flashman181

When one is bored of a night time in NSW just watch the weather report on 3 different channels. Anything from a flood to polar caps melting is likely the next two days. A cool night for sleeping but had my share of nightmares solely due to the weird photo above my bed. It’s like the Children of the Corn visited The Overlook Hotel # redrum

A very hearty breakfast was first on agenda after we used our flashlight to find the dining room in the mist. Our host assured us today was going to be the best day of the next few. If that is the case I may well as go up to Govetts Leap and well ….. leap I guess. We did take his suggestion though and changed our High Tea at Majestic to one at Lilanfels Resort today so the beloved offered to shout us a massage first at the day spa. Great to have a worker in the family . We headed off a bit early in simply horrid weather and as close to Echo Point again went there first to laugh at the bus loads of tourists groping their way through the fog

UPDATE. It is freezing . One can only laugh at tourists for so long until you realise “Hey I am on holidays too and would like clear skies please ” . So we backtracked to our resort, had a quick swim, and then lined up for a very pleasant hour long massage . After having every inch of body kneaded and squeezed and combined with cold weather the one organ needing stat attention was my kidney! Of course then, old Larry Liver got the hump so had to find a bar before our High Tea.

Now Lilanfels is not cheap as our $12 stubbies confirmed but is a lovely sprawling complex. Our High Tea , with French Champagne as you do, was standard fare but very enjoyable. The one negative is that it is not served in a designated area but rather in The Lounge where guests, with rowdy kids in tow, also congregate. Made my cream clot I tell ya

As it is still not “gawking from on high” type weather time to walk into Leura Village . About a 15 minute walk so very doable but then decided to keep going to Gordon Falls lookout as Leura Village was a bit like Maryhole on a Sunday afternoon. About 30 mins later arrived at lookout and well worth the effort especially as only folk there . Still cloudy but showing some signs of improvement.

By now though the ankle was dead so time to find a pub. It was only 3:30 pm so a bit early for dinner even for reduntirees so I sat on a bench with the other old farts while CLP did some local shopping. Then onto Alexandra Hotel with no great plan apart from wondering if u could get dinner at 5 pm? We did not need to worry. As sometimes happens on holidays we found another couple sitting by the fire and before you knew it it was 6:30 pm and time for a very passable dinner . And a bottle of red . By now there were even some stars out which helped on the walk home although what I really needed was a wheelbarrow and a rugged individual with 20 minutes to spare

So once again a largely unplanned afternoon had turned into a rather enjoyable few hours meeting new folk and consuming alcohol. Tomorrow has a planned visit to Jenolan Caves in early afternoon but we may just change all that if it dawns clear. It’s called living life on the edge baby.

The location of the Rydges hotel is excellent for rev heads of course but a tad isolated from rest of town and many amenities so it was a very pleasant surprise to find the on site restaurant – Chicane Bar and Grill – was rather good bordering on superb . We had lunch, dinner and breakfast there. But not all at once .

Sleep quality was ok as place was certainly deserted and woke to the forecast fog and slightly dreary day. Worse weather was on the way mind you but a relatively short drive to Leura today of about 100k. So without any great rush required I went to the gym to feel like a man and said to CLP ” Go find the Laundary so you can feel like a woman” . When I came to an hour later it was time to leave. Perfect timing . Now for the perfect driving music on way to Leura

It’s a good highway for most of the way but a lot of road work approaching Katoomba. As we were early we stopped at Echo Point first just as first rain drop appeared. Beating a path through all the Japanese we lucked a reasonable shot of the 3 Sisters before the rain did tumble down a bit more. Japanese are fairly ignorant as tourists go and only one thing makes it worse – give them an umbrella. Seriously they couldn’t give a shit about anyone else as they strolled through tight walkways . Nearly had eye poked out on several occasions. May return if weather picks up as would like to walk out further but then guessing the multitudes could increase too. Had a laugh at the tourists paying overs in the souvenir shop at least to brighten my day .

Then it was onto Katoomba and stop for some lunch and light supplies as now we can camp for next 4 days in our B&B . Nice lunch at The Yellow Deli and then trekked up the hill to The Carrington. Would be impressive place on a clear sunny day . I’ll drink to that

By now it was rather piddling down so back in the car for a thankfully short trip to Bethany B&B. Ok, it is a crap day but this looks like a lovely place and as luck would have it the only guests tonight. Tomorrow more arrive but shouldn’t be a problem – unless carrying bloody umbrellas. Hopefully weather will improve . In the meantime we have bubbles, cheese and a spa bath . I think we will manage . Lock the door and pull the blinds, I am done for the day . Tomorrows activities largely weather dependent with plan being to go to Scenic World. At my age plans are like underwear though. Sometimes they need changing throughout the day . I am here all week, try the Veal .

Surprisingly good nights sleep in a very comfortable bed. Another long haul today to Bathurst in what may be the last dry day for a couple. The weather has been glorious to date though. First up though have to find that big golden guitar which as luck would have it is next to a Maccas apparently. Golden Guitar and Golden Arches ? I feel a song coming on .A must see photo op and full day caloric intake all in 5 minutes . Sweet .

Started on New England highway until Muswellbrook and then headed more inland on lesser roads but had a knob kiss with traffic really especially when going up steep hills. Fairly solid cloud cover by now which made for pleasant driving conditions. Powered on through to Bathurst by midday and drove straight past pit lane to get to our lodgings at Rydges, Mt Panorama. Now this was good. Right on Conrod straight but the place virtually deserted .Took some photos before some rain headed in and then had lunch on sight in Chicane Bar . Very passable, in fact going back for dinner !

Then it was time for a few laps of the circuit. Speed limit is strictly 60 k so deleted any images indicating otherwise 😉 Mind you 60 k is not bad for running. Next time I am definitely taking the car !

100m from hotel is the National Motor Racing Museum and this was a treat, especially seeing the 1977 Moffat Ford. Great memories. Bit Brockie centric but that is ok. Some light rain was falling now so time to head back to the hotel for a few hours and a relaxing bath. Just as well I did not have any beers for lunch eh…..

Back to Chicane Bar for dinner and then relaxing night before heading into Leura for a 4 night stay in the Blue Mountains. Weather forecast is not good initially at least but as I always say Pubs have roofs for a reason. The visit to Mt Panorama has been something special and brings back some wonderful memories from late 70s and early 80s