It has been quite some time since we had a family catch up in the Blueys and thanks to Mat’s long and arduous negotiations with all the stakeholders we finally decided on the Anzac holiday long weekend , with various people turning up a different times. So this is for Mat to say thank you for pulling it all together from Mountain bike riding via chocolate fondues to slack-lining and trampoline jumping in the gorgeous surroundings of the Megalong Valley. 

This time we were joined by Adele, Elka, Diane, Alex, Larissa, Mat with Rafaela, Gabriel, Nola, Bryan with Oliver and Leonardo, Louise and Roman with Chris and Roman Junior.  Our place of choice was Zoellas in the secluded recesses of the Megalong valley right next to the historic six-foot track and panoramic views of Narrow Neck. Our plan was simple to do a bit of riding and enjoy the eclectic mix of wine plus some of the delightful food prepared by experienced hand-picked chefs: thanks for the Greek soup Nola and Bryan, the pizza’s and chocolates Adele and the beef burgundy Louise. 

Anzac Day started with the early arrival of the Rosenbaum’s who chased the cleaners away and provided early entrance into the homestead, followed closely by the Crockers with Adele and the Cummins not far behind. The early autumn weather was on sick-leave and spring turned up instead with picture-perfect weather. Zoellas large green meadows placed brilliantly amidst sandstone escarpments provided the perfect setting for the kids to run around freely while the four-bedroom house (it took us a while to find number four) provided shade and more than enough space for about four full families. The most difficult decision was to try to coax somebody into dropping us off at the beginning of the 6foot track at a horribly early hour in the morning. Bryan was our first choice but he had conveniently forgotten his mountain bike and Adele was not quick enough to tell us to get lost. So tremendous thanks goes to Adele for not only spending two hours in a car with three boys in the wee hours, but also feeding us up with the most memorable pizza creations in the afternoon. I think we owe you one Adele?

Friday morning, the 6foot track was more stunning than usual with perfect conditions: slightly soft but firm ground where Alex and Mat could punch out a sickening pace down to the Cox river. Roman’s only excuse to slow them down was a skinny dip in the river to cool off and get ready for the single track back to the Megalong Road. We deviated slightly from our usual ride to the tea rooms and headed straight up the original 6foot track which merged via a single-track with the Nellies Glen road and our house. The pace was blistering and felt like the fastest time we had ever managed to complete the ride in about 3 hours of riding. Meanwhile Larissa and Louise were ready for the Narrow Neck ridge ride and as soon as the boys arrived back home the girls took over.  Meanwhile Roman and Matt took the kids down to the Old Ford Reserve where they amused themselves watching Gab attempt to move all the biggest rocks from one part of the river to the other without chopping his toes off, and paying the twins bribes to immerse themselves fully in the icy water. Then it was time to watch Adele knead the pizza dough and produce one artful creation after another.

	ins and Louise	Gabriel twins and Bugatti

Saturday, we were awaiting the arrival of Di and Elka, the Cummings and Crockers relaxed around the house, while Matt and Bryan grabbed the twin dualies on offer to explore the upper reaches of Nellies Glen Rd, then back down the other end to redo the new extension section of the 6foot track that was discovered on Friday. When Di and Elka arrived it was another blistering day of lazing around in the sun like cats, kids chasing mice and watching DVDs, and generally doing not too much. Dinner tonight was Nola and Bryan’s scrumptious Greek bean and veggie soup – served with crusty baguette and with an entrée of BBQ chops for the kids it was a dinner made in heaven – delicious! As if that wasn’t enough it was followed by Adele’s chocolate fondue, which after a false start involving smoke had all adults and children fighting to dip their fruit into the chocolate and kids stuffing melted chocolate in and around their mouths and faces.

On Sunday our last day – who’s up for climbing? Silence! No-one can do much in the sunny weather except more lazing around in the grass, Adele tapping out her 100,000 word doctorate under the trees and otherwise everyone eating brekkie and lunch in the sun and enjoying the warmth. Adele dropped Di and Elka back at the 6FT so they could have a walk back to the house, while Larissa fuelled her new dualie addiction by taking one of the bikes back along the 6foot track and going hard on all the technical bits, nearly ending up all the way back down at the Cox River. Better start saving for that new bike Matt! Then sadly time to go and brave the traffic back to Sydney. The mice decided it was time to show they could leave their cage anytime they wanted and ran around the car all the way back home, luckily staying out from under the clutch pedal at the crucial time, then safely home and what’s for dinner? Something quick and simple please.

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Mat & Roman 29 April 2013