Blog 60

A weekend away from the hustle and bustle of city life couldn't have come soon enough. With the sun shining, croissants, Bircher muesli and back packs on, Gaz, Alex, Bryn and I bordered the 2 hour train to Katoomba, along with some rather odd looking people. It possibly took 1.5 hours for one or other of us to pluck up the courage to ask one of the strange Pagan looking folk what was going on (no offence to any Pagan people but you do rather stand out especially when you're celebrating winter solstice). Good job we did ask as the noise, excitement, colours and markets that were there when we arrived in Katoomba would have been a bit of a surprise.

First day was spent submerging ourselves in the frivolities. Listening to live bands, practising our poi skills, browsing the stalls, chatting to strangers, picnicking in the sunshine, drinking free hot Mulled cider in cute cozy delis and finally seeing the sun set over the the Three Sisters and the outback. The evening was slightly less cultured, but equally fun, involving several bottles of wine/beer from Dan Murphys liquor store, a campfire in the hostel garden, guitar music from one of the other hostellers and singing happy birthday to Alex (we got it in an evening early so we had a big group to sing for her 26 years!)

Alex's birthday the next day involved a slight hangover, but the fresh air soon blew away the cobwebs. Pancakes, birthday presents and tea from Alex's new tea pot started off the day nicely. A gorgeous bushwalk, with views of the blue mountains and lots of chattering and photo taking action, ended our visit to the blue mountains.

Let's not recount what happened to most of the birthday cake that we baked, transported and didn't actually get to eat. Pesky hostellers!!!

Please don't say we have to work this week coming. I need a week off to recover!

Love Jo x