Biggest let down

The Jenolan Caves were pretty cool, but I must admit - not having seen any weird albino cave dwelling proto-humans was quite a let down. I'm reluctant to consider the possibility that Hollywood has been lying to me, but if there are any genetic throwbacks living in the caves I certainly didn't see them. Perhaps the next time I return I will be better prepared, taking with me a team of intrepid spelunkers, scientists and crypto-zoologists and lots of alcohol. My preparation yesterday was all wrong. One does not go into a cave after a leisurely stroll around a picturesque lake, having consumed an overly expensive latte devoid of hazelnut.

Fail

Like my cone-collared friend in the accompanying image, tonight my team failed in our weekly pub trivia effort. Perhaps Gary Numan is a bad luck talisman, as we came third on the back of calling our team "Gary Numan versus the Dream Police." Of course I would refuse to believe that the Dream Police or anything to do with Cheap Trick could be the cause of the bad Juju.

We didn't play too poorly, but I wasn't exactly thrilled about my contribution during the film round, or any round really. Whilst it's not a matter to be concerned about, the questions that stumped me do at least give me something interesting to google and learn about during my down time.

On a brighter note, delayed birthday greetings continue to roll in. Thanks Sarah - considering you've been up to your elbows in woolly excitement and dip on your farm recently, you're forgiven.

Even brighter, I quite enjoyed today's road trip as well. Off again with Jardine, Jas and Jill, this time to the Jenolan Caves. First off - the road there is shithouse. Only the road to Nimbin compares. Hell of a view though.

I really had no idea what to expect in regard to the Jenolan Caves, but I didn't expect the setting to be a cross between Lord of the Rings and National Lampoon's European Vacation. The Swiss style buildings, rock towers screaming into the sky and drive-thru cave styled action all blended together to completely dismiss any previous notions I might have had. The caves were interesting but oddly enough I was drawn more to the blue pool. Heavy in minerals, crystal clear to a considerable depth and the colour usually only seen in volcanic springs and trapped in centuries old glaciers, I regret not having had my camera with me. If I go back I intend spending a lot of time getting all of the resources I need in order to do an oil painting of the pool with the rock spires and caves in the background.

Dinner at the Hampton Roadhouse and watching the lightning hurtling down into Lithgow in the distance were a fine way to wind down the trip. Now if only the following pub trivia could have gone off as smoothly! Ah, but there's always next week!

Sofala

Before pub trivia last night I went for a road trip with some mates and my brother. I don't think that the destination was planned, but we ended up out past Bathurst and headed north, until we reached a small town by the name of Sofala. Sleepy and picturesque, Sofala is rather unique in that for a small Aussie town its streets are all narrow, almost giving it a crowded vibe. We stopped into the local pub, played some pool, had a beer, enjoyed ourselves and headed back to town, getting back in time for the usual round of Thursday night trivia.

Left to right: Jasmine, Sophie and Jardine (no I don't know what he's doing either), standing at the back of the pub at Sofala.

Jill, getting excited behind the wheel before we set off on our random trip.