How soaked is my Valley--Wentworth Falls

Powerful Silver Streaks

Life depends on where you Stand
Water off an Editor's Back

Hello All,

Thursday 13th

Some days the weather fits right into one’s schedule. As mentioned in our last communication, the rain held up for the four or five hours that we hiked and then came down with vengeance. Today, we enjoyed a similar experience. Shows you. One has to pitch just the right amount of whining to achieve success. Mind you, we are not even supposed to be here, in Leura, as we should be making our way to the Snowy Mountain range. We thought it through and upon deciding not to return to New Zealand, booked the apartment for another night—in fact, a further three. With Shabbos a day away, we thought we could get in another couple of hikes in the Blue Mountains and travel extra on Sunday. The hiking in the area is terrific, the apartment is very comfortable and we now know how to do the ‘rain-whine’. So why not stay? You see, that’s what we thought, too. By the way,‘the rain-whine’ differs from the New Zealand Haka because one also requires t&t—a tallit and tefillin but otherwise it is essentially the same.

Double-level Falls

There are a number of towns in the greater Blue Mountains area. Today we went off to Wentworth and hiked, into what seemed, the bowels of the earth. The attractions in this area are the mountains of course, but the numerous waterfalls win the day. There was water everywhere. Any nook, cranny, crevice or other place, except from the sky, carried water cascading, pounding, spraying or dripping down into the gorge. As Jenni commented, it is one of the best waterfall areas she has visited. In addition, the climbs were steep with many being on the ledge, something not that common around these parts. The track held up well in the rain except for a less frequented one we followed for the last mile and a bit. We slogged through the mud, puddles and washed-away tree branches. Nevertheless, it was a stimulating place to be—a most enjoyable day in the cascades.
Steepest descent ever

Just keeps on coming

Yesterday, while keeping an eye on the snake, we chatted with a local fellow. We asked for some advice of trails on the way to Melbourne. He did not know of any but gave us a good few in this area. Maybe that’s why we extended our stay. Today’s hike was his recommendation—thank you, mate.
Gushing cascades


Treacherous

We wish you all a good Shabbos. That reminds us of a quick story from Auckland. People will surprise you, especially if you allow them latitude. We left for shul knowing that we could not do anything about “fixing” the lock for Shabbos entry. On our return, we went to reception and started to explain our dilemma. The receptionist, a sweet and buxom Maori woman, was unlikely to understand the situation easily, in our judgment. Half-way through our tortuous explanation of a Shabbos law, she replied, ‘I know it. I’ll send someone to open the door immediately.

Water, 100% proof, where's the whiskey?

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey