HAPPY BIRTHDAY GERALDINE We set off on the train to the blue mountains. We arrived in katoomba and checked into our scruffy pub, very cheap but we realised why as it was in between the train station and the motorway and our room was above a bar that stayed open till 3am.... We had a great steak lunch though. We then walked down to Echo point where we saw the three sisters and a magnificent view of the blue mountains, it was great, gum trees as far as the eye could see. We went for a walk for a few hours in the forest which was really nice. We then waited for sunset and watched as the blue haze appeared over the trees. We were hoping for there to be a sunset over the three sisters but sadly not, eh well still great just to stand and watch. We then went for a nice meal and wine for geraldines birthday and then a night cap or three at our pub. The next day we woke early and had a nice egg breckie to start our long day. We walked to the scenic railway and got the train down the valley, very funny 45degree train. We walked for around 7 hrs, down in the valley, the forest changed from bush to lush rainforest then to beautiful waterfalls and cascades. There were amazing rock formations and parrots flying around, and the views as we got higher up were stunning. We then walked back to echo point along the cliff edge and rushed in for a drink and muffin before we were caught in an awful deluge, we were drenched and freezing by the time we got to town and luckily a thai restaurant let us in and fed us. We were shattered but had a great day. After splashing out again at our cafe we caught the train to Glenbrook. It was a really hot day well into the mid thirties with no breeze and thousands of flies. We sytarted the walk to the red hand cave in midday sun so we were all a bit hot and we were carrying all our rucksacks which didnt help the situation. The walk throught the bush was lovely though, by the stream, and after a couple of hours we gfot to the cave, it was reall nice, although to stop grafitti it was abscured by perspex. We set off back again and before a really steep uphill walk we went to a waterhole and swam in the cold pool, it was sooooo refreshing. We walked back to the train and slept back to sydney. We then made Kevin dinner as he had the flu, and yes an early night. This place is truely beautiful, unlike anywhere else.