Grieving losses: Fire in the Grose Valley -- Bridal Veil Falls

This was another lovely part of the Grose Valley, this time right on its edge, and we walked this track in October 2009 on a misty day. It is my hope that this track can be re-opened before too long, even although the bush has been burnt.

We woke to a wet, misty and soggy morning after intermittent showers of rain throughout the darkness and into the daylight. Deeming this to be perfect bush walking weather, we took our time to rise, breakfast and then drive out to Govett’s Leap to ascertain our options.

We donned our wet weather gear and whilst I liberally doused the bottom of my legs with Bushmans as a leach deterrent, and thought John was electing to act as a control group, John went to check which walks were open. Upon returning he informed me that they were all open and then promptly donned the Bushmans!

In the end we elected to follow the track we had desired to undertake before we left home – the one to the base of Bridal Veil Falls -- and this took us zigzagging down the cliff past walls that would normally seep water, but today were showering it upon us in scattered droplets. The swirling mist added to the ethereal experience and the wildflowers stood out more prominently against the white vapours. We passed two main groves of flowering Waratahs, much to our delight.

As we switched back and forth and steeply down steps, different vistas of the falls could be discerned through the mist and vegetation. We traversed some jungley rain forest before finally reaching the rocks and a tiny sandy beach at the base of the cascades which were being fed by the falls.

As we lingered here we were joined by two older males who planned to walk across to Evans Lookout, not having read that Rodriguez Pass was closed. But after we informed them, they elected to continue on regardless!

We followed the track onwards a short way before returning to the falls and then undertaking the steady upwards climb, passing some intrepid would-be campers who were planning to walk to Acacia Flat. I suspect they will experience a wet and soggy night!

After returning to our vehicle and divesting ourselves of our wet weather gear, we discovered that our clothing was damp from perspiration and that we were cold. So after consuming lunch, we abandoned plans to walk the Grand Canyon and proceeded to Blackheath where we, in turn, browsed the bookshop (Glee Books) and then the local flower and craft show (where there were lots more Waratahs on display, including a rare white one) before returning to the caravan for warmth and comfort food.

Remember: Acknowledging the good that is already in your life is the foundation of all abundance. Eckhart Tolle