Getting out of town at any and all opportunities is a favourite pastime of mine. I’m pretty lucky to live in quick reach of surf beaches, rain forests, mountains, rivers and lakes.
And so Doctor and I did the other day. We’re in preparation mode for an overseas trip and mountain climb later in the year. To wear in our hiking boots and taste that crisp mountain air, we drove an hour north and a little west, past the Glasshouse Mountains, up the Blackall Range to a place called Montville and then on a little further to Kondalilla Falls.
It’s a short stroll down the first part of the track to the top pools that lead into the 80 metre vertical deluge to the spring below. I thought swimming here would be a sound idea, given the unseasonably bright-sunshiny-day. Have you ever jumped into water so cold that it knocked the air out of your lungs? I don’t recommend it, but I’m stubbornly glad that I did.
I’ll spare you the pictures.
Unbeknownst to the good Doctor and I, the track to the bottom of the main falls was closed due to landslides. Disappointing, as we were prepared for a heavy legs workout and view of the falls themselves. It’s a very straight up and down sort of affair, lots of stairs. My mates and I wagged school to come up here. My Mum still tells the story of having to piggy back me up those stairs when I was 4 years old. Maybe I was 5. Thanks Mum.
So instead of looking at the big stuff I decided to focus my attention on the things around us, on the tress, the rocks and on the ground. It’s easy to get lost in the grandeur of a place like this and miss the minutiae.
Little tiny mushrooms for example!
These look a lot like a yellow French mushroom called a Chanterelle. They are not. Take pics, not samples.
The there’s the furry green moss and ferns carpeting the rocks and logs. Like its been raining Muppets.
Watching sunlight catch on a single rain drop on a leaf was highly mesmerising.
Doctor was happy traipsing along with her ear phones in and taking in the lush surrounds. There’s not much need for chit-chat on these walks, it’s all about exercise and peace. We choose our own pace.
There had obviously been a lot of rain recently, going on the flow of water and vibrant, abundant greenery. And fungus. So much beautiful, crazy fungus.
We did still manage a good solid walk down another path before returning to the car for the drive home. If you can avoid the Sunday afternoon car park down the Bruce Highway you’re doing well. It starts about 3. Bring water and snacks.
But we’re old pro’s now, home on the couch with the Sunday quiz, stiff legs and a cold one by 3.30.
Thanks Doctor.
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