mega-deca mist caves and all

On the 10th of June each year Mr You and I celebrate the anniversary of when we first got together. At this time we wish each other a “Happy 10th”. This year we wished each other a “Happy Mega-Deca-10th” = 10th anniversary.

To mark the occasion we hired a sweet little cabin in the Blue Mountains for a cosy Winter weekend together. The cabin was beautiful, nestled in amongst giant moss covered trees, a carpet of bronzed pine needles and a view across the misty valley below.


Lovingly restored and filled with beautiful antique furniture and trinkets such as a free standing bath, fireplace with antique air poofer, old pedal organ, old camera’s and sheet music.


We spent time napping and reading in the rocking chair by the fire, and eating scones and hot tea in local cafés. At night we dined in a cute café with chilled-out live music and then explored the amazing Carrington Hotel. It was like stepping back in time through a curtain of thick mist.


Yesterday, after visiting an art fair and eating even more food, we drove up over the mountains to the valley on the other side. Through sweet little country towns and past old sandstone farm houses. Many Autumn colours still linger in fallen red leaves but the yellow-ochre grass stays all year round.


Onward along narrow, misty, curvy mountain roads toward Jenolan Caves. (Last blurry photo is what you are met with after turning the final corner. I giant cave archway that you drive right through.)


After coming out the other side of the cave gateway, a quaint little village awaits your visit. Once again like stepping back into the past or an undiscovered fairyland, again taunting us with hot teas and sweet snacks.


We toured though Lucas Cave, it’s scale and beauty can’t really be described (other than to tell you the tour through this cave system alone took us an hour and a half, we didn’t even get to the other caves). If you look in the photo below you can see the people, and a set of stairs carved into the rock in the background. In this cave they have opera, choir, symphony and cello concerts.


We loved it. At times it was a bit creepy, learning that the roof area (all supported by only one rock pylon) is as large as 4 soccer fields, walking through some pretty tight tunnels, and standing on a little bridge about 50 meters above an underground river below. Knowing that the stalactites never ever fall down on their own (without being pulled that is), and also that the caves have been this way since Australia broke apart from Antarctica helped me feel a little more at ease. If you’re ever passing by, it’s WELL worth the visit.