[Крис Халдейн в Сиднее].
First stop was the Blue Mts, so named for the blue haze that hangs over them due to the oils released by the eucalyptus forests. The distant views across the cliffs always inspire a love of country! After scones and cream in Megalong Valley (above) we reached Govetts Leap Lookout in the late afternoon when the deep shadows added extra drama to an already astounding view. This view of Pulpit Rock is typical, with its vast spaces and wonderful rock formations.
On the other side of the Blue Mountains lies Lithgow which in the late 1800s became the birthplace of the Australian iron and steel industry. A visit to the ruins in Blast Furnace Park gave us insight into the scale of operations back then and the difficult conditions the workers endured.
Heading further west towards Oberon we stopped for half an hour by the Fish River. It was so relaxing, sitting on the stones and listening to the water bubbling around us. I can take a lot of that!
And what would a trip be without a rusty shed or two?!! We not only found a traditional one but a cob barn too, which was very common in the area in the 1800s when building materials were in short supply and too expensive to bring all the way from Sydney. Consequently, settlers used what was readily available: earth!
где we had an unexpected surprise: a ride in the back of a ute up into the bush to look at the ruins of a molybdenum (no… I’d never heard of it before either!!) mining site that’s over a 100years old.
The week provided all sorts of new experiences for both of us and gave us a fresh sense of the privilege we have of travelling in our own wonderful country!
