Jenolan Weekend
Saturday was a solo journey by Robert, Anne and family.
We did a whirlwind tour of the Penrith Camping and Caravan show before
off to the Jenolan area. I have
to say I always find the road to Jenolan a bit hard on the stomach, but we
had great weather and scenery was great as always.
Our trip down the Six Foot Track was much easier this time - without pouring
rain! We came across quite a few well-decked
out hikers heading uphill –they had a good day of hard walking ahead of them.
We made it to the Coxs’ River camping ground without incident (If you don’t
count poor Samuels' several stomach upsets out the window – I was so grateful
it was out not in!!) and set up camp.
We temporarily had the company of several bikers that were waiting
for the rest of their group to stop playing.
The driver was loosing patience, as he knew he had a fair drive up
the track and would have appreciated a bit of light to take all the crew and
bike trailer out. Never the less
when they were ready to pull out all were of good cheer and looking forward
to going back to their nice warm cabin.
The campground was well back from the river but close enough to hear
the roaring of the rapids. The area had a very civilised composting toilet
with disabled access, a picnic shelter and water tank. The cows like it there, they weren’t
there personally, but their calling cards were everywhere. There was a huge variety of fungus
and lichen on the dead wood about the place and the children made a game of
counting the number of types on any one piece of wood. The only day wildlife
we came across were birds – some beautiful rosellas. We heard heaps of frogs and the
odd owl at night. The crashing
about in the trees at night we thought might be possums or gliders though
couldn’t see anything in the spotlights.
The coldest we noticed it got was 2.9 degrees overnight. I think the trick
is not to get cold in the first place so thermals were on before sundown (Robert
excepting – he’s amazing like that – just doesn’t feel the cold).
Robert as always built a great fire and the t-bones and veg went down a treat.
We hit the hay fairly early on. Just
in case you were thinking that sounds romantic - Matthew (Mr One Yr old) is
such an appalling sleeper when we’re camping; he and I have been banished
to our own tent. At least this
way 3/5 get a chance for some shuteye.
After a night of trying to convince Matthew it’s not fun to crawl around the
tent between 1 and 5am we were finally ousted by the Kookaburras. We had an
interesting chat to a masseur/animator that was biking to Victoria, then it
was pack up and out to meet John and Anne and Jim and Christine at the top
of the track at Millionth Acre Reserve.
After a minor amount of catching up with everyone it was off into the bush. Clouds had started to come over
and the cold was getting a real bite to it. There was quite a few good up hill
and down dale tracks and heaps of great eucalypt forest and views to see.
I was greatly impressed to see a greater glider checking us out from
a good size tree hollow – a rare daytime sighting.
The out road was via an area of fairly recently harvested pine forest. It really does look post apocalypse
after you’ve driven through all that beautiful native forest.
We were in search of Duckmaloi Reserve for our end of day cuppa. After a few minor detours we finally
found a rather unimpressive area with no shelter. The reserve was near the river so
we had a quick look, but with rain getting steadier, we opted to go back to
Millionth Acre. We did have quite
an entertaining few moments watching a couple of Lebanese families and their
100 series Toyota and a Nissan with winch. Much to their great embarrassment
I’m sure, all three of our vehicles went in and out with ease where they had
got into a great mess. The Toyota
had winched its way out up a slope I think most people wouldn’t have considered
a good option and we eventually managed to direct the Nissan out too.
We silently all thought these guys have the toys but don’t have a clue
how to use them. Having seen
them on their way, we were off to the Millionth Acre.
As it happened we met up with our Lebanese friends at the shelter of
the Millionth Acre Reserve. This
made it quite cosy, as there were a lot of them and 9 of us. Now did I say we silently thought
they didn’t know how to use their vehicles?? JIM, JIM, JIM, what were you thinking??
You are the only person I know that would tell a tribe of Lebanese
out in a remote area “ Its no good if you got a good vehicle if you don’t
know how to bloody drive it. You’ve
got to do a driving course mate”. Needless
to say there were rather loud justifications from the men and women and chest
puffing but fortunately, no major physical altercations.
I would have to say that took it very well.
Brave words though I reckon Jim.
The rain was still coming down and it got suddenly colder and it began to
sleet/snow – it was home time for everyone (even the ones that had trouble
driving).
Great trip, great company.
Anne Hunter