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April 2008, Issue 881
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Presidents Report David Trinder 2 Editorial Maureen Carter 3 New Members Report Jodie Dixon 3 SBW the Future? - David Carter 4 The Mid-Week Walkers Bill Holland 5 Letter to the Editor Eddy Giacomel 6
Walks Secretary's Report - Tony Holgate 7 Coolana Report Don Finch 8, 9 Walks Notes Barry Wallace 10, 11 From the Committee Room 11,12 A Lightness of Bushwalking Kenn Clacher 13,14 Dot Butlers Final Farewell 15 Vale Alice Wyborn Don Finch 15 Social Notes Kathy Gero 16 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER
is the monthly bulletin of matters of interest to members of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc PO Box 431 Milsons Point NSW 1565.
Editor: Maureen Carter Production Manager: Stephen Brading Printers: Kenn Clacher, Barrie Murdoch,
Alan Sauran Don Brooks Fran Holland
Opinions expressed in this magazine are the opinions of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect the policies or views of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.
All material in this magazine is copyright. . Requests for reproduction should be
directed to The Editor. editor@sbw.org.au
April 2008 Clubs main activit
About Our Club
The Sydney Bush Walkers was formed in 1927 for the purpose of bringing bushwalkers together; enabling them to appreciate| the great outdoors; establishing a regard for conservation and promoting social activities. The
y is bushwalking but includes other activities such as cycling, canoeing and social events
Our Walks Program (published quarterly) features day walks on most Saturdays and Sundays, some mid week
walks and overnight weekend walks. Extended walks are organised in areas such as The Snowy Mountains, the
Warrumbungles as well as interstate i.e. Victorian Alps
Our meetings start at 8pm and are held on Wednesday evenings (see Social Program) at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milsons Point Railway Station).
Visitors and b
rospective members are welcome www.sbw.org.au
Office Bearers
Members are welcome to contact the following officers on club matters:
President: 9542 1465 (h)
Vice Presiden 9419 2507(h)
Secretary: 0403 941 790
David Trinder dt28@tpg.com.au
t: Ron Watters wattersr@bigpond.net.au
Ruth Richter Ruth_Richter@opg.nsw.gov.au
Walks Secretary: Tony Holgate
9943 3388(h)
tholgate@optusnet.com.au
Social Secretary: Kathy Gero
9130 7263 (h)
Treasurer:
9957 2137 (h) Members Sec 4294 3074(h) New Member: 9943 3388 (h)
Conservation 9587 8661
social@sbw.org.au
Margaret Carey margaret_carey@bigpond.com
retary: Brian Holden brian.holden@peopLe.net.au
5 Secretary: Jodie Dixon newmembers@sbw.org.au
Secretary: Wilf Hilder
Magazine Editor: Maureen Carter
9773 4637 (h)
moz.carter@pacific.net.au
Committee Members:
Alan Sauran 9488 8367(h) Bill Hope
9960 1646(h)
asauran@hotmail.com
bill. hope@optusnet.com.au
Delegates to Confederation:
Bill Holland 9484 6636(h)
Jim Callaway 9520 7081 (h)
biltholland@bigpond.com
The Club has agreed to a subsidy of $100 for each of the first 10 leaders to successfully complete their Senior First Certificate. Just contact Tony Holgate (9943 /3388(h) tholgate@optusnet.com.au) for details.
PRESIDENTS REPORT
The Annual General Meeting held on March 1 elected a new Committee. Some members retired and some new people came on board. Pam Campbell retired after editing the magazine for several years; she was not at the AGM because she was at home finishing off her last issue. She also helped organise the 80“ Anniversary Celebrations. We thank her. Patrick James also retired from his position as Ordinary Member. His special achievements for the past two yeas were project manager of the new Coolana composting toilet and Chairman of the 80” anniversary celebrations. We thank him also. Greta James also retired; she has been secretary for the past few years and Fran Holland retired from her position as Membership Secretary. We thank them also. Coming on board are Maureen Carter who will be assisted by husband David in editing the magazine, Ruth Richter who is the new Secretary, Bill Hope and Alan Sauran are the new Members without portfolio and Stephen Brading is our new business manager for the magazine. It is good to see new faces on the Committee and we thank them.
A new initiative under discussion by the new Committee is the idea of organising social events other than in the clubrooms. Virginia Riley, Kim Bailey and Jodie Dixon will organise some events to concerts, classical or popular, exhibitions, etc as their combined imaginations lead them.
We intend to analyse data that the Club has to determine the current and past participation in walks. We have a suspicion that overnight walks are reducing in popularity. A serious analysis by some of our clever people can clarify the position for us. Then if there is something wrong we can work on correcting it.
We have been planning to upgrade the web site. There was the possibility that we could have it done free by some of Chris Wongs IT students but that did not materialise. Now we are looking at having the site rebuilt commercially at a cost of up to $5,500. Any thoughts or assistance would be gratefully received. At the AGM several people spoke in favour of spending some of the Clubs money on having it built commercially.
David Trinder
WKS
2 April 2008
FROM THE EDITOR
as editor of the magazine in my absence, even though | assume that | was the only one with my hand up. | would like to acknowledge David as my co-editor, as we have decided to share the task, with him ably handling all the computer aspects of the job and | will do the communicating and cajoling people into writing material.
Now we can fully appreciate Pam Campbells efforts over the last two years in producing a monthly magazine. Our first edition has been difficult to produce. You may wonder why. It is because your contribution has not arrived as yet! In fact it was quite disappointing to go to print with so little copy and not one article on recent walks. We are a walking club after all and J would like to think that every month we will print short pieces and articles on bush walks, cycling, kayaking, skiing and other activities that members participate in. This month we include some ideas that Tony Holgate has suggested for future articles which may get the thought processes working.
We have a personal interest in keeping pack weights down and are sure that many members, especially in our age group, also wish to do this to lengthen our bushwalking life. So, we are re- running a very worthwhile article, which also appears on our website, written by Kenn Clacher on that topic.
It was good to have a report from Spiro Haginikitas on Dot Butlers wake held in the Warrumbungles over Easter and Don Finch has written an obituary on Alice Wyborn.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Maureen & David Carter
3. Will there be rock hopping (and the possibillity of wet feet) 4. Will there be scrambling?
Asking these questions will help you determine if a walk is right for you.
Now that the cold weather is upon us, don't forget to carry a warm top and your gortex even on day walks. There is nothing worse then being soggy and cold when trying to take in the great view at your lunch spot.
Happy Walking Jodie Dixon
NEW MEMBERS REPORT
Hi All
Joining the club in the last couple of months were Matt Cudworth, Kay Fong, Anthony Andersen, Lyn Cheeseman, Joseph Maz, Amit Jhaveri, Susan Van Den Burg and Patricia McQuade please make them feel welcome.
If you are just starting out walking and you want to make sure that a walk is right for you here are a few questions you may want to ask a leader if this information is not in the walks description:
1. Will there be off track walking?
2. How much ascent and descent ?
April 2008 3
IDEAS FOR ARTICLES
Beware - | intend to solicit articles from our many competent walkers and writers, so you may get a phone call soon. In the meantime, here are some ideas to get you started, suggested by Tony Holgate recently.
Articles on leading trips
Articles on hints/tips for new members (and old) Other training material
An article on hyperthermia and hypothermia and other first aid issues
Items on winter walking/camping
Planning extended walks
Dealing with particular hazards in the bush (risk management)
Recipes for the camp fire - always well received Walking in the tropics, arid centre, rainforests, etc.
Articles on ydur particular passion - eg What | like about …
Member notes, within reason, eg for sale notices Poetry, jokes or anecdotes, eg heard on a walk recently
Articles soliciting teams for events, eg rogains, Trailwalker
relevant items you have spotted in other magazines (with their permission); and, articles on flora and fauna that we may encounter whilst in
The reality is that we have not been inundated with articles each month lately, so please swamp me with paper or emails soon. | am happy to receive copy in any form, even hand written. My email address is moz.carter@pacific.net.au.
Happy walking and happy writing
Maureen
SBW - the Future?
There has been considerable discussion in recent times, both within the committee and among members more generally, about both the clubs future, particularly with respect to attracting new members, and the clubs web site. | thought it would be a worthwhile exercise to study two Sydney walking clubs (neither of which | am currently a member of) that | believe have been more successful in tackling one or both of these issues.
The Bush Club has what | believe is the best local
bushwalking web site 1 have seen. It is very.
polished, easily navigated and very up-to-date. The Photo Gallery, Bushwalking Tales and Diary Dates sections had all been updated recently and both the Summer and Autumn walks program were downloadable, though minus contact details. The home page proudly states their aim - Bushwalking for Everyone, and this reflects their origins as Paddy Pallin and Marie Byles when forming it hoped the club would comprise walkers of moderate ability who would not be forced to indulge in camping if they had no wish to do so. In truth the club predominantly is composed of older active members, but maintains a very good walks program covering a wide range of activities from dawdles and accommodated walks to seriously tough walks. They have a very active mid-week program and a major attraction for some people is that members do not have to book onto day walks. They have attracted quite a few SBW members (thankfully most of whom have also remained with SBW).
The Coast and Mountain Walkers (CMW) have also been quite successful at attracting SBW members. Several years ago we lost a significant number of leaders/members of long standing to CMW. They have a wide program of predominantly overnight (or longer) walks and a smaller number of day walks. They consider themselves to be a serious walking club and in both their web site and in print state that in general the Club specialises in OVERNIGHT bushwalking, and that to qualify to become a Full Member you MUST complete certain walks involving overnight camping (the words in blocks are their emphasis not mine). In other words they had quite deliberately defined themselves as an overnight walking club. Despite the clubs apparent success at attracting new members, they have decidedly been less successful at attracting young members. An analysis of membership records some years ago showed that over the previous ten years the median age of club membership had increased by ten years! | think that to a certain extent this reflects the reality that young people in general are not club joiners, but are more likely to pursue their bushwalking with friends.
The CMW web site has a dated look and is visually not as appealing as the Bush Club site. In fact | believe it looks even less professional than the
SBW site. However, it has plenty of excellent content and is obviously kept up to date (it had been updated within the week), with both the current walks and social programs either on-line or available for download.
In my opinion, SBWs major problem at the moment is its lack of a clearly defined aim as a walking club. We like to bask in past glories.as the premier Sydney walking club when this is demonstrably no longer true, as evidenced by the poor attendance on walks last Christmas. On the positive side, Bill Holland has organised and attracted a good group of mid-week walkers. Is this one way forward? We have for too long tried to be all things to all people while not managing to be successful at most of them. We must decide what sort of walking club we wish to be before then promoting it with a rejuvenated web site. And having gone through the effort of designing and constructing a new web site we must also ensure that we have sufficient resources (both human and fiscal) to maintain it, as on the net nothing identifies an organisation as hackneyed as a web site that is not current.
As the above issues are the subject of continuing debate, | invite your comments on these and related matters.
David Carter
SBW Kakadu 2008 Spectacular views, gorges, chasms, caves, creeks, waterfalls, cascades and beautiful rock pools on the southern Kakadu stone country. There will be swimming stops several times a day, sleeping under the stars, aboriginal art sites, walking through relatively flat open woodland with a grassy
understorey and the fantastically sculpted stone country. Food party to be organised.
Starting at Gunlom Falls we will cross to Barramundi Creek, Gromophilan Creek, up Cascade Creek to Rainbow Serpent Cave across to Graveside Falls, Surprise Falls, Twin Falls and over to Koolpin Gorge.
12 days walking in what some have called Bushwalking Paradise.
Contact Tony Holgate for more information 0434 968 793 (mobile) 02 9943 3388 (home)
4 April 2008
The Mid-Week Walkers
By time you read this note about thirteen of our Mid-Week Walkers will have enjoyed their cabin stay at Newnes (7th - 11th April). I will give a more detailed report of this next month.
Earlier, in February, a smaller group had a rewarding five days at Pebbly Beach - way down south. It was great to have John Hogan down all the way from Cairns join us. Fran and | shared a cabin and the others camped. The weather was not kind for all of the week with some heavy rain to start but the sun was there from Tuesday to lighten up the rest of the week with good conditions for walking along the beach etc.
So far nothing is planned for May but we looking at the following for coming months.
June: = Mon 9th - Fri 13th June: Don and Liz Wills have indicated that they would be very happy to host the Mid Week Walkers at their cottage at Timor (upper Hunter Valley). The location is superb and offers a variety of things to do. The cold winter nights will be spent in front of a roaring fire.
July: The options for this month appear to be somewhere up the North Coast where it is slightly warmer or perhaps a week at Robyns farm where we can cycle, walk or plant some trees and help combat global warming. Another idea is to return to the organic farm at Nanna Glen near Coffs Harbour.
August: A suggestion for this month is to visit the Yarrangobilly Caves near Cooma. After being closed for almost half a century the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have reopened Yarrangobilly Caves House in Kosciuszko National Park for overnight accommodation.
Now here are a couple of Mid Week day walks in coming weeks. Full details are shown in the Autumn Walks Programme.
Tues 22“! Apr: Bouddi NP
Woy Woy Station - Ferry - Hardys B a y - Bullimah Lookout - Maitland Beach - Killcare Beach - Wagstaff - Ferry - Palm Beach - Bus return to city. Sixtieth anniversary of Bushwalker War Memorial dedication at Bullimah Lookout. Originally organised by Marie Byles. Grade: Medium ,
Tues 13 May: Dharug National Park: Mangrove Creek - Ten Mile Hollow via Simpsons Track. Follow an old bridle track and see well preserved stone embankments from the early days .Grade: Easy 14 km
The Mid-Week Walkers are an informal group of SBW members who have time to spare for mid-week activities, some of which are shown on the Walks Programme and some organised at short notice and advised by monthly newsletter sent to all on my Mid Week Walkers list. The extended walks, usually one per month, attract a good following.
If you would like to be added to our email list please let me know. You are welcome to join us in any activity at any time
Bill Holland
Just in case you weren't feeling “too” old today, this will certainly change things. The people who started university this year across the nation were born in 1990. Star Wars is older than them.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.
They cannot fathom not having a remote control.
They have always had CD's, never records.
They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are.
They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.
They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.
April 2008 5 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Gretels letter, the website and management
It is regrettable that Gretel Woodward had not sought to inform herself before she informed the club about my obstruction of Gail and Tony Crichtons attempts to update the website in 2001. It is common for people who dont understand the complexity in a_ situation to misinterpret assistance, cooperation and the need to develop a solution as obstruction.
The misunderstanding jin 2001 may have been caused by a lack of understanding of websites and an attempt to use the policy that Gretel uses at Coolana (i.e. if you have a complaint you fix the problem) in a situation requiring a different methodology to develop a_ solution. In particular, how do we maintain the website given that we have very few members with the necessary complex skills?
An essential feature of every volunteer position within SBW is that each position must transfer from one member to another at appropriate intervals. From my time as walks secretary, | know that the transfer from one walks secretary to the next occurs with a few notes, and the new incumbent is on his/her way with virtually a blank sheet. | presume much the same happens with the editor. The treasurer and the membership secretary however, would need to hand over detailed records to the next holders of the positions.
While everyone else was admiring the appearance of a proposed new website (which | admit was splendid), | was concerned that the club would not be able to maintain the website. We have very few members with the skills; the software is expensive and would take a long time to learn. There are other factors to consider, but | wont go into detail here. | thought | might have had a low cost solution to these dilemmas that involved a different management approach to the website which would have included input from Gail and Tony. My intention had been to use the website for continual training of members in the skills to edit it. Too much detail for this letter, but the committee is welcome to my views if it is interested. Given that the website has not been maintained for the past 3 years, | believe that my concerns were appropriate. | dont call my actions obstructive; | call them forward planning. | would be naive to have thought that my planning would just work for | was only at Stage 1 of solving a problem - i.e. being aware that there is a problem to solve.
This letter in no way criticises the designers of the current website. In navigating our way through new uncharted areas of the club future, it is inevitable that some outcomes wont be as intended. It is in the nature of a healthy organization that mistakes are corrected without finger pointing or point scoring. :
Ive only just found out from Gretels letter that ! had a few others assisting me in my obstruction. Its just as well Ive been informed about what | was doing, otherwise | would never have known. Members could perhaps even be amused (to use a word from Gretels letter) if it wasnt for the damage that incorrect reports can cause to people, friendships and the club. Gretels information regarding the website is not only totally incorrect, it is of no use to anyone wanting to do anything about the website.
My letter in the December magazine was prompted by concerns about the clubs future. The responses have introduced Coolana and the website into the debate. It is not for anyone to tell members what to discuss, however, | have seen no questions on the two main points raised in my letter - i.e. that the statistics indicate that recruitment is below sustainable levels and that chains are only as strong as their weakest links.
taking is not in its best interest. For example, in October 2002, the management structure of the club was changed. We cancelled monthly general meetings and made the management structure more centralised. We have sought to run the club for the members instead of with the members. Since October 2002 there have been six Annual General Meetings (AGMs) (2003-2008). In these six AGMs we have recruited 14 new members to the committee. Even with the welcome upturn in recruitment at the last AGM included in these statistics, this is a decrease of 39% when compared to the six preceding AGMs (1997-2002), when we recruited 23 new members to the committee.
While some may feel uncomfortable about the situation facing the club, shooting the messenger wont solve the problem. If the editor will permit, I will elaborate on the reasons for planned change in an article next month. Lest anyone jump to conclusions, the solution is not to simply reinstate general meetings or to have a small committee.
Eddy Giacomel
6 April 2008 WALKS SECRETARYS REPORT
As you may be aware the Club has agreed to a subsidy of $100 for each of the first 10 leaders to successfully complete their Senior First Certificate. Just call me for more details.
What a great autumn. Plenty of walks to choose from and mostly fine weather.
Have you started thinking about walks to put on the Winter program, and Spring and Summer. If
you have any ideas, suggestions, questions, please contact me.
On my walk, it was cool enough that the 700 metre climb out of the Guy Fawkes River was enjoyable (well .., would you believe, not too painful?). There is something terrific about sharing stories with friends and listening to a river flow past while sitting next to a fire under a star filled sky.
Will we share a walk, campsite, swim, or post-walk coffee soon?
: See you on the track … By the time you get this we will have had another
long weekend (ANZAC), the current Autumn
: Tony Holgate program has 10 long weekend walks. This is a
; Walk Secretary fantastic effort by our leaders and I, along with 02 9943 3388 (home) everyone else, thank them for their efforts. 0434 968 793 (mobile)
tholgate@optusnet.com.au
Finke Gorge
and Watarrka National Parks |
oon Finke Gorge - Much more than Palm Valley. We walk through tne wide, sculptured garges of the oldest river in the world, the Finke.
. We camp near some of the few permanent waternoles :n this arid land. We cross the park via one of the most scenic 4W0D tracks in the Centre.
Watarrka - Much more than Kings Canyon. This is the richest area for plant diversity in the whole of central Australa, We walk through deep gorges, across rea dunes ano enjoy spectacular views from the tops of the steep cirffs on the edge of the range We camp near some of the few permanent waternoles in the region.
This is the only Red Centre trip where we use 4WDs
to get to some of the harder to reach walking areas. ew, a See our website or give us a call for details. = 7 i ES Ew www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au e a ) . rd eee
Williss . M bout@ais.net.au
April 2008 7 COOLANA REPORT
A Coolana working bee was cobbled together three weeks before the reunion Ros, Don and Gretel went down early on Thursday 21* February and a start was made on the long list of jobs.
Thursday Gretel and Rosie on the camping flat attended to weeds around trees and removed some guards and staked other trees as required, spraying weeds on the flat and slopes as well. And marked many posts for removal the heavy work for this was done by Rick and Philip later in the weekend. On the Eastern Flat weeding around and inside the guards of smaller trees, removing some guards and marking others for removal. The spraying of moth vine, thistles, cobblers pegs, turkey rhubarb and removed the guards from the lomandras. Philip gave a hand at cut and pasting with poison wild tobacco plants. Some of these plants are over 50mm in diameter and require the strength of a man to saw through them quickly enough for the poison to be applied which has to happen within seconds.
Don cleaned out the tool shed and took several car loads of rubbish up the hill topped up or changed mower engine oil as required. A dead wattle had fallen along the edge of the creek flat destroying a mature sandpaper fig as it fell. The dead tree was cut up and the logs placed in the first creek crossing where head-ward erosion of the creek bed is up to the track crossing. The new mower was low on power a new plug was fitted with no result then Barry worked it out to be a clogged filter which was difficult to clean properly. The water pipe line was not working so it was several trips for Rick to finally get it all cleaned out and bled properly, a tree blocking the water line path was also removed with the help of the chain saw. The Eastern Flat access ways were cleared and it was noted that two dead trees near the camp fire posed a risk to the big sandpaper fig and people around the fire area. Atl of the rubbish that has been collecting in and around the car park was put into the trailer and finally dumped at the Belrose waste transfer station. Ros dug out several dozen beer bottles and broken glass dumped into a tree stump many years ago. The dumped load weighed 440kg about 300kg was from Coolana_ the remainder from my neighbours who was glad to get rid of their rubbish and happy to pay the total dumping fee, no cost to SBW.
On Saturday Glenn arrived with a donated mower which was quickly tidied up and put to work along with the other mowers enthusiastically used by Mai, Chris and Rod. The grass which had been left to seed was now shedding the mature seed and an effort was made to collect seed by hand and although tedious about half a bucket full was collected by a small team. The grassed areas to be
used at the reunion were now mowed in readiness for camping and access. Barry planted the grass seed on various bare patches on the Eastern Flat and three weeks later many small green sprouts were visible. Glenn who has taken on the job of reprinting and covering the various interpretative signs devised by Frank and Joan spent some time clearing tracks and fixing new signs including fortuitously one with a photo of Dot at her look out.
Fast forwarding to Thursday 13 March we find Ros, Gretel and Don on their way to Coolana a few days before the reunion. Gretel and Ros moved straight into; the round eternal of the weeding and spraying chipping and clipping.
Don after having angst about the dead trees near the fire site brought down a chain block and some heavy lines to convince the leaning trees that they were falling in a different trajectory other than that prescribed by gravity. The chain block won, and presto plenty of firewood for the reunion. A new storage shelf has appeared in the tool shed under the bench where the mowers are kept, this is intended. for the hoses etc. The conduit into the control panel under the toilet has been re saddled and a wooden support frame fitted to fill in the 180mm diameter hole in the toilet floor behind the pan. The original piece of compressed concrete is in place but needs sealing. Patrick brought down the caulking gun and there is a tube of silicone in the tool shed, maybe next time. The type of solar panel that is fitted to the tool shed is of the type that slowly degrades the output voltage with age. This has already happened so a soldering iron was required to remove some diodes and voltage regulators frem the existing circuits to allow the correct float voltage to be achieved at the storage batteries.
Some time ago Shirley took away a small sample of the various purchased grass seeds. On Saturday Shirley brought back many hundreds of thriving grass plants that she had propagated at her local nursery. Over Saturday and Sunday these were all planted out with help from George, Frances and the usual suspects. Planting areas included bare sites on the camping flat the slope above the tool shed and on the Davison Flat.
Patrick fitted a new safety cover he had made for the water tap hole above the campfire then mowed the area for the big table and pressed ganged a team into moving the table into the most auspicious orientation. He was also noted to be measuring up the opening below the toilet to fit lockable doors. The lock for which has already been pick up, this lock is keyed the sdme as the sump buster lock.
The NPWS is conducting an ongoing fox baiting program to protect a rock wallaby colony, the habitat of which includes our cliff line. Coolana is
8 April 2008 Coolana Report - continued
part of the critical core area for this colony and as such is fox baited on a monthly basis along with Weowna and Chacola both of which are declared Wildlife Refuges as is Coolana. Properties further out are on a two and three monthly baiting cycle. The NPWS officer responsible for Coolana arrived about noon to remove the baits not taken over night, she also arrived with Rick who had just arrived at the car park and gratefully accepted a lift down the hitl with his gear. This same officer appeared with others on the ABCs 7:30 Report on 1* April about endangered species, yes our rock wallabys. How about that, SBW up there focusing on helping the survival of an endangered species. | think that might be in our constitution!
So what penance for Rick! Well Gretel and Ros had marked up a heap of star posts that needed to be removed with our new star post remover and Rick having previously mastered the said widget was assigned the task. The spare posts and any guards removed were then carried up to the storage area behind the tool shed. It was not long before he was a lather of sweat and nobody would give him a lift anywhere. Stacking logs, raking sticks and other tasks completed his trials.
Those of you who have been paying attention to this column will know that Scott Hartman of Enviroquest is handling the doing it end of the poisoning of weeds on the Eastern Flat. Scott very kindly gave us a large chunk of his time on Friday to discuss various aspects of our current program possibilities for the future and why a significant number of our four year old trees were dying with no obvious explanation. Well it was obvious to him and he quickly showed where we had planted trees too deeply as young tube stock and that the non water proof truck was wetted to the point where the truck rotted at the interface collar between the waterproof tree root and trunk. At one tree he jumped back quickly has he had found a red belly black snake in the grass.
Due to the fact that 95% of the Noogara burr has been inundated since last September, it is apparent that a variation in the conditions of grant is needed to reflect this fact. Scott again provide valuable advice, the remaining burr will be sprayed along with some nearby lantana and tobacco plant, but in addition a planting out of suitable tree species on the Eastern Flat using all of our spare guards and posts (collected by Rick) should complete the program subject to SCA approval. The second round of spraying of the weeds on the Eastern Flat is underway. An audit of spare posts and guards was conducted we have 204 posts and 133 guards.
Don Finch
Coolana Committee Vacancy
The Coolana Committee has four members elected at the AGM ail gentlemen. A fifth position remains vacant. It would be preferable if the nominee were in fact a lady. Why? To try and redress the obvious imbalance.
If you feel that this is your calling please nominate yourself to David our President so appointment to the position can be ratified by a management committee meeting. No experience necessary just a willingness to help and learn. For more information contact Don Finch
02 9452 3749
finchros@bigpond.com.
Change of Date - Coolana Training Weekend - Now 10711” May
ideal for new members. Practical training and testing in navigation, first aid and bushcraft at Coolana in the beautiful Kangaroo Valley.
The weekend provides an ideal introduction to camping. However tents are optional, as there is a shelter and BBQ facilities on
site. SBW members are also encouraged to attend and assist with training and social activities around the camp fire on Saturday evening. This is an opportunity to foster social contacts within the club.
Activities start on Saturday morning and transport assistance is available.
Bill Holland 9484 6636 (m) 0418 210 290
email: billholland@bigpond.com or
Patrick James 9567 9998 (m) 0409 041515 email: pjames@bigpond.net.au
(Please note that this weekend has been moved to 10“, 11% May)
April 2008 9 WALKS NOTES
Walks notes covering the interval 8 August 2007.to 19 September 2007.
Saturday 11 August saw Chris Dowling cancel his Blue Mountains National Park qualifying walk out from Carlons Farm into the Cox River and return. That same weekend saw David Trinder cancel his overnight walk from Castle Gap to Byangee Mountain and return in Morton National Park. All was not lost however, as Bill Hope substituted for an unavailable Tony Crichton to lead a party of 7 on his Saturday walk out from Carlons Farm. Their route led down to the Cox River via Blackhorse Ridge and Knights Deck with a return over lronmonger for good measure. Conditions were very breezy and the party were able to maintain a brisk pace to attain Knights deck for an extended morning tea and the Cox for lunch. lronmonger was next, and after afternoon tea at the top 1600h saw everyone back at the cars.
The thunder of joggers, the pervasive odour of methyl salicylate; yes, it is; its the 20 iteration of the classic K to K along the six foot track. This one was led by David Trinder over the weekend 18, 19 August with 14 travellers and 2 in the support crew. The travellers got away from the Explorers Tree just after the planned departure time of 0630h and successfully rendezvoused at three locations to be fed and watered by the support crew along the way. Conditions were fine and clear, track wide; and no-one needed to resort to a lift to complete the walk. The runners were the first home, coming in from 1615 to 1645, but the rest of the field were all there by 1740. | imagine showers were next; then there was wine and cheese in one of the rooms followed by a delicious dinner in the large Dining Room from 1930h. Sunday breakfast was from 0800h and the bus departed for Katoomba at 1000h, completing another successful K to K. David opines that the width of the track, together with the functions and meetings at Caves House all make for a very social event with much bonding.
Nigel Weaver was out on Sunday 26” August with a party exceeding 5 but otherwise of uncertain numbers, for his qualifying car shuffle/water taxi pass through Muogamarra Nature Reserve, starting at Milsons Passage by water taxj. From there they headed up-hill to Muogamarra Ridge where there were spectacular views of the Hawkesbury River. Much of the 13km route lay along this ridge until they eventually made their way down to a spot on the Pacific Highway near Peats Ferry where they had pre-positioned a couple of cars. A great day with many wonderful views as Nigel observes. The other reported walk for that weekend saw Melinda Turner and a party of 10 intrepid souls heading out from the Robertson pie shop to tackle Caloola Pass and Green Pass in the aptly named Macquarie Pass
Barry Wallace
National Park. It was a perfect day with beautiful views of the Illawarra coastline and escarpment. They descended into the lush, green valley and stopped to explore around the Ding Hut. Here they met the draft horses and Martin, the local landowner. (There are explosive devices out there and the police arent going to find the bodies……) Hmmm! After a leisurely stroll through the valley they arrived at Astro Hut. Then came the Ron Component of the day, the beautiful and challenging Tongarra Creek and Cascades, followed by a wee scramble around the base of the cliff-line and up Green Pass. In no time at all they were relaxing at Refrigerator Point. (Literally, a point with cushioned benches and a fridge stocked with wine and liqueurs; not to mention the view.) Hmmm? After a short walk along the cliff line they reached the cars, and, in good time the Mitagong RSL for dinner. It was Melindas first walk as leader, so Ron, Maurice and David provided encouragement and _ support. Whats more it was fun; and almost worth waiting this long to see appear in the magazine Melinda?
The schedule set for Sunday 2 September
- surrendered all semblance of onomatopoeia when
Nigel Weaver led a qualifying walk out from Brooklyn with a party of 18. Conditions were fine and mild to warm as they headed off out of Brooklyn, following tracks to the aboriginal carvings on rock platforms on the lower slopes of Porto Ridge. These appeared to be comprised of a fish/whale, a kangaroo, a gentleman, and an emu. From this gallery they went off-track up onto Porto Ridge top, then to the hill behind Mud Point where there was a great lunch spot on the cliff-tops above Porto Bay. Lunch over they headed up to Peak Hill for more spectacular views, followed by the rough descent to Sandy Bay; this latter through a series of cliff lines. It was a great day with much camaraderie among the merry band of walkers.
No such sibilance for Ron Watters and his overnight walk in the Nattai National Park over the weekend of 15, 16 September. The party of 11 set off from the Wattle Ridge parking area in fine, sunny conditions, enjoying great escarpment views on
the descent of Starlights Trail to Macarthurs flat.
The going along the Nattai River was pleasant and easy; so too were the lower reaches of Rocky Waterholes Creek but all too soon the going became very rough, with extensive sidling on steep loose slopes to avoid the tangled timber and boulders in the creek bed. At around 1700h a mandatory descent was made in order to seek a campsite for the night nearer to the creek. This entailed extensive gardening, resulting in the tents being spread out in a line 40 metres tong. The campfire atmosphere was good nonetheless, as is often the case with adversity training. The next day the gorge closed in even more with beautiful
10 April 2008 Walks Notes - continued
cliff tines above and beautiful boulder framed pools in the bed of the creek. Beautiful, but slow going! in one instance they achieved only 500metres in the hour. Another 15 minute spell of energetic clambering in a section of rainforest yielded a creek crossing but no forward progress. A plan to climb Flat Top Mountain was discarded as the terrain indicated insufficient time would be available for such a diversion. They lunched and rested near the junction of Iron Creek then rejoined the boulder battle until they reached GR627984 to leave the creek and ascend the ramp to the top as recommended by Southern Highlands Bushwalking Club. Lo and behold, the fire trail
salvation was at hand to lead them to the promised car park at 1740h, just 9 short hours since starting off that morning. ll starters finished what proved to be a tougher than expected weekend walk. Whats more most of them came along to dinner at the Tahmoor Inn; right up to its best standards, with lively conversation combining to make a memorable dinnertime and round out the day.
Which is as about good as it needs to be to bring this installment to an end.
From the Committee Room
A report of proceedings at the Committee meeting 2 April 2008
President David Trinder welcomed all members to the first meeting of the new Committee, particularly those new to the Committee being Ruth Richter , Bill Hope, Maureen Carter, Alan Sauran and Brian Holden.
The minutes of the meetings on 12/03/08 and 5/03/08 were approved as a true and correct record of the meeting.
In matters arising from the previous minutes the proposal made in a letter from Chris Miller for a special category of membership to enable use of Coolana without being a walker was rejected by the Committee. A letter will, be sent to Chris thanking him for his suggestion and setting out the reasons why his proposal was unacceptable.
* Correspondence included; a letter to the Committee from Richard Maneschi thanking them for informative newsletters and stating that he is proud to be a SBW member; several magazines from other bushwalking (passed to the Magazine Editor) and a booklet Sydneys Best Bush, Park and City Walks from Sydney Morning Herald which will be the subject of a book review in the magazine.
Secretary Ruth Richter reported that the Bushwalking Australia Insurance Underwriting Information Questionnaire - has been completed and emailed to the Confederation.
Treasurer Margaret Carey reported;that renewals of membership subscriptions were coming in; that a list of cheques submitted with budget sheet had been circulated previously by email to committee and Ruth Richter will be added as signatory to bank account.
Accounts for payment were approved as follows: bank Charges $6.85; flowers & postage $81.5;Rent $400; social expenses $23.60; annual report and
magazine expenses $972.43.
* Tony Holgates article in previous newsletter offering creative ideas for social events was discussed. Feedback will be sought from members regarding their ideas of social events.
David had discussed social event ideas with two new members who are interested in organising events such as attending concerts. This led to a motion stating that the Committee is very interested in pursuing alternative and creative ideas for social events.
Tony Holgate advised that the Ciubs EPIRB needs to be replaced in next 6 months as old system will be switched off. The current EPIRB is kept by Tony.
Jody Dixon reported on New Members matters. She advised that ; there were no new members last month; new fees were required for prospective moving to full membership; new joining forms were needed due to change in membership fees. The Committee decided that household membership fees would be $85.
Several matters regarding membership status and receipt of fees from individuals were discussed and follow-up actions suggested.
An email was received from Leigh McClintock requesting that his Easter weekend walk be considered a qualifying walk. This was approved.
Ron Watters advised, on behalf of the Electronic Communications Sub-committee (ECSC), that commercial quotes had been sought for redesign of the Club website. They ranged from $US1,500 to SA 5,400:
* There had been no interest from TAFE students who previously had been suggested as possibly able to assist the Club in its website design. Various technical issues were discussed and these will be covered in a brief to be submitted by the ECSC to
April 2008 11 From the Committee Room - continued
th
e Committee. Issues re affordability were also
raised.
Ron also advised that there were now 127 members and 44 prospective members in Google Groups. There will be another article in the magazine encouraging members to sign up.
* The Committee discussed analysing data so that
walks could be tailored to the needs of members in future walks planning .
Steven Brading had sent an email to the Committee regarding grading of walks. The members thought that as long as the current system is applied consistently then ft can be successful - minor modifications can be made to specific walk descriptions to include brief
description of off-track/other conditions if needed. Committee voted not to pursue this issue further.
Tony Holgate stated that he is considering changing the walks program to A5 booklet size. He also raised the need to increase the amount per km passengers give to driver - currently it is suggested at 20 cents.
An Email was received from Confederation re requesting an article on Dot Butler for May edition of The Bushwalker - the article covering Dots 90th birthday will be sent.
It was agreed that First Aid courses will be subsidised to the extent of $100 for participating leaders with a maximum of $1000 in total.
A suggestion to exempt leaders ofother clubs from undergoing prospective status was raised. This would require a change in the constitution. The Committee voted not to pursue this issue.
Treasurers Report for March 2008
Current Year to Month Date
Members Subscriptions 1,504.00 1,549.00 Prospective Fees - - Conservation - 133.45 Investment - Coolana - 323.70 Investment - General - 146.44 Magazine Advertising - - Accrued Advertising - 370.00 Total Receipts $1,504.00 $2,522.59 Magazine Printing 102.45 167.28 Magazine Postage 50.00 851.12 Rent- Club Rooms 400.00 1,200.00 Postage. Phone &
Internet 217.85 662.55 Administration 476.70 565.30 Total Payments $1,247.00 $3,446.25 Cash Surplus /(Deficit) $257.00 $923.66
Watch this space for articles on meeting potential nasties in the bush, such as ticks, spiders, snakes etc and how to deal with them - or not!
SHORT NOTICE - BIKE TRIP
Saturday 17 May Leaders: David & Maureen Carter
Padstow Station - Salt Pan Creek - M5 Linear Path - Cooks River - Botany Bay - return to Wolli Creek Station or Padstow Station.
David will lead the fast cyclists and Maureen will follow at a more relaxed pace. Mostly cycle paths with a few quiet streets connecting them. Coffee stop at Brighton-le-Sands.
Distance: 45 to 60kms depending on where you finish the cycling.
Suitable for both mountain bikes and road bikes. Telephone: David or Maureen 9773 4637.
12
April 2008
A Lightness of Bushwalking by Kenn Clacher
Are you avoiding weekend walks because you dread the thought of carrying 20kg of gear around the whole weekend? Do you find it difficult reducing the weight of your weekend pack below that? If so, read on.
One of the participants on a walk on the recent Easter break (Deua NP) carted an 18kg pack around, after making strenuous efforts to reduce its weight at the leaders suggestion. This
prompted me to see what I actually carry in my pack on such walks, and to prove that it is easy have a pack weight below 10kg for an ordinary weekend walk, and still be safe and comfortable.
So, on the following weekend, for a three-day walk in the Ettrema area, | listed and weighed every item | put in my pack to find out what | actually carry and how much it weighs. Here it is:
Weight (gm) Totals (gm)
pack (Macpac Pursuit) 1,270
1,270 sleeping bag, stuffsac, waterproof bag 1,240 tent fly, pegs (no poles) 580 closed cell sleeping mat 270 groundsheet (nylon) 250
2,340 parka 800 thermal top & long johns, balaclava & gloves 340 jumper (polarplus 100) 300 windproof top (H2Off) 200
1,640 toothbrush, toothpaste, matches, string, spare 160 plastic bags, spare batteries, all in zip top plastic bag sunburn cream, insect repellent 100 mug, knife, spoon (no plate or fork) 100
enknife : 120 torch 140 first aid kit 170 toilet paper & soap in plastic bags _ 60 850
maps (4), map case, compass 450 GPS 200 EPIRB 220 20m 6mm chord, sling 370 newspaper in plastic bag (firelighter) 80
1,320 breakfasts (3) 560 lunches (3) 630 soups, rum & lemon barley (2 nights) 350 happy hour (2 nights) 400 dinners (for two people, each for two nights) 850 fresh fruit 730
3,520 2 wineskins 50 2 billies, billy grips 470
520 Total 11,460
April 2008 13 A Lightness of Bushwalking - continued
The whole lot came to 11.5kg, but | didnt even carry that much. Because | was carrying the fly and all the happy hour and evening meals for two, as well as around 1kg of leaders gear (GPS, EPIRB, rope etc) Edith carried my sleeping mat and the billies. This reduced the weight of my pack to 10.7kg. It also meant that Edith was carrying around 8.5kg for a three-day walk. The advantage of this arrangement is that | was able to fit all my gear into a 40 litre pack that weighs less than 1.3kg, while Edith carried the lighter, bulkier gear in a bigger and slightly heavier (when empty) pack. For an ordinary participant on a two-day weekend walk, your pack can be even lighter. A by-product is that the gear is cheaper too! There is no need for around 1kg of leaders stuff and generally only two maps are required. Scaling down the number of meals to one breakfast, one dinner and two lunches results in around 1.75kg of food (still a bit much at 850g per day for three meals) and one billy is enough. This brings the weight down to 8.5kg for a weekend walk! For a summer walk, the 500g of thermals, gloves etc can be left at home, bringing the weight down to 8.0kg. And thats not even trying hard to cut down the weight.
If one actually makes an effort to go light, obvious means of reducing weight include forgetting the fresh fruit (take dried if you cant do without it), lighter sleeping bag (one with a sleeve on the bottom for the sleeping mat), lighter torch (LED type), share the fly and billy, lave out the pegs for the fly and use sticks or rocks instead, take a cape groundsheet in summer and forget the parka, etc. Above all, dont take anything that is not essential!
Some may think this is all too spartan, depriving one of the necessities that make overnight walks or camping bearable. Some may even think it dangerously short of what is needed. To that | can only say that | am very comfortable with this gear, and that one is far more susceptible to falling,
injury, misadventure or exhaustion when carrying a 20kg pack than carrying a 10kg pack.
Some will be more sensitive to cold than | am and may need more warm clothes. !f so, remember the layering principle and take several light layers than one or two heavy ones. This will provide equivalent warmth for less weight and bulk. Remember too that lightweight thermals, balaclava and gloves can be far more effective in keeping you warm than a heavy and bulky jumper.
A notable feature of this list is the use of a fly rather than a tent. For those who shudder at the thought of sleeping under a fly, | can only suggest that it is not as bad as you may think. Indeed, after a while you, like me, may even prefer the openness of a fly, or of no tent at all, to the cramped confines of a tent. If you are worried about insects, a 50g pack of insect repellent is more convenient than an extra 2kg of tentage. There are occasions when more substantial tents are needed, but weekend walks around Sydney are not usually them.
Using these guidelines you too can waltz around your on next weekend walk looking fit, strong and tough. Let others labor up the hills and stumble clumsily over the rocks while you glide about effortlessly carrying a pack half the weight of your companions.
Postscript
A couple of weeks after this walk | went on a 3-day walk, not as leader, without my trusty porter. How to avoid carrying a larger, heavier pack? | took a thermarest (900 grams) instead of a closed cell mat (270 grams) and was able to squeeze it all into my 40 litre pack. This saved an extra 1kg or so in pack weight, at the cost of an extra 630 grams in sleeping mat weight, but a small pack is much easier to carry through scrub and on rocky ground than a big pack that weighs about the same. My total pack weight at the start of the walk was just
over 9kg.
HAVE YOU HEARD …………… ? War Games Benefit Bushland!
How often have bushwalkers lamented that they cannot venture into the former Tianjara Artillery Training Area?
Bob Snedden reports in the April-May issue of the National Parks Association Journal on the latest negotiations between NPWS and the Dept of Defence regarding the unexploded ordnance that remains in the upper Clyde Gorge, Tianjara Plateau and lands to the west near the upper Endrick. It seems that funds are unlikely to be made available to NPWS, who now have management responsibility for the contaminated area, ta remove 30cm of soil over the entire 24,000 hectares to attempt to clear all the hazards
and make that tract of land safe for bushwalking and other types of recreation.
We may covet this beautiful stretch of bushland with its potential off-track exploring possibilities, however, we can rejoice that circumstances now leave the upper Clyde Gorge with very limited human intervention and, as Bob says, this protection of the headwaters should assist the entire water course to flow free and pure.
Incidentally, the April-May issue of the NPA Journal contains many articles of interest to conservationists including those about threatened and pest animals; the bush stone-curlew; dune restoration; recently filled flood-plains; global warming; marine sanctuaries; and, threats to red gum habitat.
Maureen Carter
14 April 2008 DOT BUTLERS FINAL FAREWELL
Spiro Haginikitas took this photo of fluna Bluewater, Dots daughter, spreading her ashes near Crater Bluff in the Warrumbungles National Park on Easter Sunday. Spiro has given the following report of the events over Easter.
A private funerat and cremation was held for Dot in Hobart. Some members will know Jane and Colin Putts daughter, Tasmanian Greens leader Peg, who was present at the funeral.
The wake for Dot was held on Easter Saturday and Spiro reports that about 30 people attended including Peter Lavender and Claudia Douglas (from Melbourne), Colin and Jane Putt, Garth and Margaret Coulter, Jack Pettigrew (llunas ex husband), and other friends and neighbours of Dot. David Rootes (son of Wally Rootes) spoke at the wake. Claudia played three cello pieces at the wake on her Vatiliotis cello and many people related events and funny stories from Dots long and fascinating life. Colin Putt told how they were leaving Oslo airport after a climbing trip when he overheard some Americans commenting on Dots well worn and patched attire. Apparently, they decided that Dot was probably from Lapland and wearing national dress.
On the Sunday Spiro and Shirley Dean were amongst the people who walked out on the Grand High Tops towards Crater Bluff to watch Dots ashes spread. This was chosen as a significant final resting place as Dot had pioneered a route up the Bluff. A team of four boys, three of Dots grandsons and their neighbour, climbed half way up, but, due to the dangerously wet conditions spread half of her ashes there before descending. The remainder of Dots ashes were spread by Iluna and her daughter Chloe Callistemon.
The remains of Dot Butler - the barefoot bushwalker - are now scattered in the Warrumbungles, but the stories of her extraordinary life are everywhere.
VALE ALICE WYBORN
Alice Wyborn, wife of Allan, mother of Ross, Doone and Lynne has recently passed away. Alice was a member of Sydney Bush Walkers along with her husband and children. When | joined SBW in 1964, Alice and Allan were already old members of SBW and their children were just starting their own dynasty of bushwalking and outdoor activities with the club. Alice and Ailan were also members of The River Canoe Club.
Alice was a caring and considerate person who spoke in a quiet manner with a smile on her face and in her heart. For the forty years that | knew her, the occasions that we met were relatively few; hundreds not thousands, but she always greeted me with a smile and a genuine interest in my welfare and how life was treating me and my family.
Many bushwalks started, finished or went through the Wyborn family home at Oatley and like many bushwalking mothers Alice was warm = and welcoming to all comers. Allan assisted with mechanical advice on our various dilapidated vehicles he was often amazed that they ever made it back,
Rosss wedding was an occasion which required a big effort from Alice as mother of the groom. | am not quite sure what else Alice did but I know she sorted out the best man. adjusting his tie, checking the shoes, suit and making sure that his speech covered all the bases. Alice was at her best caring and sharing with thoughtful advice and a mothers eye for detail.
Alice and Allan were keen travellers in their later years with a VW Kombi camper featuring in many of the thousands of kilometres they ventured through-out Australia. Overseas trips were also on the program with Vancouver Canada a favourite destination. Nurtured by a loving family these trips were able to continue right up to Allans sudden death some years ago.
Alice was blessed with grand children from her three children but had to suffer the early and untimely death of her daughter Lynne. To Ross, Doone and the extended family of Alice Wyborn we offer our sympathy and join with you in celebrating the life of a delightful lady, well lived.
Don Finch
April 2008 15
SOCIAL NOTES
Hi Everyone,
Well i'm back - for my 4th year as Social Secretary for SBW (provided……!). With so many bright jdeas from a few members of the Committee, this should be an interesting year!!
Firstly | would like to thank Pam Campbell for hosting and also putting a great deal of time and effort into the April Social Night. Her original idea of a photo competition had to be cancelled due to lack of entries by members. Instead, she very promptly organized a guest speaker to inform and help peopte to take better photos.
In my early days as member of SBW, ! met and walked with Dot Butler - a great inspiration to all. As a tribute to her life, | would like to devote the August Social Night to her so that members may have easy access to knowing about her in a fun and social environment. To achieve this, | need and would appreciate it if people who knew her, walked with her, have any anecdotes about times spent/shared with her to contact me ASAP , so an evening could be devised.
The Autumn social program will feature our traditional Mid -Winter Feast in June followed by a walking trip in Italy, Austria and Switzerland in July. Three SBW members- Kenn Clacher, Neil Hickson and Fran Zoechman undertook this and would like to share their trip with other members. A little more detail in the Social Programme.
That's it for now. Enjoy your walking and always read this page for developments to the Social itinerary.
Kathy
AUTUMN SOCIAL PROGRAM
All meetings are held at the Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre at 8pm unless otherwise indicated.
APRIL
23 April New Members Training Night Please contact New Members Secretary for details MAY
7 May Committee Meeting
7pm Observers welcome
14 May New Members Night Introduction to SBW for intending prospectives
21 May Walking in Spain & France
8pm Our guest speaker is Garry McDougall. He is the co-creator of the GNW & founder of Great Australian Walks and a tour leader for European walking holidays. He will tell us about the Santiago de Compostela, outer Scottish islands, Brittany coastal paths, The Picos de Europa and others
28 May New Members Training Night Please contact New Members Secretary for
details
JUNE 4 June Committee Meeting 7pm Observers welcome
11 June New Members Night Introduction to SBW for intending prospectives
18 June Mid-Winter Feast
25 June New Members Training Night Please contact New Members Secretary for details
placed in a holding cell.
effects.
A man was being tailgated by a stressed-out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.
As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and
After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal
He said, I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, | pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. | noticed the What Would Jesus do? bumper sticker, the Choose Life license plate holder, the Follow Me to Sunday-School bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, naturally | assumed you had stolen the car.
16 April 2008