Sunday Boil Up in Boyd River National Park

Ever wonder what peace, tranquillity and serenity look like?

I can show you.....

Welcome to Boyd River National Park. This is where Scotty and I, and Kerry and Andrew spent a leisurely Sunday this past weekend. We could not take the kids, unfortunately because we were exploring a National Park and our ferocious beasts might do something horrendous and go on a rampage against Echnidas, Wallabies, Kangaroo, Wombats and other native wildlife. Not to mention the wanton destruction of all of the wonderful natural and native flora and fauna....

Yes, I am talking about our precious kids. They are forbidden to enter National Parks for the previously mentioned reasons. I mean, I know Neville comes off all aggro and Ginny is unpredictable and well Muffy and Sash are just volatile, violent creatures who firecely attack any and all who cross their path.... so it is best that they stay at home.... alone.... without anyone.... no company....

Now that I am over it and have received my grief counselling, I will tell you all about our trip to serenity and quietude...

We, the AWESOME FOURSOME, that is to say; Kerry, Andrew, Scotty and I set out on a Sunday expedition of quantum porportions...

Firstly, we drove to Oberon (where we went to the pet expo last weekend!) and took the Tourist Drive to Jenolan. Stopped for a pee and a chat to the information centre lady. (She was very nice and helpful). Then we drove to Jenolan Caves and Boyd River National Park on our way to Kanangra Walls for a bush walk. It was really pretty and quiet and we had a relaxing morning.

We followed this path that was straight out of a CS Lewis or Lewis Carroll story and I thought that perhaps we would end up with Narnians but alas and alack, no Pevensie children turned up. I thought I saw a mad hatter at one stage, but as it turned out, I was mistaken, it was just Kerry. I won't mention who Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee were, though.

We walked this path, avoiding or jumping into (depending on if your were Tweendle-dum or not) various puddles and enjoyed the fresh air and life to turn a corner to end up.....

at the edge of the world.

You can not get a sense of depth or dimension from this photo, which is unfortunate, as it is one of the most breathtaking sights you shall see.

After admiring the Blue Mountains, Kanangra Walls, and various other sights from our look out (I think I could see Newfoundland from here, but it turned out to only be Tasmania) we decided it was high time for some lunch. All that bushwalking creates an appetite... or, if you are Andrew Hobbit who has 5-7 meals a day, getting to Kanangra Walls was DEFINITELY lunch time.

So it was off to find a picnic site. Scotty could not take the vertigo any longer caused by Kanangra Walls so we hoofed it back to the Prado and drove to another area with less cliff and more flat bits.

We went to Reduce Speed Camp Site.... honestly, that is what the sign read: "Reduce Speed Camp Site". Only later to discover that we were at Boyd River Camp Site and not Reduce Speed Camp Site, afterall.

We got a wonderful fire going and had a boil up. It was a beautiful way to spend a Sunday. Here we were, sitting around a roaring blaze enjoying a cuppa and a tasty feed when Skippy turns up.

Closely followed by Wally the Wallaby who just had to check out who on Earth was making all that noise.... (it was Jen!)

After spending a refreshing couple of hours with a roaring fire and local wildlife, we decided to take a spin to Jenolan. My mum can attest to the fact that there is not a single stretch of straight road in the whole blooming country..... well, if she was with us on Sunday, she would be right.

We went tearing around hairpin turns and bends that made you pucker up, or at least grab onto rails, car seats, driving companion or whatever you could lay your hands on quickest- which as it turns out, is not a good practice if you are trying to eat, are holding fresh eggs, or trying to sip hot coffee, or, note to self: if the person sitting NEXT to you is trying to do either of these.

The drive is a pretty one and the destination, simply stunning. I think I may have got a sun burn on the roof of my mouth. I know I kept banging my head on the window attempting to look up at caves and mountains and things which were looming so high. I had to wear foundation today to cover up the bruise on my forehead- first day of the new job and I did not want to show up black and blue.

We went in and out of tunnel after tunnel and past these caves and massive rock formations which are just gorgeous. There is a hotel at Jenolan and we could not, for the life of us, figure out how they got the materials there to build the ruddy thing in the first place. I don't think they drove the road that we took....

I was impressed at the coach and bus activity there and the shear number of tourists out and about.

We had a marvelous time- as work has been challenging and stressful for some of the AWESOME FOURSOME, I think this trip was just what the doctor ordered, even if it was without the kids.....

Sunday at the Oberon Pet Expo

The kids decided a trip to Oberon was on the cards....


In fact, they would not let me leave the kitchen until we went for a drive...


They guarded the door pretty well, so it was off to Oberon...


Just what is an Oberon, you may ask?

Oberon is not your average small rural country town. Oberon's natural beauty, altitude and climate, as well as the proximity to the world heritage listed Jenolan Caves and greater Blue Mountains national parks system makes it one of the most prettier towns in the area. (which is saying something as I feel we live in God's Country)

At 1,113m, Oberon is the highest town in the Blue Mountains region. (which makes it bloody cold). It is the perfect hub from which to explore a multitude of unique attractions, towns & villages, including Jenolan Caves and Kanangra Boyd National Park. With four distinct,idyllic seasons and the most beautiful scenery in rural NSW, a visit to the region will reward & delight. So that is exactly what we set out to do, today.


Fast facts

• Oberon was proclaimed a village in 1863
• Popular area for trout fishing, bushwalking and fossicking for sapphires.
• 180 km west of Sydney, population 2,700

Why go there

• It's the highest town in the Blue Mountains region and some 30 km from the world-renowned Jenolan Caves.
  
• It's a strong rural community producing lambs, (yummy!) beef cattle (barbie anyone?) and a wide range of vegetables. (who needs veg when you can have LAMB?!)
• It is particularly delightful in spring, when the appearance of bulbs and colourful wildflowers joyfully greet the season. But we went today in the winter cold...
  

History
The traditional owners of the land where Oberon now stands were the Wiradjuri people. Settlement commenced along the Fish River after the discovery of gold in 1823. The town was first known as Bullock Flats, but when it was proclaimed a village, it became Oberon.


Every great trip must kick off with sustenance, which is where Cafe Savannah comes in:


It was a quirky little shop with knick knacks
And bric-a-brac
And it almost made me think of Stephen King's "Needful Things"

But we just had coffee and got out safely.

So why did WE go there you might ask??!!
Why for the Oberon Pet Expo, of course!

So what exactly is a Pet Expo?
It is a place for pet freaks like us to meet other pet freaks and feel somewhat normal....


There was agility demonstrations, a dog show and of course the odd raffle or two, and the standard jumping castle and sausage sizzle happening. All of which created a fun, fairground sort of experience. But the real event, was the fly ball.


For the un-initiated, Flyball is a relay race between two teams of four dogs. Racing side by side, one dog from each team must go over four hurdles, trigger a flyball box pedal, catch (retrieve) a ball and then return over all four hurdles to the start/finish line where the next dog eagerly awaits.


After watching these kelpies, border collies and a maltese who I must admit looked out of place in the queue, but put on a real show- it was time to take volunteers. Well, Neville just had to have a go.

Let's just say that he would not be in contention for the Australian Fly Ball Association Division 5550 Championship, let alone, Division 1. But he gave it his best.

Now, after watching Sir Lame-lot have a go, I will sign off with a video clip of two of the newbies trying

June Long Weekend

Once upon a time there was a happy little blended family of Quills who decided to explore the Bridletrack northwest of Bathurst one June Long Weekend. The Bridletrack is in the Black Gate region and stretches along the Bathurst, Hill End and Orange borders in NSW. Picture a landscape with rushing streams, thick, fragrant eucalypt forests, rolling hills and magnificent castles. (aka Jen and Scotty's new tent)This is one of the best places to walk in the world with its wild berries, roaming stock and idyllic streams and bridges. Kangaroos look at you lazily and then return to their grazing. It is an area that is rich with folklore and legend, magical in appearance and atmosphere.

Papa Quill had bought a brand new castle keep for baby Quill (Neville),


baby Quill
(Ginny),

baby Quill(Sasha- in the toilet at the campsite)

and baby Quill (Miss Muffet.)

He and mama Quill

set to constructing the new keep. It turned out to be a luxurious Baby Quill bed chamber.
which baby Quill Sasha kept taking herself to all weekend due to it's luxuriousness and 'special Sasha bedroom'.

After Mama and Papa Quill put baby Quills to bed, Mama and Papa Quill took themselves to their bed chamber for a nice long peaceful sleep.... that was not to be.

Mama Quill had a flat bed and found her knees and elbows resting on the ground and attempted to snuggle down under the swag to try to find some comfort. Papa Quill also had trouble with his bed and continued to grunt and toss and turn and huff and puff- he did not blow the house down on this occasion, however.

Waking up at 4:20 Sunday morning a very grumpy Mama and Papa Quill started their day. After getting a roaring fire going and a feed of bacon and eggs, the Quill family found themselves to be happy again and started to explore the friendly forest and beautiful country bush.
Later that day, as baby Quills were having tea by a roaring fire, the peaceful setting was abruptly interrupted by a herd of stampeding cattle. The stock came crashing through the castle moat and decided that the fodder inside the castle ramparts was prime and juicy and so, stayed.


Baby Quills were not terrified, but were very curious to find these great dragons in their midst. Miss Muffet, ever the protector of the Baby Quills, and being so big and tough, puffed her chest out and bossily stamped her way toward the dragon/cows to tell them to simply, "get stuffed."

She was clear in her directive and was quickly backed up by Sasha Quill who is the brave nave (?) (what is the female word for nave?) who is continued to be inspired by Joan of Ark.

Sasha/Joan of Ark Baby Quill found herself tearing up to the dragon/cows with all the menace of an injured rhino. Mama Quill was happily documenting all the baby Quills in the peaceful setting at the time of the stampede and had to throw her camera phone onto the baby Quills bed to go tearing after the Protector and Joan of Ark Baby Quills, meanwhile back at the castle ramparts, Sasha/Joan of Arc Baby Quill ran up to the dragon/cows with all the menace of an injured rhino when she realised with a stab of fear that the dragon/cows were MUCH bigger than she. And she stopped dead in her tracks.

Neville Baby Quill and Ginny Baby Quill ran over to the dragon/cows wagging their tails and happily wanted to pat the new creatures and take them home as pets. They were looking very happily and eagerly at the dragon/cows not realising that if these creatures took it to mind, they would squash little Neville and Ginny Baby Quill to smithereens.

At this point, Sasha/Joan of Ark Baby Quill and Neville and Ginny Baby Quills were all in a line at the edge of the castle ramparts looking over the moat at the dragon/cows not quite sure what to do next, when Miss Muffet Protector of all Baby Quills went zooming past the now dumbfounded 3 Baby Quills to the dragon/cows.

The dragon/cows had stopped and gave an uncertain look at these strange little Baby Quills, until, of course, Miss Muffet Protector Quill came swooping in to ambush and slay the dragon/cows.

By this time, Mama Quill could catch up with Miss Muffet Protector Quill and Sasha/Joan of Arc Quill and scoop them up and hurry back to the castle keep and throw them unceremoniously into their new bed chamber and return to a bewildered Neville Baby Quill and a bemused Ginny Baby Quill and take them back to safety.

Where, do you ask was Papa Quill? He had gone for a nana-nap in late afternoon due to the 4:20am start whilst Mama Quill prepared tea and fed the baby Quills. By the time all the baby Quills were scooped up to safety and Mama Quill's magnificent 'fight or flight' reaction settled down, she realised how very funny the situation was and she was then able to pick up her camera phone again and film the fairy tale as something that would only possibly happen in Australia.

Papa Quill rose from his slumber and put on his shoes and zipped his bedchamber open, stepped through, closed his bedchamber zipper, open the Baby Quills bedchamber zipper, stepped through, closed the Baby Quill bed chamber zipper, walked through the castle keep to open the castle keep zipper and step through and close the castle keep zipper to then be able to amble up the castle ramparts over the moat and herd the dragon/cows to another pasture.

Mama and Papa Quill then returned to a peaceful evening in the wild Australian Bush.

The following day, guess who returned to the castle ramparts!? Mama and Papa (and baby) Quills were prepared for their return and were able to maintain the peace and safety of the castle.
Shortly after, the Quills packed up and went for a drive to Hill End and Sofala to return to Bathurst after a long and exciting adventure up the Bridletrack.

The end.

Celebrating Life

Ask yourself this; 'Are you a human being having a spiritual experience, or a spiritual being having a human experience?'

This is a common question for those of the Buddhist faith or posed by people who are on a spiritual path.

It comes to my mind frequently and gives pause for reflection. As I sit here at work, at a time when I should be preparing my quality improvement workplan for the responsible gambling fund as part of our quality management system, I am distracted by these thoughts prompting this blog. I am often distracted or reflective at work these past weeks as I think back on my journey with Lifeline and where and what I have learned and how I have grown and what I am taking from this work.

For those of you who are not already aware, I have been offered and have accepted a position with the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care. I will tell you about this new and exciting page in my life at another time. But for now, suffice to say that I am trying to wind things up and close off projects which I have currently open and prepare my departure and hand-over. Which, as you can expect, means that I have been reflective on this experience for some time.

I have been also thinking about my own spiritual journey and some significant things that have happened to me in the last few years. Really, dealing with the mystery of life and the ambiguity and the confusion of trying to get some understanding of why life, what is it all about, and why am I here. Having had these 3 1/2 years with Lifeline has created a strong and meaningful connection with my work and with me, as Jen.

A couple of years ago something very significant happened to me, a change in my thinking, a change in my philosophy, something that turned everything around for me. I was reading Stephen Covey's book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. On one of the pages, I mentally underlined and then I circled a sentence, a quotation, and I thought, "This is interesting."

It was almost a lost piece. I went back to it, and I went back to it, and I went back to it. And, finally I absorbed it; I took it in, and it changed everything. And it helped connect all of the experiences I have just alluded to. It was a statement by Teilhard de Chardin, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but we are spiritual beings having a human experience," and once that idea penetrated into my consciousness, I realised that life was really quite different from what I had thought it to be.

But I am not a human being having a spiritual journey, but I really am first and foremost, as are all other people, spiritual beings, who for whatever reason are given the experience of human existence.

With this corollary as an accepted given, it is incredible how the peace and joyousness of life is laid at your feet.

For example, when you can find things to be grateful for in your everyday life a state of peacefulness and contentment is easier to be accomplished. Everyday before I get out of bed I ask myself, "What am I grateful for in my life today?". If I have a hard time answering this question I ask, "What could I be grateful for in my life right now?" If you are willing to give yourself permission, you can listen to your heart without judgement, without hesitation and the answer becomes clear.

Which is why I often will say that I celebrate our small victories.

One such small victory for me has been learning to practice forgiveness. I have learned that as long as we harbour any anger or resentment towards another we will not be at peace. I am certain that there are many thousands and millions of people out there for whom this is a given and they have the inherent ability to do this and experience joy in their life without deliberation. For me, this has been a learned response.

Silently bless that person or situation and release the anger and resentment you have. Do this as often as it takes to feel a sense of peace over the situation. When we learn to forgive our lives become more happy and less stressful.

Further again, the journey that I have been on with Lifeline has led me to begin to eliminate fear from my life- I practice living and enjoying the present moment. I have learned that when we live in the present moment fear cannot reside in our thoughts because fear is concern over what might happen in the future. When you begin to feel fear that is because you are putting your attention on an event that has not happened. When this happens I have begun to learn to bring myself back to the present.

Lifeline, then has taught me many things. You have the power to reinvent yourself.

The difficulty lies in the objectivity and honesty you need about a very subjective topic– yourself. You’re fairly objective about improving or upgrading things, like your car, or your stereo, or your golf clubs. Reinventing yourself requires a similar objective assessment of the most important thing of all. Your life. Buying a hybrid car, or a cutting-edge computer or communication system, or changing investment choices, are often unconscious substitutes for the inner signals urging you to change something about your life. It just seems easier to do something in the outer world.

I have learned that when I'm aware of inner messages about my life, there’s a far bigger pay-off than any worldly thing or activity can return. You increase your options by being aware of the reasons you’re choosing what you do, but more importantly, you are able to distinguish between a moment of pleasure and a moment of quantum change. Reinventing yourself, is something that Lifeline has enabled me to be open to. Purely by giving myself permission to do these things and being open to experience them fully.

I have, then, a lot to be grateful for. And my involvement with Lifeline has been that catalyst.

So, dear bloggers, thank you for the opportunity to express these reflections as now I feel as though I may continue with the work at hand; and get this workplan completed!

Keep sparkling!

Just another week

Sunday:
Scott and I shot down to Sydney to go to the 4WD Show in Penrith. I will admit that I was surprised to see that it was local NSW 4WD clubs congregated in a footy oval with posters and photos of their trips and activities to try to entice new members.

We thought it would be camping gear, 4WD displays, demonstrations with rock climbing and suspension thingy. (Clearly this was for SQ benefit!) So we were a bit disappointed. It was nice to have a day together though and we left the 4WD Mystery a little downhearted. I will say, though, when you are a serious 4WD person, you must have BIG tyres! (tires for those in the northern hemi) I am glad we are not bushwhackers of that description as I don't know how on Earth we would ever afford to live! The bushwahacking we do is pretty tame and we save the rock climbing for us and not for the Prado!

Following the disappointment, we decided to make our own 4WD show and went to Camping World. We had so much fun with all the gadgies and gear in this MASSIVE place. I think the shop attendants thought we were a little mad and that one of us was on a good-behaviour-release day from some little country institution and the other one was taking care of the mad hatter. The trouble was, it was difficult to work out who was the mad hatter....

We decided that this shop was a great place for our entire family who have difficulty trying to buy gifts for us because we don't need anything and cannot express a desire or wish to tell them what to get. This shop has a range of dollar value items and so would meet anyone's budget and we loved ALL of it. You can't go wrong. It was a place made especially for us. We decided that we were going to 'get' a you-beaut single cot which can also adjust to a chair (how flash!) because I always end of getting pushed or bounced off the mattress that we use. So we tried the other camp bed we have and I don't like it- it is basically foam covered in vinyl. And as I mentioned, the blow up job just doesn't cut it- I get bounced to Kingdom-Come. So these beds were flash and we loved them.

Second on the MUST HAVE list was this ripper of a camp kitchen! (Seeing as I now live in Australia I must pronounce it, "Rippah!") We presently use a folding table to place our stove and wash pan on and use it as a preparation bench. The trouble is that it is too low (being a table) even for a shortie like me. So we come home with crook backs. Seeing this camp kitchen was like some sort of religious experience where the sky opened up and rays of wondrous light shone down. (I actually heard the choirs of angels sing- or maybe that was Scotty gasping in reverence) It is actually next on our list to pick up as it is only $300 and folds away into the size of our present folding table, just a bit (5cm) thicker. (the camp kitchen, is thicker, not us)

Next we found these snazzy picnic table and bench units which also fold away.

When I first met Scott and he and I went camping and we were planning our menu and equipment list, I scoffed at him (numerous times) with such phrases like, "That is not camping!' or "You call that camping!" or even better, "You big girl." Due to the sophistication of his camping gear. I kept saying how my mum would be embarrassed and ashamed of me to see me 'camping' with such luxury. Now, after 2 years of expeditions and treks into the wild NSW bush, I am starting to get the sense that
I have slowly warmed up to the luxurious camping style of camping with Scotty. I mean, MATTRESSES, CAMP KITCHENS AND PICNIC TABLES! Yeah right. I mean, the kids have their own bedroom in our TENT!

Anyhooser, this shop had the lot and it was fun to play and find new gadgies. As my Uncle Dave would say, "What they won't prevent". I am reminded of the Harry Potter book (I think it was Goblet of Fire) when Harry looked at the outside of the Weasley's tent thinking it looked about right, then walked in to find it had lazy boy recliners and lamps and even a pet cat inside. I mean, honestly, do you really need a satelite radio, a satelite navigator and a 110 litre fridge to head out for an overnight stay in the local state forest??

I am trying to add photos of the gear we found but I don't think it is working so here is the website:
http://www.campingworld.com.au/site/products.php

We happened back to Bathurst by about 4pm as happy little vegemites. Content to day dream on the 2hr drive back home to the kids who Scott would not let us take for a drive. We have mapped out our next adventure for the June long weekend (next weekend) which is the Queen's birthday. I won't go into how it is 24 May in Newfoundland and 11 June in Australia. I mean, I know we are behind here and all, but that is a bit ridiculous.

Monday:
I slept for much of the day and read and worked. Ho-hum.

Tuesday:
Work and telephone counselling training. I am teaching the Lifeline Counselling Course here in Bathurst and it is fascinating. I have a group of wonderful and kind and compassionate people who want to be crisis counsellors for the telephone counselling service as volunteers. What angels. I am including here the new CSA on youtube for Lifeline for your viewing pleasure.

OK I am having trouble adding photos and video- again. Here are the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFQ WQCpjCI&feature=related
Called Volunteering for A Difference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MisHmgz4Vo&NR=1
Which is a Missy Higgins piece for Lifeline for those people living in drought.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= dUJCIGtD71
Called the Human Race


Wednesday:
Work and Board meeting- It was a long day. Shall I say, I was BORED?

Thursday:
Work and grocery shopping and clarinet practice with Bella. How much fun has life been playing clarinet with Bella? I love it. It is so wonderful and she is a gorgeous child. She plays in her school and wanted someone else to practice with so 1 night a week we play for an hour. It is great!

Friday:
Work and GAME NIGHT
Game night this week saw Steve and Elya, Andrew and Kerry join Scott and Jen for 2 hours of bluffing hilarity with Balderdash followed by 2 hours of Smart Ass. It was great. We ate and ate and ate and everyone sat at the dining room table had a kid on their lap and a glass in their hand and a smile on their face- what more could you want with life?

This weekend:
This weekend sees Jen facilitating an ASIST workshop at work. It is wonderful and great and I love it, but the timing stinks. I had reserved this weekend to catch up on some work so I could start cluing things up because I HAVE A NEW JOB AND WILL BE LEAVING ON 20 JUNE!!! I have a heap to do before 20 June as you can imagine and now I have lost 2 precious days. Ah well, it will get done I suppose.

On that enigmatic note, because I waxed and waned for so long on the camping gear, I am now going to be late for ASIST this (Sunday) morning and I had better scaddle!

love to everyone!