Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Leichhardt, logbook of a journey from Port Stephens to Peak Range, 1 October 1846-3 November 1847 - Page 8

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Sheep station. The goats follow in shorter steps, as the whole distance would be too long for them. The soil at Lownes' is very rich and most excellent gardening ground; the potatoes are remarkably fine, the peaches had just set fruit....the head of the Manning which pafses by is a fine stream of water, which rushes noisily along its rocky bed and forms rapids or waterfalls about 2 miles from the house. The country between Lownes and Mac Ivers [?] is most beautiful, open forest on ridges between which small treelefs flats come down, which are covered with the richest verdure. Beyond the last sheep station the ridges rise, and we ascend gradually towards the dividing Range between the Manning and the Hastings. The spine of the Range is composed of Basalt and Domite, the ridges north of it are flintrock, between which Serpentine is observed near the station next to Lownes. Several componta (Caspidia Brunni?[?]) Fletichrynus by the right [?] and various bright coloured flowers adorned the green sward. My companions are struck with the beauty of this country and one spoke of Germany, another of England, each reminded by the variety of hill and dale, of open patches of forest and open flats of their respective native country. The forest of the dividing range contains fine stringy bark and blue gum trees and groves of fern trees were growing in the narrow glens or along the bubbling mountain brooks. A thunderstorm was forming to the N.East and a watergall (rainbow) was seen in it, but it pafsed to the Northward. We have just got a Sheep and my companions are busily preparing dinner. I saw Roper again at Lownes and has travelled with me to Mac Iver and is going to stay with me overnight. I hope he will follow my advice.

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