Day 42 - Wat mutt dat mutt

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Newtown - Emu Plains (train) - Woodford - Murphy's Glen Campground (NP) 45km

It wasn't going to be easy to leave Newtown, both emotionally and physically. The physical part was looming beyond Emu Plains train station, the emotional bit had to be managed on the train ride out west. But "what has to be, has to be" - that is the freestyle translation of today's title, a saying in 'Plattdeutsch' (this one is for you, dear Aunty Ulrike and Uncle Willi). I spotted it in the German Club in Sydney where we enjoyed our farewell dinner with Liz and Jackie. 

Farewell Newtown (and Ziggy)

It all starts on a good note at Emu Plains station. A sign in the parking area gives us a funny photo opportunity and a way to kiss the great city of Sydney goodbye...

Better do what the sign says

It was all going well until Kerstin didn't finish reading the directions... "cross over M4 and turn right onto motorway" - I ignore the turn right bit and we end up cycling in a big loop back towards Emu Plains. Should have done more kissing. Anyway, we get back on track and soon realise that our desired destination (Katoomba) is well out of reach. It is slow going, lots of walking and pushing the bikes up steep hills. A fusion of sweat and sunscreen is layering our skin, so sticky it would make a post-it note envious. 

In Springwood we engage in a desperate attempt to replenish liquid and sugar levels. But it's all a bit too late. The question is, how far can we make it? Part of the frustration is that we might have attempted the approach to the Blue Mountains a little too 'blue-eyed' - no pun intended. The elevation gain from Emu Plains to Katoomba is 1,100m and we pretty much started at sea level. 

At 38km into the day and maybe something like 600m climbed I consult the maps. We are sitting right beside a road, leaning against a fence that separates us from the railway line, gulping down warm water. The look on Louise's face says it all. There is no chance that we are going to squeeze in another 17km to Wentworth Falls, let alone Katoomba. And it's already 4:30pm. But we are in luck. Murphy's Glen Campground in the Blue Mountains NP is only 6km away and currently only open to hikers and cyclists due to the bad condition the road into the park is in. 

We couldn't care less about the fact that the way to this beautiful hide-away campground involves a 136m decline in elevation. And when we arrive to what almost looks like a campsite where fairies would camp, we are relieved to be back in the hands of mother nature. Even the bull ant that bites me on the butt (ouch!) gets a friendly shoosh away.

Fairytale camping

The soundtrack to dinner is a bird symphony - all kinds of feathered creatures have something to say. Louise is hoping for some owl spotting. 

And we worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. Because 'wat mutt, dat mutt'.


Location: Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 23, 2022 at 7:47 AM

    Hey gals, reading your blog is the most amazing motivation for getting me to work! Love starting off the day with a few giggles, and also a great sense of pride at what my great mates are achieving!

    ReplyDelete
  2. FrancieMarch 25, 2022 at 6:18 PM

    Love the photos. Now that's REAL camping. xx

    ReplyDelete

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