Blue Mountains Journal

This is my 500th post in Blue Mountains Journal! I began in early 2007 when I was retrenched so for some months had the luxury of time to go walking daily. It kindled a passion through which I've discovered so much -- about the mountains, about the native plants and birds, about poetry, about photography, about light -- as I have walked and been blessed. I no longer write here everyday because I split my time with Sweet Wayfaring, a journal of journeys beyond the mountains. A new adventure begins over there today . I'll be back here with a new walk in a couple of weeks time. Words to walk with: From the Holy Bible Psalm 89:15 (New International Version) Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.

Here's why we made the trip. At the end of the road you get a great view of Lake Burragorang, the water store for Sydney's drinking supply. A couple of years ago when we were here the level was at 34% . When this photo was taken it was closer to 58%. and with all the rain over the past few days perhaps more when the water has had time to drain into the catchment. Tomorrow's post is my 500th and today's poem is interesting in that context. Words to walk with: What I Have Learned So Far by Mary Oliver "Meditation is old and honorable, so why should I not sit, every morning of my life, on the hillside, looking into the shining world? Because, properly attended to, delight, as well as havoc, is suggestion. Can one be passionate about the just, the ideal, the sublime, and the holy, and yet commit to no labor in its cause? I don’t think so. All summations have a beginning, all effect has a story, all kindness begins with the sown seed. Thought buds toward radiance. The ...

There were a few sprigs of early flowering winter wattle too. But I guess you are beginning to wonder why we are driving along this road. I'll show you tomorrow. Words to walk with: From Wattle and Myrtle by James Lister Cuthbertson "Gold of the tangled wilderness of wattle, Break in the lone green hollows of the hills, Flame on the iron headlands of the ocean, Gleam on the margin of the hurrying rills."

While we are waiting to get there I will show you a few plants we saw on the way. The autumn banksias were in flower but I find these dead husks from the summer flowering variety interesting too. This particular type of banksia has been made famous as the Big Bad Banksia Men in children stories written by May Gibbs. Words to walk with: From Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs "One day a wise old Kookaburra came to the neighbourhood. All the Blossoms and Nuts crowded in to hear him speak. He said, "I am old! I have traveled! I have seen Humans! Humans are strong as the Wind, swift as the River, fierce as the Sun. They can scratch one stick upon another and, lo, there will be a Bush Fire. They love the Fire. The male Human carries it about in his skin and the smoke comes out of his nostrils. They whistle like the birds; they are cruel as the snake. They have many skins which they take off many times. When all the skins are off the Human looks like a pale frog."

We are heading out to McMahon's Point at the end of Kings Tableland Road. It's about 20kms along a dirt track with not much more than forest to look at. Words to walk with: From the speech deliver by Martin Luther King Jr. on 28 August 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood."

Here's the view of Kings Tableland from Sublime Point. I'm going to take you on a drive out there tomorrow. Words to walk with: King's table made me think of this grace ... "Be present at our table, Lord; be here and everywhere adored; thy creatures bless, and grant that we may feast in paradise with thee. "

Sublime Point is out from Leura, a very short walk from the end of Sublime Point road. Words to walk with: From Hymn to Intellectual Beauty by Percy Bysshe Shelley "The awful shadow of some unseen Power Floats through unseen among us,-visiting This various world with as inconstant wing As summer winds that creep from flower to flower,- Like moonbeams that behind some piny mountain shower, It visits with inconstant glance Each human heart and countenance; Like hues and harmonies of evening,- Like clouds in starlight widely spread,- Like memory of music fled,- Like aught that for its grace may be Dear, and yet dearer for its mystery."

The afternoon sun shining through the canopy of a maple casting leafy shadows. I have been away in Sydney all week where there is no real autumn colour so you can imagine my delight to get back home today. I had the camera out in an instant. This one shot fits today's theme day which I forgot about. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants Words to walk with: From Aurora Prone by Les Murray "Everything widens with distance, in this perspective. The dog's paws, trotting, rotate his end of infinity and dam water feels a shiver few willow drapes share. Bright leaks through their wigwam re-purple the skinny beans then rapidly the light tops treetops and is shortened into a day. Everywhere stands pat beside its shadow for the great bald radiance never seen in dreams."