193410
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision | Next revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
193410 [2014/09/08 16:17] – [FROM THE DIARY OF CHARLES PRYDE.] emmanuelle_c | 193410 [2014/09/08 16:40] – [FROM THE DIARY OF CHARLES PRYDE.] emmanuelle_c | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 232: | Line 232: | ||
However I thought to my self " | However I thought to my self " | ||
- | On arrival at Katoomba at 9.35 we weighed our packs (Wally had 54 lbs. and I 52 lbs.), and then went to the "All British" | + | On arrival at Katoomba at 9.35 we weighed our packs (Wally had 54 lbs. and I 52 lbs.), and then went to the "All British" |
- | __Saturday, 15th.__ We were moving about at 6.30 a.m. There was a very keen wind and we were glad when the sun reached us. By 8 o' | + | __Saturday, 15th.__ We were moving about at 6.30 a.m. There was a very keen wind and we were glad when the sun reached us. By 8 o' |
- | It was tricky getting down the ladders, as the wind was blowing hard on to us. By 5.35 p.m. we'd reached our old camp spot, in Medlow Gap and got settled. As we were both feeling very tired we went to bed at 8.0. Before turning in we noticed some clouds travelling very fast but high, and about midnight were wakened by a rain and wind, storm, which however did not last long. | + | It was tricky getting down the ladders, as the wind was blowing hard on to us. By 5.35 p.m. we'd reached our old camp spot, in Medlow Gap and got settled. As we were both feeling very tired we went to bed at 8.0. Before turning in we noticed some clouds travelling very fast but high, and about midnight were wakened by a rain and wind storm, which however did not last long. |
- | __Sunday 16th.__ On rising at 6.0 found a nice fresh bright morning with the sun just touching the hills. Such a variety of birds there were flitting about, and calls of every description. By the time breakfast was over the sun was well into the gully, and we enjoyed the wealth of wattle bloom acres of yellow and green. The wattle certainly is pest to get through with a pack, but the glorious colouring compensated a lot. We had much needed bath in a small rock pool, and in the creek bed saw some fossilised wood and some tiny orchids. Slow going brought us to our old King's Birthday camp Spot for lunch at 12.30. Off again at 1.55 through Black Horse Gap, where we took various bearings of the positions of Mouin, Bimlow, Tableland, etc. to check up, and then round the Eastern side of Warrigal along "The Wombat Parade" | + | __Sunday 16th.__ On rising at 6.0 found a nice fresh bright morning with the sun just touching the hills. Such a variety of birds there were flitting about, and calls of every description. By the time breakfast was over the sun was well into the gully, and we enjoyed the wealth of wattle bloom acres of yellow and green. The wattle certainly is pest to get through with a pack, but the glorious colouring compensated a lot. We had much needed bath in a small rock pool, and in the creek bed saw some fossilised wood and some tiny orchids. Slow going brought us to our old King's Birthday camp spot for lunch at 12.30. Off again at 1.55 through Black Horse Gap, where we took various bearings of the positions of Mouin, Bimlow, Tableland, etc. to check up, and then round the Eastern side of Warrigal along "The Wombat Parade" |
- | the tracks. I got a nasty spill and for a few minutes thought my ankle had gone, but it was only a sharp wrench. Through Merri Merrigal and then a slide down the taillus | + | the tracks. I got a nasty spill and for a few minutes thought my ankle had gone, but it was only a sharp wrench. Through Merri Merrigal and then a slide down the talus until we struck water and made camp at 5.30. Got a good fire going and sat until about 10 p.m. when we had coffee and cake and turned in after a perfect day. It was, a glorious moonlight night with bright stars. |
- | __Monday. 17th.__ Astir at 6 a.m. to find another nice day promised. Rough scramble up the taillus | + | __Monday. 17th.__ Astir at 6 a.m. to find another nice day promised. Rough scramble up the talus slope to Merri Merrigal, and then found a way up the cliffs to the top of Dingo. Put our names in the bottle, rebuilt the cairn and added a pole. |
We got some wonderful views of the country ranging from King's Tableland, over Burragorang right round almost to Megalong Valley, and took some bearings. Left our packs at the only way down the cliffs and went out to Splendour Rock. The views were magnificent but the light bad for photography. We noticed, there has been a second rock fall at Kanangra since the big one about Easter, but could not exactly locate the position. There are now two distinct white tracks down the cliffs. | We got some wonderful views of the country ranging from King's Tableland, over Burragorang right round almost to Megalong Valley, and took some bearings. Left our packs at the only way down the cliffs and went out to Splendour Rock. The views were magnificent but the light bad for photography. We noticed, there has been a second rock fall at Kanangra since the big one about Easter, but could not exactly locate the position. There are now two distinct white tracks down the cliffs. | ||
- | We put our names in the cairn. There is no permanent water on the top but we found some rain water in rock holes which we mopped up and went back to the packs for lunch. By 3.0 p.m. we were ready to start down over the taillus | + | We put our names in the cairn. There is no permanent water on the top but we found some rain water in rock holes which we mopped up and went back to the packs for lunch. By 3.0 p.m. we were ready to start down over the talus for the Yellow Dog Range. The going was very tough - over loose broken stone lying just on the angle of repose - and every step had to be tested. The vegetation was principally that holly leaf shaped bush with plenty of prickles, which had to be made use of as a means of steadying ourselves. There are three pimples on Yellow Dog which are very trying both on the climbs up and down. For a good distance there is a very distinct knife edge. As we gradually got down we took the Southern shoulder and reached the Cox River almost opposite Moorilla Creek at 6.5 and made camp. Both of us were very tired, but a meal and being clear of our packs soon livened us up. While at dinner, a rock blew out with a tremendous explosion, and scattered the fire in all directions. Loafed until 11.0 and then turned in. It is another glorious night and Wally is getting quite a songster. I've heard him humming something several times this evening. |
__Tuesday, 18th.__ After breakfast and a dip we started off at 9.30 up stream. The river was running strongly and we had plenty of wading well over our knees. Saw a fox, any number of wallaby tracks (some a big size), wongas, lowries, etc. and a flight of wild duck kept just ahead. There were also, some very dead animals on the track, and we came across a big clump of wild celery. | __Tuesday, 18th.__ After breakfast and a dip we started off at 9.30 up stream. The river was running strongly and we had plenty of wading well over our knees. Saw a fox, any number of wallaby tracks (some a big size), wongas, lowries, etc. and a flight of wild duck kept just ahead. There were also, some very dead animals on the track, and we came across a big clump of wild celery. | ||
Line 252: | Line 252: | ||
"I must be on my way\\ | "I must be on my way\\ | ||
- | with my load of hay | + | with my load of hay" |
but he did not know any more. So far through the trip it was very noticeable how Wally would eat anything except bread, so as to conserve our supply, but at lunch time we had finished it up, so there was nothing to do but make a damper. When there was enough ash he started, and gave me minute instructions. After about an hour he tested it and pronounced it done, and laid it aside till the morning to cool off. Much to __my__ disgust when it was cut we found it to be as nearly perfect as could be, really splendid example of bush cooking. He is now retiring on his laurels - wise man. | but he did not know any more. So far through the trip it was very noticeable how Wally would eat anything except bread, so as to conserve our supply, but at lunch time we had finished it up, so there was nothing to do but make a damper. When there was enough ash he started, and gave me minute instructions. After about an hour he tested it and pronounced it done, and laid it aside till the morning to cool off. Much to __my__ disgust when it was cut we found it to be as nearly perfect as could be, really splendid example of bush cooking. He is now retiring on his laurels - wise man. | ||
- | __Wednesday, | + | __Wednesday, |
__Thursday, 20th.__ The train was well crowded but we got seated comfortably and had some more sleep. Parted at Strathfield after a good trip, which I enjoyed every bit as much as I think Wally did. | __Thursday, 20th.__ The train was well crowded but we got seated comfortably and had some more sleep. Parted at Strathfield after a good trip, which I enjoyed every bit as much as I think Wally did. |
193410.txt · Last modified: 2014/09/11 10:51 by emmanuelle_c