Life Trove: Hiking in The Blue Mountains (Ruined Castle, Valley of 1000 Waters)

Wow, what a wonderful long weekend we had in The Blue Mountains. I enjoyed every minute of it. Here are just some of the highlights:

The fantastic company - thanks to lovely Elizabeth, Lauren, Michelle and Zante.
The amazing weather - lots of blue skies and sunshine while it stormed in Sydney all weekend.
Elizabeth's delicious vegetable soup and crusty bread. Yum! And her giant chocolate stash.
Being warned by the locals we wouldn't be back from our hike by dark, then doing it in 3 hours and getting back early afternoon. What can I say, we're fast!
Seeing a Lyrebird. I nearly "twitched."
The panoramic views from the buttresses of Ruined Castle. Beautiful.
Walking the National Pass overhang along a slab of overhanging rock with huge drops. Amazing that it was built 150 years ago.
A plethora of stunning waterfalls in The Valley of 1000 Waters.
Gorgeous pockets of golden sunshine after hiking through the cold, murky, sun starved valleys.
Poor Lauren terrified on the precariously steep stairs, and Michelle's soothing, calm voice getting her down.
The walk along the cliffs on the way back, with huge sheer cliffs rising at our side, and amazing views into the valley.
The tyrannical YHA night manager who wouldn't allow fun of any description after 10 pm. Like a red rag to a bull. Yeeeha!!
Playing intense Foosball with Elizabeth.
Ravenous Lauren turning from a tiger into a pussy cat after some much needed food.
Moments of sheer brilliance at pool to make up for much patheticness and especially Zante's scissor shot that couldn't be replicated in 1000 goes.
Partnering with Zante at Scrabble but being annihilated by the two letter word junkies.
Going horse rising through amazing scenery on a gentle giant of a horse called "Zorro."
Michelle cantering at speed, looking like a total natural.
Sharing some funny South Africanisms with Lauren that left everyone else completely bewildered.
My long, deep sleep on the final night (after 2 poor nights of intense dorm snoring) to discover I'd overslept nearly two hours. Sorry all; you were very patient. And your text messages were classic.