Camping and hiking in The Kangaroo Valley.

I had a wonderful weekend at The Kangaroo Valley this weekend with Sydney Explorers.


Highlights of the weekend included:

• Driving down on Friday evening with Srini.
• The wonderful camp-site in Kangaroo Valley, set on huge lawns, separated by giant rocks, and a lovely river running through.
• Being Dave's birthday on Friday night, Rudy brought a sinfully good chocolate cake. So delicious!
• Great fun and hilarity, especially with JC and Srini.
• Wombats wandering through the camp-site after dusk. I'm amazed how big they can get.
• A 14 km return hike on Saturday to an amazing lake and flooded forest. A perfect spot for a group swim and some leaps.
• Elna and Srini's very impressive one legged poses. Very flexible and graceful, both of them! I would have fallen flat on my face.
• Some fun banter with JC, Srini, Anne Maree and Tony in the car after the hike on the way to the pub. 
• Delicious "crossbow" cider at the pub and back at the camp site.
• Scrumptious cheese and crackers and cherry pie supplied by the lovely Rob and Kim.
• Srini's enormous camping chair that I kind of stole. Sorry Srini, I really must get myself one!
• Gorgeous swims in river at the camp site to cool off and freshen the armpits to make up for the lack of a shower.
• Joining some kids to swing into the river on a rope tied to a tree.  So much fun;  never to late to have a happy childhood.
• A very scenic 11 km hike on Sunday to enjoy three spectacular views of the valley, river and dam.
• The enormous bull ants that seemed everywhere on the hike.  I got bitten again but nothing compared to last time!
• The most delicious pie I've just about ever tasted at The World's Best Pie shop. 
• A last drink at the pub before heading off for our return journey.
• The very picturesque and quaint town of Kangaroo Valley. It has a great vibe.
• The most amazing thunder storm breaking out as we left Kangaroo Valley. Amazing clouds and then rain so hard that we had to stop driving.  Only lasted 5 minutes thankfully.
• A much needed coffee at The Shaggy Cow on the way home. What a great name for a cafe!
• Some nourishing heart to heart chats with Srini on the drive home.

Saturday hike

The amazing flooded forest that we hiked to on Saturday.

Quite a surreal place and the perfect spot for a swim ...

... and of course, some leaping!!

Some impressive one-legged poses by Elna and Srini.

Having an awesome swim

Life at the camp site

The camp site with its huge lawn, lovely river and wombats wandering through. Srini and I gave the tree swing a go.

Sunday hike

Our Sunday hike included three great views.

Beautiful cliffs and views of the river below.

Views of the Tallowa Dam.

JC and Srini have fun on the cliff.

The 3 Amigos

The flowers were out in force again, especially on the Sunday hike.

I loved the different patterns and colours in these leaves.

World's Best Pies

For once, the sign didn't lie. They really were that good!

Kangaroo Valley Town

Lots of old buildings and a quaint, relaxed vibe.

Having a well deserved final drink at the pub.

A wonderful group, as always.

Storm clouds on the way home

I love stormy, dramatic skies!