Before publishing, and you (the audience) reading this reproduced poem, I feel compelled to acknowledge the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples, whose country this poem is written about. They are, and always will be, the Traditional Owners who have a continuous and deep connection to their Country that we can only aspire to begin to understand.
There’s a Pathway through the Bushland
There’s a Pathway through the Bushland,
In the heart of the mountain range,
Sun-tipped trees, and golden sunlight.
Shadowed rock and sheltered vale,
Tinkling sound of many a waterfall,
Tuneful notes of joyous birds.
Ferny nooks, and flannel daisies,
Canopied o’er by gum trees tall.
Splashes, too, of golden wattle,
Boronia pink ‘gainst rock of grey,
Regal waratahs and gum-tips
As the seasons hold their sway.
There’s a Pathway through the Bushland
Leading to the Uplands fair,
Just a bridle-track to follow,
To the gully ending there.
Steeper still, to reach the summit,
Pathway left, and bridle track.
Halting stumbling for a foothold;
Looking upward, never back.
Summit reached, the view enchanting,
Resting, we see again
The beauty of Hill, Plain and Valley
Remembrance that ever will remain.
There’s a pathway leading to the Uplands,
Seemingly, there’s not any track at all.
And the heart and feet grow weary,
Seeking for the path, ‘ere night will fall.
Fairest paths that had not any foothold;
Crumbling rock and tortuous maze enclose.
No wonder that the heart and feet grew weary
With the fears that made heavy the road.
Come weary heart – Come back to the valley!
‘Tis but a step away,
Rest by the cool, quiet waters,
Everything must righ’ itself someday.
Ar’ the pioneers forgotten? Never.
Not while the Universe holds sway.
Great minds ever held the courage
To wrestle with the barriers on the way.
“Blazed” tracks, for those to follow,
Where homesteads gladden to this day,
With ploughed field and flower, in many a garden,
Brought from the Homeland far away.
Set along the bushland tracks and pathways.
Marked by railway, towns and cities stand.
Pioneers are the beacon-lights of Australian History.
In this fair Southern Land.
By M. Keating
The Katoomba Daily (NSW) – Sep 10 1932
This poem was found, quite by chance, while researching the latest bushwalking adventure that I undertook today with John Newman. It really touched me, in light of the current lockdown and sorry state of the country (and world), and spoke of the simplest, and pure connections to nature which can nourish and fill the soul regardless of whatever else.
It also sums up my latest off track adventures beautifully. It was quite the serendipitous find as it saved me writing a blow by blow account of these walks, which I am really not into.
Photos from myself, John Newman & Greg McKay
Photos from myself, John Newman & Greg McKay
Friday 9th July, 2021
Passes of Narrow Neck
Narrow Neck Gate - Harmil Ledge - Glenraphael Head - Dunphys Pass - Narrow Neck Gate
Passes of Narrow Neck
Narrow Neck Gate - Harmil Ledge - Glenraphael Head - Dunphys Pass - Narrow Neck Gate
With John Newman
https://www.strava.com/activities/5597854550
https://www.strava.com/activities/5597854550
Saturday, 10th July, 2021
Lindemans Pass Loop
Gordon Falls Reserve - Valley of the Waters Track - Vera Falls Track - Roberts Pass - Lindeman Pass (with sidetrip to Old Gladstone Mine Tramway Terminus) - Federal Pass - Fern Bower Track - Cliff Top Track - Gordon Fall ReserveLindemans Pass Loop
With Greg McKay
Monday, 12th July, 2021
South-North Mt Solitary TraverseKedumba Gate - Goat Track - Kedumba Valley - Rucksack Point - Kurrowall Ridge - Point Repulse - Miners Pass - Sublime Ridge FT - Kedumba Pass - Kedumba Gate
Wednesday, 14th July, 2021
Bottleneck Pass - Redledge Pass Loop
Pulpit Hill Rd - Bottleneck Pass - Six Foot Track - Water Board Rd - Glen Shale Mine Ruins- Redledge Pass - Narrow Neck - Cliff Dr - Cliff Walk - Pulpit Hill Rd
