In July, our monthly training walk starting point was Emu Plains at the base of the Blue Mountains. The Pilgrim table was set up in the carpark of Emu Plains train station to greet 20 walkers from as far as Avoca on the Central Coast, Sydney and from a number of Blue Mountains villages and surrounds.  It was a perfect sunny Winters day for walking. 

The group of 14 medium walkers left Emu Plains Station to explore the banks of the Nepean River and a bush track up to Explorers Reserve in Lapstone ably led by Ann and Terry.  There was of course a coffee stop at The Coffee Club Precinct enroute to Lapstone.  At Lapstone the group stopped at Explorers Reserve where there is a hidden gem of bush looking down towards Nepean River.  On return to down the bush track there were views of the Nepean River and the damage caused by the recent floods were very evident.  The group enjoyed another coffee stop at Willow Tree Café at Leonay before heading back to Emu Plains and meeting the Easy route walkers for lunch and our meetup at O'Donoghues.  A number of the local Blue Mountains walkers stated they didn't realise these tracks were accessible from the banks of the Nepean River.  Written by AnnP

Meanwhile, a small group of 6 walkers did the Easy route walk through the streets of Emu Plains passing some historical landmarks.  It was a joy to see so many youngsters out playing junior soccer games at the oval.  Asking for directions from locals, the group met Olympian Jess Fox's (canoeist) rehomed greyhound out for a walk.  Soon the group were at Lewers Gallery Cafe, so of course coffee and refreshments prevailed before continuing on beside the Nepean River, up and over the M4 to the other side of the Nepean, continuing to Yandhai Bridge to eventually reaching O'Donoghues.   Unlike the Medium route, this was a very flat walk at a relaxed pace.  

To Inspire, To Share, To Connect.....    
 

 

The Blue Mountains Camino Supporters Inc is a community group run by volunteers with the aim of:

 

There is a dedicated team of volunteers who plan, recce and organise the Blue Mountains Camino 5-Day Walks, monthly Training Walks, Camino Meetups and other events.   We hold monthly Camino Training Walks and Meetups on the last Saturday of the month except December. When available Glenella in Blackheath will host Meetups and the Blue Mountains Camino 5-Day Pilgirms. Glenella is owned and managed by Margaret and Rowan Bouttell .

 

                               
L-R Johann Saure, Rowan Bouttell, Rosie Edmonds, Tony Hodgson, Carlene Martin, Sharise Watson, Margaret Bouttell

Thank you to the volunteers:
This newsletter is produced by Sharise Watson and Carlene Martin, supported by Margaret Bouttell.
The Blue Mountains Camino Supporters Facebook Page is managed by Carlene Martin and Rosie Edmonds.
Margaret Bouttell manages TryBooking and BMCS financial matters.
Kerrie Girdo and Carlene Martin manage the Blue Mountains Camino Community Group Forum on Facebook.  
Rowan Bouttell and Nick Batten are tech support, videographers and editors. 
Rowan Bouttell and Nick Batten are our Chief and Deputy Mappers extraordinaire.
Our website is managed by Johann Saure, Nick Batten and Carlene Martin.

The Blue Mountains Camino Supporters was founded in 2015 by Tony & Ce Jacques and Margaret & Rowan Bouttell.  
 

Blue Mountains Camino Supporters acknowledges the Dharug and Gundungurra Traditional Owners have a continuous and deep connection to their Country. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.