Blue Mountains Journal

The warning sign on the fence says this is the start of a 100 metre drop. Words to walk with: From Falling Pearls Cliff by Mark O'Connor "Pearls of soft fluid in zero-G contained in a skin of self attaction. whirl on the upwinds of valley heat and cliff-top bluster, floating out to rain on the valley below."

Here we at the stepping stones across the top of Wentworth Falls. The fence is there to keep people away from the edge. Words to walk with: We went down to the city to worship at the cathedral this morning. I was touched by the General Thanksgiving "Most merciful Father, we humbly thank you for all your gifts so freely bestowed on us. For life and health and safety, for power to work and leisure to rest, and for all that is beautiful in creation and in the lives of men, we praise and glorify your holy name. But above all, we thank you for your spiritual mercies in Christ Jesus our Lord, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Fill our hearts with all joy and peace in believing; through Jesus Chris out Lord. Amen

Looking back you can see a view of Weeping Rock from a more elevated position. Words to walk with: Tis good the - the looking back on Grief by Emily Dickinson 'Tis good—the looking back on Grief— To re-endure a Day— We thought the Mighty Funeral— Of All Conceived Joy— To recollect how Busy Grass Did meddle—one by one— Till all the Grief with Summer—waved And none could see the stone. And though the Woe you have Today Be larger—As the Sea Exceeds its Unremembered Drop— They're Water—equally—"

After the poignant beauty of Weeping Rock we continue along the circuit to Wentworth Falls. Nature's garden everywhere I look, all fresh from the rain. Words to walk with: Lingering in Happiness by Mary Oliver "After rain after many days without rain, it stays cool, private and cleansed, under the trees, and the dampness there, married now to gravity, falls branch to branch, leaf to leaf, down to the ground where it will disappear — but not, of course, vanish except to our eyes. The roots of the oaks will have their share, and the white threads of the grasses, and the cushion of moss; a few drops, round as pearls, will enter the mole's tunnel; and soon so many small stones, buried for a thousand years, will feel themselves being touched."

We are on our way to Weeping Rock but I love to just look around at the trees and keep an eye out for birds flitting around their branches. It is sooo good to be out walking again even though this track is taking me down more steps than I remembered from last time I was here.

After my rest I crossed the bridge, to climb back up to the top and go home.

The name for the twin waterfalls is Junction Falls.

I walked along the path to the place where two waterfalls meet. I was pleased to see it through the trees as I planned to rest here.

I kept an eye out for fungi. There is always fungi in the rain forest but with the autumn rains there are many more. Words to walk with: Sleeping in the F orest by Mary Oliver "I thought the earth remembered me, she took me back so tenderly, arranging her dark skirts, her pockets full of lichens and seeds. I slept as never before, a stone on the river bed, nothing between me and the white fire of the stars but my thoughts, and they floated light as moths among the branches of the perfect trees. All night I heard the small kingdoms breathing around me, the insects, and the birds who do their work in the darkness. All night I rose and fell, as if in water, grappling with a luminous doom. By morning I had vanished at least a dozen times into something better."

The burble of water over rocks was much louder than usual. The recent rains are refreshing the streams and adding drama to the waterfalls. Words to walk with: From Water by Judith Wright "Water in braids and tumbles, shells of spray, heaves of clear glass and solemn greeneyed pools, eel-coils and quick meanders, goes its way fretting this savage basalt with its tools."

Looking down from Hargreaves Lookout towards the South there is a walk that goes out to the end of the ridge. I was feeling a little too tired to clamber among the rocks (and too tired to find a poem tonight).

Up the stairs, after a bit of huffing and puffing I was back at the top on the sandy track where I found these pink kunzea flowers. Aren't they lovely. Words to walk with: From Who Walketh Wonder Shod by Dame Mary Gilmore "Feed the mind, feed the mind, Feed the mind with wonder! Feel the marvel of the wind, Th' astonishment of thunder; Find enigma in the grass, Splendours in the dew, Till all things shall, as in a glass, Show the glory through."

And the trees are way up there, back up the stairs. Sigh. Today is Remembrance Day. I have a photo showing three of my great uncles in their uniforms going off to World War 1. They were tall country boys fresh from the tall forested mountains of Victoria heading off to the fields of Egypt and France. We can now search the World War 1 archives on the web, I found details of their postings, their wounds and their mother's anxious enquiries about their welfare. One did not return. Words to walk with: Glory of Women by Siegfried Sasoon You love us when we're heroes, home on leave, Or wounded in a mentionable place. You worship decorations; you believe That chivalry redeems the war's disgrace. You make us shells. You listen with delight, By tales of dirt and danger fondly thrilled. You crown our distant ardours while we fight, And mourn our laurelled memories when we're killed. You can't believe that British troops 'retire' When hell's last horror breaks them...

Here is the full length view of Cataract Falls -- hardly a cataract. I think we are often better off with a limited view, even though it annoys us. Words to walk with: From The Future by Les Murray "There is nothing about it. Much science fiction is set there but it is not about it. Prophecy is not about it. It sways no yarrow stalks. And crystal is a mirror. Even the man we nailed on a tree for a lookout said little about it; he told us evil would come. We see by convention, a small living distance into it but even that's a projection. And all our projections fail to curve where it curves."

It is so good to have the weekends to revive for the week to follow. Words to Walk With: Work and Contemplation by Elizabeth Barrett Browning The woman singeth at her spinning-wheel A pleasant chant, ballad or barcarole; She thinketh of her song, upon the whole, Far more than of her flax; and yet the reel Is full, and artfully her fingers feel With quick adjustment, provident control, The lines-too subtly twisted to unroll - Out to a perfect thread. I hence appeal To the dear Christian Church-that we may do Our Father's business in these temples mirk, Thus swift and steadfast, thus intent and strong; While thus, apart from toil, our souls pursue Some high calm spheric tune, and prove our work The better for the sweetness of our song.

And here's the waterfall. Words to Walk With: From The Cataract of Lodore by Robert Southey "The Cataract strong Then plunges along, Striking and raging As if a war waging Its caverns and rocks among: Rising and leaping, Sinking and creeping, Swelling and sweeping, Showering and springing, Flying and flinging, Writhing and ringing, Eddying and whisking, Spouting and frisking, Turning and twisting, Around and around With endless rebound!"

Down the steps it's a different world -- damp, ferny and mossy with the sound of babbling water. The waterfall is just around this corner.

After the smooth sandy path comes the steps. Down, down, down to the cool green place of falling waters below. Most of the steps are pretty rough and ready so I pick my way down them carefully, though I am amazed to sometimes see men jogging these tracks. Words to Walk With: The Serinity Prayer attributed to theologian Reinhold Niebuhr has been adopted by Alchoholics Anonymous and other 12 step programs but a good one for us all. "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."

Most walking tracks in the mountains start with a relatively easy stroll through the open forest. Here it is sandy so plants have to work harder to thrive in the impoverished soil. But what an amazing display this struggle against advertisity delivers. In addition to the list I provided last week, I saw hardenbergia , grevillias , mitrasacme , tea tree , dampiera , lambertia and is this is by no means all. Words to Walk With: Romans 5:4 from the Holy Bible New International Version "We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

I decided to go back to the Lawson waterfall walk again this weekend, choosing to start at the other end of the track. Not far down the path there is a glimpse of what is to come, a peek at Cateract Falls. Words to Walk with: From Anticipation by Emily Bronte "A thoughtful spirit taught me, soon, That we must long till life be done; That every phase of earthly joy Must always fade, and always cloy: This I foresaw - and would not chase The fleeting treacheries; But, with firm foot and tranquil face, Held backward from that tempting race, Gazed o'er the sands the waves efface, To the enduring seas - ; There cast my anchor of desire Deep in unknown eternity; Nor ever let my spirit tire, With looking for what is to be!"