Here we are again raring to go for another epic road trip
with Kev, Maz, Gaz, and of course, myself, Pen. This is our fourth year in a
row now and for the uninitiated the standard operating procedure is: 3 weeks,
Priests in their caravan, O’Sheas in cabins, Gaz picks destinations (kinda) and
Maz organises activities. Kev and I nod and smile.
This year we were lucky enough to have our friends Kim &
David take on Dusty babysitting duties in our own home, along with their furry
bundle, Daisy. Thanks guys! Apparently, disaster has been averted on their
first night – notwithstanding some incontinence issues and escaping up the
street and not coming when called … but I’m sure they’ll settle in … and we
hear the dogs are OK too. Haha.
Gaz and I set off at a leisurely pace this morning. We had a
great run to Sydney and headed up the Blue Mountains, marvelling at the lovely
wide highway – somewhat different to the goat track we traversed so regularly
in the 80s when we lived in Orange and Lithgow! We did briefly pull off onto
the old road and stopped for lunch at Springwood where we enjoyed an awesome Spinach,
Cheese and Mushroom Pide in the park as we watched the world go by. We also
grabbed a couple of bargains at the el cheapo shop – hey, I had been looking
for certain cake tins for ages – I can’t help it if we now have to carry them
around for 3 weeks!
Arriving at the caravan park at exactly 2pm, our designated
check in time, was only possible because every shop in Springwood and
Blackheath that Gaz stepped into necessitated a long and involved conversation
with the proprietor about the ills and troubles of the world, all this while I
waited patiently on the footpath like Penelope waiting for Odysseus! I think it’s
the old bank manager in him – I keep telling him he doesn’t need to win them
over to get their business.
We arrived to find Maz & Kev pretty much set up – they missed
the lunch stop so arrived before us. We quickly unpacked, revelling in the fact
we will be here for 5 nights, so unpacking is actually a worthwhile exercise.
We then gathered for our Day 1 pow wow and decided a quick trip to the local
Tourist Information place was in order. This was more a National Parks Info
Centre but was very helpful and set us on the road to Govetts Leap, a nearby
lookout. The suggestion that we walk was considered for about 3 seconds before
we all piled back in the car and drove to the lookout.
What amazing views! There was a waterfall – possibly called
Bridal Veil Waterfall – lots of burnt bush in the Grose Valley and some
spectacular scenery. Gaz stood well back, as he does, but did inch just close
enough to get sight of the waterfall. We then jumped back in the car where
Buddy (the Priest’s dog) had been waiting in hiding as we were in a National
Park, went exploring on the other side of Blackheath and were heading to
another scenic spot when Gaz got the jitters on the steep and winding road – did
I mention he’s not good with heights? – so we turned back to grab a couple of
supplies from the grocery store. While in there, Gaz was informed by the proprietor
who he was having an extended conversion with, (now par for the course), that
there is a café at the end of the road that we were just on that has the best
scones. Gaz has now decided we must go there, steep precipices or no. That’s
for another day.
After a brief walk around the park when we got back, Maz
& Kev came up with a scrumptious dinner of BBQ pork fillets, potatoes and
salad. A reasonable amount of wine (white and red) and port later, and we
called it a night, but not before a discussion lasting at least an hour on the
difference between opinion and point of view. Are you surprised to hear that
husbands and wives proved to be the antagonists in this scenario? Gaz and Kev
always agreed, Maz and I always agreed, but could couples agree?
Weather could take a turn for the worse tomorrow, so the
plan is to hope it’s dry enough for golf.
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