Jenolan Caves

Well what a fun weekend away at Jenolan caves (past the Blue Mountains) with our friends. Though it didn't get off to a good start (Tom vomited in the car on the way - projectile, just missed my head) it certainly was a lot of fun in the end. We were 6 families from Mortlake - 5 kids from one class (1/2M) and 33 of us in total. Even the class frog got to come along.

We stayed in dorm style accommodation - we each had a basic room with bunks, with shared bathroom and kitchen. The kids ran riot around the joint, overjoyed with their new found freedom and pack mentality. We toured the Lucas cave for 2 hrs in the afternoon, and Tom spent most of the first hour crying and screaming to get out. Mark had to carry him most of the way as he was terrified, but eventually he got used to it and calmed down. The tour guide was very good humoured and got the kids attention by getting them to stare up for bats whilst he told us stories. Then we gathered for some pre dinner snacks and drinks whilst the kids chased butterflies and lizards!
We had a little trouble finding a place to BBQ that a) worked and b) fit us all in. You would think with all that wonderful nature it wouldn't be so hard..... But it was great fun and the kids had a ball chasing each other, looking for possums and generally running wild!

Some parents made it for drinks in the kitchen but a few of the dads retired early with the kids. The best move of all was made by Paula our organiser who sneaked off early back to Sydney to work on her book (upcoming bestseller!)
The next morning I got up early and went for a walk through the bush. I thought it would be a well marked trail - well sort of - but as i was first out i had to deal with lots of cobwebs - yeuk! I was also a bit scared cos it was so so silent and outstandingly beautiful and serene. I met up with Mark and Tom at the small pond near the caves entrance and we saw a platypus. When we returned and had breakfast, everyone was very jealous to hear it (apparently they are pretty rare in the wild) so we took them down to see. Though with all the kids running and shouting, the serenity was broken and the platypus stayed away!
We headed out after breakfast, packed up the cars (amazing how much 'stuff' you take for just one night!) and ventured back up the narrow winding roads out of the valley. Already talking about where next year will take us for our group adventure. We're moving up - first year was camping (Cokatoo Island) then dorm, next 5 star resort in Fiji?!