September 2020

I’ve just completed the Blue Mountains Camino, organised by the Blue Mountains Camino Supporters; I am a regular participant and part of the organising team. Some walkers took the Direct Route, others the Technical, I walked the Direct Route. Here is my Camino.

Day One, Penrith ~ Springwood

“Blessed are you, pilgrim, if you discover that the Camino opens your eyes to the unseen, Blessed are you, pilgrim if you are not so concerned about arriving, but arriving with others….

The first day is the biggest day of the week. We walked 21.5km from Penrith to Springwood. This took us from 25m above sea level to 368m. Due to COVID we had to limit numbers and break into small groups. Together but apart. We follow the Nepean River, named by Governor Phillip in 1789, for Evan Nepean, the man who organised the First Fleet. As early as 1815 there was a ferry across the Nepean, today though we walk across the Yandhai Nepean footbridge, ‘Yandhai’ contains elements of Darug language, and means ‘walking in past and present’. We head along the river then start to make our way up; the first challenge is a pedestrian tunnel which goes under the motor way, you could mistake the drainpipes nearby instead and attempt to get through these, I have heard of this error, so make my way through the tunnel and up, the bush path is narrow and rocky. The birdsong fills the air and drops on my head almost like soft rain. Mostly I hear Eastern Whipbirds calling to each other, up we go. My companion is Maria originally from Brazil but is a long time Mountains resident. As well as Maria I have walked with Bee originally from Iran. The talk is of Camino and Pilgrimage, “What does it mean”? “walking with purpose”, my response. Most walkers are away ahead of me now, no need to hurry. We look back over the Knapsack Viaduct and take in the view towards Sydney. There is a sense of awe at the work and effort that took place here 1863 ~ 1865 and the sweeping views down to the flats of Emu plains and on to Sydney. We walk towards the The Lapstone Zig Zag and old Lucasville platform, here we take a pause before pushing onwards and upwards.

The sun is high and hot as we navigate many stairs and walk the old path. My thoughts turn to the past as we walk, the first Europeans making their way up through the mountains and to the original people the Darug and Gundungurra people.

As we exit the bush and return to civilisation I turn to look at the original rail tunnel now closed and disused, captured in this painting by Arthur Streeton in 1891.

And up we go, past the RAAF Base, Glenbrook. No planes land here its for training and administration use only. Our first proper stop is at Glenbrook, we spot a few other Camino walkers who head off as we arrive. Next we walk to Blaxland, our lunch stop today, and eaten sitting with other walkers whom we have caught up to. Then even more walkers arrive and we are one group focused on checking of feet applying more sun block, removing layers and refilling water bottles in preparation for the heat and distance ahead. We are heading for Springwood as our final stop today, about 9km to go.

My feet burn like I am walking on hot coals. I walk with Deb from Sydney for a while and then I’m on my own. I become intent on looking at flowers and house names anything to distract my thoughts from what my feet are saying. I try to channel a few sporting and endurance athletes for inner strength.

As I walk I try to focus on a thought, the one that keeps coming up is about love, I was sending thoughts and hopes out to people who may be sick and suffering to people who walk not for joy like I do but for necessity. I think how lucky I am. I meet up with Deb again and we finish together in Springwood, getting strength from each other, we made it!

Our reflection today is an email received from John Brierley wishing us well on our journey…..”through the sacred Landscape Temple of the Blue Mountains….” after 21.5KM and a climb to 368m I feel like I have well and truly earned a beer and a sit down! We collect our first stamp for our passports, Credential if we were in Spain. and share a meal together. I am returning home each night; I have a friend Jacquie staying with me and walking this Camino too. Some walkers stay in Springwood, others head to different accommodation further up the mountains.

Day Two, Springwood ~ Woodford

“Blessed are you pilgrim, if you discover the Camino is filled with names and sunrises. Blessed are you pilgrim, if you find out that the Camino begins where it ends….

I train it from home down to Springwood, meeting other walkers, there is a festive feel and anticipation in the air. Today we will walk 11.5km climbing to 603m.

From Springwood Station we are on road, passing the Corridor of Oaks and visiting Sir Henry Parkes grave, I am walking with Terry and Pamela from near Wollongong. While we are there a family of four arrives, the father tells us he is here to visit his four times Great Grandfather, amazing! A direct descendant of Sir Henry Parkes being there when we were.

We cross the Highway and head up the footpath, it’s loud and busy. At times I walk with other walkers but mostly I am on my own. Taking time to reflect and distract myself. This is not a pretty or picturesque part of the walk, but if you look carefully there is beauty everywhere, in gardens, fancy letterboxes and blossom.. Occasionally there are people in windows or mowing the lawn or unloading the shopping, all distractions and offer some interest. People wave, I wave back.

We cross back over the highway and stop for a break on Numantia Raod, the name coming from the Numantia railway platform opened in 1876, one of the original stops in the Mountains, but no longer in existence it closed in 1891. Named by Sir James Martin because it reminded him of Numantia in Spain, fitting that we included this road on our Blue Mountains Camino.

Next we head onto the old Coxs Road, this was the first road across the mountains, it’s sandstone and you can see the layers which have been washed away by years of rain, buggy and horse. The views east to Sydney are wonderful. Back into civilisation, we head into Woodford. Originally called 20 Mile Hollow by Cox, 20 miles from Emu Plains and in the hollow of the saddle.

Meeting other walkers at the 20 Mile Café, I celebrate with a iced coffee and a brownie. We collect our stamps, there is a sense of accomplishment and a shared feeling of relief to have made it!

On today’s reflection sheet I read, “Walk slow, don’t rush. That place you have to reach is yourself” Jose Ortega y Gasset. At the end of the days walk, I feel I do know myself a little better.

Day Three, Woodford ~ Wentworth Falls

“Blessed are you, pilgrim if you don’t have enough thanks for all that surprises you on the Way. Blessed are you, Pilgrim, if you look for the truth and make of your Camino a life in search of what is the Way, the Truth and the Life….

Today we are to walk from Woodford to Wentworth Falls, 13km and up to 872m. I can’t join the group this morning, a job interview intrudes. I have not worked since moving to the Mountains in 2019. I have just made my first tentative steps to finding a new career path. After the interview I walk some of the way back and meet a few walkers ending the day as planned with them at The Grandview Hotel. Last year when I did the same walk I could barely put one foot in front of the other having run out of water and energy. If not for my fellow walkers encouragement (and water) I would not have made it. Today it was good to enjoy the path again.

On our Reflection sheet today reads “A journey becomes a pilgrimage as we discover day by day that the distance travelled is less important than the experience gained” Ernest Kurtz, so true, I didn’t walk the full distance today but I understood myself just that little bit more..

Day Four, Wentworth Falls ~ Katoomba

“Blessed are you, pilgrim, if on your way you meet yourself and give yourself all to time in the world not to neglect what is in your heart….

Today we are walking from Wentworth Falls to Katoomba, 11km and up to 1017m. This is a lovely walk mostly flat with road and bush track. First on road down to the Conservation Hut where there are wonderful views out to the Jamison Valley, then via the Nature Trail we make our way round to Leura. The weather is turning, I decide to head home in Leura and do the last leg to Katoomba tomorrow. This has been a lovely morning. We arrive home and the rain starts, it rains on and off all afternoon and the temperature drops as snow threatens. It could be an interesting walk tomorrow for our last day of walking.

Today’s reflection, I read from Elisabeth Kubler Ross, “The most beautiful people are those who have known defeat, know suffering, know struggle, know loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people don’t just happen”. I hear about the job, I didn’t get it, disappointed but encouraged the road I am taking is the right one for me.

Day Five, Katoomba ~ Blackheath

“Blessed are you, pilgrim, if you discover that the Camino is a lot about silence; and silence, about prayer; and prayer, about the encounter with God who is waiting for you.” Anonymous

The walk today is 11.5km, we will be at 1065m once arriving at Blackheath. Gathering at Katoomba train station, there is excitement in the air, its freezing and everyone is busting to get on the way, we head off and it starts to snow, it hits my face like tiny little pins, it does not last long and is not heavy enough to settle, exhilarated we push on. Our path takes us along the Highway in parts and then into the bush, walking through a forest of gums, the path thick with discarded bark, passed the Explorers Tree, where Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson paused in 1813. We head on towards Medlow Bath, where a hot coffee promises. I am walking with Terry, we talk all the way so the journey feels quick as time melts away and the sun pops out along the path. Arriving at the Hydro Majestic we find other walkers joining them inside for warmth and a chat. The coffee is wonderful and I am recharged for the finale leg of our walk. I head off on my own thinking I will see others along the way; that’s not the case though and the last 5km I spend in perfect silence with my thoughts and my heart.

On the path I am serenaded with birdsong, I cant see them except for when one darts from one side of the path to the other; they are singing me home. I started the week with birdsong, so fitting they are with me today on the last day. The views out to the Megalong Valley are fantastic, it looks green and lush. I pause just before my Camino trail ends; I step back onto bitumen and head to our final gathering point at Glenella. A final moment to enjoy such precious perfect peace. Wonderful!

At Glenella, a guest house in Blackheath and the spiritual home of the Blue Mountains Camino Supporters, some walkers must head off straight away so we bid farewell. For those that are able to stay we enjoy our lunches, collect our final stamps and a memento of the week, a pebble with a scallop shell, the symbol of the Camino. There is a blessing by Reverend Mel, also several of the walkers speak, beautifully and from their hearts of their experiences this week. It is very touching to see how much enjoyment the walk has given to so many. I feel lifted and revived with the kindness and friendship I have been given as I walked along from my fellow pilgrims. Thank you to Jacquie for sharing this Camino with me and Thank you to my fellow organisers, Carlene, Margaret and Rowan, Kerrie and Bob, Les, Johann and Rosie for a wonderful Camino. It has been a week of joy, challenge, beauty, heat, cold and friendship.

With Thanks to: Blue Mountains Camino, John Brierley & thank you to you for reading this. As John would say, “One hundred thousand blessings to you” With Kindness Sharise.

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I would like to acknowledge the Darug and Gundungurra people, who’s traditional lands I write this on and have walked these last five days. I pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.