Earlier this week, Sonny and I made a trip to Blackheath to visit my nephew, Ben, and his (clearly quite patient) fiancé of the last 10 years, Sarah.
I haven't been to see him since he's been resident caretaker of Jemby Rinjah Eco Lodge, but in hindsight, wish I hadn't waited so long. Aside from their exemplary hosting of us, the place is really nice to visit.
The lodges are right next to Evan's Lookout, and the Grand Canyon of the Grose Valley, surrounded by bush and all the usual bird and wildlife species.
It was close to evening when we arrived, but we made it for a quick sunset look over the valley.
Back to have a red wine around the circular, open fireplace in the dining area, while Ben and Sarah whipped up a quick meal for some visiting school-kids (there, for geology studies).
Whip, whip…
Plate 'em up!
Then we were off for a game of pool. It's been a while for Ben and I – always a pleasure to see I helped him miss-spend his youth and taught him well.
The next day, Sonny and I went and did what folks do when folks go to the Blue Mountains.
They freeze,
and they go for bushwalks.
For us, it was Govett's Leap, down to Bridal Veil Falls. Conservatively about 600 uneven and wet stairs down, and, funnily enough, the same back up again. This killed me both ways – my knees are very crappy, must be all those years of snowboarding and surfing, tee hee – but it was pretty nice down there.
Damn photo doesn't even make it look very far down, but believe me, there's many times along the way that you just want to make like Govett, and leap*, if only so you don't have to walk another stair.
Yeah, but it's pretty
Black-boy with a bit of Mulligan's Tyre* in the background
Made it back (looks a bit grit of teeth there on the bad-kneed one).
Huge thanks to Ben and Sarah. So going back there in a hurry. I like being spoiled!
*Govett didn't leap. I don't know why it's called that, but if someone does know, I would be happy for them to tell me.
*Mondegreen.
Google it, if in doubt.
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