Got up early and interrupted Dad as he was drying off after his shower. Not a pretty site but I got a big hug all the same. Went and found Mum who is a much prettier site. Big hug.

Mount Walker Trip 20/7/2008

Got up early and interrupted Dad as he was drying off after his shower. Not a pretty site but I got a big hug all the same. Went and found Mum who is a much prettier site. Big hug. It's five past six, what's going on I'm usually fast asleep at this time. Mum making sandwiches, bags everywhere hand held radio on the table so a smart kid like me takes all of two seconds to work out we are going 4Wding. Shower first and then breakfast and I still don't know where they slipped me the travel sick pill (crushed and dissolved in cordial).

I make my demands for the few (truck load) toys I need for the day. Dad knocks me back to about half of what I originally want to take but I still get to take a bag full including my much treasured Thomas (the Tank Engine) Book. Dad went downstairs to get the car while I was in the shower but now he's back. He said he wanted to leave by 6:30 am, so to be pulling out of the drive at 6.45 am wasn't so bad. Dad must have done something good, probably in a past life I reckon because on this Sunday Morning the Traffic Gods were smiling on him as he drove in the opposite direction to the Pope as fast as he legally could and we had to stop for just 1 red light at Rouse Hill between for the entire trip from Parramatta to Lithgow. I saw three bus loads of pilgrims going towards town as we went past the entrance to Norwest on Old Windsor Road.

Not fully trusting the travel sick pill they had slipped me Mum and Dad tried to keep my attention focussed outside of the car. Lots of busses to spot at first but not one once we were past Windsor. The train line stops at Windsor too. I love apples which is why I think Dad pointed out the Apple Orchards as we passed through Bilpin. Then I asked for an apple. Apparently we didn't have any with us and all of the Orchard Shops are closed because it's only just after 7:30 am. Are Mum and Dad just playing mind games with me?

Along the Bell Line of Road Dad kept telling me to look out to the left to see the early morning sunlight on the sheer rock faces. I did but I don't understand what all the fuss is about. Why are they called the Blue Mountains anyway, they are not the same colour as Thomas.

We were way to early as we approached the Zig Zag Railway so we decided to pull in for some photo opportunities. Dad was photographically challenged at first after all he's only had that camera for 3 ½ years. There were some Thomas posters for me to pose in front of and of course the bench with the Platform  9 ¾ sign above it just like in the Harry Potter stories. After the photos it was time to go.

Dad saw black smoke of to the right of the road so we pulled in where the Zig Zag track comes right alongside the road to see if Thomas would come past us. We waited and waited. Nothing. I was disappointed. Dad said we had to go or we would be late to meet the others in Lithgow. We pulled back onto the road and drove around some rocks and there was the smoke again. Dad looked down to the right and could see the real live Thomas STOPPED on the track just through the trees below us. What luck! There was a track on the right which Dad quickly turned into and there was Thomas patiently standing waiting for the men to load him up with coal so as he could do his days work making kids happy and parents poorer.

I loved seeing Thomas but we had to press on as the next items on the agenda was meeting the other big and little kids on the trip and playing at McDonalds Lithgow. I was having a ball. How Much fun can one kid have before 9am. James (the Douglas's child not Thomas's friend) got a bit upset about something but dad soon cheered him up with a couple of tickles. Playtime was extended because the Carmody's hadn't pitched up. Whatever the reason, automatic hero status, good on ya Mark and Allana.

About half past nine Dad pulled out onto Great Western Highway and we drove slowly so as people could catch up before we pulled off left just after Cox's River where we let some air out of our tyres. Dad put the Cruiser into 4WD and off we went. Some bumpy tracks then down the hill and then back up the hill. Through a bit of mud and then some place we used to go but couldn't go now because all of the trees under the power line have been cut down. 

We drove most of the way up Mount Walker but not to the top because as Dad said I don't want to have done everything before I'm four years old. Anyway I had to climb into the back of the Douglas's Patrol to have lunch with my mate James.

Two big kid trail bikers turned up while we on Mount Walker. One drove straight to the top but we had a few smiles watching the other one not getting to the top and coming back down to re-join us. He had several attempts and rejoined us each time. He had only had his trail bike two months and was trying to drive up Mount Walker. I tried to find out where he went to school because where ever it was I don't want Mum and Dad sending me there.

Back down Mount Walker and into a sandy area which I new had a river in it because I'd seen it as we came down the hill. Yippee I thought we are going to be in 4WD advert land with water splashing everywhere and I was right. All the cars took turns driving through the water with us kids in the cars and with us out of the cars watching. One moment with James not having his eye on the action meant that Cindy and a tsunami bow wave from her Patrol managed to give him and early bath. He loved it. The driving through the water carried on until the big kids got tired of it or maybe thought that it was getting a bit late and we had to move on.

On the way out Dad drove up the hill that they had used for the hill climb event the last time they organised a Skills and Navigation Weekend here. Mum didn't see the resident Brown Snake again probably because it is the middle of winter and the snake would have to be pretty game to face off three tons of Landcruiser. We got to the top no probs did a quick right and there was a flatish bit of ground where we stopped to pump the tyres back up. Whilst the big kids discussed the origin of the remains of a long dead car I knew that this was my last chance to scrounge lollies and chips off of other people. So I did. Thanks to everyone who donated and if you missed out this time don't worry I'll get around to you next time. 

Face fully fed off we go again and a short drive to the tar where we say goodbye to Brian who turns right to go to Mudgee while we turn left to go to Parramatta.

On the drive back to Lithgow we stop off at Lake Lyall to check the place out simply because we never have before. Dad has a chat with the lady who runs the place and she lets us and Bob Dennett drive around the place checking out campsites and what looks like a pretty cool kids playground. The camping looks good so if they can get some more water in the dam we may be back.

From Lake Lyall a short drive back to and through Lithgow to get onto Bell Line of Road. This time we didn't stop for a play at the park in Lithgow because it was getting late which was OK because on the Bell Line Of Road we re-established radio contact with Colin and Cindy and Trevor and Irene so Dad had someone to chat to on the way home. On Bell Line Of Road I have a bit of a sleep but for a long way I know we sat behind a Camper Home with the Call Sign "Rossie Channel 18" on the back, we had been on channel 18 all day and were still on it. Rossie's driver warned us that he might have to stop ahead because he was going to do a right turn. Nice man.

In Richmond there were lots of radio goodbyes because we pull up to visit Wollies. Then it was back to Parramatta and home to unload, shower dinner, bed. How much fun can one kid have before 9 pm. Well at least I'll have something to tell the other kids at Pre-school and playgroup this week.