Sept 14, we packed up and headed out to spend a few days with Therese's friend Philip Emery (and his wife Christine) in Springwood in the Blue Mountains, about an hour and a half west of Sydney. We took a taxi to Central Station and caught a City Rail train that initially traveled the same route we'd taken in from Paramatta earlier in the week. But it continued on through a continuous set of suburbs and exurbs up into the mountains.
We were met by Philip and Christine and given a tour of the charming nearby mountain town of Leura and the dramatic setting of the Three Sisters in Katoomba, both of which we were soon to return to.
Then it was back to their house for an interesting meal of Kangaroo meat, fresh vegies, salad, and lots of good wine. We all turned early, as the next day (Monday) Christine had to get up early for work and Philip and we planned a trek down into their Grand Canyon.
Here are some pics from that 4 hour trek down into the canyon, along the canyon floor, and back up.
Philip contemplates the path down into the canyon, something he hasn't walked for 10 years.
Philip and Peter have hit it off famously from the start.
Ghost Gum Trees (Eucalyts)
Looking up
Peter thinks it's all uphill from here
Philip catches his breath
A fern about to open up
One of many water falls
The spot so sublime that Philip was ready to die and go to heaven.
Peter still thinks it's all uphill from here
Walking behind a waterfall
Philip and Peter still bonding
Are we there yet?
YES! We're out of the woods and back on top.
Old pals from Sligo
That night we were joined for dinner by Philip and Christine's daughter, Lucy, and their friend John, a Scot and former priest. Good food, good cheer, lots of good wine, and many expressions of dismay about Sarah Palin and the US political scene.
Peter and Christine discussing Sarah Palin and other depressing topics.
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