Our May Camino Training Walk - Wentworth Falls and uur April Camino Training Walk.
MAY 2021 NEWSLETTER.
Our Next Event
Saturday 29th May 2021 ~ Camino Training Walk at Wentworth Falls.
(There is no Camino Meetup today)
Join us in May for a training walk from Wentworth Falls. Please note there will be no afternoon Camino Meetup in May, however everyone is welcome to meet at The Grand View Hotel (on the Great Western Highway, Wentworth Falls) after the walk for a casual lunch or drink (at own cost)..
You do not have to be a Camino Pilgrim, but you may aspire to one day walk the Camino or other pilgrimages. Walk with like-minded people who enjoy walking/hiking in the bush, an opportunity to do some beautiful walks in the Blue Mountains and share the Camino spirit.
Walk 1 - Easy - Wentworth Falls walk
Meet at Wentworth Falls Station near the public toilets on Station St. 8:45am for 9:00am start.
This walk will include a walk around Wentworth Falls Lake and the flatter section of the Nature Track, down to the Conservation Hut and return to Wentworth Falls via Falls Road. A coffee stop will be available at the Lake and the Conservation Hut. This walk will be approx 11KM and will take around 3.5 hours.
There is an opportunity to go to the Grand View Hotel for lunch or a drink after the walk.
Walk 2 - Med - Hard - Kedumba Valley walk PLEASE NOTE: Walk 2 is a full day walk and does NOT start at Wentworth Falls Station. You will need to drive or get a lift to the start of the walk. Meet at the locked gate on Kedumba Valley Road at 8:30 am We should finish the walk between 3.00-4.00pm.
This is a 19km return walk from the locked gate on Kedumba Valley Road, Kings Tableland to the Kedumba River campground with a 650m change in elevation (roughly twice the height of the Giant Stairway near Echo Point).
To do this walk you need to be confident of your fitness as there are no early exit points. You must bring your lunch and snacks, at least 2 litres of water (the Kedumba River water is not safe to drink) and walking poles if you have them. Also bring wet weather gear and dress in layers as it can be considerably warmer in the valley than at the top, especially on a sunny day.
You will find more information on the Kedumba Valley walk and directions where to meet on Trybooking Registration link.
There is an opportunity to go to the Grand View Hotel for a drink after the walk.
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It is essential to register for either the Easy or Med - Hard Walk.REGISTER HERE
* No matter which option you choose, it is a great opportunity to test your Camino gear and pack, chat to others who may have done the Camino whilst you walk.
* Please come prepared wearing suitable footwear and clothing, and just in case it rains, bring a rain jacket/poncho, also bring basic first aid, ensure you have ample water, a hat, sunscreen and snacks. Walking poles optional.
Calendar Of Events For 2021
SAVE these Saturday dates for 2021 Camino gatherings ~
26 June - Lawson and lunch, there will be no afternoon Camino Meetup
31 July - Blackheath
28 August - To be advised
25 September - Blackheath
30 October - Blackheath
27 November - Blackheath
BLUE MOUNTAINS CAMINO 5-DAY WALK ~ Penrith to Blackheath. Spring Walk - Tuesday 21st to Saturday 25th of September.
Registrations will open mid June. The Admin Team are busy working on this and we apologise for the delay!
PLUS ~ We are planning several Camino themed events stay turned for more information on Camino movies, Camino Craft Days, Feast of St James and more. We may not be able to get to Spain anytime soon, but there will be lots of Camino Spirit here in the Blue Mountains!
We hope you will join us in 2021.
Our April Camino Training Walk - Leura
Photos: Mount Solitary | Olympian Rock Lookout | On the Way Lone Pine Trail | Pool of Siloam| The Fairmont Resort. Thank you to Ann Panitz for the photos.
Our April end of month Camino Training walk in Leura was a great day. We had a beautiful crisp Autumn day for the walk. Thirty six eager pilgrims joined us, we meet at Bloome Park to start and then headed down Leura Mall to Olympian and Elysian lookouts enjoyed the magnificent views of the Jamison Valley and Mount Solitary. Then around to Gordon Falls Reserve for a short break, before heading through a lovely bush track to the Lone Pine Peace Park and the Memorial Gates. ANZAC Day being the following day we took a moment to acknowledge the significance of the day.
The two groups split here with the larger "Medium" group heading down to Lyerbird Dell and the Pool of Siloam before making their way up the Grand Clifftop Walk towards the Fairmont Resort and Gladstone Lookout from Inspiration Point. From here the group split again with about 20 walkers heading back to Leura Village whilst the remain 9 walkers continuing down to Lillian's Bridge at Wentwoth Falls and Edinburgh Castle Rock, the Nature Track and finally returning to Leura via Railway Parade.
From Lone Pine Peace Park, the smaller "Easier" route group headed out onto the road and made their way to Sublime Point Lookout, again great views out to the Jamieson Valley and a chance for a break before returning to Leura. . All the groups then met up at the Alexandra Hotel for a yummy post walk lunch! There was plenty of opportunity for Camino chat along the way with few new pilgrims keen to share in the Camino Spirit.
Camino Reconnect Retreat
The inaugural Camino Reconnect Retreat was held 5-8 May 2021 at Glenella, Blackheath. Ten excited pilgrim participants were greeted to the Blue Mountains with a wet and cooler weather change but this did not dampen their spirits. The participants flew in from Adelaide and Melbourne, travelling from Sydney and local Blue Mountains pilgrims, one was on leave from Alice Springs. The workshop facilitators were Mark Freeman, Dieter Weinand and Margaret Bouttell. Venue hosts were Margaret and Rowan Bouttell and Diane Anderson, Hospitalerio.
There was very positive feedback from the participants on the Retreat and what each had gained from Camino Reconnect and suggestions for future Retreats.
The group photo opportunity on Saturday saw the unveiling of the Camino Waymarker made by participant Les Simons and installed by Les and Rowan in Glenella's front garden. Rowan chose to use Australia's highest point of Mt Kosciusko rather than Blackheath to denote number of kilometres to Santiago de Compostella - a mere 22228,056kms! Each participant placed their Camino stone at the base of the Glenella Waymarker.
We wish to thank all the participants, the Workshop Facilitators, meditation and walk leaders, venue hosts and hospitalerio for making this inaugural Camino Reconnect Retreat such a great success and wonderful experience. There were many new Camino friendships formed. We hope to see you in the Blue Mountains again soon.
Read more about the Camino Reconnect Retreat, May 2021 in our next newsletter.
Blue Mountains Camino Supporters Badge
Our Blue Mountains Camino Supporters cloth badge are available to order or purchase from Margaret or one of the admin team at Camino Meetups and save on postage! The badge measures 8cm in diameter. The cost is $10 per badge + $2 postage for up to 4 badges in an envelope.
Please EMAIL US once you have made your payment. Remember to put your name in the details field. Thank you.
Money can be deposited directly into our new Bendigo Bank account:
Name: Blue Mountains Camino Supporters
BSB: 633-000
Account: 173070897
Once you have attached your cloth badge (with glue or stitched) onto your backpack or hat, etc why not take a photo and email it or post a comment on our Facebook page or Facebook group.
Acknowledging the badge design concept by Jill Day with final design by Chris Osborne for Blue Mountains Camino Supporters
Be a part of Blue Mountains Camino Supporters Admin
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.
About Blue Mountains Camino Supporters.
Blue Mountains Camino Supporters is a community group run by volunteers, 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 Training Walks and Meetups on the last Saturday of the month except December usually at Glenella in Blackheath, hosted by Margaret & Rowan Bouttell. 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. Bob Girdo is our video recorder and editor. Diane Cousins hosts the Camino Swap Table. Tony & Ce Jacques co-ordinate and host the Tapas dinners & Camino movie events. Jerard & Enda Barry host an annual Feast of Saint James Dinner and host Pilgrims at their Pop-Up Albergue in Wentworth Falls by arrangement. Our website is managed by Johann Saure, Mark Johnson and Carlene. There is a dedicated team who plan and organises the Blue Mountians Camino 5-Day Walks and events.
The Blue Mountains Camino Supporters was founded in 2015 by Tony & Ce Jacques and Margaret & Rowan Bouttell.
Blue Mountains Camino Supporters recognises that the Dharug and Gundungurra Traditional Owners have a continuous and deep connection to their Country. We pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.
