96 



EMU FORU. 



in the vicinity of this part of the country called 

 the "■ South Creek," there are patches of a fine 

 red clay soil, which has been found very pro- 

 ductive when laid out as vineyards. 



On the following morning we left Clydesdale, 

 retraced our path, came upon the western road, 

 and, continuing our journey, passed Penrith, and 

 arrived at JEmu Ford, close to which a very 

 handsome and well-furnished inn has recently 

 been erected. Having crossed the Ford (a part 

 of the Nepean river) in a punt, we were on the 

 Emu plains. The appearance of these fertile 

 plains, situated at the base of the commencement 

 of the Blue Mountain range, was verj^ beautiful. 

 The weather had been stormy and showery, but, 

 at this time, the squall having passed away, the 

 sun shone with brightness upon the green fields on 

 and about the Nepean river ; and the neat houses, 

 scattered profusely about this charming spot, 

 produced a very pleasing landscape. 



At this part of our journej^ we were joined by 

 Mr. Edward Cox, of Mulgoa, who, travelling 

 partly in the same direction as ourselves, had 

 agreed to accompany us. We ascended " Lap- 

 stone Hill," where the road commenced over the 

 extensive Blue Mountain range, and soon after 

 arrived, in a heavy rain squall, at the Pilgrim 

 Inn, where we enjoyed, from the bleakness of 



