All fogged up

Just came back from a weekend up in the Blue Mountains/Jenolan Caves, which was a refreshing break. We stayed in Katoomba, but ended up going to Jenolan Cave twice: once on Saturday evening for Opera in the Caves, then the next morning to do a tour.

Sir drove the entire time, and for that I am grateful. Sydney to Katoomba is only 2 hours, but Katoomba to Jenolan Caves is another 60-90 mins and conditions were quite treacherous. The Saturday evening drive was about a 3-hour round trip due to fog and darkness.

After taking a River Tour on the Sunday, we had high tea at Lilianfels, a resort in Katoomba, then did the tourist stuff: saw the Three Sisters at the Echo Point lookout and rode the Skyway across the valley.

As if that weren't enough, we decided to have cocktails at the Carrington Hotel, so took a taxi into town from our motor inn (all of 2 mins). It was surprisingly quite empty. I thought that Valentine's Day might have drawn a crowd but we were able to relax in the lounge area without feeling rushed. Sir had a crush on the bartender and starting flirting with him, so for our second order we were encouraged to order off the menu.

Today we started in Wentworth Falls, eating breakfast at the Conservation Hut. I decided to go to the nearest lookout, which was a round trip of approx 40 mins (Sir didn't want to walk at all so she stayed and had another pot of tea), but when I got there I discovered it was the Jamison Lookout that we almost drove to on our way to the Conservation Hut. I texted Sir and she drove down to get me (thus saving me not only a hike back up, but me further dirtying my shoes and trouser cuffs) and we went to Leura.

Leura was a lovely place, and I will certainly make more time to do it properly next time I am in the mountains. We traversed the mall area and fell in love with a vintage shop called Mrs Peel (Sir fell for it faster and harder than I did, but I was eventually won over by their range of jewellery and accessories). Also visited eco-care shop iKOU, which is a member of GHA (a work client) and wanted to buy just about everything in Elizabeth Rosa Fine Stationery but came out empty-handed realising that due to moving soon, more notebooks only meant more to pack.

Our two key stops were the Old Candy Store and Bygone Beautys, a tea museum and emporium. I wasn't that impressed with the candy store, largely because I have one near my work that sells mostly the same stuff a lot cheaper, but Bygone Beautys was awesome. I mean, there were more than 3,000 teapots plus teaware, jewellery, knick-knacks, vintage clothing and accessories, and other gifts there. It was truly both a shop and a museum (and a tearoom). Pic above is of me trying on a top hat. I ended up buying a 2 x teacup/saucer set in an Art Nouveau style, which I realise I will have to pack, but I couldn't let it go in case it was sold by the time I visited Leura again.

Last week, well, it's still pretty hairy, I've 8 pages to write by Wednesday and I can't believe Erin STILL hasn't given me either article from the two she owes me, considering she is now a week over deadline. She's really friendly and everything, but it's really not cool being forced to rely on someone unreliable.

Catch up with Rob was surprisingly good. We did talk about writing the whole time and it was in a way that was different to how I talk about it with my writing group so I think it may be a good way to diversify thoughts and feedback on all things literary.

On Friday I took the day off so dad and I could go to the cricket, Australia versus West Indies. (Friday and today were my 'catch up' days from the Christmas holidays - so much for that: I spent all Fri morning working from home and then conducted a phone interview in the car this afternoon). It was blisteringly hot with threats of a storm later on, but we managed to last until 7pm with just a brief but heavy rain shower. Then it poured and poured and the start time of the second innings was put back to 8pm. At 8.30pm, dad decided we should leave, which ended up being a god call - the match was eventually abandoned due to adverse weather.

I ended up back home at 9.30pm watching my 'The Butterfly Effect' DVD, to find out whether I got the version I saw at the cinema or the dud 'in utero suicide' ending. Unfortunately it was the latter, so I'm going to get the theatrical version at some stage.

This week: Tetsuya's rematch tomorrow, editorial meetings galore, 'Optimism' at the Opera House and then Chinese New Year dinner. Oh yeah, Gong Xi Fa Cai, everyone, Happy Year of the Tiger.