SOMETHING significant is missing from the May calendar of events in our region this year.  Each May for several years the village of Mt Victoria has staged its Great Train Weekend with two days of family entertainment where the big drawcard is certainly the steam train rides between Lithgow and Katoomba. The weekend always attracted big crowds, irrespective of the unpredictable weather at this time of year.  This year there is no Great Train Weekend and we’ll be the poorer for it. As the column hears it the stumbling block was the prohibitive price the Thirlmere Rail Museum wanted this year to provide a vintage train and by the time a revised offer was on the table it was too late to do the myriad of things needed to prepare the village program.  The setback is all the more disappointing as organisers were planning the weekend to coincide with the end of the Bicentennial reenactment trek across the Blue Mountains.  Now Plan B is for a colonial dinner at the historic Manor House followed by a colonial dance at the Mt Vic Flicks (obviously with the seating removed for the occasion).   Maybe next year.

Walking on and on and on

MAYBE it’s got something to do with the bicentenary of THAT walk that found a way across the Blue Mountains in 1813 or maybe it’s just that more people are taking on personal challenges.  Others are doing it as charity fund raisers or to raise awareness of something or other. Whatever the reason it seems that more and more people (and the occasional dog) are taking on long distance walks.  The latest to come to our notice is the quest by  Peter Onus  who to ‘celebrate’ his milestone 60th birthday has set himself the task of walking from Orange to Leura.  He’s also raising awareness of Opportunity International (which you can check out on http://tinyurl.com/OKwalk). The Londonderry local, accompanied by faithful dog Leo, sets out from Orange (his birth place)  on Sunday and plans to be at the Fairmont Resort at Leura the following Saturday for his birthday party. We hope Leo is included in the Fairmont goodies.

Put on your walking shoes

May 26 is the day you can walk for cancer. From Wallerawang to Portland the road can be yours. Anyone wanting a lift from Portland can gather at the Imperial Hotel at 9.45am and will be bussed to Wallerawang for the start of the walk. It will be a day of fundraising, friendship and a few sore feet but don’t let that stand in the way of putting your best foot forward for a great cause. For more information call Laurie on 63555217, Pam on 63514932 or Barry on 63557023