For the third year in a row the SAM group headed off to the Blue Mountains for a couple of days at Katoomba. This time the weather was great. Jennie was able to come down from Queensland again and Robyn was able to join everyone for the first time since we all met in South America.
After meeting at the house for a cuppa, we all headed to “Common Ground” for lunch and then to the supermarket to get provisions for further meals. In the afternoon everyone seemed to go in different directions – the new Cultural Centre, a walk to actually see the “Three Sisters”, a little snooze or catching up with details via the computer. Dinner was just up the road at the local RSL club where we shared a banquet of Chinese dishes (or had a steak meal) and a couple of wines. Later we all walked down the street to see the “Three Sisters” illuminated and to try to take some photos. We could see the flames of a bush fire in the distance.
Friday morning, after Natalie cooked us scrambled eggs and bacon, it was off to Scenic World to catch the Cable Car into the valley. Colin decided to take the stairs. We took the longer walk around the valley floor to wonder at the eucalypts, the tree ferns, the pines, the long tangles of the various vines that wound their way to the canopy of the many tall trees and noted the effects of fire, wind or genetic mishaps on the vegetation. There were also the remains of an old shaft looking for kerosene shale and the entrance to many kilometres of an old coal mine. Many pieces of old mining equipment littered parts of the trail. For a bit of fun some people had their photo taken upon the bronze statue of the horse pulling the coal truck.
It was then back up the Cable Car and on to the Skyway for a trip across the valley 700 metres below. We got off on the other side to admire the view and to look at the Katoomba Falls. It was interesting to see the stark outlines of the burnt trees and then see the regeneration of banksias, proteas, tea trees and native flowers coming into bud.
For lunch we drove down into the Megalong valley. All around were the tall cliffs with the exposed sandstone ringing around the top. It was possible to see the Hydro Majestic Hotel on the edge of the escarpment. On the way back to Katoomba, we stopped at Evans Lookout to appreciate the Blue Mountains valleys from yet another aspect. Dinner was a shared meal at the house.
On Saturday morning we all headed towards home. Some went via Mt Victoria and visited Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens, some went to visit the Norman Lindsay Gallery and others went direct to Sydney. It was a great couple of days with good company and good weather.