Monday, May 16, 2011
Pete's Poem
The old Ford reserve
Attendees
John and Marni ...........Good organisation skills, John expert in finding sttep walking tracks
(motto" the only way is up")
David and Steph..........Ambassadors for Crocs footwear, also excel in camp cooking
Pete and Aida..............Very helpful in camp procedures - Pete trialist for multi toed footwear
Stewart and Di............ Producers of excellant unnamed desserts. Stewart a decamping Critic
(being ex Boys Brigade)
Gordon and Virginia....New Zealand trained experts in river crossing, and astronomy.
Pete and Dawn........... Some poetry and artistic skills.
Mick............................. Culinary skills -Lamb stew a specialty - some
Somw experience in booking cancellations
. .
Thursday
The call had come from John,to rally
For walking in Megalong Valley.
First an afternoon walk along the Six Foot Track
As far as the suspension bridge, and then back
Our small group ,delighted to be together again,
For camping and walking and no sign of rain.
The Old Ford Reserve our rendezvous,
a good riverside campground - except fot the loo.
A flimsy structure of corrugated tin
With a poor wind strength - without and within.
A rusting pan and concrete floor,
It's only strong point - a unisex door.
Sleeping in a tent was not for Stew and Di
Perhaps there was trouble with zipping the fly
Or maybe they didn't quite like the loo
Preferring airconditioned comfort and a loo that was new.
Friday
Birds in the bush calling in melodic tones
And creeks a bubbling round stepping stones.
Quite easy walking - all seemed happy and fit,
then John played his trump card - the uphill bit.
This upward track soon became steps - a stairway to heaven.
Dawn kept a count - four hundred and seventy seven!
But everyone made it, this intrepid bunch,
Gathered at the lookout to enjoy the view and a well earned lunch.
David looked "with it" in his bright orange Crocs
Nicely set off with royal blue socks.
That evening his brand new barbecue plate, still wearing paint,
Had to be burnt off ,so that the eggs it did not taint
Aida who stayed in camp, her knee being quite crook,
Watched over our gear and read a good book.
A good decision, sure enough
Crossing the streams and up and down steps, just a bit too tough.
Saturday
On the steps of our camper all covered in foil
Lay two chocolate eggs, not eggs you could boil
A pleasant surprise, although it does appear
The Easter Bunny is running early this year.
After a cup of tea, we packed up our gear
And assembled for brealfast at a cafe quite near.
A fitting end to our time together these past two days
Before setting out on our separate ways.
Attendees
John and Marni ...........Good organisation skills, John expert in finding sttep walking tracks
(motto" the only way is up")
David and Steph..........Ambassadors for Crocs footwear, also excel in camp cooking
Pete and Aida..............Very helpful in camp procedures - Pete trialist for multi toed footwear
Stewart and Di............ Producers of excellant unnamed desserts. Stewart a decamping Critic
(being ex Boys Brigade)
Gordon and Virginia....New Zealand trained experts in river crossing, and astronomy.
Pete and Dawn........... Some poetry and artistic skills.
Mick............................. Culinary skills -Lamb stew a specialty - some
Somw experience in booking cancellations
. .
Thursday
The call had come from John,to rally
For walking in Megalong Valley.
First an afternoon walk along the Six Foot Track
As far as the suspension bridge, and then back
Our small group ,delighted to be together again,
For camping and walking and no sign of rain.
The Old Ford Reserve our rendezvous,
a good riverside campground - except fot the loo.
A flimsy structure of corrugated tin
With a poor wind strength - without and within.
A rusting pan and concrete floor,
It's only strong point - a unisex door.
Sleeping in a tent was not for Stew and Di
Perhaps there was trouble with zipping the fly
Or maybe they didn't quite like the loo
Preferring airconditioned comfort and a loo that was new.
Friday
Birds in the bush calling in melodic tones
And creeks a bubbling round stepping stones.
Quite easy walking - all seemed happy and fit,
then John played his trump card - the uphill bit.
This upward track soon became steps - a stairway to heaven.
Dawn kept a count - four hundred and seventy seven!
But everyone made it, this intrepid bunch,
Gathered at the lookout to enjoy the view and a well earned lunch.
David looked "with it" in his bright orange Crocs
Nicely set off with royal blue socks.
That evening his brand new barbecue plate, still wearing paint,
Had to be burnt off ,so that the eggs it did not taint
Aida who stayed in camp, her knee being quite crook,
Watched over our gear and read a good book.
A good decision, sure enough
Crossing the streams and up and down steps, just a bit too tough.
Saturday
On the steps of our camper all covered in foil
Lay two chocolate eggs, not eggs you could boil
A pleasant surprise, although it does appear
The Easter Bunny is running early this year.
After a cup of tea, we packed up our gear
And assembled for brealfast at a cafe quite near.
A fitting end to our time together these past two days
Before setting out on our separate ways.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sunny side up - all the way to the top and back !
I write this in my post walk flush - high on finishing and the fresh Megalong air. High also on the warmth you get from the camaraderie of a shared experience and eggs. There's also something of a relief that my body enjoyed - no, REALLY enjoyed the walking and climbing in a way that matched my mind's idea of a good time from stimulating conversations and corny jokes. And who would have thought I would learn to crotchet. There was no challenge too large (or outrageous) as was proven by the pink noodle-box desserts and the Easter bunny finding us.... even a new toilet ! And eggs which ever way you please...
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The stars above
Gordon unknown to most of us is a bit of an expert on on the stars!
While we were sitting around the campsite a wealth of star facts were revealed. And for fear of misquoting the great Starman of Megalong I have wikied the below information.
Speaking of Starman I feel it only fair to mention Spa-man! (and his wife Spa Woman!) while not in the spirit of the great Camp cook out - Stu and Di chose not to sleep under the Milky Way instead retiring to a well sprung luxury mattress with hot and cold running water nearby - but this sin may have been atoned, by the provision of the most spectacularly presented camp food ever!!! in the history of "Camp food" a delicate chocolatycreamyberry concoction served in prettypink noodle boxes!!!! Wow 11/10 for presentation Di!!!!
"Alpha Centauri" is the name given to what appears as a single star to the naked eye and the brightest star in the southern constellation of Centaurus. With the aid of a telescope, Alpha Centauri can be resolved into a binary star system in close orbit. This is known as the Alpha Centauri AB system, often abbreviated as α Centauri AB or α Cen AB.
"Alpha Centauri A (α Cen A) and Alpha Centauri B (α Cen B) are the individual stars of the binary system, usually defined to identify them as the different component of the binary α Cen AB. As viewed from Earth, there is likely an additional companion located 2.2° away from the AB star system, whose distance is much greater than the observed separation between stars A and B. This companion is Proxima Centauri, Proxima, or α Cen C. If it were bright enough to be seen without a telescope, Proxima Centauri would appear to the naked eye as a star separate from α Cen AB. Alpha Centauri AB and Proxima Centauri form a visual double star, and they are assumed to be gravitationally associated with each other. Direct evidence that Proxima Centauri has an elliptical orbit typical of binary stars has yet to be determined.[10]
Together all three components make a triple star system, referred to by double-star observers as the triple star (or multiple star), α Cen AB-C."
Camp Cook - The perfect poached egg - 80°C
Paying the price!
Simple huh?
A couple of weeks ago I read on one of my many blog feeds how to poach the perfect egg - and as this came up in conversation at the big breakfast at the Megalong Valley Tearooms where we debriefed following the camping trip. I thought for the record I would share the knowledge! Oh yes and you can check out the tearooms too on the link below!
http://www.megalongtearooms.com/history.php
Poached Egg
Ingredients
1 pan of boiling water - The water in the pan must be over 3" deep to stop the egg sticking to the base
1 cup
1 egg (very fresh) room temperature
dash of vinegar if you are not confident in your egg's freshness
Assemble ingredients - into the pan of boiling water add the dash of vinegar and bring back to a simmer.Do not add salt to the water! (this negates the congealing power of the vinegar). Egg white sets at 80°C so the water need be no hotter than this or the taste and texture will be affected negatively.
Into the cup - carefully break the egg so the yolk remains intact. Slowly lower the cup into the now simmering water being careful not to burn yourself and let a little of the water lap into the cup then gently and slowly let the egg slip into the water and watch the white form. You can help the white stay closer to the yolk with a spoon. - At this point you may choose to turn off the heat and wait for the requisite 3 minutes for a soft yolk or you can choose to leave the heat on - the temperature needs to be less than 83°C! Use a thermometer until you get it down pat!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
For a Change - Camping!
Venue - Camping at Old Ford Reserve
Facilities - Basic! Bring Water to drink - "This is a flat, grassed camping area on Megalong Creek, about 500 m south of the Six Foot Track crossing with Megalong Rd. It’s a little more than 8 km from the trackhead. There are toilets here, as well as good swimming holes."
How to get there - To get into Megalong turn left at the traffic lights in Blackheath, cross the railway lines and immediately turn left into Station St which runs parallel with the railway. Follow Station St for 350 metres, turn right into Shipley Rd. Continue along Shipley Rd for about 750 metres till you approach the multi signpost for Megalong. Turn left here and descend down into the beautiful rainforest of Blackheath Glen. Continue past the picnic area on your right for about another 7.5km and cross over Megalong Creek at Old Ford Reserve
Schedule -
Thursday 24 March - Arrive at Campsite and set up Tents before Lunch. Walk to Swing Bridge and return after Lunch (4 -5 hrs return)
Oh yes and check out this woman's blog - inspiring words and photos I hope she doesn't mind me using her lovely image of Old Ford Reserve
http://bluemountainsjournal.blogspot.com/2007/05/return.html
Friday 25 March - Walk in opposite direction to Bonnie Doon Falls Lookout and return (6hrs return - steep section)
Bonnie Doon Falls pic from http://ozultimate.com/bushwalking/walk.php?nid=218
Saturday 26 March - Break camp and evaluation Coffee in Katoomba.
You will need - Tent, Sleeping Mats, Food and Cooking Gear for 3 Days - Sleeping Bag.
Facilities - Basic! Bring Water to drink - "This is a flat, grassed camping area on Megalong Creek, about 500 m south of the Six Foot Track crossing with Megalong Rd. It’s a little more than 8 km from the trackhead. There are toilets here, as well as good swimming holes."
How to get there - To get into Megalong turn left at the traffic lights in Blackheath, cross the railway lines and immediately turn left into Station St which runs parallel with the railway. Follow Station St for 350 metres, turn right into Shipley Rd. Continue along Shipley Rd for about 750 metres till you approach the multi signpost for Megalong. Turn left here and descend down into the beautiful rainforest of Blackheath Glen. Continue past the picnic area on your right for about another 7.5km and cross over Megalong Creek at Old Ford Reserve
Schedule -
Thursday 24 March - Arrive at Campsite and set up Tents before Lunch. Walk to Swing Bridge and return after Lunch (4 -5 hrs return)
Oh yes and check out this woman's blog - inspiring words and photos I hope she doesn't mind me using her lovely image of Old Ford Reserve
http://bluemountainsjournal.blogspot.com/2007/05/return.html
Friday 25 March - Walk in opposite direction to Bonnie Doon Falls Lookout and return (6hrs return - steep section)
Bonnie Doon Falls pic from http://ozultimate.com/bushwalking/walk.php?nid=218
Saturday 26 March - Break camp and evaluation Coffee in Katoomba.
You will need - Tent, Sleeping Mats, Food and Cooking Gear for 3 Days - Sleeping Bag.
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