This year's Easter vacation in the Blue Mountains was not only unusually in its length, with an unprecedented five day long weekend beckoning, it was also punctuated by a pastiche of families coming and going at various time. The family potpourri included brief flavorsome highlights from the nomadic Bryan (because he put a tent in the backyard) followed by Nola and Oliver who talked some sense into him, while awaiting the arrival of number two. He graciously volunteered to drive the 6foot crew at 5:00AM to the drop off point near Jenolan Caves. Extra spice was provided by Jamie who meet us at early dawn to join the 6foot track ride.

	6 foot	track Easter 2011

It had been a few years since this smorgasbord of kids and families had assembled to celebrate Easter but also to mark the return of the Rosenbaum’s from one year in Japan. The comings and goings of some six families over the long weekend was much like the autumn weather shifting and changing on a daily basis. Fresh colors new fragrances appeared every day only to disappear again into the next quotidian morning mist. As is usual there were many highlights and a complete list would be far too subjective but it was the heartfelt laughter the kids and the beaming faces that will remain indelible on our minds. Activities were mostly wholesome like Larissa and Louise’s Narrow Neck ridge ride, balancing the slackline between two gumtrees, climbing with the kids at Upper Shipley and the wine tasting of three consecutive Shiraz years with some nice Bree. (See Patrick’s comments below). Then there was the horse-riding at Werriberri lodges with tea and scones afterwards. Not to talk about Louise and Mats Curry, Amy 16 people super spaghetti and Larissa’s red wine for good measures.

Gabriel angry	Noemi	Zoe	Chris

You want more photos, go HERE

.As if all of that was not enough, the six foot track on Sunday morning fleetingly took center stage with: Will, Mat, Jamie, Patrick and Roman plus Bryan for support taking part in this annual event. The earlish start transcended into a mud fishing exercise after Jamie’s chain decided to ‘fall off’ at the deepest part of a swimming pool sized buddle. There is nothing wrong with an early mud bath and it was Patrick who finally found the missing link after stomping around in freezing water. The early morning fog had lifted to reveal spotless skies with beams of light gliding through the early morning Eucalyptus forest, guiding us past a multitude of campers in the wee hours of the morning. After three full river crossings; our first tubeless puncture, which Mat patched nicely with an inner tube; Jamie deciding to taste some of the loose gravel around the switchback down to the Grose River - his first aid skills came in handy when he fixed up his own bruised and shredded thigh -; we left the river behind us and there was the usual pesky streaker in the river before the single track guided us back on to Megalong road. The timing was kind of perfect with the kids just returning from their horse-ride when we arrived. The hardest decision was to ‘scone and tea’ or ride out the steep ascent to Blackheath. Families are such a great excuse and only Will and Patrick had the gumption to escape up the winding road. It was all over much too quickly and only good memories linger, may there be many more weekends like this one to come.....

Patrick's Wine tasting result: I found the 2010 tasted more like a Pinot Noir than a Shiraz. Lots of berry and definitely a good match to soft cheeses. A clear favourite with the girls and it went well with the milder curry. The 2009 had a fuller body and more complex taste pattern. Typical shiraz characteristics, but on the lighter side compared to the east coast norm. Definitely my favourite out of the three bottles. The 2008 came close to the 2009, but the latter managed to keep its bouquet longer, whereas the 2008 fell slightly short. Still a very good drop though. All in all a very nice selection of wines. Please thank your colleague for the special treat (do they have a website?) and a big thanks to you too for organising it.

See you all soon ...

Roman 17 May 2011