The Blue Mountains

2 blog posts today!!

Australia has 14 world heritage sites . The closest area to Sydney is the Blue Mountains which are about 60 miles inland from the coast. So called because of the blue haze they emit from the eucalyptus trees.

Thursday morning we set of towards them from Port Maquarie and reached Wentowrth Falls at about 1ish. After a picnic lunch the weather began to deteriorate - in time for our walk. As we set off the cloud had totally descended and rain had begun to pur down. The walk we went on was called an under cliff walk to Wentowrth Falls. Spectacular views were promised but we saw absolutely nothing!! Except for cloud. We did meet one of the tv crew who had worked on 'I'm a celebrity' though..

After an overnight camp at Katoomba we then went to Echo Point for a walk around the three sisters (one of the highlights) of the Blue Mountains. The views from Echo Point were amazing. I've attached a link - they really were this good:

http://www.bluemts.com.au/tourist/thingsToDo/threeSisters.asp

We went for a walk down the devils staircase - 900 steps down and along a scenic route to the base of the Katoomba scenic railway - which has the steepest incline in the world - at 52 degrees. It used to be an old coal railway which has been converted. The walk was fantastic and the blue mountains are on my list to return to on the way back through Sydney at the end of January.

Heres some info about the railway: http://www.infobluemountains.net.au/rail/ksr/Default.htm

Oh and the weather had improved, which helped , to be sunny - which of course with last nights rain made it hot and humid!! Can't win can you.

Back in Sydney now . It does not feel like Christmas is 4 days away - very few decorations around..

The plan for the next few days. Off to the Opera House tonight for a Christmas concert. I feel very lucky and wish I could take June, Bri and mum to it (others of course but them in particular) . Tomorrow I have a free day in Sydney and then we fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Sunday morning.

I should be able to upodate the blog over the next few days at least until next week when we get to Alice Springs. After that I'm not sure of how much internet there is in the outback. Will keep you all posted.

And of course many of you will now be starting the longer Christmas break. Hope you enjoy it...