On a roasting hot Friday, after dropping Albie off at the cattery at the vets, promising him there would be no injections or flights (which I don't think he believed...) we set off - to where, I had no idea...!
Two hours later and we were in The Blue Mountains looking for a spot to have a picnic. Spotting a sign for a scenic picnic spot, we turned off the road down a dirt track. Bumping up and down for 5 minutes there was still no sign of an area in which to pull up and eat, and we were worried our little low car would get stuck in the deep loose stones, so we gingerly made our way back to the main road.
A few minutes later and another sign, to another spot - and the same situation. We pulled off at a layby, but the trees hid the stunning view we knew was just behind - we had seen glimpses of it when driving along; always at a spot where we couldn't pull off. By now we were hungry and tempted just to eat it, stop messing around. But we were well aware it was always the case when you did that, you turn the corner and there is always the perfect picnic spot.
We kept on going.
Around a corner - or five - but still nowhere to stop.
We kept on going.
Around a corner - or five - but still nowhere to stop.
Dropping down into a valley, we reasoned it would have to be a valley-floor-view lunch. Driving through the small town of Lithgow, we spotted a sign to 'Hassans Wall Lookout'.
Should we follow it?
It was worth a shot.
Surely not much of a lookout of the bottom of a valley though?
We dutifully followed the signs, and climbed out of the town. The road, although not sealed, was thankfully better than the others we had tried that morning.
We drove higher.
And higher.
And eventually arrived in a small carpark (the other vehicles parked there all four wheel drives).
With the cool bag slung over my shoulder, we stepped out into the hot sun and followed the arrows through some bushes, and were greeted by this wonderful sight:
Should we follow it?
It was worth a shot.
Surely not much of a lookout of the bottom of a valley though?
We dutifully followed the signs, and climbed out of the town. The road, although not sealed, was thankfully better than the others we had tried that morning.
We drove higher.
And higher.
And eventually arrived in a small carpark (the other vehicles parked there all four wheel drives).
With the cool bag slung over my shoulder, we stepped out into the hot sun and followed the arrows through some bushes, and were greeted by this wonderful sight:
Not only was it more stunning than anywhere we had been attempting to stop, there was a bench right on the end of the metal walkway - and not a person in sight!
We - finally - ate our sandwiches, with this stunning view to one side:
We - finally - ate our sandwiches, with this stunning view to one side:
and this to the other:
We drove carefully down the hill back to Lithgow, and then drove on for another hour on narrow roads cradling rocky sides, evidence of fresh rockfalls clear, opening out to a main road which seems to go on for miles, all the while we didn't pass a single other vehicle.
Then, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the satnav informed us we had reached our destination.
I looked around.
All I could see was a rusty barn.
Was this my birthday surprise?!!
Much to my relief, T kept on driving for another good few minutes, taking us well away from that falling down barn.
Then, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the satnav informed us we had reached our destination.
I looked around.
All I could see was a rusty barn.
Was this my birthday surprise?!!
Much to my relief, T kept on driving for another good few minutes, taking us well away from that falling down barn.
And couldn't believe our luck!
Then, the beautifully maintained road came to an abrupt end, two lanes of tarmac suddenly merging to one narrow unsealed track:
As we pondered this, we saw to our relief that to our right was a driveway, and we turned off here and continued driving ...
Until we reached a big gate, and a grand gatehouse. We were greeted and told to park our car the other side of the gate. Then we got into a 4x4 and were driven along a very long, very bumpy track, the route taking us through two pretty deep creeks as well before the vehicle came to a stop outside the main building of the hotel, the Emirates Wolgan Valley - resort and spa.
Until we reached a big gate, and a grand gatehouse. We were greeted and told to park our car the other side of the gate. Then we got into a 4x4 and were driven along a very long, very bumpy track, the route taking us through two pretty deep creeks as well before the vehicle came to a stop outside the main building of the hotel, the Emirates Wolgan Valley - resort and spa.
We had arrived a little early and our suite was still being cleaned, so we sat on the terrace of the main building, finishing the glass of sparkling wine we had been presented with upon checking in, taking in the beautiful view:
We were then shown to our suite, one of 40 on the property.
It was stunning! And we were sure it was larger than our apartment! Not only did it have a pane of glass above the shower, so you could shower and gaze up at the stars (or the grey clouds and rain...)
It was stunning! And we were sure it was larger than our apartment! Not only did it have a pane of glass above the shower, so you could shower and gaze up at the stars (or the grey clouds and rain...)
But each suite had their own pool!
We unpacked a little, and then headed out to explore some of the 7,000 acres the resort lies in (the majority of it a dedicated wildlife reserve), before the thunder we could hear rumbling in the far distance hit.
A short stroll led us to the 1832 farmhouse - the Heritage Homestead - meticulously restored to its original glory by the resort. It was the original homestead for the land, and was built by a European settler in the early 1830s. Apparently Charles Darwin stayed here during his trip to Australia in 1836.
It had a remarkable backdrop:
We followed one of the gravel paths for a while, loving the peace and quiet (in between the claps of thunder...) and breathing in lung fulls of the freshest of air.
Juicy droplets of rain falling on our heads, we made a dash for our suite, just making it before the heavens opened.
A quick dip in our heated pool, and then it was time for the Wildlife Tour...
TBC...
TBC...