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Sunday, January 10, 2010

The Grotto - Barrengarry Creek

I have written about this wonderful series of pools and waterfalls previously, but today was such a summery day, I could not resist going there. Of course I took some images while I was there.Despite some decent rains recently, the Barrengarry Creek (previously known as Wallagunda Creek) there is a very light flow in the Creek. This actually made it easy for me to walk around on the rock shelves, and investigate the details of the mini-pools and rock crevices.This pool, known to locals as "The Grotto" (one of many such features which carry this name I would have to say).
Although located along the Belmore Falls Road (not close to the real Belmore Falls) this series of pools and mini-waterfalls is within a State Forest area. It is located just off a fire trail. There are no signs - just follow your ears. The sound of even a small waterfall always carries some distance through the bush.I love the fact that one can walk close to this pool. In this regard it is structurally different from most other falls, which drop into a pool below the falls. "Nellie's Glen" at Carrington Falls is such a case.

Here there is a flat rock shelf immediately below the falls. Obviously in a relatively short period of geological time (maybe one million years) this will have its own pool. It is wonderful standing there just out of the splash zone (old blokes like me, anyway, but kids behave differently, as you can imagine). The sounds of the splashing water can be quite overwhelming, but quite meditative.

About 100 metres down stream from the Grotto there is a lovely quiet pool, where clearly the locals go fishing and yabbying,I have previously seen Azure Kingfishers here - and as I am ever the optimist, I expect to see them every time I go there. Today I was not so lucky.

But I always enjoy visiting this lovely place.

9 comments:

Snail said...

The kingfishers would be icing on the cake, but the cake's still pretty nice without them. (Lost control of the pronouns there, but you know what I mean.)

Anonymous said...

A lovely post Denis; I have always been attracted to pools and I agree that they are very meditative.
Cheers
Barbara

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Snail
Yes, it is a lovely pool - with or without Kingfishers.
Hi Barbara
Very quiet in the afternoon. But as I was leaving Black Cockatoos came in - obviously preparing for a drink. No longer quiet then!
But lovely and natural.
Cheers
Denis

Boobook said...

WWF is running a competition at the moment - the prize is white-water rafting on the Franklin - and 'all you have to do' is write a paragraph describing your favourite place. Go for it!

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Boobook.
Thanks for that idea.
Will they give me new shoulders and back to do the white water rafting, I wonder?
Seriously, nice of you to suggest it.
It really is my favourite local "place".
Denis

mick said...

That looks like a great spot. How clean is the water and do the locals swim there? When younger! - we always used to think that was what that kind of water was for!

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Mick
.
My (adult) daughter Zoe came up to Robbo today (on the way back to Canberra from Sydney).
.
It was pretty warm this afternoon, so she took her swimmers, and walked in and stood under the waterfall (a scene reminiscent of Scandinavian advertisements).
.
The water is not pristine, I would have to say, as the stream starts below Robertson, and there are several dairy farms upstream. But it was OK.
.
The rocks were slippery with algae, in some places, which was the greatest risk. Falling on rocks can be very dangerous, as such a slip is always sudden.
.
Anyway, she was fine.
She's just had a shower, to freshen up, just in case.
Very pleasant outing, though.
.
Cheers
Denis

Tyto Tony said...

Stick to the lovely pools, Denis. Quietude beats turbulent rafting every day, IMHO.

Denis Wilson said...

Thanks Tony.
At least my quiet pools do not have Crocodile nests in them!
Cheers
Denis