Blue Mountains Journal

Hairpin banksias are in flower at the moment. Which reminds me that in the old Medlow Bath Post Office, over the other side of the railway line, Wisk and Pin has set up a cafe. A very nice spot for a coffee. Photo: Hairpin Banksia

I planned to take a walk along the clifftop to give you a taste of the view from the Hydro Majestic but found the steps blocked off and in a poor state of repair. Sorry.

Here is the Belgravia Hotel section of the Hydro Majestic -- the art deco bit. Through the door you can see just a glimpse of the sweeping view that hotel guests enjoy, provided the mist stays away. Photo: Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath

The Hydro Majestic is an iconic Blue Mountains hotel perched on the cliff edge at Medlow Bath. It's unusual architectural style results from it starting life as three grand buildings -- one by Edward Hargraves,the man who found gold west of the mountains, another the Belgravia Hotel and the third was Tuckers house. In the early 1900s the famous Sydney businessman Mark Foy joined the three properties to create a health resort. Mark Foy added the Casino Building, which apparently meant a hall or pavillion rather than a place for gambling. Photo: Casino, Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath

The cliff walls are majestic from down in the valley. If you look closely at the top right you will see a white building on the cliff top. This is the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel at Medlow Bath which has stunning views across the valley. I plan to visit there next. Photo: From Megalong Valley Words to walk with: The eagle is a majestic bird. Hence my selection of this poetry fragment The Eagle written by Alfred Lord Tennyson "He clasps the crag with crooked hands; Close to the sun in lonely lands, Ringed with the azure world, he stands. The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls; He watches from his mountain walls, And like a thunderbolt he falls."

An Idyll is a short poem or prose piece depicting a rural or pastoral scene, usually in idealized terms. The Megalong Valley makes me think of writing an idyll, its a lovely spot which I did a series on in May last year . Photo: Megalong Valley Words to walk with: Idyll by Siegfried Sassoon "In the grey summer garden I shall find you With day-break and the morning hills behind you. There will be rain-wet roses; stir of wings; And down the wood a thrush that wakes and sings. Not from the past you’ll come, but from that deep Where beauty murmurs to the soul asleep: And I shall know the sense of life re-born From dreams into the mystery of morn Where gloom and brightness meet. And standing there Till that calm song is done, at last we’ll share The league-spread, quiring symphonies that are Joy in the world, and peace, and dawn’s one star. "

It's the first day of winter. The town gardens are looking bare but the bush is showing a lacey petticoat of golden winter wattles, amber banksias and these yellow everlasting daisies. Photo: Everlasting daisy, Megalong Valley Words to walk with: Poem 106 by Emily Dickinson "The Daisy follows soft the Sun -- And when his golden walk is done -- Sits shyly at his feet -- He -- waking -- finds the flower there -- Wherefore -- Marauder -- art thou here? Because, Sir, love is sweet! We are the Flower -- Thou the Sun! Forgive us, if as days decline -- We nearer steal to Thee! Enamored of the parting West -- The peace -- the flight -- the Amethyst -- Night’s possibility!