Last weekend I took the advice of various Government Ministers and had a staycation in our own back yard.
There are so many businesses and places worth supporting as the Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains recover from the fire, flood and pandemic year.
Starting with lunch at the The Wayzgoose Diner in Leura, lodgings at the Carrington Hotel and dinner at the excellent Aunty Ed's Katoomba café.
Next, a couple of nights at Jenolan Caves. The caves particularly left me feeling emotional -- the road in really shows how devastating the fires were, and how close we came to losing Jenolan Caves House. I mourned the loss of the Caver's Cottage from my Sydney University Speleological Society (SUSS) days and visited the site.
The regrowth one year on is heartening. The roadsides are now crowded with flowering daisies and thousands of butterflies, but you can tell the whole ecology is out of kilter.
On the homeward leg, spirits were restored at The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah, spirits purchased at Sean Prendergast's Bilpin Cider Co, and an obligatory Apple Pie from Margaret and Simon Tadrosse at the Bilpin Fruit Bowl.
We are so blessed to have so much beauty on our doorsteps, and so many businesses who need our patronage!
Blue Mountains City Tourism
Visit Bilpin
Back to Bilpin
Hills Hawkesbury Riverlands Tourism
Bilpin Group
Robyn Preston MP - Member for Hawkesbury ... See MoreSee Less
18 hours ago
There’s a lot of commentary about whether it’s right to ban the social media accounts of Trump, and others who have incited violence.
I’ve long said that censorship robs us of our right to see bad arguments lose in a fair fight in the public square.
But it’s also true that even then, there are limits to decency, good sense, and patience.
People who advocate for free speech usually idealise two equally valid, cerebral viewpoints duking it out.
But what about when one side is arguing in bad faith, trolling or calling for bloodshed?
I think most can agree a line can be crossed — all we’re arguing about is where that line is.
I’m reminded Karl Popper’s neat summation:
“Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them… We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant.”
(From The Open Society And Its Enemies, 1945) ... See MoreSee Less
6 days ago
Happy New Year!
It’s no time to be idle in an election year, so to clear the cobwebs I thought I’d letterbox in beautiful Pitt Town!
Pitt Town & District Sports Club
Pitt Town PS
Pitt Town Progress Association ... See MoreSee Less
2 weeks ago
“This time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family-members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand. If you are among them, you are not alone”. -Her Majesty the Queen.
As always, a message of hope and faith in the face of adversity. ... See MoreSee Less
3 weeks ago
I'm feeling very sad that the large English Oak tree located in Bowen Mountain Park has suffered a catastrophic failure resulting in the loss and removal of this significant tree.
I used to sit in the branches of this tree as a teenager with friends. Usually late at night, discussing philosophy.
Three large lower lateral branches failed, tearing down the trunk of the tree creating a significant wound and exposing a large hollow basal cavity which would not heal. Also as a result there was a large vertical stress fracture which greatly compromised the structural integrity of the remaining part.
I am informed by Council staff that given the location of the tree and proximity to the playground, the associated risks were unacceptable -- with less than 10 % structurally sound wood holding the remainder of the tree. The tree had previously been structurally pinned following previous structural failures and limb loss however this course of action was not available due the lack of sound remaining structure.
The tree was removed yesterday as a matter of urgency and the stump will be ground later.
Contact was made with representatives of the Park committee who sadly acknowledged this necessary action. ... See MoreSee Less
1 month ago
