News and Updates

Winter has arrived so be sure to bring your coat, socks, gloves, scarves and hats because it is cold outside! Zero degrees first thing this morning. We wanted to feature Bronnie, our border collie, on the web site and I found this short video where he goes out in the back garden when its snowing. See what happens!

The dwarf crabapple tree just outside the guest suite door has some lovely autumn leaves this week.

Yes, winter is well on its way with overnight temperatures less than 10 degrees some nights already. This past weekend was glorious though with lovely daytime temperatures, clear blue skies and no rain. A welcome change from the windy and wet weather we had the previous weekend.

The weather is always changing here and somewhat unpredictable even by the experts at the Bureau of Meterology (the BOM). It is wise to bring layers, raingear, gloves, hat and even a warm jacket at this time of year (late Autumn to early Spring).

Three Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos came for drink in our garden yesterday afternoon. I only managed to get two of them in the video. It appeared to be two parents and their fledgling. These are one of the largest birds we see here and they make an ancient sound when they are flying overhead.

Spring is well underway and this season some of garden bloomed earlier while the rest is coming. We have lots of color which we love. We are always happy to give you a tour of the garden. We have had mainly a cooler spring again with only a couple of warm days. The flowers don’t seem to mind.

A beuatiful pink rhododendron with orchids of the same colour underneath!

A lovely old rhodo next to the Milepost Annex patio with a lovely fragrance.

Lovely giant rhodo by our back gate. People stop and take photos of it when it is blooming.

Paul moved this American Dogwood from the front garden to the back a few years ago and it is very happy in the new position. Dogwoods bloom first and then develop their leaves for the season.

A few weeks ago, I walked this track from Lincoln Rock to Rocket Point and then on to the Conservation Hut via the Shortcut track. It was perfect weather and gorgeous views. And we saw and heard Glossy Black Cockatoos along the way.

Views of the escarpement and the valley below from the Little Switzerland track

If you have questions or need advice about local walks, please ask. If we don’t know, we usually know how to find out the latest information about specific tracks.

Winter arrives in a few days and the Blackheath Weather guy seems optimistic we will have snow this year. For sure the temperatures have dropped and coats, gloves and scarves are essential for early morning and evenings in the Blue Mountains.

We had a lovely autumn this year and I meant to post these photos sooner. Most of the leaves have dropped by late May.

Paul cleaned the leaves at least four times in one day during the peak of autumn.

A close up of the leaves in our back garden.

This morning JoAnne took some visitors on a lovely bird walk at Wentworth Falls Lake* and managed to take a few photos and videos. The Great Egret was there and a little duckling looking for his parent. Enjoy!

*The Lake is 850 meters from our doorstep which is wonderful. We go there often.

The wind is howling outside this weekend but in a few weeks it will be Spring. We still have flowers in the garden even in winter. The Australian King parrots are here year round as well. I’d like to think they are looking forward to warmer weather.

Sometimes we get beautiful snowfalls in winter in the upper Blue Mountains.  It doesn’t stay around long but is nice when it happens.

Occasionally it snows in other seasons, too. You will not need snow boots or a snow shovel here.  Just enjoy!

We have a lovely gas fireplace with various features that will keep you warm on cooler evenings. It even has a “smart” feature so you can set your preferred temperature and it will come on as needed to maintain it.

Usually, you want to bring layers in terms of clothing. We are much cooler than most of the rest of Australia especially at night as we are located in the higher elevations of the Blue Mountains. Socks are needed most of the year in our climate! In winter, bring a coat, gloves and a hat!

If you have any questions about the weather and how to keep warm, please ask. We actually came in each of the seasons for a stay before we moved here (JoAnne doesn’t like the cold!).