DCP_2377/8/9 16:05
Coppermine Creek is in the valley directly in front of the Pagoda, which leads into Hole Creek coming in from the right. The resulting Hole Creek meets Blue Mountain Creek at the foot of the long and relatively easy Cheyenne Ridge which leads down to the valley from the left, with Blue Mountain Creek on the other side of the Ridge. Blue Mountain Creek then continues down to meet the Macleay.
Rowleys Creek Grid Reference 985.96 986.01
DCP_2375 16:05
At the Pagoda
The Pagoda is a great area on the brink of the gorge, well set up with a BBQ pit and a hand carved log with individually carved gluteus maximus hollows to accomodate every sized rear end, with two unoccupied ones shown to the left of Charlie in this photo. Burgh is a relaxed, laconic, accomplished raconteur with a dry wit. It is easy to see that his guests would have a wonderful time listening to his tall tales and true.
Rowleys Creek Grid Reference 985.96 986.01
DCP_2368 15.57
Guinea Fowl outside "Cheyenne" homestead
Children love their stay at Cheyenne where they can mingle with and learn all about how to care for the many and varied farm animals who thrive on being pampered. There is nearly always a baby animal around of some sort to cuddle. Helping milk the cow is always popular as is feeding the chickens and searching for their eggs. The pet goat and pig quickly win the hearts of the children who save them titbits from their table.
Rowleys Creek Grid Reference 985.96 986.01
DCP_2371 16:03
Burgh Blomfield talking to David, Charlie and Steve in front of a superb Kurrajong tree in the garden of Cheyenne.
Note the work clothes Burgh is wearing - elastic sided boots, trousers which were developed for riding horses, long sleeved shirt, baseball cap (often now replacing the wide brimmed felt Akubra hat on many farmers and graziers) and a belt with a leather pouch for a sharp penknife.
Rowleys Creek Grid Reference 985.96 986.01
DCP_2374 16:03
Fruit of the Kurrajong Brachychiton populneus
Although this is a specimen tree, kurrajongs grow right along the cliff line, often on the lip of the gorges.
It is summer flowering. The Kurrajong is a very important fodder tree out west. Up to one third of the canopy can be cut down in any one year, with the animals feeding on the twigs and leaves. This practice often leads to the formation of a characteristic "child's lollipop" habit, where the crown is regularly lopped for fodder for grazing stock. Some properties are advertised for sale as having, for example, "two hundred and twenty three Kurrajongs" so important are they for drought fodder.
Roots of the young plants were a popular food and the seeds were eaten after processing. In particular, the seeds are covered with fine hairs which are very sharp, and irritating to the skin, and must certainly be removed before eating. Many Australian plants must be processed to remove poisons before they can be ingested. The seeds are very nutritious and are high in protein, fat, oil and some minerals. Once roasted and ground, they produce an excellent dark, rich flour with a nutty flavour. Kurrajong should be roasted before use, not eaten raw.
With twine made from Kurrajong bark, Aboriginal people of the Hastings River region NSW made fishing nets, into which they would drive the fish.
The nets were also strung across creeks to catch birds. Any bushwalker in the gorge country will have startled water birds such as wood ducks and cormorants which take off low up the creek ahead of the walker, and they can be moved some kilometres in this way, until finally they take off and fly high above your head back down the creek to their preferred water holes.
Rowleys Creek Grid Reference 985.96 986.01
DCP_2383
The nights can be cool here, and the cottage for visitors is well set up with a slow combustion stove with lots of good dry wood for a cosy evening.
DCP_2382
Guests can choose to cook their own meals, or have some or all of them cooked and delivered piping hot by Sue Blomfield.
DCP_2384
Comfortable furnishings make this cottage a delight to live in. At night the stars outside are fantastic, since the lights and pollution of the city are far away.
DCP_2381
This is the view from the guest's deck, a great place to relax with liquid refreshments!