Caves, gorge swimming, corrugated roads, kangaroo guests for dinner, heat and steep climbs/drops out of and into valleys. All in the bright sun (except for the caves and gorge swimming).
From Bummaroo (love the name), it was a long slog out of the valley in the already hot sun. At the top, a kind gentleman stopped his car and gave me a cold bottle of water. He was impressed.. 🙂
The road undulated through the farmland countryside before turning off to the Wombeyan Caves.
I started getting worried about the brakes when the road turned into a corrugated gravel track (knowing there was a massive descent just before the caves).
Luckily, the road reverted to bitumen before the final descent, and the brakes made it (with only one mild squeak).
I came to Wombeyan Caves in 2019, but only for a short stay as I had to get back to Mittagong the same day (a very long ride on a road that is now closed). This time I had time to check out some of the caves – the Fig Tree Cave.
Then, time for a swim in the Limestone Gorge. I had memories of crystal clear water and only me there. This time, I shared the gorge with lots of people and a pink flamingo floatie. It was refreshing, though, after the walk there in the hot sun.
I had to be very firm with a kangaroo this evening who was adamant he wanted to share my dinner. He let me pat him (which was nice), but it all became too intimate once he started pawing at and slobbering over my panniers. Even a light kick away from me didn’t deter him. I had to shout and run after him with arms waving. He left.
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