The Countdown's On...

[Stephen Whiteside]

Great photos, Manfred.

Irene, one of the amazing things about being in the snow is that it seems to soak up sound. I don't understand exactly how it works, but it is incredibly quiet skiing across a field of new fallen snow - especially in the early morning. Just magic. And what sounds there are seem astonishingly clear, and travel over vast distances. All very mysterious.

[Heather]

Beautiful photos Manfred.

[Stephen Whiteside]

Charlie McNamara, the cattleman, told me a great story about Cope Hut. He had bumped into the prospector, Bill Spargo, who had been asked to choose the site for the hut.

He said to Bill, "Bill, you did a great job choosing the site for Cope Hut!"

"Why thanks, Charlie."

"Great view, Bill."

"Yes, well, the view's important."

"And close to water."

"Yes, you need plenty of water nearby, of course."

"But what about the wood? You have to walk miles for your wood! Did you forget about the wood, Bill?"

"Oh, well, then, you can choose your own site for the next hut!"

Poor old Bill was a pretty sensitive old fellow, and he didn't take too kindly to Charlie's criticism. Charlie felt he never really had a chance to put things right between him and Bill after that, and he was sorry he'd said what he had.

One day I'll write a book about Bill Spargo. I've been researching it now for about twenty years! One day, one day...

[r.magnay]

...big picture for a little hut Stephen!...I have never seen snow but I doubt I would like it, being mostly a desert dweller...however Stephen, I hate that saying..."Don't knock it until you have tried it!"....I have never tried herion, cocaine (or any other illegal drug), child abuse, wife bashing, and numerous other unsavoury things but I still knock them!

[manfredvijars]

Here's a picture of Spargo's Hut at Golden Point.

(Downloaded, deleted,resized and uploaded - Ed)

[Heather]

That's better Manny!!!

Must have been a big tree you were up Stephen!

[Bob Pacey]

Just looks bloody cold to me Manfred brrrrrrrrrrrrr


Bob

[Stephen Whiteside]

Thanks, Manny.

Fair enough, Ross. A bit like 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. That's one I can't stand. Just because something isn't broken doesn't mean to say it couldn't be working a lot better!

[noelcauser]

any body who straps two sticks to their legs are travel down the sides of mountain must have rocks in their head. cooma hospital sees over six hundred leg breaks eack year. what that doing to our health system