Hiking in The Blue Mountains (Ruined Castle, Valley of 1000 Waters)

Wow, what a wonderful long weekend we had in The Blue Mountains. I enjoyed every minute of it.  Here are just some of the highlights:

• The fantastic company - thanks to lovely Elizabeth, Lauren, Michelle and Zante.
• The amazing weather - lots of blue skies and sunshine while it stormed in Sydney all weekend.
• Elizabeth's delicious vegetable soup and crusty bread.  Yum!  And her giant chocolate stash.
• Being warned by the locals we wouldn't be back from our hike by dark, then doing it in 3 hours and getting back early afternoon. What can I say, we're fast!
• Seeing a Lyrebird.  I nearly "twitched."
• The panoramic views from the buttresses of Ruined Castle. Beautiful.
• Walking the National Pass overhang along a slab of overhanging rock with huge drops. Amazing that it was built 150 years ago.
• A plethora of stunning waterfalls in The Valley of 1000 Waters.
• Gorgeous pockets of golden sunshine after hiking through the cold, murky, sun starved valleys.
• Poor Lauren terrified on the precariously steep stairs, and Michelle's soothing, calm voice getting her down.
• The walk along the cliffs on the way back, with huge sheer cliffs rising at our side, and amazing views into the valley.
• The tyrannical YHA night manager who wouldn't allow fun of any description after 10 pm.  Like a red rag to a bull. Yeeeha!!  
• Playing intense Foosball with Elizabeth.
• Ravenous Lauren turning from a tiger into a pussy cat after some much needed food.
• Moments of sheer brilliance at pool to make up for much patheticness and especially Zante's scissor shot that couldn't be replicated in 1000 goes.
• Partnering with Zante at Scrabble but being annihilated by the two letter word junkies.
• Going horse rising through amazing scenery on a gentle giant of a horse called "Zorro."
• Michelle cantering at speed, looking like a total natural.
• Sharing some funny South Africanisms with Lauren that left everyone else completely bewildered.
• My long, deep sleep on the final night (after 2 poor nights of intense dorm snoring) to discover I'd overslept nearly two hours.  Sorry all; you were very patient.  And your text messages were classic.

Ruined Castle Hike

Valley of 1000 Waters

The Three Sisters

Always time for a group leap.  I could have done with some more height! A slack effort I must admit.