Blue Mountains Journal

The track climbs up and down steps on the way to the Lyrebird Dell a large cave overhang with picnic tables. I rested here, lulled by the sound of the creek with its fringe of ferns. Last time I was here I was silly enough to retrace my steps because I wasn't sure how long the rest of the walking track would take. The weedy escaped garden plants also by the creek should have been enough to tell me civilisation was nearby. This time I kept on going and found I was quickly back to the picnic area with hardly a climb to the finish. Innocence in the sense of ignorance is not always a good thing. Innocence in the sense of blamelessness is. Words to walk with: Psalm 19:13 the Holy Bible "Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression."

Yellow pea flowers were beginning to appear in profusion along the path. Regular readers will know that there are quite a lot of different pea flowers to be found in the mountains. And they all look similar, but just a little different. Different flowers. Different leaves. Different sizes. Take a close look at today's photo and you'll understand you'll why I am so easily confused with identifying them -- these are all different varieties. Words to walk with: Psalm 19:12 the Holy Bible "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults."

I kept an eye out for the last flowers of the autumn/winter banksias. Musing: Psalm 19:9-11 the Holy Bible "The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."

This eucalypt basking in spring morning light against a backdrop of endless blue sky made me think of a post on Richmond on Thames Daily Photo by Chuckeroon. I've felt sad for that magnificent tree reaching up to grey skies in what seems to have been a particularly dreary English summer. This particular eucalypt (of which there are thousands of different types) is known by the common name of Blue Mountains Ash . Words to walk with: Psalm 19:8 from the Holy Bible "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes."

I don't have the trouble or surprise of last year identifying many of the flowers. I welcomed the little pink finger orchids as old friends. These were on the track above the Pool of Siloam . I chose not to walk down to it this time ... too many stairs. Words to walk with: Psalm 19:7 from the Holy Bible "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple."

Last year I was surprised by grass flowers . This year I am fascinated by the detail in something as common as grass. Words to walk with: Psalm 19:4-6 from the Holy Bible "Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat."

The Lyrebird Dell circuit starts at Gordon Falls Reserve near Leura. My husband settled down to enjoy a good book and this view while I walked the 1.5 km circuit. Please join me over the next few days on this short bushwalk and a mediation on Psalm 19. Words to walk with: Psalm 19:1-3 from the Holy Bible "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. "