A special birthday in the bush with the kids

The more birthdays you have, the less you count them and the less you celebrate them, right?   And if you’re in the 50-somethings, like I am, there’s no need to get carried away with wild attention-getting activities.  But a recent business trip to Sydney meant I was with our three kids for my birthday and we all got together for a memorable day together.

The plan was to all pile in the same car, a rare treat in itself, and spend a day at our property in the Wolgan Valley on the other side of the Blue Mountains.  It was a typical spring day in the mountains, mostly blue skies, mostly warmish but always with the potential to change at any moment.  We came prepared with jumpers, lunch and beer.

Dad is trying to push over a giant Kurrajong tree

We drove around the property, inspecting the water levels in the dams (very high) and crossing back and forth over the tiny creek that was in rare form by flowing freely again.  We disturbed mobs of kangaroos that would get up from their resting place in the high grass to bound across the fields as we approached.  We studied and worried about the large and ever increasing wombat holes that were being dug into Vegemite Dam (named by the kids when they were young because the water looks black).  And we admired the beautiful Kurrajong trees, also known as the Bottletree because of its uniquely fat trunk and short branches. 

Opening presents in the grandest fashion

After a thorough reconnoiter of the property we stopped at Reed Dam where we scared away the ducks by practicing our stone skipping skills, made sandwiches for lunch and I opened my birthday presents from the kids.  A finer place to perform the annual ritual I could not imagine.

We then drove down the valley along the dirt road with the beautiful escarpments towering over us on both sides and stopped at a new sign and ladder over the fence indicating access to Donkey Mountain.  Donkey Mountain is sort of an island mountain rising about 300 metres from the Wolgan Valley floor in the middle of the widest part of the valley.  We’ve always admired it in passing as it is officially part of the Gardens of Stone National Park but this is the first time public access had been granted because it is surrounded by privately owned land.

The magnificent view from Donkey Mountain - the valley far below and the escarpment all around us

On top of the world with Will, Anna and Zach

With a couple of water bottles and cameras we jumped the fence and began the steep climb up the escarpment to the top.  There was no clear trail so some bush-bashing was required as we went straight up the steep slope, through the tall gums and around the large rocks. As we neared the top, and feeling like we’d done Mt. Everest, there was only one way to go and a faint path was beginning to form from other intrepid hikers. 

The new resort way down below us in the valley

Finally we hit the saddle between two large rock walls on either side and had our first glance down into the rarely seen other side of the valley.  And nestled down on the river banks was the Wolgan Valley Resort, looking magnificent, as it should for $2,000 per night.  But the million dollar views of the valley and the surrounding escarpment were the real highlight and the world heritage Blue Mountains National Park spread out before us to the south.  A fantastic reward for the hard climb up the mountain.

Crossing a crack in the rock - don't show Mum this photo

But this was the saddle, not the summit.  So we scrambled and explored and ducked in and out of the rocks at the base of the escarpment which towered more than 50 metres above us until we found a crack which we could climb up.  Eventually we were able to scramble out onto the top of the summit itself.  It was a little hairy in parts, not made easier by the strong winds blowing across the mountain, but totally worth it.  We had 360 degree views of the Wolgan Valley below us, the majestic escarpment that forms the fence around the valley, and the untouched national parks that panned out in all directions.  Unbelievable stuff.

My favourite daughter and my favourite desert

The day was finished at Anna’s house where she played Master Chef and even finished the evening with my all-time favourite – cheesecake with strawberries and ice cream.  We Skyped Julie, who unfortunately was back in Bangkok, to make sure she was part of the party and all raised our glasses to a great day together.  With birthday celebrations like this I hope to reach 100!

If you want to see a short video from Will of some fun on the top of Donkey Mountain click here – http://youtu.be/oqdxVPz8p_0