A bit o'Blue

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After arriving in Sydney and hanging out in Manly for a couple of days I decided to take myself off to the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, by train. I stayed in Katoomba, a queer hilly town that reminded me of those small French/Italian Alpine towns you suddenly come across when driving through the, er, French/Italian Alps. This might have been something to do with the 10 degree temperature drop (well, it felt like it!) and the swirling mist as the train climbed higher and higher from the suburbs of Sydney.

I did some good walks on my own round and down by the Three Sisters and National Pass and across to Katoomba Falls, walking through rain and eucalypt forest. You can see why the Blue Mountains are so named. The fine mist of moisture and eucalypt oil given off by the trees hang above the mountains and through some scientific trickery (i.e. refraction) appear to make the mountains blue, hence their evocative name. I also walked around Wentworth Falls along the Overcliff/Undercliff pass and had some dizzy moments when realising I was quite high up and only a bit of rocky path and some trees separated me and the abyss below. I passed few other walkers and it was amazing to be out in forests and mountains all by myself (although probably not very sensible!) I also undertook a bit of a trek in Blackheath walking from the Grand Canyon track to Govett's Leap, narrowly escaping a cracking thunderstorm that appeared in the valley below. I felt thoroughly knackered when I got on the train back to Sydders but also thoroughly invigorated having spent some time in this spectacular area (I definitely wasn't bored of being in this World Heritage Area - although I am wondering if any of Australia isn't designated World Heritage - Brisbane springs to mind...)

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Photos

Funny rock formation
Murray, you would love it here!

The Three Sisters III
In case you haven't had enough

On the Govett's Leap walk
Swatting away flies

One of the Govett's Leap Lookouts
How Blue?!

Comments

[Team Southey]

Cracking snaps ...
Lots of trees then ...and also lots of water and rocks...and quite blue too ! All fabbo ,you look very relaxed and smiley at Govetts Leap ,or was it the blisters making you grimace ? Take care ..lots of love xxxxx Us and Marms xxxxxx

[Back in Levemir Land]

Better than 1530
Liz; what a fantastic time you're having, and at last some serious rock exposure - the perfect excuse to get your hammer out. I think I'd find this place even more exciting than the news last week that 1530 has been accepted by Diabetes Care! It reminds me of Angel Falls and Canaima in Venezuela, which is no doubt on your 'to do' list. I'm looking forward to seeing the South American stuff (which will also mean you'll be closer to coming back to work). You're looking tanned and toned and it's good to see your writing style developing in different directions.