Map of Blackheath NSW

FOR THE FIRST PART OF MY ROUND TRIP TO BLACKEATH VILLAGE CLICK HERE.

On the way home from the village I look across at the mural on the wall of the Antiques Centre. It was designed by the well known  artist, designer, and local resident Jenny Kee.  It features native flora and fauna.  Oh, and a big heart,  because we all love Blackheath village. Yes, even though we affectionately call it ‘Bleakheath.’

Mural on Victory Antiques Centre at Blackheath
Mural on side wall of the Antiques Centre.

There are two kinds of visitors to Blackheath….tourists and bush walkers. Clearly this group is the latter.

Bushwlkers at Blackheath NSW
Great weather for walking in the spectacular National Park around Blackheath.

See this sign in the main street? Do not take any notice of it if you need a policeman.  Why?  Well the answer is HERE.  It’s unlikely you will need a policeman here.

Fake Police sign in Blackheath NSW
Take my advice….ignore!

The spot shown below is known as  ‘pleurisy corner’, because it’s so exposed and freezing on windy winter days. It’s also the turn-off to the beautiful Megalong Valley and Shipley Plateau, where we buy our apples from Logan Brae Orchard.  Note the sign advertising our annual Rhododendron Festival….the biggest event on our calendar.

'Pleurisy Corner' at Blackheath NSW
Not so chilly on this mild autumn day.

Further on I turn right into Gardiners Crescent, past the community centre where annual flower shows, monthly  farmers markets and various cultural events are held.  It also houses the local library and the  Neighbourhood Centre.  There was a disaster centre set up here a few years ago after a horrendous storm. I called in for tea and sympathy when I lost a lot of my garden. I noticed new plants were being put in the grounds.

Blackheath Community Centre
Caring for the community.
Plnting trees at Blckheath
Keeping Blackheath beautiful.
Tourists at Blackheath NSW
Appreciative tourists

Next I cross Wentworth street. There’s a quaint old cottage on the corner.

Cottage in Wentworth Street Blackheath NSW
Autumn colour around this old property.

Now the intersection below  is a special spot in Blackheath for nature lovers.

Autumn in Blackheath NSW
Bird Central on Autumn afternoons.

In late autumn, birds of all kinds arrive to feed on the oak seeds. Native wood ducks and a few ‘ring-ins’ have wandered up from the duck pond for afternoon tea.

Wood ducks at Blackheath
Visiting for a free snack.

Sometimes cars have to stop and shoo them off the road.

Giving way to ducks at Blackheath NSW
Giving way to ducks.
Crimson rosella foraging.
Crimson Rosella foraging.
Parrots feeding on American oak seeds
Crimson rosellas and a lone king parrot wondering if she will be bullied.

A couple of ducks accompany me back home.

Australian wood ducks
Just follow us, Pauline.

We have had a very dry autumn this year, but usually this little area has some amazing fungi. There are dozens of the true ‘fairy’ toadstools.

Toadstool at Blackheth NSW
So sweet. And yes we have  real gnomes here.

The ones pictured below were  just above the lane.

Fungi at Blckheth NSW
So pretty with the moss.

Not far to go now. Here is a banksia  growing opposite our closest  permanent neighbor Paul’s house. I follow the life cycle  of these  blooms year after year on my walks.

Banksias at Blackheath

And oh my word, look at that blaze of colour outside Paul’s house in the afternoon sun.

Autumn colour at Blackheath NSW
Glorious …..thanks Paul.

One more  bend  and look…. I spot  a kookaburra above my  head. This looks like Toffee, who is a regular visitor.

Kookaburra in the gum tree.
Welcome back, Mrs Conolly. You’re a bit late!

So now I’m back at my little nest among the trees and birds. Our new house is not quite finished and we  currently live in our ‘bird hide’ studio above the garage pictured  at right.

The Gums, Blackheath
Home is where the heart is.

The days are short now and  by the time I complete my ‘matron’s rounds’  of the garden Rob has turned the lights on. Time to go in to a warm fire and start  thinking about dinner.

Studio at Blackheath NSW

FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.

3 Comments
  1. I love your photographic stories, the colours are so magical. I also enjoy your storie, I am pleased you don’t really need plods there in that beautiful part of NSW!

    • Pauline

      Well I’m delighted you enjoy them, Pat. And thanks so much for taking the trouble to leave a message.

  2. That’s such an appealing walk. There would be so much that would go unnoticed by the casual visitor, unless they had someone with your open-eyed commentary to point out the oft overlooked details. I had a feeling of stepping into times gone past by the character of the town and its nearby highlights. It was particularly lovely to see the birds feeding undisturbed by passers-by. Your home will be such a lovely place of rest when it’s completed. By your living in the ‘bird hide’ above the studio, it reminds me of the livery employees who used to live above the coach house of the plantation mansions over here. However, in the wild west at the stagecoach changing stations, the drivers and their side kicks, who rode shot gun, sometimes bunked down in the barn near the enclosures where the horses were spelled.

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