One man’s view about the things that really matter….
Stories that may be strange, yet true, from the Chaplain’s Travel Log….
Partners in the Gospel
How does the message of Jesus shape your life? How can we reflect Jesus more in our relationships with each other at church and the community around us? As in Paul’s letter to the Philippian Christians. It is full of encouragements to rejoice in being part of God’s family and join in gospel partnership with each other. At the heart of the letter there is a great hymn or poem of praise to Jesus. It charts his equal existence in eternity through his life on earth, his death, resurrection and ascension. It ends with his promised return in glory at the end of time when everyone will bow down and acknowledge him. It is a great summary of the gospel to memorise and share with others. Paul reflects on how his life has been transformed by Jesus’ message. It enables him to endure suffering for being a Christian because he knows God will vindicate him. He is encouraged by how the Christians in Philippi have also been shaped by the message of Jesus to persevere as followers of Jesus including praying, serving and sending support to Paul in prison. The invitation for us is to allow our lives to be shaped by Jesus, so that we are confident of eternal life with him and committed to making the best use of the rest of lives he gives us here and now. Acknowledgement: Alistair Seabrook
Ron Paton TRAX Chaplain
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Warning! Once you start eating this one you won’t want to stop! It’s probably the nicest Ice Cream that you ever will have tasted! So simple, only 4 ingredients. The secret is in the beating – use an electric beater if you have one – Remember, in the bush you can use just one beater ‘thingie’ put into the chuck of your cordless drill – it does work well! (Supposed to serve 4, but the trouble is once you get a taste of it you may not be able to stop.)
Ingredients: 600ml thickened cream, 1 can (395g) condensed milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 cup strawberry jam, fresh cherries (optional).
Method: Place cream in a large bowl. Whisk with an electric beater until fluffy and frothy. Add condensed milk and van¬illa extract. Beat for two to three minutes until creamy and combined. Pour in a shallow metal dish. (I used a 16 x 21 x 4cm enamel pie dish). Drop dollops of strawberry jam in the cream mixture. Using a bamboo skewer gently, swirl the ice cream through the cream twice. Cover with cling wrap and freeze in the freezer for at least 6 hours. To serve, remove from freezer and stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. Scoop into mini latte cups and top with fresh cherries.
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Trip Report – Lowes Mountain Saturday, 9th March 2022
We had not been on the tracks since last year. Rain stopped an earlier recce and I was triple booked for the February trip. We woke to rain and had a small window to pack the Patrol. Rain followed us up the Great Western Highway and nearly to Tarana where we met the others. Alex our trip leader in his Prado. The Lineys in their Prado and Shane and Isabelle in a Patrol. The DaCostas in their 200 Series Land Cruiser. As fate would have it we were just on time but last to arrive. Alex debriefed us and prayed. Sounds like that was morning tea. We headed off down Mutton Falls Road and left into Lowes Mount Road. Down the road, we turned right into the forest and stopped to air down our tyres. What is that smell? We had stopped near some carcasses, bones and skin. Just back around the corner in the clearing was a dead pig plus other bits and pieces. As you can imagine we did not hang around and were soon driving.
The tracks started off as well graded tracks. The tracks were taking us through the pine plantation. It did not take long to find a small rut to challenge us. Shane got a little sideways. Ahead of us were some more small ruts to navigate on our climb. The area had native trees to the left and pines to the right. We came to a right hand bend in the track and the drivers were instructed to stop and come and look at a track. We all had a look and soon back in our vehicles to take the left hand turn and down the hill we went. Alex had parked a little bit before the water cause at the bottom. I was instructed to park near Alex’s vehicle while Eric and Shane had proceeded to the creek. Shane crossed the creek and found the track to be to overgrown to proceed. No where to turn around, he had to reverse back across the creek.
It’s a bit over grown up here; back it up
Back up the hill we went. Francis leading the way. Back on the main track we proceeded on until the blackberries were more plentiful and stopped for a feed and collection. After this we resumed our original formation. We stopped a little further down the track to some more berries. We needed to waste a little more time as we were having an early lunch and the lunch spot was just up the track.
We came to some poplar trees and followed the track toward some more poplars. Just in front of us was a large clearing and our lunch spot. There was plenty of good fellowship and food. Lunch went on for a good time. I think we need to get back on the tracks and by the way its starting to rain. Back in our vehicles, Alex lead us out of the clearing and over the cause way. We weaved our way through the forest before taking a right hand turn onto another track and proceeding on. The tracks were in good condition. We were now back at the edge of the forest and the rain had stopped. To the right the views were magnificent. It was time to stop and take some photos. We all discussed what we were looking at and where major icons were. Check out where the sun is located. I would say we were looking north, with Bathurst to the north west.
Time to go and explore some more tracks. The track was easy going and we even passed a pile of road building material that could be used to fix some tracks. After the rubble pile were turned off to the right. This track took us downhill then uphill then down again. What a roller coaster ride. Just ahead was a tree across the track and it was quickly cleared. Eric wheeling his toy chainsaw (the big one was at home) and Alex and myself moving the branches off the track. At the ‘T’ intersection we turned right. There was more natural bush to the right and pines to the left. The track was easy. The track then followed a path through natural bush. The track eventually descended down into the valley and crossed a creek with very little water.
The track flattened out and then rose and fell again. We veered right and came to an open area and the track went left. The track was steep and rutted but went back to easy and we were soon rising again and then back down and up again. Another roller coaster ride. We made a few turns right. The track was easy and we were back with native on the left and pine on the right. The track was now going back into a young pine plantation. We came out into an open field, where there were the remains of an old building and chimney.
We travelled through the field and back into plantation forest. After a while (or was it longer), we made a right hand turn and then a left hand turn and going downhill into the native bush land. We stopped and Eric removed a free loader from under the Prado.
This next section would be the most difficult we had done all day. We all got out of our vehicles to check out the track. It was a steep and rutted. Each of the vehicles was guided on the best line to take. Alex even lifted a wheel.
Getting back to my vehicle was an effort. I was huffing and puffing and out of breath. I made it down without a scratch. Thank you to the great work done by my spotters. The spotters were moving up and down the hill. We all made it safely down the hill.
From here we went back to the clearing for afternoon tea. It was getting late. Alex gave us an ultimatum finish the trip here or follow him back over a track we had done in the morning but in reverse. A no brainer we followed Alex. What a different experience. At the main track we aired up. Alex had a flat and changed the wheel. Alex was thanked for a great day, and he prayed for us. The Lineys and us were the last to leave and we parted at Tarana. Because it was so late, we had fish and chips at Blackheath, arriving home just before 10.00pm.
Thank you Alex for taking us all around the forest (no track left untouched) with a good mix of easy and difficult tracks.
See you on the tracks soon. Phillip
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One man’s view about the things that really matter….
Stories that may be strange, yet true, from the Chaplain’s Travel Log….
What does the Easter story mean for us?
The message of Easter, and Jesus coming back to life, is about the purpose he gives us. In the Bible, Jesus said of himself, Jesus answered, 6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7 NIV). His resurrection means you can have a meaningful relationship with God the Father – the Creator of the Universe. Because of his victory over death by coming back to life, we too can experience a new, everlasting life. But not only does Jesus offer us a promise for the future, he also offers everyone hope for today. Another Bible verse says that God helps us to find “the path that leads to a beautiful life. “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”(Psalm 16:11 NIV). It doesn’t mean we will never experience sickness, financial hardship, family crisis, disappointment, loneliness or grief – but it does mean that we can have hope even through those hardships. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection mean you are deeply loved, and you are not alone in your struggles. When life seems chaotic and confusing, Jesus offers us meaning and purpose, and a hope we can hold on to. “Our hope is certain. It is something for the soul to hold on to. It is strong and secure” “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.”(Hebrews 6:19 NIV). We can celebrate Easter even when life is tough, because Jesus gives us peace, hope for the future and life-transforming joy.
Making sense of Easter customs and traditions
Understanding more about the Bible’s Easter story may have helped you understand some of the traditional Easter customs we enjoy today. Hot cross buns, traditionally eaten on Good Friday, carry the symbolism of the cross on which Jesus died. The spices inside the bun represent the spices used on his dead body when he was placed in his tomb. Another popular Easter tradition is, of course, to enjoy chocolate eggs. The egg itself is shaped like the tomb stone that rolled away from where Jesus was buried. And the traditional hollow inside of the egg represents his tomb being empty – as he had risen back to life.
The Easter Bunny even carries a connection to the true meaning of Easter. Jesus’ resurrection after his death offers us new life. Bunnies came into the picture as a symbol of Easter due to their connection with the message of new life.
(Acknowledgements: The Salvo’s)
Ron Paton TRAX Chaplain
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And from the depths of the yellowed pages of Grandma Gray’s? Genuine, pre 1900 AD, Back Country cookbook (this is fair dinkum), we present another simple and easily made meal using bits and pieces but having a taste like the finest Waldorf cuisine!
A meal for the workmen: Leftover Mash
Hint: If you are going to use this recipe make sure that you have made a lot of mashed potato the night before so that there is plenty left over for this recipe, because this is a dish that will make everyone will come back for 2nds, and 3rds, and ….
Ingredients: 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes, 2 tablespoons of flour, 2/3 cup of grated cheese, (or as much as you can spare), 3 – 5 strips bacon, 1 small very finely chopped onion, 1 egg (at least – depends on how many you’re making), 1½ cups bread crumbs (buy ‘em at the supermarket before you leave home), Oil for frying, Salt (Crushed rock salt which has large grains is best, Pepper – cracked straight from your portable cracker that you always keep in your ‘Tucker Box’ and perhaps a little Worcestershire or BBQ sauce for extra flavour. (Optional)
How to: Cook bacon then dice finely. Add potatoes and flour to a mixing bowl and stir to combine well, and then add cheese, bacon, and onion. Take a heaped tablespoon of mixture and roll with hands into a small ball. It if doesn’t hold its shape, add a little more flour to make the potatoes sturdy. Repeat until done. Whisk egg into a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Place bread crumbs in an additional bowl. Dip each ball in egg and then roll in bread crumbs until fully coated. Heat oil in a frypan or camp oven to medium/medium high heat. Test oil with one ball. The oil should bubble when potato is in oil and each ball should take about 1-2 minutes to brown and cook through. (If takes longer the oil needs to be hotter, if it browned too quickly on the outside and the inside is still cold, the temperature needs to be lower.) Once oil is ready, add potato balls in small batches and fry for 1-2 minutes – it will depend on size. Remove with slotted spoon to drain oil and place on paper lined plate to allow excess oil to drain off. Repeat until done. Allow to cool for a minute or two and serve with dipping sauce. “Simples” Finally: stand back after your mob have had a taste! There will be a rush!
PS. Why not, just for once, bring the ingredients to our next TRAX trip and try it out? All the mob will rush you when they get a whiff of this one!
Grandma Gray was a real person. She was Asst Chaplain, Neil Flower’s maternal grandmother and lived as a girl with her parents in the ‘back country’ around Hay, NSW in a covered dray using open fires.
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Saturday, 19th March 2022
TRAX Trip – Lowes Mountain Area
G’day,
Alex is taking us to the Lowes Mountain Area on 19th March 2022. Lowes Mount State Forest is near Oberon.
Meeting Tarana 9.15 am
Trip Leader ALEX RALSTON
Grade easy with some side track challenges optional
Nice look outs and scenery
Commercial forest
Approx 2.5 hours from Sydney
Must fuel before Tarana.
You will need a full tank of fuel, UHF radio (Channel 13) and recovery equipment (just in case). Camera – pictures needed for TRAXION. Food for lunch, morning and afternoon teas.
See you on the tracks
trips@trax.org.au
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Thursday, 10th March 2022
TRAX Trip – Sheepskin Hut Recce
G’day,
TRAX is back!
Bigger and better than ever!
Following our first trip for 2022 to the Belanglo State Forest (see trip report in TRAXION). We are having a ‘Recce trip’ on Thursday 10th March to survey the road conditions for the Sheepskin Hut trip (to be held in April – see Calendar).
· Leaving Macquarie park Windsor at 7:30 am SHARP.
· Thursday 10th March (that’s this Thursday week).
· Please note that this is a ‘recce trip’ and not really a ‘fun’ day.
· There has been many downpours of rain over the last 6 months and the Road (track) may need some repair.
· If you are coming it must be as a worker!
* If you want to come bring a skill with you! We may need shovel men, rock
· Like to join us? Then contact Neil Flower 0408 216 401 or neilflower@bigpond.com
Do it now!!!!!~
You will need a full tank of fuel, UHF radio (Channel 13) and recovery equipment (just in case). Camera – pictures needed for TRAXION. Food for lunch, morning and afternoon teas.
See you on the tracks
trips@trax.org.au
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Trip Report – Belanglo Saturday, 19th February 2022
We met at the Pheasants Nest Service Centre 9am. Five vehicles. Sally and Jane, Simon, Ralph, Alex and Shane, Kylie, Olivia, Joel and Isabel Beatson. We had a quick chat and, as we had all arrived, we decided to head to the starting point. At Gordon VC Rest Area, we met the final two vehicle’s here. Matt in his Disco and Will Smith on his Suzuki Dr400. Here Matt prayed for the group and we set off into the forest. Proceeded up Belanglo Road then turned into Daley’s Road and drove through Daley’s clearing. The main camp ground is a free camp which is used a lot by highway travelers.
Proceeded along Daley’s Road until it became closed, only half a kilometer from our turn off so we took a right and crossed the forest. We came out on the northern side of the forest. Continuing to the start of our morning section of trip, but we would do it in reverse now. It has been closed off since recce by Forestry. We proceeded parallel to this track, checking if the two side tracks would allow access, but no luck. This put us very close to the Memorial, so we decided to go there. We pulled up in a nice shaded area for morning tea. Everyone enjoyed catching up and having our morning tea. We then quickly went to confirm the top end of the track was closed. At least this took the group to the hidden camp ground, where two campers were happily camping, but looking worried as six vehicles and a trail bike had just turned up!
So, with no access to Miners Despair FT and the Tree Cave FT loop, we changed plans. As we had just fed ourselves, I took the group across the Forest and out to Belanglo Road. Here we headed to the afternoon track, Belanglo Plateau FT.
This track took us downhill into Longacre Creek, a nice area, then back uphill where a rock formation with a large cave and two fire places. We stopped here for photos and Will took this chance to go explore the erosion mounds and mud puddles on the motor bike. We continued this tack with an early exit. Thanks to Forestry for cutting out the last half a kilometer. With no real Fire Trails open and it being close to 1pm, it was time to head for lunch. We went to our friend Johns Farm for a relaxed lunch. Upon going through the gates, we had cattle to move away from entrance. Then we headed up to the very large shed area for lunch. Lunch went on till 3pm (wow! What a lunch! – Ed.), with good fellowship all round. Some people (and kids) were looking for an early day so we decided to head for our homes. Matt prayed for us all and we exited farm. Matt and Will stayed on to check out additional tracks but most were closed in different areas again. It was good to be out on the tracks again and we enjoyed a day of fellowship. Shane
Here’s a story that may be strange, yet true, from our old bush mate, Bob The Swaggie
“Fussy People, whingers and causes of Bushfires!”
Does yers ever wonder if among the thousands of people Jesus fed with a few fish and five loaves of bread, that some may have complained about finding bones in th’ fish or lumps in th’ bread? Or that the Disciples took too long in bringin’ it round t’ the crowd?
Some people seem unable to be happy about anything. There may be truth to the old sayin’ that those who spend their energy being grouchy all day, always barkin’ about something, are likely to be dog-tired at night.
In the Noo Testament, the book of James has a les¬son regarding complaints and misuse of our tongues. “How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!” he says and then adds “And the tongue is a fire.” (James 3:5-6a) An’ I ‘ve seen some bonzer fire in me time too!
As Christians, we need t’ use our tongues to light the fire of Good Noos rather than fires of discontent or hate.
The old apostle St. Paul believed that God had given him “the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:18) He said we too have the same ministry to yer know. Let us be reconciled first with God, then with one another and to cap it all off, reach out in Christian love t’ others.
Anyway, “Ava good month, see yers on the TRAX.” Bob The Swaggie
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One man’s view about the things that really matter….
Stories that may be strange, yet true, from the Chaplain’s Travel Log….
Promises…
Our lives are shaped by the promises that are made to us and the promises we make to others. At work, our time and effort are directed by the promises made in our contract of employment. At home, our house or unit is ours to enjoy because of an exchange of promises with a bank or a lease agreement with a landlord. In our families the foundation of the marriage relationship is promises made and received. Promises may shape our lives but it is often the failure of others to keep their promises that causes us such pain and difficulty. Our relationship with God is shaped by promises. In the opening book of the Bible God makes promises that define the plan of salvation that unfolds throughout God’s dealings with humanity. If we study these ancient promises of God to Abraham in Genesis 11-15, we see how they are fulfilled for us in the Lord Jesus. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:20. “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ, and so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” The promises that God made to Abraham shape our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The wonderful truth we will rediscover is that our God always keeps his promises and so we are able to declare – great is his faithfulness!
