Weekend in Newnes

I went to Newnes this weekend and was blown away by this amazing place.  About three hours drive north west of Sydney, Newnes is set in the beautiful Wolgan valley, bordered by towering sandstone cliffs. It used to be the site of a major shale mine which was abandoned in 1932 and has since become a dilapidated ghost town, reclaimed my nature. 

Highlights of the weekend included:

• Driving down on Friday evening with Srini, arriving after 10 pm when everyone else was fast asleep in their tents.
• Exploring the abandoned mine early on Saturday morning. I absolutely love old, crumbling places overtaken by nature like this; reminds me of of the impermanence of all things.  The mine reminded me of my adventure in the Glen Davis shale mine.
• A steep climb up the Pipe Track to enjoy the spectacular view from Echo Point over the Wolgan Valley.
• A refreshing swim in the Wolgan River after our climb back down into the valley.
• Camping next to the old hotel, the last remaining intact building from the mining period.  Actually, it was more "glamping" than camping with showers and an outside kitchen.  We're not used to such luxuries!
• A delicious spread of food on Saturday night.
• Beautiful kangaroos coming down to graze at dusk.
• Srini and Elna doing yoga pose-offs and surprising them with my ability to do a headstand!
• A plank-off between Elna, Srini and me.  Elna won without even putting on a sweat.
• Jonno's excruciatingly drawn out joke around the camp site that made us all groan a bit!
• On Sunday, a lovely walk to the famous glow worm tunnel.  The tunnel was 400 metres long and very dark in the middle, with a spectacular display of thousands upon thousands of glow worms, looking like constellations of stars in the dark.  
• A lovely swim in the river to cool down, before driving back to Sydney.
• Howard and Srini setting up some really fun photos.
• Howard posing for the camera in many different settings, doing his famous "pondering pose."

The old hotel

We camped next to the old hotel.  The hotel is the last remaining building from the mining period. It was moved to its present site after flooding in 1986. It is now de-licensed, but still trades as a kiosk at weekends.  

Walk to the abandoned shale mine

Rahima crossing the river.

Coke ovens that were used in the mining.

On the left, a huge retaining wall that was very impressive indeed.

An old building, reclaimed by nature.

Here's how the mine used to look. It was an enormous complex.

Hike to Echo Point

Crazy Srini at it again

Flowers along the way

What a stunning view from Echo Point!

Doing our usual leaps.

The perfect spot for lunch.

Rahima, Kirsten, Jonno, Srini, me.  Thanks for the photo, Elna

Back down on the valley floor.  Me, Elna, Kirsten, Rahima.  Thanks for the photo, Elna

Having a refreshing swim after the hike.

Camping life

Elna and Srini doing yoga pose-offs 

Ha ha!  Both Srini and Elna, the two yoga masters, struggled to do a handstand.  Then I surprised them by doing one myself.  Some things you learn in childhood never leave you.

Gorgeous wallabies at dusk

More wildlife around the camp site.

Hike to the glow worm tunnel

Gorgeously coloured sandstone cliffs.

Having a well earned break on our way up the valley.

A gorgeous fern glen near the entrance of The Glow Worm Tunnel. More photos here.

Scenes from inside the The Glow Worm Tunnel.  The tunnel is 400 metres in length, curving through almost 180 degrees and is consequently very dark. It is home to thousands of glow worms. These worms are the larval stage of a fly which develops from eggs planted on the cave wall. The larvae drop sticky threads that trap small insects drawn by the light which the worms create.

Here are some photos of the railway that was built to create the glow-worm tunnel.  It was built in 1906-07 as part of the 50-km railway line joining the works at Newnes to the outside world. 

A lake on the other end of the tunnell.

Samira and Howard posing by the lake.

Having a fun swim after the hike.  Srini's famous Mexican hat came out, as you can see.

Stopping off for a view and some fun on the steep drive out of the valley.

Pondering Howard

Howard has a famous pondering pose and it was fun capturing it on camera.

Well done Sam ...

... for coming in the top 20 of her grade.  Amazing effort.

Amilie

Sue and Alex sent me these precious photos of Amilie. Oh my God, how gorgeous is she?  It made me quite tearful to see the photos, but in a happy way...

Message from Sue:

how are you? how is life in beautiful Sydney!… here are some pics of your lovely niece!… she is growing soooo much!
she is walking!… talking... (mama and Dada!) and is the most gorgeous little creature!…. laughs and sings the whole day!
Hope to see you one day soon!

Well Being (2014)

Total:  7.4

Hiking up a storm in Grand Canyon and Govett's Leap

I did an awesome and extremely wet hike down into the Grand Canyon and around to Govett's leap with Meet Up (Sydney Explorers).  Due to the weather forecast (90% chance of storms!) and train issues, only 6 of us arrived for the hike out of 30 who originally signed up for it.  We were well rewarded as the hike was absolutely stunning.

Highlights of the day included:

• All my favourite Meet Up people together in one group; Dave, Yen, Cloris, Kenny and the incorrigible Srini.
• Dunking our heads in a waterfall and walking behind it to get down into the canyon.
• Extremely slippery rocks at the bottom of the canyon. In fact, I slipped and took a hard fall which gave me quite a shock. I didn't seem any worse the wear for it, but time will tell!
• The rain starting to bucket down half way through the canyon. Thankfully, it wasn't cold though. 
• The way the rain made the vegetation in the canyon seem all the more lush, and the beautiful fresh smell of it.
• Hiking in the rain, with the feel of it on my skin, feeling intensely alive.
• Some beautiful flowers and plants I hadn't noticed before.
• A lovely, refreshing swim in the rain.
• Some stunning rivers, streams and rock pools all bordered by lush ferns.
• Arriving at the bottom of The Bridal Veil Falls which was in full flow and having another dip, although the wind was strong and there was quite a nip in the air.
• Crossing the river at the falls with mighty winds and strong torrents making it an adventure.
• The steep climp up the side of the valley, including some steep metal stair cases with dripping water off the overhangs keeping us cool.
• Absolutely stunning views of The Bridal Veil falls as we neared the top of Govett's Leap.
• The gorgeous whisps of mist and cloud that hung over the valley; such a great sight.
• Changing into dry clothes when we got to our cars.
• A drink and delicious pie at The Ivanhoe Hotel after the hike.

All in all, a super and memorable day. Sometimes it pays to brave the elements!!

The view from Govett's Leap where we left the car.

Having a dunk in a waterfall on the way down into The Grand Canyon.

At the bottom of the canyon.

The clouds starting to look ominous.

Beautiful flowers, some of which I haven't noticed before.

Dave, Cloris, Kenny, Yen, Srini

Srini dealt with the pouring rain differently to me.

Despite the rain, we had a lovely dip. Warmer in than out!

Some beautiful streams and rock pools...

... and beautiful rivers too.

Our first view of Bridal Veil Falls, very windy with lots of spray and an exciting crossing.

Gorgeous whisps of cloud across the valley

Climbing up the steep steps of Govett's Leap.

As we neared the summit of Govett's leap, we got an awesome view of The Bridal Falls.

Our final view over Govett's Leap before heading by car back into Blackheath for a drink and pie...

... but not before Srini had one final leap!

A colourful mural in Blackheath