Hola pilgrims and friends!  We hope you and your families have coped well throughout the 'lockdown'.  We are happy to have further easing of Coronavirus restrictions, however we are ever mindful of physical social distancing and wash, wash the hands! It was a fantastic roll-up of 21 walkers for the May morning walk, you all were very keen to get out in the Blue Mountains fresh air and walking again!  It was a perfect morning for walking too.  We thank you all for making the effort to join us for the morning walks, some of you who joined us came from Mudgee, suburbs of Sydney and from various villages in the Blue Mountains.

SATURDAY MORNING WALK  For June we are offering two walking routes for the Morning Walk departing from Glenella. As from 13 June 2020 groups of 20 will be permitted for outdoors activities. However, we still need to remain vigilant and maintain social distancing whilst walking. It would be ideal if you can carry some hand sanitiser in your pack.  It goes without saying, please do not participate if you have even mild symptoms of a cold - stay home and get tested for peace of mind.

The Blue Mountains Camino Supporters group experimented with broadcasting the Camino Meetup on YouTube in May, what a hoot and learning curve!  You can view the Meetup on YouTube, link in the box 'Our first Camino Training Walk since lockdown'.  Sue and Fermin from Casa Susi sent a lovely video and messages from their albergue haven in Trabadelo.  Sadly though, the Camino is still closed and at time of writing was to gradually reopen from July.  We have all been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and we spare a thought for all the albergue owners and businesses along the Camino routes.  At this stage, with no international flights from Australia, it doesn't look promising to do the Camino in 2020 for many of us.

CAMINO MEETUP in person!   We are excited to have our first Camino Meetup back since 'lockdown' on Saturday 27 June, 2.00-4.00pm at Glenella Guesthouse.  Hope you can join us and let us know how you have coped in iso and what training walks you may have been doing.  Glenella is able to host up to 24 people in the large dining/lounge area.

CANCELLED EVENTS  Due to coronavirus and uncertainties, sadly the following events have been cancelled.  The Tapas Dinner on 26 June 2020 and the Feast of St James Day dinner planned for 24 July 2020.  We thank Tony & Ce Jacques and Jerard & Enda Barry who were hosting the respective events.  Hopefully these events can be scheduled for 2021.  Until further notice, Jerard and Enda will not be hosting pilgrims at their Popup Albergue in Wentworth Falls.

5-DAY CAMINO TRAINING WALK  We are thrilled with interest shown to date in the 5-Day Blue Mountains Camino Training Walk scheduled for 22-26 September 2020.  We hope all or many of the walkers who registered for the March 5-Day walk, which had to be cancelled due to Coronavirus restrictions, can join us in September for the Springtime walk up the mountains. More details below.

Keep an eye on Facebook and website for planned events.  We shall publish an updated 2020 Calendar of Events in coming newsletters once the Government permits even larger social gatherings and we are certain we can maintain the social distancing rules.

Take Care, continue to Stay Well and enjoy this time to reflect and dream of what will be there when we are safe and ready to travel again.  We believe Spain is reopening its borders on 1 July 2020 to European residents.  BUEN CAMINO

A fantastic roll-up of 21 walkers on Saturday 30 May.   The HAT HILL CREEK WALK had 17 of us walk as two groups to ensure physical distancing.  The route took us from Glenella to the Soldiers Memorial Park and past the Blackheath Rotary 'Rocket', up steep Dell St hill to get the legs working and heart pumping then onto the flat of Hat Hill Rd before making our way to the Hat Hill Creek fire trail.  We crossed the small creek and wound our way on a "Camino like" trail, up the fire trail we continued to the Burramoko fire trail junction.  A right turn would take walkers to Baltzer Lookout and Hanging Rock, but we turn left to make our way to Ridgewell Rd and into the back entry of the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens walking tracks.

The Grose Valley bush fires in December had found its way up to this section of Hat Hill Creek Valley and also burnt the top area of bushland and some exotics in the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens.  Amongst the devastation of charred undergrowth and trucks of small and very large eucalyptus trees, the scenery had a special beauty about the landscape.  Five months on and with decent rains in February there are signs of emerging life and bush regeneration.  There are many fallen trees to make the area safe.

Once in the Rhododendron Gardens the initial landscape lacking vegetation is unfamiliar with the burnt bush and trees, until we see a familiar sight of the large anthill and Fox Cave rock shelf so we are able to follow the track to the lookout an the main entrance to the Gardens.  On the way back to Glenella, Rowan took us on a mystery route via some side streets and laneways and we popped out above the Blackheath swimming pool.  A nice diversion off the main road and to lengthen the route.  This circuit was approx. 8kms taking 2.5hrs but a great walk with mixture of flat roads, tracks and inclines.

The GOURMET COFFEE WALK - Meanwhile 4 walkers opted for the regular walk from Glenella to Medlow Bath along the shared fire trail.  The walkers know the benefits of this route with the reward being refreshments at the Hydro Majestic and views over the Megalong Valley before the return walk to Blackheath.  Today the walkers found a new way to social distance - using their walking poles for good measure!  This mostly flat route is approx 11kms and around 3 hrs plus break.  

There will be two walking routes offered for 27 June.  Both meeting at Glenella Guesthouse, 56 Govetts Leap Rd, Blackheath by 8.50am for 9.00am start.  Please check weather forecast and dress accordingly, bring water, snacks and basic first aid.

1) Blackheath to Fort Rock and Campbell Rhododendron Gardens OR  Blackheath to Evans Lookout and return.  Depending on numbers and interest, we can decide on the morning!  These routes are 8-12kms with some steps and/or inclines.  The Fort Rock walk takes approx. 3 hrs,  there are steps and some uneven tracks but you will have great views over the Kanimbla Valley.  The walk to Evans Lookout takes approx. 4hrs with views over the Grose Valley (views on clear days).  On both routes you will see evidence of bush regeneration following the December bushfires in the local area.  Sadly, unlike the walk 2) below, neither of these routes have offerings of a coffee break until your return to Blackheath.  However, you can take snacks and water for half way point break.

2)  Blackheath to Medlow Bath return, the gourmet coffee walk!   This is a self-guided walk approx. 11kms and  takes approx. 3 hrs plus break along the fairly flat shared fire trail.  You can to get refreshments at half way point at the Hydro Majestic Hotel and take in the views over the Megalong Valley (on a clear day).   Take your Opal card if you need to get the train back to Blackheath (subject to no track works).

 

The Blue Mountains Camino Supporters is a community group, we aim to support those planning to start a Camino and Pilgrims who have returned from their Camino. By coming together regularly we hope to enable & encourage the Camino Spirit here in the Blue Mountains. We hold monthly Camino Meetups held on the last Saturday of the month except December at Glenella Guesthouse in Blackheath, hosted by Margaret & Rowan Bouttell. Prior to the Camino Meetup there is a Saturday morning training walk.  Sharise Watson and Carlene Martin produce this Newsletter and manage the Blue Mountains Camino Supporters Facebook Page. Kerrie Girdo manages our Blue Mountains Camino Community forum on Facebook.  Tony & Ce Jacques co-ordinate and host the Tapas dinners & Camino movie events each year, Jerard & Enda Barry host an annual Feast of Saint James Dinner and also host Pilgrims at their Pop-Up Albergue in Wentworth Falls during our 5-Day Blue Mountains Camino Training Walks. Our website is managed by Mark Johnson and Carlene, assisted by Sharise.  
 

We could always use your help!  Can you assist in some small way such as leading or sweeping a monthly Saturday morning walk or with the Camino Meetup, baking a Santiago Tart?  Or perhaps you have a suggestion for an event or training walk? Have you read a great book about the Camino or perhaps seen an inspiring movie or listened to a podcast about the Camino then please EMAIL US and let us know.

The Blue Mountains Camino Supporters was founded in 2015 by Tony & Ce Jacques and Margaret & Rowan Bouttell.  

The Blue Mountains Camino recognises that Darug and Gundungurra Traditional Owners of the Blue Mountains region. We pay respect to their Elders past and present.