Better a titmouse in the hand …
In Axiomatic, the book I was reading while away, author Maria Tumarkin quotes the proverb “Better a titmouse in the hand than a crane in the sky”, explaining that it’s the Russian version of “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”. Rather appropriate, I thought, to the decision we made on Day 5 (Friday). “Once bitten twice shy” and “strike while the iron is hot”, while not as picturesque, are also applicable. All this is to say that we decided not to be caught out by forecasted inclement weather like we were on Tuesday when we left our walk too late and were snookered by the rain. On Friday we took the forecast seriously and set off promptly in the morning – well, around 9.30am – to ensure that we did get our walk in. As it turned out – of course – the rain didn’t come at all this day!! I’m sure there’s a proverb for that too!
Anyhow, because of the forecast, and also because we’d done two long reasonably strenuous walks in a row, we decided to end on something a bit easier. So, we started off on the Pipeline Path – an easy, mostly level walk around the back of Thredbo Village, past the Snowmakers Ponds/wetlands, followed by a left turn across the road to loop back to the village. However, given the rain hadn’t come yet (ha!) and that we were up for more than the Pipeline’s 3km round trip, we crossed the road, and turned right to join the Thredbo Valley Track. We followed it to Bridge 1 (the first suspension bridge) where we stopped for refreshments, before turning around to return to the village. Still having some energy to spare, we chose a longer route via the upper section of the Bridal Trail Loop and, by mistake, the bikes-only Friday Flat Loop. It was only near the end, when I saw a no-pedestrians sign, that I realised why I’d been surprised to run into a track I hadn’t known about! Fortunately, we saw no bikes (on that track, anyhow). Otherwise, we’d either have been flattened, at worst, or sworn at, at best! All up, we’d cobbled together a pleasant morning’s walk of 6km that included a bit of climbing, and some enjoyable scenery, without extending ourselves too much!
We lunched at Central Road 2625, where I enjoyed my Salt and Pepper Tofu with a Rice Vinegar Dressing, and Len his Flathead Shawarma! Interesting food. I also enjoyed eavesdropping a conversation about life in Thredbo. It’s such a unique community (in Australia, anyhow) and I love to think (hear!) about how it works.
Eat to live, but do not live to eat (hmm…)
The Terrace Restaurant at the Denman Hotel is one of our must-do places, but its summer hours are currently limited to Friday to Sunday nights. Friday night then it had to be. The menu is always small, but rarely disappoints; the service is usually relaxed, friendly but appropriate; the view is lovely – and there are the memories of years of dining here, going back to the days when the young Wherries used to come with us. We’ve dined here on New Year’s Eve; we’ve dined here when half the current dining area was an indoor pool. A long time ago now – but it doesn’t always seem it!
There are two other things we like about the Terrace. Their music playlist is usually excellent – contemporary, but not intrusive. We often shazam songs and end up downloading a few tunes to our Apple Music account. The other thing is that the last couple of years their dessert menu has included “Small Dessert Bites” that you can mix and match. Friday’s offerings numbered nine different “bites”, including Turkish Delight Eton Mess, Maple Semi-Freddo, Banoffee Tart, Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Tart, Cherry Millefeuille. Five were GF and one, a sorbet, was GF and DF. Yum.
What’s the good of home, if you are never in it?
But, all too soon, our five nights were up, so on Saturday morning – which dawned a glorious day – we packed up and turned the old Forester homewards, stopping as we usually do at Nugget’s Crossing in Jindabyne for a morning cuppa, and at the deli in Bredbo to check out their pies. Would they have their famous Rabbit Pie, wondered Mr Gums. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, the answer was NO, but a couple of pies of other flavours were bought.
With more rain having occurred while we were away, the Monaro was as green, if not greener, on our return trip. Amazing.
Ha! I could tell who the designated driver was!
Haha, Lisa, possibly not – though normally your assumption is likely to be right! In Thredbo we don’t have to drive! It’s so small, you can walk to all the restaurants and cafes there. One of the things we love about this holiday is parking the car and leaving it (except when we decide to do a walk in another part of the park, like the Charlotte Pass one, but we try to do that only once each holiday.) The Terrace is, I’d say, a whole 3 minutes walk from our door.
Welcome home Sue and Len, and thanks for your fun stories and lovely pics from your 2019 visit to Thredbo!
Something about the way you told the Trivia game story appealed to my sense of humour, and made me chuckle. Then I couldn’t help but reflect on that proverb about ‘Strength in numbers’ and the other one that starts ‘United we stand, divided… ‘ and wonder how the results and fun level would have increased for you AND those other folks (coming last before they left) if they had joined you in the first place!
That image of the delicate ‘thread’ of the Main Range Track from the Summit Walk in the midst of the mountains is especially beautiful, and I loved the pic of Sue looking like a very cheery teacher as she pointed with her red hiking stick to her favourite tree!
The tiny deserts you listed sound a delicious treat, and I imagine would be an effective draw card to the Terrace restaurant.
Last but not least, we travelled in more or less the same region as you a week beforehand and we too were struck with how wonderful, refreshing and relaxing was all the ‘greenness’ of that landscape! It makes the journey so pleasant doesn’t it?
Love to you both, Mary
Thanks Mary. Good on you for introducing your own proverbs to the Trivia night. That are most apposite. Well done!
I’m not sure why I pointed to the tree – it was pretty obvious wasn’t it! I think I just felt like having fun with my pose. I was rather relieved that the pole did indeed point to the tree in the photo and not some random cloud.
I always think about you when we go to Thredbo, particularly as we drive through Jindabyne.
More lovely commentary and wonderful pictures. You and Len are both looking well – healthy and well rested and happy and lovely. I loved the old ski lift chair/bench… wonderful recycling. The food pics were tempting and as always fun to see.
All the views were fresh and enticing and my favorite was the flowering snow gum.
Here in Arkansas we have lots of nice wide concrete trails with woods, and often water, on one or both sides. We have seen
several little libraries and also a few little food pantries around the area usually close to the parks and/or trails. I love the little libraries and I think the little food pantries are a wonderful idea. We do see signs of homeless, out of work folks, and often their canine companions at some of the traffic stops throughout the area, holding up signs requesting any help people
care to give. There are organizations who do a lot of volunteer work and help feed the hungry. Having only been here a almost a year, we are learning a lot about the area.
Thank you for including me in your travels and sharing the experiences you enjoy so thoughtfully and well done.
Trudy Jayne
Lovely to hear from you Trudy. As you know, I always think of you when I write these holiday posts.
I haven’t come across the little food pantries, but how wonderful, I guess they contain non-perishables like cans etc?
I love how much you are enjoying getting to know your new home. It’s exciting moving isn’t it – reminds me of our three years in California (and two years in Virginia) and all the exploration we did to understand our new place.