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Sat 14th Sep – Taralga (Tablelands) -> Blackheath (Blue Mountains)

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The final day of the trip is bittersweet. I’ve had such a good time but it’s also going to be nice to be home. Personally, this day is my favourite drive too. I love coming back to the mountains around the Hamptons/Duckmaloi area, as you get beautifully productive farming land offset against the sweeping blue mountains escarpment. There are baby lambs out everywhere and they are exceptionally cute.

I’ve had a fantastic time with Declan and James. Declan has been a forward thinking leader that looks out for the group and James has approached everything with an extremely positive attitude and is a joy to be around. I love being on a holiday with James, because he also loves Declan, which means we are a special little group. These are my favourite trip buddies. I look forward to the next one, whenever that time comes.

Our AirBnB looking over a farm filled with friendly cows. I have a feeling of dread whenever we come to an AirBnB like this that Cait will try to make a snap purchase of some local real estate. DW.
I am simple girl, with simple country estate needs. CR.
One more leg. You can do it Wobby! DW.
Our trusty steed. Wobby has had a flawless trip performance. For anyone interested, we spent $630 on fuel and travelled 3,500 kms. JRT
The aforementioned friendly cows. Complete with cute calfs. DW.
A watchful eye from Mum on the right. These cows live a lovely country estate Airbnb life. JRT
Donuts were a good start to the day. Even if they meant I had to drive extra safe after to make up the lost time. DW.
I remember this coffee and doughnuts cart as the location where James got out-chatted by a Taralga local. To be fair, he’d only woken up about 30 minutes prior to this, so wasn’t on his A-game. CR. I’m now up to speed on (husband) Barry’s complaints, who to vote for, the best Scottish walks, and more. Lots more. JRT.
This was the last time we saw Caitlin. She descended deep into the Wombeyan Caves and something else emerged. DW.
Eeee-ooooo-eeee-www-eeee. CR.
The tour starts on a hill which is marked as a 15 min walk from the carpark. We did not account for this. We complete walk (run?) in 3 mins as Dek is concerned about being late. People give me strange looks as I’m panting for breath at the back of the group. JRT.
There are 40+ people on the tour. The guide does not do a headcount at each stop. It is not clear if everyone makes it out. JRT
Stalactites hold on tight to the ceiling and stalagmites might reach the ceiling. DW.
Dek saw 10 bats in the cave. Cait and James saw 0. How many bats were in the cave? JRT.
Oberon is not traditionally the home of fine cuisine. But this half Mexicana, half Turkish pizza hit the spot. DW.
A big highlight of small town shops is that you get to interact with the owner. This owner was friendly, gruff, and made a mean burger. JRT
Finally home. Wobby didn’t miss a beat and neither did the team. DW.
The end. CR.

Categories:Hike 2024

Dek

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2 Responses

  1. Very nice blog history, including the Good Food Guide critique on burgers and fried food offerings between Blackheath and Wilpena Pound. You never know when that information will need to be called on. I feel as if I have been on the trip. I am sure I am developing blisters.