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.

Our second day on the track took us from Gordon Falls, where we finished Day 1, to Scenic World at Katoomba. All up 8 km along tracks similar to Day 1. Scenic World is the spot where the touristy things take place. There is the Scenic Railway, a 52 degree incline as it plunges into the Jamison Valley. Also, the Scenic Cableway takes one down 545 metres into the valley. And the Scenic Skyway cable car travels 270 metres above the valley. All good adrenalin raising experiences.

The track takes us under the escarpment, up and down numerous steps. In the week before we arrived there had been a lot of rain in Sydney and the Mountains.

Warragamba Dam was spilling and the Nepean River quite high and over its banks as we drove up. The track was rather muddy and wet. Whilst this dampness didn’t worry us it was a bit of a drama for some fellow hikers. Many of these appeared to be from tours and doing small segments of the track. Lots of stylish white running/walking shoes being subjected to tough track work in mud and slush. We were thankful for our walking boots! The big plus was that all the water had creeks and waterfalls flowing strongly. Some great scenes.

The Leura Cascades were putting on a great show, water pouring over its rocky course. Bridal Veil Falls also spectacular.

A little further along Honeymoon Point juts out into the valley. The rock ledge is a little undercut and hangs out over the valley below. It doesn’t stop people leaning over the edge, slightly unnerving place!

We soon arrive at the Three Sisters lookout at Echo Point. Great view of the Sisters. But we had now walked into tourist town! Tourists every where, many accents. Europeans and Asians from all parts. But, there were a lot of Indians, seemed disproportionate. To what I don’t know!

There must have been an Australia on sale in Mumbai. All seemed to be having a good time! Had to escape from the rate race so we headed off down the track to Scenic World on the last kilometre of the walk.

Made it eventually, it was very tempting to catch the Scenic Skyway across the valley to avoid the last few metres…..but no it was on to the end!

Great late afternoon relaxing on the deck back at the house, sharing tales of the walk with Homealone as the sun went down. She has had two great days sitting around relaxing and doing nothing!

We have made a short trip to Sydney to visit daughter Gillian. She has been working down here since the start of the year for six months, returning to Brisbane in July. Free accommodation in the heart of the city, just back from Circular Quay is hard to knock back!

We are taking the opportunity while here to spend the June long weekend in the Blue Mountains. It is more than 35 years since Allthego was here and much has changed. Lots more people now live in these parts, escaping the rat race below. We have booked an AirBnB in Katoomba just around from the Three Sisters. Great spot overlooking the Jamison Valley.

The purpose in coming up here was for Allthego and Gillian to do the ‘new’ Grand Cliff Top Walk. Homealone was going to do just that, lurk at the AirBnB for the day. The walk is over two days and links together a number of exisiting walks into one. It showcases the great iconic sights of the National Park. All up it is 19 km.

Day 1 starts in Wentworth Falls, not far off the Great Western Hwy, and goes for 11 kms to Gordon Falls on the outskirts of Leura.

We left around 9am and arrived at Gordon Falls around 4 pm, we had lunch along the way at Conservation Hut. A convenient half way house for weary travellers and loo seekers.

Allthego is not particularly speedy these days and is also known for stopping to take numerous photos. Our time of 7 hours for the first day was at the top end of the map’s walking time estimate.

Not bad considering our diversions to lookouts and photo taking. We returned to base a little weary after our day on the trail.

Day 2 awaits!