My Day Out To The Blue Mountains.

And why it will be my last one.

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Why Was My Recent Excursion to The Blue Mountains The Last?

Lovely view: from Echo Point: Three Sisters in Background.

Good question!

Back Stories.

• Memories are Triggered.

Since I was a kid, around 10 years old, the drive to the Blue Mountains as part of a family holiday to Jenolan Caves (further on, into the mountain area) became a very strong (and sadly negative) memory because of my younger brother’s sudden onset of stomach pain…after being sick a few times on the way (yuck, poor kid..) and it was a Sunday…Dad managed to find a chemist open (we are talking 1961) who referred Dad to a doctor’s rooms and somehow, the next place to be was Katoomba hospital where that afternoon my brother had emergency surgery for an almost ruptured appendix. Sigh. What a time. Hard to remember all the details but suffice to say, my brother was in hospital for a week and Mum stayed at a motel nearby until we could return the following week for him to come home.

I was a 10 year old emotional mess I think. I know I ‘feel’ things and this event was one (as it was for my poor bro and parents). I think some time in the future we still did the Jenolan Caves visit.

• Scenes That Sadden Me.

The main street of Katoomba had some attractions way back, and even 10 years ago when I last visited.

So many shops closed, and a general air of ‘sads’ for me. It is not a town without its socio-economic and social problems I am aware.

The Paragon Cafe, long closed up now, and with signs outside ‘for lease’ was a special memory for many. I know over the years I bought chocolates there and even had coffees and meals there. Well over 10 years ago.

• Times I Find Hard To Recall Without Nostalgia.

It’s got to be said that I enjoyed some short holiday stays here over the years back in my 30s and 40s with family and with school colleagues but when I revisited some of those places in ‘more upmarket’ Leura, even they looked old and a bit tired.

And of course my life has changed so much too…In my mid seventies, I wonder about those people I met and worked with…after seeing where we had conferences too.

• Then There Was This.

Paid parking for only one hour on most of the streets where the lookout is at Echo Point. $6.60!

• Tourists In Abundance

Of course the Blue Mountains and the areas around are a great magnet for tourists - from within Australia and overseas. And yes, I was ONE too.

But, I admit, I got impatient frustrated annoyed at the total lack of consideration that ‘others’ including this one person, me, was also there trying to capture some scenes.

I tried other areas to view the mountains to capture my images and enjoyed seeing the beauty of this sky above too. I told myself it was time for a morning tea break and off I drove.

From Echo Point: looking at the Valley, Three Sisters and more viewing platforms and walkways are an improvement.

• Not Open Today

Wanting to capture a memory or two of a lovely spot, I tried to have morning tea at the Fairmont Resort at Leura. “Closed for a function”. I drove around the Sublime Point but after a short walk down, decided I’d used enough energy and needed to have enough for drive home. Deciding not to try Leura itself because of it being a busy Friday, I drove on back down those mountains to Winmalee and bought a coffee and donuts to eat overlooking the Plains and Waterways of Yarramundi, Castlereagh and looking east to Sydney.

Sloping walk all the way to Sublime Point. I decided this was enough for me.

• What I Learned.

We cannot always find ‘the happy’ in some places. I know that for me, the Blue Mountains are like that. But I also know of many family and friends who have made homes there and love it. Just not a place for me.

• The Surprise That Ended My Day Well.

I drove to the Blue Mountains from our area using connecting roads to the M7 and then onto the M4. Then it was all the way up to Katoomba on dual lanes of the Great Western Highway. This was a marked improvement from the days of single lanes both ways.

My return was always planned for coming back via Winmalee and down the hill to Yarramundi - a part of the Nepean/Hawkesbury Rivers - which is part of the plains of Richmond where I used to be principal.

I used to enjoy stopping off at the lookout on the way down (or up) on other occasions and this day was even more special.

I had not seen the beauty of the waterways down there …and yes, there have been floods and rivers overflowing…and the views were spectacular.

a coffee and some donuts helped…after 6 hours away from home!

I know I will come back to the Castlereagh area again.

And my artistic eye saw why I got such a surprise and thrill. Back home, I quickly found what I was looking for in my book of some of Australian Arthur Streeton’s paintings and SNAP…there was a close match from his eyes and those of mine via my iphone.

From the mountains to the plains….

From the plains to the mountains

My Day Was Made!

Sometimes we need to travel to find out what we don’t need to do again!

Has that happened for you?

Denyse.

Here I am joining with Min and friends for here Wednesday’s Words and Whimsy today.

And for the time it’s needed I’ve become a member of #TeamWWWhimsy to ensure the commenting is shared and conversations continue.