soundlessly above the eastern ridges striking up long highlights on the river, which rise like searchlight beams to break among the trees along the bank and fall in fragments on the dew-bright grass. The bellbird hangs his tiny notes along the high tree branches and that is all the sound there is. | + | |
- | Not far away on a ridgetop a blue and grey vehicle sweeps along apparently riding on a plume of soft grey dust. Nearer and nearer it draws to the tranquil clearing by the river; nearer and nearer, ploughing its cloud of dust to the road end. | + | ====== |
- | Onk-hu-u-u-r-r-rk-gurr! (A sound reminiscent of a cracked saxophone disgorging an irate concertina) emanates from the bonnet of the Puttmobile and drifts out across the gullies. Doors fly open; bushvvalkers | + | |
- | Almost from that moment the river bank became the scene of much activity. | + | by Geoff Wagg |
+ | |||
+ | The early autumn dawns as crisp as a slice of watermelon. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Not far away on a ridgetop a blue and grey vehicle sweeps along apparently riding on a plume of soft grey dust. Nearer and nearer it draws to the tranquil clearing by the river; nearer and nearer, ploughing its cloud of dust to the road end. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Onk-hu-u-u-r-r-rk-gurr! (A sound reminiscent of a cracked saxophone disgorging an irate concertina) emanates from the bonnet of the Puttmobile and drifts out across the gullies. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Almost from that moment the river bank became the scene of much activity. | ||
No milk and Sunday paper delivery, next year perhaps. | No milk and Sunday paper delivery, next year perhaps. | ||
- | And during all this came the tents.... Big ones, small ones, golden, green and "used to be some colour" | + | |
- | As the pungent odour of the Stitt' | + | And during all this came the tents…. Big ones, small ones, golden, green and "used to be some colour" |
- | The campfire is on!! Fire's burning | + | |
- | Fire's burning | + | As the pungent odour of the Stitt' |
- | After we'd sung the rounds it was time for the current Chronic Opera, "White Antics" | + | |
- | After some particularly good singing from Paddy and the kids and a touch of harmony from the Ray Bean Trio it got to be time to initiate the new members. Now initiates of the previous year, though they had been a great source of fun to most people (including, strangely enough, the initiates) had brought forth some adverse criticism from those gentler souls. Unkind opinion has it that these are the people who when crowing for a better view were splashed with mud. This year it was decided there would be no room for adverse comment. Initiation would be the soul of gentility, and so it was. | + | The campfire is on!! Fire' |
- | First initiates were assembled before the members and asked to state what was wrong when etiquette demands a walker should get the leader' | + | |
- | o4vexsa .. | + | After we'd sung the rounds it was time for the current Chronic Opera, "White Antics" |
- | No-one knew, Answer of course is "You take care ,of the pinneys and the pants will take care of themselves" | + | |
- | Next idea, to see if eight new members could erect a tent, was effectively white-anted when one of them mislaid the tent pegs. No-one seemed too sure what happened after that. Some other people came on and made appeals to the audience for ideas on how these should be dealt with. Most proffered ideas were" hang 'em from the yard arm high" or " boil 'em in pitch", | + | After some particularly good singing from Paddy and the kids and a touch of harmony from the Ray Bean Trio it got to be time to initiate the new members. |
- | This initiation seemed to prove the truth of the statement made by one hardened type, "just you give them new members half a chance, and they' | + | |
- | After all this had been dealt with we had some more songs and swore in the president, Brian Harvey, for his second year in that post. This swearing in of the President is an interesting and ancient custom with its pleasantly wreathed in antiquity. Though some of our senior members seem to be in danger of taking it seriously, youth will always keep such things in their correct perspective, | + | First initiates were assembled before the members and asked to state what was wrong when etiquette demands a walker should get the leader' |
+ | |||
+ | No-one knew. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Next idea, to see if eight new members could erect a tent, was effectively white-anted when one of them mislaid the tent pegs. No-one seemed too sure what happened after that. Some other people came on and made appeals to the audience for ideas on how these should be dealt with. Most proffered ideas were " hang 'em from the yard arm high" or " boil 'em in pitch", | ||
+ | |||
+ | This initiation seemed to prove the truth of the statement made by one hardened type, " just you give them new members half a chance, and they' | ||
+ | |||
+ | After all this had been dealt with we had some more songs and swore in the president, Brian Harvey, for his second year in that post. This swearing in of the President is an interesting and ancient custom with its pleasantly wreathed in antiquity. | ||
More items followed though attention began to stray a little to the other side of the fire whence came the dull gleam of coffee-full kerosene tins and the clunk-clunk of rock cakes rolling together. | More items followed though attention began to stray a little to the other side of the fire whence came the dull gleam of coffee-full kerosene tins and the clunk-clunk of rock cakes rolling together. | ||
- | " | + | |
- | This brought the assembly to its feet and queues materialised in a flash, each walker with mug at the ready. Then with brimming mug and rock cake in hand dispersing into chatting groups to relieve old days and plan for those to come. | + | " |
- | Now some were reluctantly moving bedwards carrying tinies, some were singing sweetly by the fire, some were .. they were .. well, I can't quite see what they' | + | |
- | Nature, who had been tossing and turning at the top of her gum tree, decided she would suffer her disturbed rest no longer, and climbed down to punish the culprit. The Admiral was making the most noise, so she seized his shirt and sprang to the top of her tree. The Admiral made still more noise. | + | This brought the assembly to its feet and queues materialised in a flash, each walker with mug at the ready. |
- | But, roll up, roll up, roll up. See Dare Devil Duncan fly through a blazing sheet of corrugated cardboard and land in a palpitating heap on the other side. "Awr I thought you were going to catch me, Wagg!" | + | |
- | This sort of thing was too energetic to last, though. The tumult and the shouting had to die. One by one the revellers faded away trailing sleeping bag and ground sheet, to seek a quite spot. Only the small group by the fire left, still sipping coffee and listening to Henry play old Austrian airs on the mouth organ. Peace at last. | + | Now some were reluctantly moving bedwards carrying tinies, some were singing sweetly by the fire, some were … they were … well, I can't quite see what they' |
- | Re-union Sunday mornings always start about three hours earlier than most people feel they should. After such a late night, it would seem that an eleven o' | + | |
- | So starts a Re-union Sunday. As soon as there is fire alight a group will gather and chatter and with the chatter you lose your last chance of sleep. Those half-heard conversations sound so tantalising you have to roll as far as the tent flap and peer out to see what you're missing. The sunlight hurts at first, but soon it burns away the film of sleep, the soft cool whisper of a breeze clears away the fuzzy feeling in your head, and Taro comes along and looks down at you and says | + | Nature, who had been tossing and turning at the top of her gum tree, decided she would suffer her disturbed rest no longer, and climbed down to punish the culprit. |
- | Ava | + | |
- | "you know what you are? You're a life murderer. You're sleeping away the best minutes of you're life", and you climb out of your sleeping bag and Into the world. | + | But, roll up, roll up, roll up. See Dare Devil Duncan fly through a blazing sheet of corrugated cardboard and land in a palpitating heap on the other side. "Aw! I thought you were going to catch me, Wagg!" |
- | When breakfast was over and everyone was well rested from the effort of getting up, some folk drifted from camp to camp, hand shaking, back slapping, renewing old acquaintances, | + | |
- | Soon it was eleven o' | + | This sort of thing was too energetic to last, though. |
- | Next we had a tug-o-war in which every time the Men's team took the strain, the rope wouldn' | + | |
- | A few hardy walking types combined to finish the last of the rock cakes, but these, even in their depleted numbers were more than a match for | + | Re-union Sunday mornings always start about three hours earlier than most people feel they should. |
- | walkers' | + | |
- | It doesn' | + | So starts a Re-union Sunday. |
- | Like a shadow, Nature slips down the smooth trunk of her gum tree. At the bottom she pauses a moment and looks around with cautious eyes, then stretches, luxuriously easing the kinks out of cramped muscles. A great big yawn then "Thank God! Peace for another twelve months" | + | |
- | The Sydney Bushwalker. April 1957: Geoff Wagg plus 189 others | + | When breakfast was over and everyone was well rested from the effort of getting up, some folk drifted from camp to camp, hand shaking, back slapping, renewing old acquaintances, |
- | Frank Rigby In the 1950 SBW Annual Reunions were totally different from today' | + | |
- | Let us Reline". It was common for more than 200 people to attend the Reunion at the traditional site at Woods Creek, on the Grose River near North Richmond. Here Geoff has captured the spirit of those Reunions. | + | Soon it was eleven o' |
- | Prior to the mid-1950s almost all SBW walks began with a train trip to the start of the ivaik. By the 60s affluence affected even bushwalkers who, ignoring the joys of communal travel, took to their cars like ducks to water. By 1967 the majority of walks were programmed around private car transport. Jess Martin' | + | |
- | The Walker' | + | Next we had a tug-o-war in which every time the men's team took the strain, the rope wouldn' |
- | You hear it not while at your work, Now in the bush street, | + | |
- | But when the walkers rove about there comes a plaintive bleat. The careful leader stalks ahead In rain and summer' | + | A few hardy walking types combined to finish the last of the rock cakes, but these, even in their depleted numbers were more than a match for walkers' |
- | And little heeds the anguished souls who cry: "When do we eat?" Oh, many of our walking friends Thus hunger on their feet, and know that ease for it depends on this "WHEN DO WE EAT?" | + | |
- | Sydney Bushwalker September 1944 from the A Ielbourne | + | It doesn' |
- | Sydney AVA. | + | |
- | Bushwalkers and Train Travelling | + | Like a shadow, Nature slips down the smooth trunk of her gum tree. At the bottom she pauses a moment and looks around with cautious eyes, then stretches, luxuriously easing the kinks out of cramped muscles. |
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney Bushwalker, April 1957: Geoff Wagg plus 189 others | ||
+ | |||
+ | Frank Rigby In the 1950 SBW Annual Reunions were totally different from today' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Prior to the mid-1950s almost all SBW walks began with a train trip to the start of the walk. By the 60s affluence affected even bushwalkers who, ignoring the joys of communal travel, took to their cars like ducks to water. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by F. A. Blackman | ||
+ | |||
+ | You hear it not while at your work,\\ | ||
+ | Now in the bush street,\\ | ||
+ | But when the walkers rove about\\ | ||
+ | there comes a plaintive bleat. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The careful leader stalks ahead\\ | ||
+ | In rain and summer' | ||
+ | And little heeds the anguished souls\\ | ||
+ | who cry: "When do we eat?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Oh, many of our walking friends\\ | ||
+ | Thus hunger on their feet,\\ | ||
+ | and know that ease for it depends\\ | ||
+ | on this "WHEN DO WE EAT?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sydney Bushwalker September 1944 | ||
+ | |||
+ | from the Melbourne | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
by Jess Martin | by Jess Martin | ||
- | Transporting bushwalkers by train has been on the way out for some years now. In fact we have some active members of about two years standing who have yet to hoard a train. It is timely that Je s.' | + | |
- | When I became a Sydney Bushwalker very few had spare cash (some had barely enough for necessities) and motor cars were a rarity amongst | + | Transporting bushwalkers by train has been on the way out for some years now. In fact we have some active members of about two years standing who have yet to board a train. |
- | Holiday weekends and at Easter, train after train left Central loaded above the Plimsoll, bodies being jammed in the corridors and even on the carriage platforms. As an empty train slowly pulled into the platform there was a concerted rush by the passengers, often packed six deep, to enter. Bushwalkers, | + | |
- | Trains carried a very representative cross-section of the Federation Clubs and many a trip was discussed and planned on the journeys. I was very fortunate in my friends who, trying to avoid stereotyped trips, were always seeking new country and no effort was spared in plotting the route and gathering information, | + | When I became a Sydney Bushwalker very few had spare cash (some had barely enough for necessities) and motor cars were a rarity amongst |
- | A carriage full of bushwalkers can be rather intimidating to the uninitiated, | + | |
- | There have been amusing incidents too, the following being examples. In a train on the way to Nowra, a woman and children alighting at Jaspers Brush and one of our men (always the gentleman) helping them out and then handing out the luggage, much to the later consternation of some men at Nowra, whose fishing gear has also been handed out. | + | Holiday weekends and at Easter, train after train left Central loaded above the Plimsoll, bodies being jammed in the corridors and even on the carriage platforms. |
- | Returning home from the South Coast in a crowded train, a ticket inspector was fining all travelling in first class on second class tickets. An irate man, who said he could not find space in second class, argued with the inspector but had to pay and, when the inspector departed, said in a satisfied voice, "I paid him with a bad coin" | + | |
- | A party was coming home from Richmond, "Lord Randal" | + | Trains carried a very representative cross-section of the Federation Clubs and many a trip was discussed and planned on the journeys. |
- | So that we could all relax on return journeys we aimed to have the whole party in a ' | + | |
- | ' | + | A carriage full of bushwalkers can be rather intimidating to the uninitiated, |
- | v riev ushwa | + | |
- | that some people don't appreciate the campfire smoke odour of bushwalkers' | + | There have been amusing incidents too, the following being examples. |
- | It is much harder to relax when travelling by car, and the driver dare not let his attention waver. My opinion is that the advent of the motor car has meant the walking movement has lost to some extent the enriching effect of meeting and mingling with different personalities, | + | |
- | The Sydney | + | Returning home from the South Coast in a crowded train, a ticket inspector was fining all travelling in first class on second class tickets. |
- | Hymn of Hate by Grace Edgecombe | + | |
- | Oh how I hate the race of packs! I'd like to hit mine with an axe. I'd like to bust it right in two, Or beat it till its black and blue! I'd like to fling it in the sea, Or jump upon it savagely! | + | A party was coming home from Richmond, "Lord Randal" |
- | How dare it sit and mock at me, Knowing that it must carried be? How dare it grin, with beastly bulge, and naught but ribald mirth divulge? And does it feed upon the air, that it grows daily heavier? Or slyly suck my puny strength | + | |
- | and take my breadth and leave but length? | + | So that we could all relax on return journeys we aimed to have the whole party in a ' |
- | Just watch it try to break my neck, using me as a landing deck! | + | |
- | Pompous pincushion! Loathsome lump! | + | It is much harder to relax when travelling by car, and the driver dare not let his attention waver. |
- | I vow you neler again I'll hump. | + | |
+ | The Sydney | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Grace Edgecombe | ||
+ | |||
+ | Oh how I hate the race of packs!\\ | ||
+ | I'd like to hit mine with an axe.\\ | ||
+ | I'd like to bust it right in two,\\ | ||
+ | Or beat it till its black and blue! | ||
+ | |||
+ | I'd like to fling it in the sea,\\ | ||
+ | Or jump upon it savagely!\\ | ||
+ | How dare it sit and mock at me,\\ | ||
+ | Knowing that it must carried be? | ||
+ | |||
+ | How dare it grin, with beastly bulge,\\ | ||
+ | and naught but ribald mirth divulge?\\ | ||
+ | And does it feed upon the air,\\ | ||
+ | that it grows daily heavier? | ||
+ | |||
+ | Or slyly suck my puny strength\\ | ||
+ | and take my breadth and leave but length?\\ | ||
+ | Just watch it try to break my neck,\\ | ||
+ | using me as a landing deck!\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | Pompous pincushion! Loathsome lump!\\ | ||
+ | I vow you ne' | ||
The Sydney Bushwalker July 1938 | The Sydney Bushwalker July 1938 | ||
- | Wildlife in the Apsley River Gorge | + | |
- | by Dot Butler. in the spacious days before speed when the whole of your life stretched ahead in a golden never- ending summer you travelled by coastal steamer from Sydney to Port Macquarie taking several days over the trip, including the wait to get over the bar. Uncle met you there with his buggy and you bowled off inland along a dirt road through the dense rain-forest filled with Buffalo Marys (a large-bodied yellow and green wood pigeon), where bullock teams were dragging logs out of steep rocky gullies. You passed cleared areas where the plovers made their odd call by day and the curlews wailed in the dark. Walcha, in those days hardly more than a homestead property was an infinity of time and space away from Sydney. Now we get in our cars at 6.00 PM Friday, travel non-stop through the night and in the early hours of the morning we have arrived. | + | |
- | Easter Friday morning saw twelve Sydney Bushwalkers and a number of NPA members arriving at the Apsley Lookout Reserve in the New England Highlands about 12 miles out of Walcha. The NPA people were going to view the region from the top, visiting its various lookout points, while the SBW's were planning, in the four days at our disposal to negotiate some thirty miles of its rugged gorges and canyons. As far as we knew this trip had never been done before. | + | ====== |
- | The Apsley River winds its way in great loops from west to east across the map, dropping about 2,400 feet in this distance. While the car drivers took the cars on some thirty miles to where we planned to come out on the last day, the rest of us wandered round to admire the falls, and to speculate on our chances of getting through the deep, rock-piled canyon floor down which the brown water tumbled building up back-eddies of yellow foam. It was beautiful hot dry inland weather and billies of tea seemed much more in demand than climbing activity. However when our ruthless leaders Ross Wyborn and Don Finch, arrived back at about 11 AM it was a case of " | + | |
- | -- - | + | by Dot Butler |
- | via PITP | + | |
- | 1:1.0 usbtsa | + | In the spacious days before speed when the whole of your life stretched ahead in a golden never-ending summer you travelled by coastal steamer from Sydney to Port Macquarie taking several days over the trip, including the wait to get over the bar. Uncle met you there with his buggy and you bowled off inland along a dirt road through the dense rain-forest filled with Buffalo Marys (a large-bodied yellow and green wood pigeon), where bullock teams were dragging logs out of steep rocky gullies. |
- | We ,clambered down a steep spur, covered with | + | |
- | scant vegetation and moved across to a steeply- falling creek bed. Although this is to be an account of the native fauna., I can't omit mentioning a specimen of introduced fauna - the exotic Homo Sapiens who dislodged a large boulder on the hillside, which split into several pieces as it bounded down, one of them grazing Ross's head as it screamed past. Of course, being Ross's head, it caused no damage. However another piece hit him on the arm*, paralysing it, and it remained out of commission for the rest of the trip. We applied band-aids and continued on our way. | + | Easter Friday morning saw twelve Sydney Bushwalkers and a number of NPA members arriving at the Apsley Lookout Reserve in the New England Highlands about 12 miles out of Walcha. |
- | When we reached the river bed we found it even more rugged than it looked from the top. Huge dark grey block-up boulders lay crowded together in great heaps and over these we clambered for the rest of the afternoon. Those in the lead had plenty of time admire the scenery while waiting for the tail-enders to catch up. The warm air had a dream-like quality. The sun filtered down in a golden haze. The scene looked like a picture done in pointillism - that form of art in which the whole effect is achieved by little dots of colour. The thousand-foot high rock walls dark grey and almost vertical were spotted with palest grey- green lichen. The pale blue sky was a backdrop to countless thousands of lightly floating thistle downs, interspersed with long shining streamers of airborne spider-webs and the brown earth-stained water at our feet was flecked with spots of foam the size of golden guineas. Great casuarinas, their gnarled roots gripping the rocks at the water' | + | |
- | We camped in the afternoon on a flood-strewn heap of rocks: To say something in its favour, it was at least fairly horizontal and after we had scraped up heaps of dry casuarina needles for a bed, it was even comfortable. The keen ones studied the map and found we had achieved hardly a mile: We'll have to make better time tomorrow. | + | The Apsley River winds its way in great loops from west to east across the map, dropping about 2,400 feet in this distance. |
- | Away bright and early in the morning. The water must be swarming with eels; we came across many | + | |
- | two foot long ones dead among the rocks, probably killed by the impact of flood waters the previous week. Stranded shells on the black mud gave evidence of fresh-: | + | We clambered down a steep spur, covered with scant vegetation and moved across to a steeply-falling creek bed. Although this is to be an account of the native fauna., I can't omit mentioning a specimen of introduced fauna - the exotic Homo Sapiens who dislodged a large boulder on the hillside, which split into several pieces as it bounded down, one of them grazing Ross's head as it screamed past. Of course, being Ross's head, it caused no damage. |
- | Our progress this day involved much swimming, pushing our floating packs before us. I heard no complaint about the temperature of the water from the girls, but poor Digby shivering his way over the rocks from one swim to the next was heard to remark through chattering teeth "oh for a little bit of that something that we males haven' | + | |
- | As we came swimming into their view, flocks of ducks would take off from the water. We counted as many as fifteen in one flock, thirteen in another. Then there would be crashing amongst the bushes on the steep hillside and the eye following the sound would see thickly-furred rock wallabies leaping effortlessly upwards. At a safe distance they would pause and look down on us: the intruders in their country. | + | When we reached the river bed we found it even more rugged than it looked from the top. Huge dark grey block-up boulders lay crowded together in great heaps and over these we clambered for the rest of the afternoon. |
- | After cooling off in the water it was a delightful sensation to lie on the hot rocks and dry off. We weren' | + | |
- | Camp for the night was another heap of rocks: the only thing offering in this steep gorge country. We made a big campfire from dry wood brought down by the floods and sang into the late hours though you might wonder what we had to sing about as this day we had only covered another four or five miles, and no knowing how we were to get out. All night long, bats flitted across the star-shine and disappeared into the dark shadows of the trees. | + | We camped in the afternoon on a flood-strewn heap of rocks: To say something in its favour, it was at least fairly horizontal and after we had scraped up heaps of dry casuarina needles for a bed, it was even comfortable. |
- | Next day more swimming. In fact, the first seven miles of the gorge involve as much swimming as walking. For this reason it would be wise for | + | |
- | Editi 197 | + | Away bright and early in the morning. |
- | -70.0: | + | |
- | anyone else planning | + | Our progress this day involved much swimming, pushing our floating packs before us. I heard no complaint about the temperature of the water from the girls, but poor Digby shivering his way over the rocks from one swim to the next was heard to remark through chattering teeth "oh for a little bit of that something that we males haven' |
- | This was a glorious day with most of the food eaten the pack was light and easy to carry. Going quietly barefoot, over the rocks, the wild creatures were not frightened into hiding. The lizards hardly bothered to plop into the water. As I swam quietly behind my pack the ducks accepted me as part of the scenery and stayed floating above their reflections as I swam among them. A vivid cerulean blue kingfisher darted out of the bank and skimmed across, the water. Flocks of swallows filled the air overhead and I floated on my back to watch their darting flight. Up the rocky hillsides rock wallabies grazed, the warm orange-coloured fur on the front of their bodies making a splash of colour on the grey-green hillside. Some black gang-gang parrots were tearing away at a tree with their powerful beaks. I was thinking, " | + | |
- | In the afternoon the country began to flatten out. The stark rocky canyons had given way to thickly wooded mountains, which now gave way to lower hills. Clawing his way up a tree a 6 foot goanna looked like some ageless antediluvian monster in the never-ending sunshine. Bright little butterflies flitted about some with black and orange markings and some as yellow as a buttercup. Dragonflies skimmed by water on gauzy wings. Huge spiders hung in their webs busy with the day's butchery - trussing up 2-inch long green grasshoppers in silken cocoons, | + | As we came swimming into their view, flocks of ducks would take off from the water. |
- | We had not finished with swimming. Grassy river 'flats made walking a pleasure. In place of the rock wallabies we now saw pale grey aristocratic kangaroos feeding on the fine native grasses. | + | |
- | Camp for the night was a complete contrast to our previous ones - right in the middle of an acre of grassy river-flat. We made a big camp fire and when Ross arrived we found that he had another close shave - this time with an exotic female who chased him into the river when he appeared to be threatening her baby. | + | After cooling off in the water it was a delightful sensation to lie on the hot rocks and dry off. We weren' |
- | After the evening meal we initiated Donnie into the mysterious practices of the masseur' | + | |
- | Next day we had only a couple of miles walk along the river flats before the long pull up a steep ridge to the farmlands above and so back to the cars and home. The Apsley Gorge has such high potential for a Natural Reserve that we hope it will be dedicated as such in the near future. | + | Camp for the night was another heap of rocks: the only thing offering in this steep gorge country. |
- | * Ross' elbow injury later had him deemed unfit for National Service and Vietnam. So instead he went to the Andies and " | + | |
- | The Sydney Bushwallker. July 1967: Bill Burke. Dot Butler, Shirley Dean, Margaret Dogterom. Don Finch. Heather Joyce, Frank Rigby. Joan Rigby. Doone Wyborn, Ross Wyborn plus Bill and Keith from NZ. | + | Next day more swimming. |
- | Hot Stuff by K.A. | + | |
- | You like a bit of company | + | This was a glorious day with most of the food eaten the pack was light and easy to carry. |
- | so you light a blinking fire. | + | |
- | Then it scorches all your whiskers off and makes a bloke retire. | + | In the afternoon the country began to flatten out. The stark rocky canyons had given way to thickly wooded mountains, which now gave way to lower hills. |
- | You wait a bit and freeze a bit and when the flames subside You cook a bit of tucker | + | |
+ | We had not finished with swimming. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Camp for the night was a complete contrast to our previous ones - right in the middle of an acre of grassy river-flat. | ||
+ | |||
+ | After the evening meal we initiated Donnie into the mysterious practices of the masseur' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Next day we had only a couple of miles walk along the river flats before the long pull up a steep ridge to the farmlands above and so back to the cars and home. The Apsley Gorge has such high potential for a Natural Reserve that we hope it will be dedicated as such in the near future. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Ross' elbow injury later had him deemed unfit for National Service and Vietnam. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney Bushwallker, July 1967: Bill Burke, Dot Butler, Shirley Dean, Margaret Dogterom, Don Finch, Heather Joyce, Frank Rigby, Joan Rigby, Doone Wyborn, Ross Wyborn plus Bill and Keith from NZ. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by K.A. | ||
+ | |||
+ | You like a bit of company\\ | ||
+ | so you light a blinking fire.\\ | ||
+ | Then it scorches all your whiskers off \\ | ||
+ | and makes a bloke retire.\\ | ||
+ | You wait a bit and freeze a bit\\ | ||
+ | and when the flames subside\\ | ||
+ | You cook a bit of tucker\\ | ||
to warm your poor inside. | to warm your poor inside. | ||
- | The sleeping bag is calling, you've crawling off to bed, | + | |
- | but you lift your hat in passing 'cause the blinking fire's dead. | + | The sleeping bag is calling,\\ |
- | Sydney | + | you've crawling off to bed,\\ |
- | Thisiwalk aniv | + | but you lift your hat in passing\\ |
- | Helen Gray: Reading a decade of The S:ydney.Bushwalker was sheer pleasure: choosing only two articles was quite difficult. I had expected to choose two literal bushwalks (that is walks in the Australian bush) but such articles were in the minority. In some magazines every article is of an overseas trip, most of them walks. It was a decade when affordable air-fares and an Australian dollar worth more than an American dollar attracted SBWs in their droves to spend their annual holidays overseas: in India. Nepal, Pacific Islands, South America, Alaska, etc. | + | 'cause the blinking fire's dead. |
- | Conservation articles were a regular feature. It was an era when we fought passionately to save Myall Lakes, the Boyd Plateau. Wollangambie, | + | |
- | Coolana features often. In this decade we purchased our land using Club funds set aside for such a purpose plus members donations. The 130 acres became a wildlife refuge adjoining Morton National Park. It was, and still is. SBW's very positive effort to preserve the bush. | + | Sydney |
- | Better maps. especially the 1:25,000 scale series may have taken the mystery out of walking but also drew our attention to the unknown or forgotten areas. | + | |
- | Coticudgy. Nub. Tuross. Apsley: different names appeared in the walks' program. There are two accounts of the first descent of Apsley Gorge: Dot Butler' | + | |
- | My second choice is a ski-tour. Skiing articles were printed regularly, in the 70s. It was a decade when lightweight | + | Helen Gray: Reading a decade of The Sydney |
- | wet-weather gear, and the umpteen waxes, and the frequent white-outs and blizzards, meant that these ski trips were hard work. Patrick McBride' | + | |
- | Yet Another Bungle by Don Finch | + | Conservation articles were a regular feature. |
- | As usual we got off to a bad start. After leaving Strathfield at 6 PM we had to wait for Margy until almost midnight - she had to do her hair. Then I discovered that my dearest companion, whose friendship I have cherished, man and boy, for years and years, was missing, and indeed lost forever. Probably my treasure fell through one of the holes in the floor of Rosso' | + | |
- | my beanie. It was like Marks without his brolly, | + | Coolana features often. |
- | Judy without her chocolate-coated peanuts,. Betty without her wig, Ron Dully without his Junisoaked | + | |
- | or General meeting without Jack. A unique tragedy it was, even if the A.B.C. wasn't interested. | + | Better maps, especially the 1:25,000 scale series may have taken the mystery out of walking but also drew our attention to the unknown or forgotten areas. |
- | The long drive to the Apsley Falls turnoff on the Oxley Highway was completed around 3 AM. Dot and two New Zealand visitors, Keith and Bill, were already there. It was an incredibly cold night,with a clarity such that the stars seemed to be within arm's length. | + | |
- | The next morning, leaving the others to start breakfast, Ross and I drove the half mile out to the falls to see just what we were getting ourselves into. What we found, apart from Heather Joyce, was a gorge 2,000 feet deep, cut into the rolling hills that otherwise went on for an infinitude. After being suitably impressed by the prelude, we returned to the turnoff to have breakfast. The last car in our party, that is, Frank Rigby' | + | Coricudgy, Nullo, |
- | Our Kiwi friends went on a photographing spree once we reached the bottom, as they hadn't seen anything like this gorge in New Zealand. However it wasn't long before they got their first | + | |
- | After sustaining ourselves with breakfast we moved off at a goodly rate of knots. The swims were still considerable, | + | My second choice is a ski-tour. |
- | After walking for a further five minutes we found ourselves on river flats. These indeed were a most welcome change. Alas, they weren' | + | |
- | The next morning a rather embarrassing situation developed. Apart from the map and Bill's " | + | ====== |
- | Monday was much the same as the day before, with perhaps fewer swims and longer stretches of rock in between. The party from the front to the rear covered at least a mile of river with Dot and Doone up front, Margy and Ross at the back, and myself running to and fro in-between trying to | + | |
- | taste of canyoneering, | + | by Don Finch |
- | The afternoon dragged on, the swims persisted with monotonous regularity, and the long, cold swims took their toll of the party. It was with no small -mount of relief that I noticed the smoke from the campfire several hundred yards down the river. The camp site was a bottler, the only flat spot having already been taken by the fire. However after scratching around for an hour or so, Dot managed to clear herself a spot, and everyone else did likewise. | + | |
- | Then came the trial of our waterproofing. Bill the Kiwi had water in his camera lens and most of his other things. Almost everybody had suffered to some extent, while I had the pleasure of being the most useless waterproofer of the lot. Everything, including my sleeping bag, was soaking wet. We had a ,sing-song at the campfire that night interrupted at intervals by small rock falls, most of which finished up in our campsite. The map was consulted, and after deciding where we were it was deduced that we had travelled two whole miles. Not a bad start for a four-day forty mile trip. However, we all agreed that things must get better (after all how could they get any worse). Then it was time to go to bed I had another serious decision to make whether to sleep near the fire on the rocks, or under a small overhang on some shale. Near the fire I could be warm with the danger of falling rocks, while under the overhang I would be cold but safe. In the morning, discussing the merits of the overhang with the others, Dot pointed out that in the event of an avalanche I could have been buried alive. Several minutes later a small rock-fall received our undivided attention. A rather large rock, landing with a convincing thud in the nook that Doone had used to lay his head all night put a resounding full stop to the discussion. | + | As usual we got off to a bad start. |
- | i1/ | + | |
- | r.- | + | The long drive to the Apsley Falls turnoff on the Oxley Highway was completed around |
- | keep track of everybody,' | + | |
- | Lunch was had at Tin River, four miles from last night' | + | The next morning, leaving the others to start breakfast, Ross and I drove the half mile out to the falls to see just what we were getting ourselves into. What we found, apart from Heather Joyce, was a gorge 2,000 feet deep, cut into the rolling hills that otherwise went on for an infinitude. |
- | After two nights of sleeping on hard rocks, everyone welcomed the opportunity to have a Pleasant | + | |
- | A two mile road bash from the top of the hill brought us to the cars at 12 noon. After calling on our farmer friend, who was not home, we went baCk to'the Apsley Falls. Now we knew what was around that next bend in the river. As far as could be ascertained we were the only people who had gone right through the gorge. It was a mighty trip, even considering that I had to get there and back in Wozzie' | + | Our Kiwi friends went on a photographing spree once we reached the bottom, as they hadn't seen anything like this gorge in New Zealand. |
- | * Gordon Redman. then SBW treasurer used this phrase throughout his reports each month. | + | |
- | ** Ross' elbow- injury later had him deemed unfit for National Service and Vietnam. So instead he went to the Andies | + | The afternoon dragged on, the swims persisted with monotonous regularity, and the long, cold swims took their toll of the party. |
- | The Sydney | + | |
- | We'll be Marooned by Kenn Clacher | + | Then came the trial of our waterproofing. |
- | The walkers all at Quilty' | + | |
- | Met for Ettrema to see. | + | After sustaining ourselves with breakfast we moved off at a goodly rate of knots. |
- | The walk was led by Bill Capon, | + | |
+ | After walking for a further five minutes we found ourselves on river flats. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The next morning a rather embarrassing situation developed. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Monday was much the same as the day before, with perhaps fewer swims and longer stretches of rock in between. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Lunch was had at Tin River, four miles from last night' | ||
+ | |||
+ | After two nights of sleeping on hard rocks, everyone welcomed the opportunity to have a pleasant | ||
+ | |||
+ | A two mile road bash from the top of the hill brought us to the cars at 12 noon. After calling on our farmer friend, who was not home, we went back to the Apsley Falls. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Gordon Redman, then SBW treasurer used this phrase throughout his reports each month . | ||
+ | |||
+ | ** Ross' elbow injury later had him deemed unfit for National Service and Vietnam. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Kenn Clacher | ||
+ | |||
+ | The walkers all at Quilty' | ||
+ | Met for Ettrema to see.\\ | ||
+ | The walk was led by Bill Capon,\\ | ||
A canny leader he. | A canny leader he. | ||
- | The first stretch was through Myall Creek | + | |
- | Then Bill did show his class, | + | The first stretch was through Myall Creek\\ |
- | " | + | Then Bill did show his class,\\ |
+ | " | ||
"If we don't find Naked Pass". | "If we don't find Naked Pass". | ||
- | The pass was found the second try, | + | |
- | Then into Ettrema Creek, | + | The pass was found the second try,\\ |
- | And up Jones' Creek the party walked, | + | Then into Ettrema Creek,\\ |
- | "Twas no place for the meek. | + | And up Jones' Creek the party walked,\\ |
- | Plain Creek was followed next, downstream, | + | Twas no place for the meek. |
- | But something worried Bill. | + | |
- | " | + | Plain Creek was followed next, downstream,\\ |
- | ""Cos this creek flows uphill." | + | But something worried Bill.\\ |
- | At last the rogue creek flowed downhill | + | " |
- | To Moore Creek as it should. | + | "Cos this creek flows uphill." |
- | The walkers followed the rough creek bed | + | |
+ | At last the rogue creek flowed downhill\\ | ||
+ | To Moore Creek as it should.\\ | ||
+ | The walkers followed the rough creek bed\\ | ||
Rock hopping best they could. | Rock hopping best they could. | ||
- | Now another obstacle blocked their path, | + | |
- | So Bill Capon he call: | + | Now another obstacle blocked their path,\\ |
- | " | + | So Bill Capon he call:\\ |
+ | " | ||
a way round Williams Falls" | a way round Williams Falls" | ||
- | A way was found, not as Bill feared, | + | |
- | up umpteen feet of cliff, | + | A way was found, not as Bill feared,\\ |
- | to Bundundah Creek, along and out, | + | up umpteen feet of cliff,\\ |
+ | to Bundundah Creek, along and out,\\ | ||
up Pass Point in a jiff. | up Pass Point in a jiff. | ||
- | Down Paul's Pass now the program said | + | |
- | but rain made things too wet. | + | Down Paul's Pass now the program said\\ |
- | " | + | but rain made things too wet.\\ |
+ | " | ||
"It hasn't eased up yet." | "It hasn't eased up yet." | ||
- | So Puckett Pass was utilised | + | |
- | to get then down again. | + | So Puckett Pass was utilised\\ |
- | Just Tullyangela Creek remained, | + | to get then down again.\\ |
+ | Just Tullyangela Creek remained,\\ | ||
a piece of wild terrain. | a piece of wild terrain. | ||
- | But new maps showed cliff lines along | + | |
- | the whole length of the creek. | + | But new maps showed cliff lines along\\ |
- | " | + | the whole length of the creek.\\ |
+ | " | ||
"It could take us a week." | "It could take us a week." | ||
- | So Bill said Transportation Spur | + | |
- | would see us home instead. | + | So Bill said Transportation Spur\\ |
- | ' "',' | + | would see us home instead.\\ |
- | + | There was one problem that remained,\\ | |
- | There was one problem that remained, | + | |
when would it be ahead? | when would it be ahead? | ||
- | We chose a spur to climb on out | + | |
- | by democratic vote. | + | We chose a spur to climb on out\\ |
- | " | + | by democratic vote.\\ |
+ | " | ||
"If despotism' | "If despotism' | ||
- | But Transportation Spur it was, | + | |
- | and as we hurried on, | + | But Transportation Spur it was,\\ |
- | all members of the party then | + | and as we hurried on,\\ |
+ | all members of the party then\\ | ||
were happy they weren' | were happy they weren' | ||
- | We made it finally to the cars, | + | |
- | just after one last shout | + | We made it finally to the cars,\\ |
- | " | + | just after one last shout \\ |
+ | " | ||
" | " | ||
- | 712e Vciney | + | |
- | Destination Mawson' | + | The Sydney |
- | MCBride | + | |
- | It was in September and looking to be one of the last skiing trips of the year when three of us decided it was time for a proper finish to the season: a great trek across to White' | + | ====== |
- | A second group had already gone down on Thursday with similar aims and on Friday, while we kept the country on its feet back in tropical Sydney, Chris Kirkby, Ian Gibson and Max Crisp battled their way over miles of soggy, wet snow and through rain swollen creeks almost to the lower slopes of Jagungal before being forced to return. It was an intrepid and determined effort particularly the running barefoot through creeks to keep their socks and boots dry. They say the snow felt warm underfoot on the opposite bank. | + | |
- | We ourselves motored down on 'Friday night and skied 'and walked over a patchy cover to White' | + | by Patrick |
- | So while Chris, Ian and Max opened their playlunch boxes we set off up the valley to the top of the Kerries. The weather deteriorated rapidly from calm and sunny at the hut to overcast and windy halfway up and long before we reached the pass we had on our parkas and were being buffeted by strong gusts of wind together with heavy rain and patches of fog. | + | |
- | There is an important pass near the top of the range where one must turn off and head north so as to drop into the correct valley for Mawson' | + | It was in September and looking to be one of the last skiing trips of the year when three of us decided it was time for a proper finish to the season: a great trek across to White' |
- | It Was strikingly apparent that we were off course when a brief lifting of the mist showed a deep valley ahead and quite unfamiliar slopes behind us. Convinced that Mawson' | + | |
- | As we waited in the lee of a boulder and Bruce scouted ahead to a likely valley, there was a sudden patter of voices and Chris and Ian skied over a ridge into view looking rather surprised to see us. They had set out much later and when the weather became difficult had decided to keep following our tracks despite quite justifiable misgivings about the route being followed (Moral: never rely on ski tracks). They were expecting to find us at Mawson' | + | A second group had already gone down on Thursday with similar aims and on Friday, while we kept the country on its feet back in tropical Sydney, Chris Kirkby, Ian Gibson and Max Crisp battled their way over miles of soggy, wet snow and through rain swollen creeks almost to the lower slopes of Jagungal before being forced to return. |
- | .Max had diverged round a hill for a comfort stop intending to rejoin them by continuing on round the side but instead had disappeared. Searching for his tracks they encountered ours instead and decided to follow them straight to Mawson' | + | |
- | r1Kli | + | We ourselves motored down on Friday night and skied and walked over a patchy cover to White' |
- | conditions were becoming far too bad to hold any hopes of locating someone. | + | |
- | It was with mounting anxiety that the parties exchanged news, because like Chris and Ian, Max was carrying only a day pack with no food or bivouac equipment. Pooling our mental resources we were able to establish that we really did not know where we were but were probably still well south of Mawson' | + | So while Chris, Ian and Max opened their playlunch boxes we set off up the valley to the top of the Kerries. |
- | One member harboured the notion that if we kept on going south we would find an easy way down to lower ground so you can see that thought processes were not running any too clearly. The weather made up our minds for us with a wind now close to gale force and the rain beginning to penetrate our clothing. | + | |
- | We headed downwind. A half-hour later found us crossing a large flat expanse, mostly wet to the skin and with spirits at a very low ebb. Suddenly there appeared a fence post and lo, up there on the hill was where the hut lay, just beyond the coppice of snow gums. We had managed to take exactly the right course and were on a direct bearing for the hut, more by good luck than good management as it happened. There have been parties in summer who have camped within a hundred metres of Tin Hut and not found it until the morning. | + | There is an important pass near the top of the range where one must turn off and head north so as to drop into the correct valley for Mawson' |
- | The hut was of course empty (overcrowding in huts is a myth) and once inside we lit a fire and settled down to worry about Max. I was sitting facing the window and could hardly believe my eyes when a spectre in oilskins glided past in the rain The next minute a knock at the door heralded the man himself looking quite cheerful and far less weather beaten than we had been. After losing the other two he had made a brief search, then had settled down with map and compass to plan a course, deciding that from his location Tin Hut was the best bet. It was an amazing coincidence (and spot-on navigation) that he also found the hut under these conditions. | + | |
- | Our gloom now changed to cheer, tempered only by the thought of all that cheer sitting in the packs at Mawson' | + | It was strikingly apparent that we were off course when a brief lifting of the mist showed a deep valley ahead and quite unfamiliar slopes behind us. Convinced that Mawson' |
- | In the morning there was less wind but still quite uninviting weather. We returned to Schlink Pass leaving the second party to complete the trip to Mawson' | + | |
- | Readers with curiosity may be wondering how Max could manage in one day two such conflicting performances: | + | As we waited in the lee of a boulder and Bruce scouted ahead to a likely valley, there was a sudden patter of voices and Chris and Ian skied over a ridge into view looking rather surprised to see us. They had set out much later and when the weather became difficult had decided to keep following our tracks despite quite justifiable misgivings about the route being followed (Moral: never rely on ski tracks). |
- | The Sydney Bushwalker May 1975: Max Crisp. Ian Gibson, Chris Kirkby, Patrick McBride and Bruce ?. | + | |
- | Era by Kath McKay | + | Max had diverged round a hill for a comfort stop intending to rejoin them by continuing on round the side but instead had disappeared. |
- | A nudist down at Era Reclined upon a dune, he crouched beneath his eyeshade | + | |
- | on a rainy afternoon | + | It was with mounting anxiety that the parties exchanged news, because like Chris and Ian, Max was carrying only a day pack with no food or bivouac equipment. |
+ | |||
+ | One member harboured the notion that if we kept on going south we would find an easy way down to lower ground so you can see that thought processes were not running any too clearly. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We headed downwind. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The hut was of course empty (overcrowding in huts is a myth) and once inside we lit a fire and settled down to worry about Max. I was sitting facing the window and could hardly believe my eyes when a spectre in oilskins glided past in the rain The next minute a knock at the door heralded the man himself looking quite cheerful and far less weather beaten than we had been. After losing the other two he had made a brief search, then had settled down with map and compass to plan a course, deciding that from his location Tin Hut was the best bet. It was an amazing coincidence (and spot-on navigation) that he also found the hut under these conditions. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Our gloom now changed to cheer, tempered only by the thought of all that cheer sitting in the packs at Mawson' | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the morning there was less wind but still quite uninviting weather. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Readers with curiosity may be wondering how Max could manage in one day two such conflicting performances: | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney Bushwalker May 1975: Max Crisp, Ian Gibson, Chris Kirkby, Patrick McBride and Bruce ?. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Kath McKay | ||
+ | |||
+ | A nudist down at Era Reclined upon a dune,\\ | ||
+ | he crouched beneath his eyeshade\\ | ||
+ | on a rainy afternoon\\ | ||
or peered through darkened glasses | or peered through darkened glasses | ||
- | At the fierce light of the moon. | + | |
- | He skipped from rock to sandhi]] | + | At the fierce light of the moon.\\ |
- | What with all the interruptions he was pale as pale could be. | + | He skipped from rock to sandhill\\ |
- | Some said " | + | with a bath towel waving free;\\ |
- | some "He should be run in: | + | he skirmished round the bushes\\ |
- | has no one ever told him that nudity' | + | to dodge our company |
+ | |||
+ | What with all the interruptions\\ | ||
+ | he was pale as pale could be.\\ | ||
+ | Some said " | ||
+ | some "He should be run in: \\ | ||
+ | has no one ever told him that nudity' | ||
+ | O lordy, what a bother | ||
The Sydney Bushwalker Feb. 1950 | The Sydney Bushwalker Feb. 1950 | ||
- | Mir/ | + | |
- | Reminiscences of Things | + | |
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
by Owen Marks | by Owen Marks | ||
- | I have been approached by the co-editor* of this magazine to write my reminiscences of things. This puzzled me at first; what were " | + | |
- | My first Thing with the Club was on a test walk in the Grose Valley. It was pouring and I decided to camp away from the main party so that a call of nature in the middle of the night would only necessitate me to go to the fly of my tent and no further, if you know what I mean. I was not alone in my ideas. The famous fellow Jimmy Callaway, without a tent, shared mine, and we both deemed it a highly sensible arrangement. Alas, when a few months later before the Committee, my camping alone was taken as a sign of my un-sociability. I was too timid to say the real reason why I camped alone, away from the main party; and to this day I can't remember what I gave as the reason; it may have been my snoring. At that same committee meeting I was asked "Why did you throw a banana skin out of the train window?" | + | I have been approached by the co-editor* of this magazine to write my reminiscences of things. This puzzled me at first; what were " |
- | I nearly didn't though. Only through a young slip of a thing, Phyllis Ratcliffe, who nominated me for membership, was I persuaded to join. If it wasn't for her I should never have joined the Club; and I am thankful that 1 did. 1 have met such friendliness in the bushwalking club that my life without it would have been empty. | + | |
- | The years pass. A walk to the Budawangs was planned in mid-winter, I suppose it was the Queens Birthday weekend. For a lark I decided to | + | My first Thing with the Club was on a test walk in the Grose Valley. |
- | place a "No Parking" | + | |
+ | I nearly didn't though. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The years pass. A walk to the Budawangs was planned in mid-winter, I suppose it was the Queens Birthday weekend. | ||
Wilf Hilder has never forgiven me. He had to go all the way to the Castle the following weekend and remove the sign. | Wilf Hilder has never forgiven me. He had to go all the way to the Castle the following weekend and remove the sign. | ||
- | I remember too a series of stubborn Things. One hot Sunday I decided to go on Jack Gentle' | ||
- | The umbrella episode took place on John White' | ||
- | Barren Grounds for nothing. It looked like rain so I had decided to pack my folding umbrella which I had bought I Bolivia years ago and was still serviceable. I can't remember who else was on the walk except Dorothy Pike who happened to be at her parents place at Jamberoo, and joined the walk halfway. When I brought it out there were howls of derision and rude remarks flowed... Well, it rained and rained. It pelted down so that we were all walking knee deep in the marshy morass that makes this area so distinctive. I would have drowned except for my brolly. It was the most sensible item that anyone carried on the walk. I could hold it upright and survey the cloud-laden sky above and the valley and coastline below, whilst all the other odds and sods were hooded and keeping their heads down looking only at the ground. Who was the dill? | ||
- | But my greatest Thing occurred in August 1967. Over the passage of time, names fade, hours are eclipsed to minutes by the events are burned into my brain for ever and ever. I am only sorry I didn't write it all down the following day instead of ten years later. It is never too late as the chorus girl said to the Pope... | ||
- | I decided one day in a fit to have a Japanese Moon Viewing Party. I had been to one in Kyoto, and it was a good thing. I choose the Playground of the Dingoes on Warragamba catchment, just past Merrimerrigal. Everyone brought Japanese lantern, my poor mother had fried 72 small pieces of fish (naturally it was going to be an eating orgy), Roslyn and Ivy Painter opened up their packs to reveal genuine saki bottles, Audrey and Bob Godfrey had a set of saki glasses, Greg Reading. had a Japanese poetry book. The plan was to sit in the early evening and watch the full moon rise over The Kings Tableland, eat, drink and be merry. A few of us had kimonos as well. Previously I had gone to the Mikimoto bar in Grace Bros. And the Japanese salesgirl had written out in Kangi script " Japanese Moon Viewing Party", | ||
- | wit the Club, went and did it. She fell over the edge of a cliff. The first thought to pass my brain was that she had ruined my weekend. We al raced down the 40 foot drop and saw her broken ankle, her ripped buttocks and her head lying between two pointed rocks. Action stations. Chris and Terry Norris, being the toughest walkers were delegated to rush over to Canons Farm and alert Search & Rescue. A path was beaten down from the cliff top to the poor girl and we just waited. We managed to make her comfortable and when she regained consciousness she said, go on with the party, which we did. | ||
- | We lit a lantern for her, gave her an empty saki bottle to look at , and except for Margaret Laurie who lay beside her to keep her warm, the rest of us went up to the plateau and lit up all the lanterns at dusk and proceeded with our party. There would be nothing happening for five or six hours, so what could we do. I had brought port and sherry and by 9PM I was rather under the weather with all the alcohol and going backwards and forwards to the victim. Cooees indicated at last that help was coming, Chris and Terry with the news that the police were just behind them. Ivy jumped up and hid all the empty bottles and we waited for the onslaught. | ||
- | What had happened was this. At Mrs Canons while phoning, in walked an ambulance officer, and in a few minutes he had contacted his cronies at Katoomba and the police. Search & Rescue were notified at the same time of course, as originally planned. Paddy Pallin was holidaying at the Cartons and eventually he brought the police along, who on seeing the Japanese signs on the trees were dubious as to what was going on. Paddy assured then that it was only a natural occurrence with such a leader as me. Two or three ambulance men arrived a little later with the beginning of the 50 or so rockclimbers who happened to be having dance in a cave at Linden. In fact, all night dark shaped were seen arriving marvelling at the Japanese lanterns and commenting on such a ridiculous set of circumstances. They finished al my mother' | ||
- | Next came the ridiculous third degree questioning. At this stage I was dry retching and Terry Norris kept assuring the police that I was a nervious wreck, which I was by then, but in truth the demon drink was taking its toll. I had reached what Chaucer would. say was "pale drunk" | ||
- | Nin Melville, the organising chief of S & R arrived at that time and wanted to get everybody moving. Wait till morning when the doctor will come. What doctor, we already have our S & R doctor. The one that will arrive by helicopter. What helicopter? The one from Richmond. | ||
- | Here is the next episode. Dawn with her rosy mantle and action stations. As much as Ninon Melville would fume, you can't organise the cops. It seems that at Richmond Air Base there was no helicopter; it was in Canberra and the Squadron Leader had given instructions that he was not to be disturbed because' | ||
- | The biggest bonfire imaginable was set up with green branches to cause smoke to attract. the helicopter should it arrive. Ha ha there it was way in the distance making sweeps over. from Blackheath to Oberon, or so it seemed. Somehow, no names being mentioned, the pilot was given the wrong grid reference. Our smoke signal could be seen for miles and eventually the helicopter arrived to wild cheers. Out popped two doctors! One police and the other RAAF. Our poor patient patient, who it seemed had a ruptured spleen, cracked ribs not to mention damaged gefoffle valves with her obvious broken ankle, was heaved into the helicopter and so we bid farewell. She was to be flown to North Sydney Oval or some such area and be whizzed to Royal North Shore Hospital; Unfortunately Balmoral Naval base refused to let this happen or something. | ||
- | The rest of the story is garbled. I was reprimanded for not checking her footwear which was the cause of her slipping on the moss. True, I had to,..admit that I didn't line up the party at the beginning- of the walk for a footwear check. Anyway it was an informative weekend and most of the party had quite a good time. | ||
- | Her parents were notified and flew over from New Zealand. Touch and go it was. I met them around the hospital bed, and they ignored me as though I was invisible. I asked them to write a letter to Search & Rescue and thank them for all their help in rescuing their only daughter. They didn't and eventually I asked our nameless heroine to do it instead. Such was my Japanese Moon Viewing Party. I vowed to put it on again but never did. If anyone wants to arrange another I would be only too delighted to come along. No ripple soles of course. | ||
- | * Dorothy Pike | ||
- | The ,S:vdney Bushalker Sep. 1977. Barbara Bruce. Jimmy Callaway, Linda Campbell, Ian Campbell, Geoffery Chaucer. Jack Gentle. Audrey Godfrey, Bob Godfrey. Wilf Hilder, Nin Melville. Minister of Lands, Chris Non-is. Terry Norris. Neville Page. Ivy Painter. Roslyn Painter, Paddy Pallin, Dorothy Pike, Phyllis Ratcliffe. Greg Reading. Judy Simpson, John White, | ||
- | kanhvsa | ||
- | macpac | ||
- | microlight | ||
- | modified for Australian Bushwalk | ||
- | by Australian Bush walkers | ||
- | Club members have asked for their favourite bushwalking tent to be | ||
- | modified in two very specific ways to better suit their particular needs. | ||
- | Firstly a full size flyscreen for maximum ventilation and | ||
- | Secondly two extra guy points on the pole itself for use in more | ||
- | extreme conditions. | ||
- | There are only a limited number of these special Microlights being produced. | ||
- | So come into Alpsport soofl and see one for yourself. | ||
- | Features | ||
- | A roomy one-person tent, but a snug fit for two | ||
- | | ||
- | Fully seam-sealed tub floor | ||
- | | ||
- | UV40 fly fabric for lightness and durability | ||
- | EXTRA - GUI' POINT | ||
- | EXTRA GUY POINT POINT | ||
- | FULL | ||
- | FLISCREEN | ||
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- | Specifications | ||
- | Floor Area: Vestibule:: | ||
- | In Use Weight: Total Weight: Rolled Size: Colour: | ||
- | Persons: | ||
- | 2.0m2 0.8m2 1.6kg 1.8kg | ||
- | 40cm x 12cm Indigo, | ||
- | Tussock Green 160 cm | ||
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- | 1045 VICTORIA ROAD, WEST RYDE 2114 | ||
- | PH: 9858 5844 | ||
- | =7A I | ||
- | . . | + | I remember too a series of stubborn Things. One hot Sunday I decided to go on Jack Gentle' |
- | -, ' ' | + | |
- | . . | + | The umbrella episode took place on John White' |
+ | |||
+ | But my greatest Thing occurred in August 1967. Over the passage of time, names fade, hours are eclipsed to minutes by the events are burned into my brain for ever and ever. I am only sorry I didn't write it all down the following day instead of ten years later. | ||
+ | |||
+ | I decided one day in a fit to have a Japanese Moon Viewing Party. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We lit a lantern for her, gave her an empty saki bottle to look at , and except for Margaret Laurie who lay beside her to keep her warm, the rest of us went up to the plateau and lit up all the lanterns at dusk and proceeded with our party. There would be nothing happening for five or six hours, so what could we do. I had brought port and sherry and by 9PM I was rather under the weather with all the alcohol and going backwards and forwards to the victim. | ||
+ | |||
+ | What had happened was this. At Mrs Carlons while phoning, in walked an ambulance officer, and in a few minutes he had contacted his cronies at Katoomba and the police. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Next came the ridiculous third degree questioning. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Nin Melville, the organising chief of S & R arrived at that time and wanted to get everybody moving. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here is the next episode. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The biggest bonfire imaginable was set up with green branches to cause smoke to attract the helicopter should it arrive. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The rest of the story is garbled. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Her parents were notified and flew over from New Zealand. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Dorothy Pike | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney Bushwalker Sep. 1977. Barbara Bruce, Jimmy Callaway, Linda Campbell, Ian Campbell, Geoffery Chaucer, Jack Gentle, Audrey Godfrey, Bob Godfrey, Wilf Hilder, Nin Melville, Minister of Lands, Chris Norris, Terry Norris, Neville Page, Ivy Painter, Roslyn Painter, Paddy Pallin, Dorothy Pike, Phyllis Ratcliffe, Greg Reading, Judy Simpson, John White, | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== The Snow Bowl ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Frank Rigby | ||
+ | |||
+ | We stood on the summit of the mountain, the six of us: Margaret, Christine, Joan, Bob, Don and myself. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The afternoon was advancing and my thoughts, as leader, turned to the more mundane question of finding a campsite for the evening. | ||
+ | |||
+ | I can't remember who saw it first but suddenly we were all looking with some interest. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We hurried down off the summit, perhaps worrying whether such a pleasant and unexpected vision could possibly exist in reality. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Of course it was not really a snow bowl at all, not when we were there in that late December. | ||
+ | |||
+ | After three small tents had been erected I climbed to the rim to observe the effect. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Although some sort of a fire would have been possible with the small twisted branches of the heath around the edges, we determined not to light one because its remains would have left a scar indeed, there was not the slightest evidence that anyone had ever camped there before, at least not for a long time. Instead, we cooked on stoves until Christine called us over to the south-west side of the bowl. As if our campsite were not enough, Nature now proceeded to mount a display I shall never forget. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The sunset seemed to go on and on as if reluctant to shed its glory. | ||
+ | |||
+ | According to Nature' | ||
+ | |||
+ | It is now more than six years since we stumbled upon the Snow Bowl. I have not been back. I hesitate in case it is not the same in which case my memories would collapse in ruins. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Author' | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney Bushwalker | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== The Rains Came ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Anon | ||
+ | |||
+ | It rained and rained and rained,\\ | ||
+ | The average fall was well maintained, | ||
+ | And when the tracks were simply bogs\\ | ||
+ | It started raining cats and dogs. | ||
+ | |||
+ | After a drought of half an hour\\ | ||
+ | We had a most refreshing shower,\\ | ||
+ | And then most curious thing of all\\ | ||
+ | A gentle rain began to fall. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Next day but one was fairly dry\\ | ||
+ | Save for one deluge from the sky\\ | ||
+ | Which wetted the party to the skin\\ | ||
+ | And then at last the rain set in. | ||
- | The Snow Bowl.- by Frank Rigby. | ||
- | We stood on the summit of the mountain, the 'six of us: Margaret, Christine-, Joan, Bob, Don and myself. The visible world to every horizon Was made of wilderness, ridge beyond ridge, peak beyond peak, the deep valleys between barely sensed in that vast landscape of dominating heights. Here and there a small lake shimmered in the sun while the forests and grassy slopes shared the gentler land the mountains could spare. There was, perhaps, even a surfeit of natural beauty. | ||
- | The afternoon was advancing and my thoughts, as leader, turned to the more Mundane question of finding a campsite for the evening. The chances were not bright. The route ahead along the crest of the range looked similar to that which we had already traversed: rugged, rocky, stark, treeless and completely dry, difficult although exciting to walk but impossible to camp. | ||
- | I can't remember who saw it first but suddenly we were all looking with some interest. Just a short distance away, below the summit, the boulder- strewn crest cradled a small basin whose floor was covered by a bright green carpet. Silvery threads wove meandering ways across the carpet. What made the basin seem so improbable, yet so inviting, was.. the unrelenting harshness of its lifeless surroundings. To me, even at that distance, the place looked so enchanting that I would not have been surprised if a troupe of fairies had made a dainty entrance while I watched. | ||
- | We hurried down off the summit, perhaps worrying whether such a pleasant and unexpected vision could possibly exist in reality. And why had we not heard of it before from walkers who had previously passed this way? But the basin was indeed real even if the fairies failed to materialise. The green. carpet resolved into a dense grassy sward of fine lawn length and quality, admittedly damp in some places but eminently campable in others. The floor of basin was dotted here and there with shallow_, tarns connected by narrow serpentine channels of ,flowing crystal-clear water. And here was another strange thing: there was no outlet for all this flowing water, at least no conventional outlet. At the lowest point of the basin the water simply disappeared into a hole in the ground, never to be seen again. From whence | ||
- | Bushwalkcrthe water originated was also something. of a mystery because the rocky rim seemed utterly dry. | ||
- | Of course it was not really a snow bowl at all, not when we were there in that late December. In truth there was but one snowdrift still defying the summer sun. But in my imagination I tried to visualise the place as it would surely be in winter; and I saw a saucer- shaped bowl half-filled with the purest virgin snow. The surface would be unblemished because no human being would dare to approach that rugged mountain fastness in that season; the terrain and the climate would protect this sanctuary from even the hardiest adventurers. | ||
- | After three small tents had been erected I climbed to the rim to observe the effect. Somehow, the tents did not degrade the scene, rather they seemed to belong. To me they symbolised the temporary presence of intelligent and reCeptive beings who could appreciate Nature' | ||
- | Although some sort of a fire would have been possible with the small twisted branches of the heath around the edges, we determined not to light one because its remains would have left a scar indeed, there was not the slightest evidence that anyone had ever camped there before, at least not for a long time. Instead, we cooked on stoves until Christine called us over to the south-west side of the bowl. As if our campsite were not enough, Nature now proceeded to mount a display I shall never forget. | ||
- | The sunset seemed to go on and on as if reluctant to shed its glory. I would guess that, from the first tinge of gold to the final fiery red, a full hour must have elapsed. Perhaps that is not surprising in those southern latitudes at midsummer. But it was not just the sky that held our breath; the landscape below more than played its part. From our lofty perch, the tiers upon tiers of peaks and ridges, ever changing with light and colour, formed a superb foreground. | ||
- | According to Nature' | ||
- | tversny Edition I9 | ||
- | Fortunately for us, we had no cause to worry during our one-night stay. | ||
- | It is now more than six years since we stumbled upon the Snow Bowl. I have not been back. I hesitate in case it is not the same in which case my memories would collapse in ruins. Have uncaring human beings marred its pristine beauty? Has Nature herself in some cataclysmic mood, altered it beyond my recognition? | ||
- | Author' | ||
- | The S.Irtiney Bushwalker Aug. 1986: Margaret Bentley, Bob Hodgson, Christine Perrers, Frank Rigby, Joan Rigby and Don Shepherd | ||
- | The Rains Came by Anon. | ||
- | It rained and rained and rained, | ||
- | The average fall was well maintained, And when the tracks were simply bogs It started raining cats and dogs. | ||
- | After a drought of half an hour We had a most refreshing shower, And then most curious thing of all A gentle rain began to fall. | ||
- | Next day but one was fairly dry Save for one deluge from the sky Which wetted the party to the skin And then at last the rain set in. | ||
The Sydney Bushwalker Sep. 1986, this poem was obtained from the notice board at the Franz Joseph Glacier information centre in New Zealand by Malcolm McGregor | The Sydney Bushwalker Sep. 1986, this poem was obtained from the notice board at the Franz Joseph Glacier information centre in New Zealand by Malcolm McGregor | ||
- | Hilltop to Katoomba via Bimlow | + | |
- | Tableland. by Fazeley Read. | + | |
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | by Fazeley Read. | ||
The reason I don't write up trips is that I'm never entirely sure where we went, when it is all over, so this may not exactly be the walkers' | The reason I don't write up trips is that I'm never entirely sure where we went, when it is all over, so this may not exactly be the walkers' | ||
- | The 5.35 PM train trip was a relaxing way to avoid Easter traffic on Thursday night. Two hours later we were met by Bob and Jeff Niven whose table top truck transported us to Hilltop, some twenty kilometres distance, a breezy trip. A fading Easter moon provided sufficient light for a two hour walk to our first campsite on the Nattai River. As was the pattern for the next four mornings, Bob Niven rose pre-dawn and noiselessly lit the fire, a most considerate fire lighter. This enabled us to begin walking at about seven o' | + | |
- | Humidity caused Friday' | + | The 5.35 PM train trip was a relaxing way to avoid Easter traffic on Thursday night. |
- | The following day, Saturday, we climbed through a pass to the Tonalli Tableland, about five hundred metres or so. On an insignificant stone, one of thousands on the Tableland, we were surprised to see the date 1939 and the initials A.H. and W.H. engraved as if by a professional stonemason with time to spare. What was their story, we wondered. After a wet lunch at Bob Higgins Creek we headed down into the gloomy depths of Lacy's Creek, made even gloomier by heavy rain, slippery rocks and logs, and bloodthirsty leeches thrown in for good measure. For recently arrived Ruth, this was a first encounter with these creatures, but she took it with the aplomb one might expect of a Kiwi. (She did say she would rather have any number of N.Z. sandflies, however.) | + | |
- | Round. the corner from The Prow, at about four o' | + | Humidity caused Friday' |
- | The third day, Sunday, dawned with a clear blue sky. We continued along a kinder Lacy's Creek for about three hours before climbing up to the Bimlow Tableland. After some pack passing and rock scrambling (nothing death defying) we were pleased to see familiar territory Green Wattle Creek, Broken Rock Range and beyond to an almost imperceptible Katoomba. Quite a distance for the next two days, I thought. Having carried water, we were able to enjoy a high camp. After darkness the lights of Katoomba lit up the northern horizon while in the east there was the glow of a distant Sydney. | + | |
- | The fourth day, Monday, we crossed Green Wattle Creek and climbed to the Broken Rock Range. Bob Milne, who wishes to preserve his knees for later life, remained mostly at the back of the party, a stout, Grim-Reaper-style stick in hand. While descending a steep ridge from Broken Rock Range, Chris fell, injuring her ankle which immediately became swollen and painful. By dividing pack loads, and with a wonderful effort on Chris' | + | The following day, Saturday, we climbed through a pass to the Tonalli Tableland, about five hundred metres or so. On an insignificant stone, one of thousands on the Tableland, we were surprised to see the date 1939 and the initials A.H. and W.H. engraved as if by a professional stonemason with time to spare. |
- | We made ourselves comfortable for the night around a fire. Bob Niven, a man of action, tossed on a few sticks, knocking over Bob Milne' | + | |
- | The next morning, Tuesday, we rose earlier, knowing that we had a long day ahead of us. Team effort brought a hobbling Chris to the Old | + | Round the corner from The Prow, at about four o' |
- | Cedar Road, Scott' | + | |
- | The haul up White Dog, the thirteen kilometre scuffle along Narrow Neck in chilly darkness and the final fling through Katoomba streets were tough going, but, weary and scratched, we made it to the station in time. Chris, Wayne and Bill caught an earlier train from Blackheath. | + | The third day, Sunday, dawned with a clear blue sky. We continued along a kinder Lacy's Creek for about three hours before climbing up to the Bimlow Tableland. |
- | So, in split fashion, an excellent walk was ended and thanks go to Bill for his organisation and navigation. We all hope Chris will soon be out walking again. | + | |
- | The Sydney Bushwalker, July 1987: Bill Capon, Ruth | + | The fourth day, Monday, we crossed Green Wattle Creek and climbed to the Broken Rock Range. |
- | Hesslyn, Bob Milne, Bob Niven, Jeff Niven, Fazeley Read. Christine Scott. Wayne Steel and Janet Waterhouse. | + | |
- | *************************************** | + | We made ourselves comfortable for the night around a fire. Bob Niven, a man of action, tossed on a few sticks, knocking over Bob Milne' |
- | The Virgin Queen was holding court, | + | |
- | she was a little beauty. | + | The next morning, Tuesday, we rose earlier, knowing that we had a long day ahead of us. Team effort brought a hobbling Chris to the Old Cedar Road, Scott' |
- | She gave the glad eye to the drones, | + | |
- | because it was her duty. | + | The haul up White Dog, the thirteen kilometre scuffle along Narrow Neck in chilly darkness and the final fling through Katoomba streets were tough going, but, weary and scratched, we made it to the station in time. Chris, Wayne and Bill caught an earlier train from Blackheath. |
- | To carry on the family line, | + | |
- | a mate she had to choose. | + | So, in split fashion, an excellent walk was ended and thanks go to Bill for his organisation and navigation. |
- | Her mum had left her all alone, | + | |
+ | The Sydney Bushwalker, July 1987: Bill Capon, Ruth Hesslyn, Bob Milne, Bob Niven, Jeff Niven, Fazeley Read, Christine Scott, Wayne Steel and Janet Waterhouse. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | | ||
+ | by George Carr* | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Virgin Queen was holding court,\\ | ||
+ | she was a little beauty.\\ | ||
+ | She gave the glad eye to the drones, | ||
+ | because it was her duty.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | To carry on the family line,\\ | ||
+ | a mate she had to choose.\\ | ||
+ | Her mum had left her all alone,\\ | ||
she had no time to lose. | she had no time to lose. | ||
- | So out she flew into the world, | + | |
- | this lovely gorgeous thing, | + | So out she flew into the world,\\ |
- | and all the drones, they followed her, | + | this lovely gorgeous thing, |
+ | and all the drones, they followed her,\\ | ||
each hoping to be king. | each hoping to be king. | ||
- | She flew so fast and went so far, | + | |
- | the drones began to fail. | + | She flew so fast and went so far,\\ |
- | But one young man with flashing wings, | + | the drones began to fail.\\ |
+ | But one young man with flashing wings,\\ | ||
was right upon her tail. | was right upon her tail. | ||
- | They soared around, up in the clouds, | + | |
- | a game of hide and seek. | + | They soared around, up in the clouds,\\ |
- | But love is blind, he never knew, | + | a game of hide and seek.\\ |
+ | But love is blind, he never knew,\\ | ||
she had a cruel streak. | she had a cruel streak. | ||
- | For when he caught his ladylove, | + | |
- | up there, in the sky, | + | For when he caught his ladylove,\\ |
- | she ripped his little jigger off, | + | up there, in the sky,\\ |
+ | she ripped his little jigger off,\\ | ||
and left him there to die. | and left him there to die. | ||
- | * from The Amaieur | + | |
- | ,, , ,, , ' ,, | + | * from The Amateur |
- | ,,, . ,, ,,, | + | |
- | Judy O' | + | |
+ | Judy O' | ||
Rather than chose a story about someone' | Rather than chose a story about someone' | ||
- | ANYONE CAN BE A GOOD | + | |
- | COOK by Stuart Brooks. | + | |
- | I am writing this in a cave. Outside, the rain is coming down at a hundred miles an hour - the wind about the same. This is our third day, and tonight | + | ====== Anyone Can be a Good Cook ====== |
- | The first day of our five day walk went according to plan and we arrived here for lunch. But on our way down the mountain, it started to rain and has not stopped. We could have tried to splash back to the car at Newhaven Gap but our chance of crossing Camping Rock Creek would have been remote. So we have stayed put. | + | |
- | A short distance from our cave is a large overhang. A short dash through the driving rain and we can take off our streaming parkas and roam up and down in comparative dry. My mate has gone off to take photographs - so he says. I think he is simply sick of the sight of my face, for what could you photograph under these conditions? | + | by Stuart Brooks |
- | Confined to a small cave, with little to do, meals become the focal points. And thoughts drift back to other meals, and other cooks. | + | |
- | The best organised cook I have met was Frank Leyden. On a Leyden walk, you either walked in the inner sanctum, so to speak, or on the outskirts. The inner sanctum followed instructions regarding food to the letter, and those on the outskirts were allowed to do as they pleased about what they ate. | + | I am writing this in a cave. Outside, the rain is coming down at a hundred miles an hour - the wind about the same. This is our third day, and tonight |
- | His meals were precise, predictable and perfect. If you had been told to bring along nine siices | + | |
- | the basic food were correct. This precision flowed through all of Frank's meals, and walks, with predictable satisfactory results. | + | The first day of our five day walk went according to plan and we arrived here for lunch. |
- | One of Frank's regular walks was the Kowmung at Christmas which involved long swims. There were those who wanted to go along but who lacked confidence in the water so Frank conducted a sort of commando training in one of Sydney's coastal rock pools prior to the walk. Full pack, fully clad, swim up and down the pool until Frank was satisfied you would make it. You can imagine the reaction of the locals. | + | |
- | I guess I would have to rate Peter Price as one of the good cooks. I can't remember exactly what we ate but I can remember enjoying every | + | A short distance from our cave is a large overhang. |
- | mouthful. Price had a small repertoire of | + | |
- | pathetically weak jokes. In these, there was invariably a seemingly innocent word or phrase that was laboriously developed to imply one of those five or six words that young mothers dread | + | Confined to a small cave, with little to do, meals become the focal points. |
- | hearing from their eight year olds. Abetted, indeed encouraged, by people like Ron Knightley, every meal with Price became something of a circus. Under such conditions, you would have eaten boiled bracken and enjoyed it. | + | |
+ | The best organised cook I have met was Frank Leyden. | ||
+ | |||
+ | His meals were precise, predictable and perfect. | ||
+ | |||
+ | One of Frank’s regular walks was the Kowmung at Christmas which involved long swims. | ||
+ | |||
+ | I guess I would have to rate Peter Price as one of the good cooks. | ||
Yes, I reckon Price was one of the good cooks. | Yes, I reckon Price was one of the good cooks. | ||
- | The most casual and unlucky cook I have met was Bob Duncan. When early on Saturday morning, the leader yelled: | + | |
- | Rushing to the boot of his car, he would drag forth a crumpled pack and stuff into it a jumper, sleeping bag, groundsheet and parka. Then, turning to a big old box of tins of food in various stages of decay, some with new labels, some old and rusty without any he would blindly start thrusting tins into his pack muttering | + | The most casual and unlucky cook I have met was Bob Duncan. |
- | One tranquil Sunday morning on Kanangra Creek I was basking in the early morning sun, enjoying the view and perfectly cooked rolled oats with brown sugar and cream, half listening to the tinkle of the creek and half to Dot Butler and Wilf Hilder arguing out a technicality. It was one of those idyllic moments. It was, however, shattered by the | + | |
- | Avallter | + | Rushing to the boot of his car, he would drag forth a crumpled pack and stuff into it a jumper, sleeping bag, groundsheet and parka. |
- | emergence of Duncan who began to slurp his way through | + | |
- | But Bob was anxious to impress. One time he brought along steaks, marinated and wrapped in foil, vegetables and something else for dessert. Most of us had finished cooking and the fire had died down when Bob decided it was time to put his steaks on. Carefully, he buried his pre- wrapped food in the glowing embers and turned to carry on his discussions interspersed with the odd song. | + | One tranquil Sunday morning on Kanangra Creek I was basking in the early morning sun, enjoying the view and perfectly cooked rolled oats with brown sugar and cream, half listening to the tinkle of the creek and half to Dot Butler and Wilf Hilder arguing out a technicality. |
- | It was a chilly evening and, bit by bit, behind Bob's back, others were throwing sticks on the fire to get some warmth. I suppose you've seen the TV,ad: "My God, the chips!"? Duncan was halfway through the seventh verse of "The cat came back" | + | |
- | The most charismatic cook would have to be Bill Gillam. Bill was a blend of gourmet, wine buff, professional scientist and frustrated actor. Bill's lack of thatch on his head was compensated for by a heavy, dark beard. With his high forehead, aquiline features. and thespian leanings Bill, with a few. 'deft' | + | But Bob was anxious to impress. |
- | One memorable evening on the banks of the Wollongambie, | + | |
- | That evening he decided to be Profumo - disgraced Secretary of War in the British cabinet who dallied around with a young lady who was also keeping company with a senior member of the Russian embassy. The steaks were perfect, the red wine pure vintage, the entertainment five-star and the Woliongambie | + | It was a chilly evening and, bit by bit, behind Bob’s back, others were throwing sticks on the fire to get some warmth. |
- | But, I hear my mate's voice yelling through the dripping wilderness that it's time to get the fire going and cook dinner. Fortunately, | + | |
- | The Sydney Bushwalker, July 1989: Stuart Brooks, Mrs Beaton (?), Dot Butler. Bob Duncan, Bill Gillam, Wilf Hilder. Ron Knightly, Frank Leydon and Peter Price. | + | The most charismatic cook would have to be Bill Gillam. Bill was a blend of gourmet, wine buff, professional scientist and frustrated actor. |
- | A TRIBUTE TO THE SILENT DIGNITY OF A FRIEND. | + | |
+ | One memorable evening on the banks of the Wollongambie, | ||
+ | |||
+ | That evening he decided to be Profumo - disgraced Secretary of War in the British cabinet who dallied around with a young lady who was also keeping company with a senior member of the Russian embassy. | ||
+ | |||
+ | But, I hear my mate’s voice yelling through the dripping wilderness that it’s time to get the fire going and cook dinner. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Sydney Bushwalker, July 1989: Stuart Brooks, Mrs Beaton (?), Dot Butler, Bob Duncan, Bill Gillam, Wilf Hilder, Ron Knightly, Frank Leydon and Peter Price. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
by Brian Holden | by Brian Holden | ||
- | It is ten years but I still remember you each time I pass your old place. For most of your long life your environment was created entirely by the random forces of nature. But, gradually that all went until there was just you. At first I gave you a respectful glance but with the passing of time, you seemed to draw me to you until I saw you as dominating everything around you. | + | |
- | I realised that in some abstract way you were communicating with me and it was a pleasant experience. As that is what friendship is all about. I do not suppose I was being too eccentric to call you my friend - my poor friend surrounded by an alien world. As my affection for you grew, my unease grew because you looked so out of place - almost like an intruder. | + | It is ten years but I still remember you each time I pass your old place. |
- | One day I saw that you were gone. I was told that you had to go as your space was required. | + | |
- | Your removal was justified as every injustice must be. You could not feel nor think as they could - and that was that. If only they could appreciate that you could communicate in another way. You radiated pure substance when all around you was purely superficial. Why had they not noticed this? Maybe I noticed a quality which was not there? I do not believe so for there is another world inside this world which modern social conditioning has dulled the receptors of most men to. Tragically, while that conditioned rigidity dominates, injustices will be done. | + | I realised that in some abstract way you were communicating with me and it was a pleasant experience. |
- | tt | + | |
- | w | + | One day I saw that you were gone. I was told that you had to go as your space was required. |
- | Now what eulogy would be suitable for my defenceless friend? To start with I could say that from your great girth you were very old. I could say that you were probably born when Columbus was alive. That is the usual response to the death of those of your kind which have reached a great age - but I won't follow that tradition. Why should I link your worth to some event in the history of man? You can stand on your own dignity. The coexistence of man is not needed to dignify your existence. It was undignified man who wantonly put you out of existence. | + | |
- | I, would rather say that you experienced many, many magic days of peace which I imagine my spirit sharing with you. Sunrises reflecting off your leaves, cold winds and balmy breezes swaying your branches, afternoon showers washing over your trunk - and when the rain stopped, you glistened in the sunset. They were all much the same - those days - and yet they were entirely different. Little things made them so. Wonderful little things like the movement of insects and shadows and the changing of colours. | + | Your removal was justified as every injustice must be. You could not feel nor think as they could - and that was that. If only they could appreciate that you could communicate in another way. You radiated pure substance when all around you was purely superficial. |
- | Those were the days when there was no white Man anywhere in the land. There was the black man but he was different. He belonged to a different social structure to my own - and it gave him dignity as it let the land retain its. One day all men may see this and when they do they will live in real dignity - just like you did. | + | |
+ | Now what eulogy would be suitable for my defenceless friend? To start with I could say that from your great girth you were very old. I could say that you were probably born when Columbus was alive. | ||
+ | |||
+ | I would rather say that you experienced many, many magic days of peace which I imagine my spirit sharing with you. Sunrises reflecting off your leaves, cold winds and balmy breezes swaying your branches, afternoon showers washing over your trunk - and when the rain stopped, you glistened in the sunset. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Those were the days when there was no white man anywhere in the land. There was the black man but he was different. | ||
The Sydney Bushwalker, Mar. 1992, Brian Holden. | The Sydney Bushwalker, Mar. 1992, Brian Holden. | ||
- | A SHORT NOTE ON " | + | |
- | A DAY" by Patrick James | + | |
- | There are a number of favourite walks that SBW have which stretch your legs and attract a fair crowd. The one I like best is the classic "K to K in a Day". There are two bodies of opinion as to which end of the walk to start from.. One group will say that to start at K is best because it is the logical place to start. Others will argue strongly that K is the only place to start. Both groups have valid points to their arguments, Personally I prefer to start at K and finish at K simply because the parking at K is better. | + | ====== |
- | case, but this time conditions were most favourable. Besides I al.So knew that I would not really be alone or far from help. | + | |
- | Up with the birds and off to K before it got too hot. As expected I found a good parking spot where the car would be somewhat protected. The first part of the walk is relatively easy, just follow the creek downstream. All fairly simple but the were many times when I had to cross the creek. As you know both the creek and the river are not fit for drinking and you must carry enough water for the whole walk. The track is well marked and navigation in this location for me is easy, however others may have some difficulties. The most difficult part of the whole walk is along the river. Where the creek joins the river I turned right and kept to the right bank. This I followed until the next creek where I turned right again and followed the left bank upstream. This is a short and muddy creek which I followed to its head. From here it is a simple matter to take a bearing and head for K. Although its only a couple of ks to K there are many distracting features on the way and to walk to a bearing is, I think, prudent. | + | by Patrick James |
- | K was in sight. A great reward for all that hard slog. As a special treat I bought a sticky cake at the first Greek cake shop I came to in K to make up for my energy imbalance then off to the station. I bought a single ticket Kogarah to Kingsgrove and then settled down to wait for my train. The trip back was luckily uneventful as all good train trips should be. At Tempe while waiting for the East Hills train I saw where I had skirted along Cooks River. Travelling at speed and in comfort the cares and worries of the outward trip are quickly forgotten. From the speeding train I caught glimpses of Wolli Creek and some of the places where I had to cross it. Back at Kingsgrove the car was safe and sound as I had hoped; all four wheels and no flat tyres. What joy! Life is sweet. Home for a hot shower and a good meal with the satisfaction of completing "the K | + | |
- | K in a Day". A perfect end to a perfect day. | + | There are a number of favourite walks that SBW have which stretch your legs and attract a fair crowd. |
- | 777e Sydney Bushwalker, Aug. 1993, Patrick James | + | |
- | On this occasion I did the walk alone. Yes I know that you should always walk in company just in | + | On this occasion I did the walk alone. |
- | OWLEDGEMENTS. | + | |
- | Many people helped make this magazine, members, ex-members and non-members. The authors past and present are acknowledged in the text with their articles and in the index. The team that made this magazine is the same team (plus a few others) that makes every magazine, and is as follows in production and alphabetical order. Some people are mentioned more than once, they did more than one job. Some people are not mentioned at all. These are the people with whom I've had general discussions about the magazine or this Issue in particular; all good background for an editor. | + | Up with the birds and off to K before it got too hot. As expected I found a good parking spot where the car would be somewhat protected. |
- | The seven wordsmiths (and their decades) who read a decade of magazines to come up with just a few for publication were Dot Butler (Pt), Alex Colley (2nd), Helen Gray (5t ) Judy O' | + | |
- | (7th), Frank Rigby (4th), Geoff Wagg (P) and Tom Wenman (5th). | + | K was in sight. |
- | Next step was scanning of the text to get it into the computer for word processing; here Jack Herman, Tony Holgate and Chris James made their contributions. Once into the computer, the words were processed, errors removed and text formatted to produce a final copy ready for proof reading. With scanning lots of silly errors can enter the text and not be picked-up with spelling checking programs. For example the look-a-like vowels a, e and o can shift and make new, real words 'which do not make sense. The proof reading load was spread between George Gray, Pamela Leuzinger, Brian McConaghy, George Mawer and Don Wills. In this way only the editor had read the whole magazine before publication. | + | |
- | Next step was the printing team, an SBW cottage industry, who produced the printed pages in Alex's garage. The inky fingers belong to Kenn Clacher, Barrie Murdoch, Margaret Niven, Les Powell and Tom Wenman. | + | The Sydney Bushwalker, Aug. 1993, Patrick James |
- | The stacks and stacks of printed pages are assembled by the collating team into magazines along the production line principle advocated by Henry Ford. The collators were and are 'Lorraine Bloomfield, Dot Butler; Bob Duncan, Rosslyn Duncan, Spiro Hajinakitas, | + | |
- | Stitt, Peter Stitt, Geoff Wagg, Grace Wagg, Peter Yardley. The collators address the finished magazines with labels printed by Barry Wallace then bundle them ready for Bill Holland to take to Australia Post for delivery. Now while all this collating, stacking, folding, stapling, labelling and bundling is going on Frances Holland as Magazine Production Manager keeps a watchful eye on the whole process and at the same time calmly organises food and drink for 10 to 20 people. | + | |
- | Now that's how the 70th Anniversary, | + | ====== Acknowlegements ====== |
- | BUsx, | + | |
- | c).44 ior 7 | + | Many people helped make this magazine, members, ex-members and non-members. |
- | Orriak | + | |
- | first edition: July 1931 | + | The seven wordsmiths (and their decades) who read a decade of magazines to come up with just a few for publication |
+ | |||
+ | Next step was scanning of the text to get it into the computer for word processing; here Jack Herman, Tony Holgate and Chris James made their contributions. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Next step was the printing team, an SBW cottage industry, who produced the printed pages in Alex's garage. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The stacks and stacks of printed pages are assembled by the collating team into magazines along the production line principle advocated by Henry Ford. The collators were and are Lorraine Bloomfield, Dot Butler, Bob Duncan, Rosslyn Duncan, Spiro Hajinakitas, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Now that's how the 70th Anniversary, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Patrick James, Editor, October 1997 | ||
+ | |||
+ | first edition: July 1931 | ||
this edition: October 1997 | this edition: October 1997 | ||
- | The Editor by Anon. | + | |
- | The Editor knocked at the Pearly Gate, His face looked worn and old; | + | |
- | He meekly asked the man of fate for admission to the fold. | + | ====== |
- | "What have you done" asked Peter, "To seek admission here?" | + | |
- | "Oh I ran a monthly paper | + | by Anon |
+ | |||
+ | The Editor knocked at the Pearly Gate,\\ | ||
+ | His face looked worn and old;\\ | ||
+ | He meekly asked the man of fate\\ | ||
+ | for admission to the fold. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "What have you done" asked Peter,\\ | ||
+ | "To seek admission here?"\\ | ||
+ | "Oh I ran a monthly paper\\ | ||
for many and many a year." | for many and many a year." | ||
- | The gate swung open sharply | + | |
- | as Peter touched the bell | + | The gate swung open sharply\\ |
- | "Come in" he said, "and take your harp You've had enough of hell" | + | as Peter touched the bell\\ |
- | The Sydney Bushwalker, Dec, 1932, this poem was withdrawn from a Bank house journal by Peter Page and given to Brenda White the new editor. | + | "Come in" he said, "and take your harp\\ |
- | A C KIN | + | You've had enough of hell". |
- | Index of Articles and Poems and their original | + | |
- | sate | + | The Sydney Bushwalker, Dec. 1932, this poem was withdrawn from a Bank house journal by Peter Page and given to Brenda White the new editor. |
- | i70th | + | |
- | illEditorial | + | |
- | 70 Years. | + | |
- | Put Your Best Foot Foremost Kath McKa | + | Index of Articles and Poems and their original |
- | | + | |
- | | + | page author year |
- | The Wombat Denis Alexander | + | |
- | | + | 2 Editorial |
- | A Colo-Uraterer Venture Maxwell Gentle Dec | + | |
- | First Perambulator to Kana ra To is 1931 Miles Dunpy June 1932 | + | 3 70 Years Tony Holgate |
- | | + | |
- | 19 y | + | 3 Put Your Best Foot Foremost |
- | . 21 Five Returns Dulbolla, Please | + | |
- | 22 | + | 3 70th |
- | 22 Geoff Wagg: | + | |
- | 22 Finding the Castle | + | 5 Newspaper Cuttings and Extracts |
- | ,4 | + | |
- | 25 Paralyser | + | 7 The Wombat |
- | 28 Phobias Kath McKay | + | |
- | 29 Reunion 1957 Geoff Wa | + | 7 Untitled Song Jim Brown Sep. 1981 |
- | | + | |
- | | + | 8 A Colo-Uraterer Venture |
- | The Walker' | + | |
- | 32 Bushwalkin' | + | 11 First Perambulator to Kanagra Tops 1931 Miles Dunphy June 1932 |
- | 33 H mn of Hate | + | |
- | 33 Wildlife in the Aisle Gore e Dot Butler | + | 17 Over Gangerang |
- | III | + | |
- | 35 | + | 19 Molly-Moo-Ma Clare Kinsella 1937 |
- | | + | |
- | | + | 21 Five Returns Dulbolla, Please Ray Kirby Sep 1948 |
- | | + | |
- | | + | 22 Both Ends of the Budawangs Roger Browne May 1984 |
- | | + | |
- | | + | 22 Geoff Wagg: comments |
- | | + | |
- | The Rains Came Anon. 1986 | + | 22 Finding the Castle |
- | 46 Hillto | + | |
- | 47 The Virain | + | 24 untitled anon July 1952 |
- | Jud O' | + | |
- | An one Can be | + | 25 Paralyser |
- | : .3 | + | |
- | A Tribute to the Silent | + | 28 Phobias Kath McKay May 1961 |
- | | + | |
- | 50 | + | 29 Reunion 1957 Geoff |
- | 51 | + | |
- | 51 Dec 1932 | + | 31 Frank Rigby: comments |
+ | |||
+ | 31 The Walker' | ||
+ | |||
+ | 32 Bushwalking | ||
+ | |||
+ | 33 Hymn of Hate Grace Edgecombe July 1938 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 33 Wildlife in the Apsley Gorge Dot Butler May 1967 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 35 Hot Stuff KA Jan 1952 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 36 Helen Gray: comments | ||
+ | |||
+ | 36 Yet another Bungle Don Finch July 1967 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 38 We' | ||
+ | |||
+ | 39 Destination Mawson' | ||
+ | |||
+ | 40 Era Kath McKay Feb 1950 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 41 Reminiscences of Things Owen Marks Sep 1977 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 45 The Snow Bowl Frank Rigby Aug 1986 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 46 The Rains Came Anon. Sep 1986 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 46 Hilltop | ||
+ | |||
+ | 47 The | ||
+ | |||
+ | 48 Judy | ||
+ | |||
+ | 48 Anyone | ||
+ | |||
+ | 49 A Tribute to the Silent | ||
+ | |||
+ | 50 A Short Note on K to K in a Day Patrick James Aug 1993 | ||
+ | |||
+ | 51 Acknowledgements | ||
+ | |||
+ | 51 The Editor Anon. Dec 1932 | ||
199710.txt · Last modified: 2023/08/29 08:43 by sbw