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—"

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.

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."

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!"

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!"

Down, down, down the steps to the place where the falling waters can be seen -- Adelina Falls. Words to walk with: The girl's name Adelina \a-deli- na , ad (e)- lina \ is a variant of Adelaide ( Old German ), Adeline ( Old German ) and Alida ( Latin ), and the meaning of Adelina is " noble kind ; small winged one".

A small moment of contemplation near the little waterfall at the end of the my walk. Something new tomorrow. Words to walk with: Psalm 19:14 the Holy Bible "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

About halfway around the Lawson waterfall circuit two creeks join, each with their own waterfall these twin waterfalls are known as Junction Falls, a very pretty spot. Photo: Junction Falls, South Lawson

Over the next few days I will share some shots from one of my favourite walks -- the waterfall circuit in South Lawson. Photo: Near Junction Falls, South Lawson Park

The path to Echo Bluff passes across the rock shelf in the middle of Fairy Falls. It is not until you get further around the track that you discover that they have a far greater depth of fall. The water is splashing freely at the moment since the rain. Fairy falls, North Lawson Words to walk with: From The Waterfall by Henry Vaughan "With what deep murmurs through time’s silent stealth Doth thy transparent, cool, and watery wealth Here flowing fall, And chide and call, As if his liquid loose retinue stayed Lingering, and were of this steep place afraid, The common pass Where, clear as glass, All must descend Not to an end ; But quickened by this deep and rocky grave, Rise to a longer course more bright and brave."

Continuing the descent down Furber Steps, nature’s music is the waters of Witches Leap Creek burbling on to Veras Grotto and the rush of water over Katoomba Falls. From here you get a different perspective of the falls to the one I showed on 19 June . I just love how walking different paths turns up new ways of seeing the same thing. Photo: Katoomba Falls from Furber Steps Words to walk with: From The Birthright by Eiluned Lewis, “We who were born In country places, Far from cities And shifting faces, We have a birthright No man can sell, And a secret joy No man can tell … Pride of trees, Swiftness of streams, Magic of frost Have shaped our dreams: No baser vision Their spirit fills Who walk by right On the naked hills.”

From Reid’s Plateau at the Katoomba end of the Prince Henry Cliff walk (which I did a couple of weeks ago) the Furber Steps lead deep into the valley through rich rainforest. On this walk I discovered there are more witches in Katoomba than the ones that walk the streets during the Winter Magic festival . Not far down the Furber Steps there is a lovely waterfall called Witches Leap. The name suggests to me a place where fledgling witches practise flying on broomsticks but apparently “leap” is a Scottish dialect word meaning waterfall. Photo: Near witches leap Words to walk with: This is how the long story of Harry at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry began in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone . “Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you’d expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn’t hold with such nonsense.”

The Prince Henry Cliff Walk ends at Katoomba Falls. I’ve finished it! Photo: Katoomba Falls Words to walk with: At the end of journey from The Passionate Man’s Pilgrimage by Sir Walter Ralegh "From thence to heavens's bribeless hall, Where no corrupted voices brawl ; No conscience molten into gold, No forged accuser bought or sold, No cause deferred, nor vain-spent journey ; For there Christ is the King's Attorney, Who pleads for all without degrees, And he hath angels, but no fees. And when the grand twelve-million jury Of our sins, with direful fury, 'Gainst our souls black verdicts give, Christ pleads his death, and then we live"

The sun is shining again and I thought it was a good opportunity to go back to Bridal Veil falls and see what it looks like with more water flowing. It was not as easy as I expected, the track was slippery and eroded. Trees, bowed down by the weight of water, have fallen across the path. Photo: Bridal Veil Falls after rain You can compare this to the view on 5 June . For an idea of scale, look closely towards the top right of the picture you will see two tiny people standing near the top of the falls. Words to walk with: From The Tumult Ends by Roland Robinson "Swooping, with folded wings, he goes over the far tree-tops for those mountains of the clouds, and where the storms let down their purple hair."

The Prince Henry Cliff walk leads to Leura Cascades, a pretty walk lined with tree ferns beside cheerfully gurgling water that drops through a series of cascades before leaping over the cliff at Bridal Veil Falls. Photo: Leura Cascades Words to walk with: From The Waterfall by Henry Vaughan “ As this loud brook's incessant fall In streaming rings restagnates all, Which reach by course the bank, and then Are no more seen : just so pass men. O my invisible estate, My glorious liberty, still late ! Thou art the channel my soul seeks, Not this with cataracts and creeks.”