Before leaving Katoomba Allthego had a wander around the terraced garden of the Airbnb. It stretches down a steep slope to the track we had walked along, well hidden from view though.

The house used to be owned by Richard Stirling and his wife. Some readers may recall this name, he was a popular astrologer in the 1960s and 70s. Had big columns in Women’s Weekly and was on the Tonight shows on TV…..Don Lane, Bert Newton. Made lots of predictions so he got some right occasionally.

Anyway the garden is based around the star signs, narrow stairs and pathways weave their way up, down and across the slope. He used to have garden open days and people could wander around ‘soaking up the power’ of the stars so to speak. Stirling died about 10 years ago and the garden seems to need a bit of work, big job though.

Leaving Katoomba we stopped for brunch at Conservation Hut overlooking the Jamison Valley, pretty busy but a good feed to last us on the way back to Sydney. Back in town we had a very late afternoon tea celebrating King Charles birthday up in the Rocks at Tea Cosy. Very nice fresh hot scones!

Our last day in town was spent indulging in some cultural activities. First up was a visit to the NSW Art Gallery to view the latest Archibald Prize finalists and the winner, a portrait of author Tim Winton, of ‘Cloud Street’ fame amongst others Allthego hasn’t read. Never did finish Cloud Street either, the TV series an easier route!

Quite an interesting visit to the Archibald, plenty of unusual works. We then returned to the Rocks and had lunch at the Orient Hotel, one of those old colonial days pubs along George Street down near the Quay. We were joined by Graham and Mary Bee who we had met on the World Cruise a year back.

Following lunch we returned to Gillian’s unit for some quiet time before heading out pre dinner to view the Vivid light show on the Opera House and adjacent buildings. Pretty impressive work this light show tonight, ‘Faces of Change’.

Cultural experiences were now finished for the day and we returned to the unit for dinner and bed. Back home to Brisbane in the morning.