Jill, the lady of the house, was already bustling about in the kitchen making our breakfast. She had provided a newspaper and some magazines for us to peruse, whilst sipping freshly squeezed orange juice.
Breakfast was of prodigious proportions. There was a cereal and fresh fruit buffet to start, then a selection of toasted breads with jam and marmalade. Jill brought out a sizzling Australian grilled breakfast for John (Sausages, mushrooms and tomatoes, scrambled eggs with a slice of bacon) and a cafetiere. For myself, I was served a pot of tea, smoked salmon with lemon and fresh dill on beautifully poached eggs and a side of mushrooms to round it off.
This breakfast would keep us going way past lunch.
Sadly, we soon had to be on our way...but I would have still liked to stay longer at the B&B and enjoy their beautiful garden.
We drove onwards towards the Govett's Leap and Evan's Lookout points, in the Blackheath region of the Blue Mountains. These lookout points were far more dramatic and beautiful than Echo Point, with uninterrupted views over Grose Valley and its spectacular waterfalls. Fortunately, this region is not as well-known as Katoomba, which meant that it was quieter and less crowded, and we could spend more time enjoying the scenery instead of jostling with tour groups.
This mist is actually an essential oil released from the blue-green leaves of the eucalyptus trees. The oils, being highly volatile, are one of the reasons why the Blue Mountains often suffer from bushfires during the hot summer months - trees have been even known to explode.
Walking in the eucalyptus forest on this warm day was an aromatherapy experience. Each breath of wind brought a new wave of that delightful sweet and spicy scent.
