Date: October 17th 2008

 

Westprint Friday Five October 17, 2008

Included this week are:

·         Sandfire to Alice Springs

·         The Search for Milner’s Grave (part 2)

·         Sir Frederick Range  

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Friday Five 17/10/08

1. Drought, The Red Marauder. A story told through the eyes of people who have lived through numerous droughts over more than 200 years of European settlement. $32.00 including post. One copy only 

2. Surveying Queensland - 1839-1945 A Pictorial History. Bill Kitson & Judith McKay. A tribute to Queensland 's early surveyors. They are often given only scant recognition, yet were in the vanguard of white settlement, exploring new territories, blazing paths for communications, laying out towns and marking property boundaries, as well as defining the colony's borders. $40.00 including post. Four copies only. 

3. Hunters and Trackers. Pat Lowe. Australian Aborigines are legendary hunters and trackers. However, few people have more than a sketchy idea of the skills they have to master from early childhood onwards. The people of the deserts that make up the centre of Australia adapted to one of the most marginal environments on earth, with no technology to assist them other than what they could make with their own hands. The apparent simplicity of their life belied the complexity of skills and knowledge on which it depended. S/Cover 112 pages $26.00 including post. One copy only 

4. The Devil In Tim. Tim Bowden. A fascinating and humorous account of a rapidly changing Tasmania , told by one of Australia 's best travel writers and most infectious raconteurs. $30.00 including post. One copy only. 

5. Not all Ringers and Cowboys. Drew Radford. A story of an ill-prepared rider of a motorcycle, exploring the far reaches of the outback. 278 pages. Now out of print. $35.00 including post. One copy only.

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Friday Forum

Jo’s forum comments in green.  

The Search for John Milner’s Grave

By John Deckert. Part 2.

I would like to acknowledge the keen interest of Greg Campbell, Managing Director of S Kidman & Co. Permission to camp on the property during our search for John Milner's grave was greatly appreciated.

Where is John Milner’s Grave?

Few facts have been given on maps and diary records to tell us where the grave is. According to the Overland Telegraph Line plan the grave is on the north side of Attack Creek and east of two creeks that run into Attack Creek from the north. Between these creeks is where the Overland Telegraph Line (OTL) construction camp was in 1872. The grave is under a “big tree” some distance (not defined) to the east of the second creek. The grave was marked with a wooden slab and a post and rail fence and it was on the western side of the explorer, Stuart’s, track.

We were able to locate the two tributaries joining Attack Creek from the north and locate the position of the Overland Telegraph Line campsite. The start of our search area was from a major stone quarry site on the south of the creek. We searched extensively to the east on the northern side.

There is no eastern boundary to our search area, only a track in use in 1872 and almost impossible to expect to be able to see 130 years later. The maps we have do not show any recognisable shape to Attack Creek nor does it show any written distances. Do we assume that the map is drawn to scale or is the grave just downstream next to a track?

The only mention of a structure marking the site is a post and rail fence, an ironwood slab and a piece of tin pricked with nail holes hung in a tree. The plaque was reported removed, presumably by Aborigines. Fire is a regular occurrence in this part of Australia . Some say fires happen every couple of years. Assuming that a fire occurs once every ten years then there have been at least 14 fires over the site and the post and rail fence and the ironwood slab would not have survived. Sorry, out of space. Story continued next week.

Bev

We have had so many replies to Bev’s articles I am not even sure we have replied personally to everyone. If we missed you please accept our apologies.

·         Being the previous owner of your Troopie I read with interest about your adventures. Just so you know,”Those thingies in the front “is a gear driven limited slip differential from True Trac (a division of The Detroit Lockers group). That vehicle is a little beauty and will go anywhere.    

·         My wife Ann and I had just safely negotiated a reasonably rough and steep decent down a washed out track in our now replaced 18 year old Hilux.  After about ten minutes Ann had qualified with flying colours as a fully fledged member of the white knuckle brigade and her comment when we reached the bottom was “next time you want to play mountain goat I don’t want to come”. Bruce  

·         Yay for Bev. I have had a good laugh in the last two Friday Fives (and goodness knows we need to laugh, the way this weather is!!) How I can relate to her stories!! Gayle. Donald, Vic  

·         Bev, sorry you had so much trouble on Sir Frederick Range .  My wife and I drove up in our GU 3-litre patrol in May 2007. The views and cairn were great, particularly after reading Beadell's book.  The current track alignment is actually easier than Beadell's original ascent (see 'Beating About The Bush' ch12).  We (our patrol and friends in an 80 series) tried very hard not to leave too many holes behind in our scramble to the top.  Roger.  

·         I must admit to a smirk when I read of Bev's experiences on the Sir Frederick Range track. In 2006 we were travelling up the Sandy Blight Road and I also thought that if it was done 60 years ago then it would be a cakewalk in our 2yo Defender. We got about three quarters of the way towards the cairn and came to a stop (probably on the same pot-holed hill as Bev and John) after 3 unsuccessful attempts with 'the passenger' standing by the track watching me try. We finally walked to the top and surveyed the view from the cairn. There was a jar with many cards in it and I thought if they can all do it why can’t I, so I walked back and let more air out of the tyres and proceeded to creep slowly but surely up that slope and then up the final hill to the cairn..... It was possible and we did manage it but I certainly would not have achieved it with the 'passenger' in the vehicle. It was only the prospect of a long walk down to the bottom that convinced her to ride with me on the return trip...... But what a view..!!

Wanted - Cape York information

·       Could you ask your readers if they have any info on the following? We are planning a 6 to 8 week trip next year to the southern / middle Cape York and Gulf area. 4 to 6 4WD's with tinnies towing robust caravans that have seen their fair share of corrugated roads and bush tracks looking for places to bush camp and road information. Any info on access to Gulf beaches or good spots on rivers leading to the Gulf would be good. Also info on and about the Burke Development Road from Normanton to Chillagoe and the Dixie Road from Dunbar to the Peninsular Development Road south of Musgrave. We are planning this trip for June- July 2009, is this a good time to go. Regards Peter

Wanted – Nature information

·         When on a recent trip to the Simpson Desert , central Australia etc. we came across two things that I cannot find information on?

1.  In many trees and shrubs are "brown paper parcels" (not quite tied up with string, but with a sticky substance instead) - what makes them / lives in them??  Insects, spider or something else.

2.  Especially on the Ann Beadell track there were what can only be described as piles of sand "turds", which when we cleared the 'turd' away - there was a quite deep hole under them - lizard or what ?? Maureen. Bunbury

Sandfire to Alice Springs  

·          Les asked for information for a journey from Sandfire Roadhouse to Alice Springs .

 I have just returned from Oz yesterday after a fascinating 4WD tour from Newman via Rudall River NP and Talawana Track, Gary Highway and the Gary Junction Road to Alice Springs , further on down the Sandy Blight Junction Road and part of the abandoned section of the Gunbarrel Highway . I travelled the Gary Junction Road which would be part of Les’ trip from Gary Junction to Alice Springs . The road is currently in good condition, except for some corrugations (just normal on these roads, but nothing really bad). We were in average travelling 50 to 60 kph, but look out for sharp bends, sandy patches and wildlife (camels!). Fuelled up in Kiwirrkurra, very nice and helpful people there. Had a wonderful camp at Jupiter Well, water quality seemed good. If Les starts early in Alice it should be possible to get to Kunnawaritji within two days.

Les should contact Graham (caretaker in Kunnawaritji) on current information, regarding the Kidson Track from Kunawarritji to Sandfire Roadhouse. Phone number can be taken from HEMA Northwest Sheet. According to information from Graham, which I obtained two weeks ago by phone, there is plenty of fuel and basic supplies available at Kunawarritji but make sure before you travel by giving Graham a call. Good preparation for outback travelling is vital, make sure to carry more than enough water, supplies, tools, spares, first aid equipment and have reliable communications means with you (Iridium satphone from company Landwide satellite solutions can be hired out from Britz branch office in Alice and can be returned at any Britz branch). Just for in case, make sure to have a permit for the Telfer mine road if the Kidson track cannot be travelled (e.g. due to adverse weather conditions or due to mechanical problems). Phone number of Telfer mine can be taken from HEMA Northwest Sheet.  Enjoy your trip! I wish I could be there, travelling with you…

 Cheers from boring Dortmund/Germany (can’t await the next trip to Oz…), Juergen  

 PS: Jo, I got a question to you. I am desperately searching for the book “The Australian Geographic Book on the Canning Stock Route ” which is out of print. I am about to start planning for our trip along the Canning next year and this book would be a very helpful source. Do you know of any possibility how I could purchase one?  

·         I have just come home to Melb. and we crossed the Great Sandy Desert 2wks ago.

We drove past Sandfire R.H. and saw the Wapet track turnoff, but our trip for the East crossing started from Marble bar as I thought it would be more interesting and I think it was a good decision.

We sent for and received the necessary permits and travelled the Telfer mine road across through the northern parts of the Rudall river nat. park , joined the Wapet track at Lake Auld crossing and on to Kunawarritji at Well 33. (Pronounced- Coonawidgee from the locals).

Across on the Gary junction Hwy on to Papunya and onto Alice . The track conditions were great to the N.T. border and deteriorated from there. This was the preferred crossing to the Tanami track and much more scenic and far less corrugations. Lots of camels seen en-route. Best campsite apart from well 33 where the camels came into drink at night was Jupiter well. Beautiful water from the bore, heaps of desert oaks, about 13kms of them, but pick up your firewood miles before you get there.

Fuel was $3.30 at Kunawarritji and $2.80 at Kiwirrkurra (don't forget to see the ration truck)

Derby $1.82 at the depot (diesel) $1.92 at servo. Colin

Underbool (Vic)  

·         Once again thanks very much for your hospitality when we visited a couple of weeks ago. Just to let people know, there is no fuel available at Underbool now.  We had a great trip across to the border near Red Bluff and onto Big Desert etc . The 2 AWD's coped with the sandy tracks ok.  The Milmed track is in very good condition. Graham. Getabout 4wd Adventures

Friday Funnies  

·         Love the Apron story, but three things not quite right---apples are picked up in the autumn, not the "fall", unexpected visitors arrive, not "company", & men are called in from the paddocks, not the "fields". Ruth from Renmark.

We do try to make sure our stories are written in Australian English, but that one did slip through.

·         Dave and Jim were a couple of drinking mates who worked as Aircraft mechanics in Melbourne . One day the airport was fogged in and they were stuck in the hangar with nothing to do.  
Dave said, 'I wish we had something to drink!'
Jim, 'Me too. Y'know, I've heard you can drink jet fuel and get a buzz. You want to try?'
So they pour themselves a couple of glasses of high octane booze and get completely smashed. The next morning Dave wakes up and is surprised at how good he feels. In fact he feels GREAT! NO hangover! NO bad side effects. Nothing! Then the phone rings. It's Jim. Jim says, 'Hey, how do you feel this morning?'
Dave says, 'I feel great, how about you?'
Jim says, 'I feel great, too. You don't have a hangover?'
Dave says, 'No that jet fuel is great, no hangover, nothing. We ought to do this more often.'
' Yeah, well there's just one thing.'

'What's that?'
'Ahhh, have you, you know, passed wind yet?'
 'No.'
 'Well, DON'T, 'cause I'm in Perth .'

 

·         One American to another: "I had trouble with a cheque I wrote last week"

Second American: "Did it bounce?" First American: "No, the bank did"

 

·         One night while I was cat-sitting my daughter's indoor feline, it escaped outside. When it failed to return the following morning, I found the beast clinging to a branch about 30 feet up in a spindly tree. Unable to lure it down, I called the fire department.

"We don't do that anymore," the woman dispatcher said. When I persisted, she was polite but firm. "The cat will come down when it gets hungry enough."

How do you know that?" I asked.

"Have you ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree?" she said.

Two hours later the cat was back, looking for breakfast.

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Cheers for now,

Jo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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