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Sunrise on the Ramshead Range
It was cold – bitterly cold and windy – as we waited for the sun to rise over the Australian Alps in Thredbo, Kosciuszko National Park. Cold – but worth the wait.
Mountains are the home of my soul.
Wherever I have lived, aside from a brief stint in the flat, endless oasis that is the Canadian Prairies, my eyes have been pulled to the nearby hills and mountains. Whenever I need healing time, or the space to just “be”, those mountains have attracted me.
Any regular visitor to these pages knows that I often visit the Snowy Mountains of Australia for some quiet contemplation, especially as one year slips into the next. I find these sojourns in nature restorative.
After an intensely difficult year last year, I needed more time-out than usual. So it was fortuitous that an ad for the first-ever Yoga & Wellness Mountain Retreat at the Thredbo Alpine Village in Kosciuszko National Park crossed my path. I didn’t have to think about it for long: it seemed to be exactly what I required. I had been wanting to expand my yoga practice for some time, and I was going to be in the mountains anyway for my usual New Year’s break. I had been planning to stay through for the annual Thredbo Blues Festival: the timing couldn’t have been more perfect!
And perfect it was.
I spent three weeks tucked into my Jindabyne nest, with regular visits to Thredbo for walks, yoga, and music.
Join me for a few of the highlights.
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Walking on the Ramshead
Naturally, our Yoga & Wellness Mountain Retreat included regular yoga sessions. But, it also included a couple of lovely guided walks. The first was following the Dead Horse Gap track, down the Ramshead.
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Silver Snow Daisies
I’m always cheered up by the sight of silver snow daisies …
Billy Buttons
… and sunny yellow billy buttons, both of which are only found in Australia’s southeastern mountains.
Talking about Wim Hof
As part of the retreat, we learned a little about Wim Hof breathing and ice baths from instructor Leah Scott. I’ll spare you the pictures of me turning blue in a mountain stream!
Caterpillars in the Kosciuszko Rose
All around us, there are reminders of life’s possibilities.
Yoga Mats Ready
Very, very, early the next morning – before the sun was up – we were once again on the Ramshead, ready to practice our Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation.
Sunrise on the Ramshead
The cold and wind defeated us, however, and we satisfied ourselves with just watching the sun rise over the ranges.
Mount Kosciuszko Walkway
Following a boxed breakfast (out of the wind), we set off on another “guided” walk: …
People on the Walkway
… this time, up the hill via the metal walkway that leads to mainland-Australia’s highest “peak”, the top of Mount Kosciuszko.
The New South Trio
A week later, I was back at the Alpine Hotel in Thredbo: this time for the annual Thredbo Blues Festival.The highly-regarded New South Trio opened the weekend at The Pub.
Harry (and Aidan) – The New South
These accomplished blues, jazz, soul, and funk musicians have wowed audiences at the festival before, but this is the first year that guitarists Harry and Aidan have been old enough to play inside the licensed venues!
Empty Stage
I love the delicious anticipation of an empty stage!
Anna Scionti
Of course, it is SO much better when the performers take their rightful place. Anna Scionti has a passion for guitars – and for story-telling songs.
Hussy Hicks
I didn’t wander around as much this year as I usually do, but I couldn’t resist sneaking upstairs to the Schuss Bar to catch one of my festival-favourites: the folk-roots-rockers, Hussy Hicks.
Leesa Gentz and Julz Parker
The soaring vocals of Leesa Gentz, and Julz Parker’s virtuoso guitar, are at once powerful and intimate, drawing the audience into their world of original songs..
Ivor SK
By complete contrast, back in the Lounge Bar, gravel-voiced Ivor Simpson Kennedy sings early Mississippi-Delta blues classics.
Fiona Boyes
Billed as a blues musician, I think singer-songwriter-guitarist Fiona Boyes absolutely rocks!
Julz Parker and Kane Dennelly
One of the high-points of festivals is the collaboration that happens: Hussy Hicks join 19Twenty during their crowded and crowd-pleasing performance in the Keller Bar.
Cameron Fallaw
The other beauty of festivals is the breadth of music on offer. Playing country honky-tonk, …
James Cisco
… The Excellent Smithers fill The Lounge Bar with sound.
Jordan Thomas Trio
On the Saturday morning, I stopped Poolside briefly before heading up the chairlift …
Shane Pacey
… to the Eagle’s Nest Restaurant for lunch, and the Shane Pacey Trio, …
Dave Fester
… with Dave Fester on drums.
The Top of Merritt’s Nature Track
Lunch at the Eagle’s Nest gives me the opportunity to walk Merritt’s Nature Track back down to Thredbo Village below.
Tasman Flax Lily (Dianella Tasmanica)
Alpine Everlasting Daisy (Xerochrysum Subundulatum)
Crimson Rosella (Platycercus Elegans)
Merritt’s Creek
Cyril B Bunter Band with Mal Eastick
When I arrive back in Thredbo Village, the boogie is in full swing Poolside, …
Jimmy Bee
… with the Cyril B Bunter Band …
Mal Eastick with the Cyril B Bunter Band
… and guest Mal Eastick. These are stalwarts of the Australian blues scene, …
Dancing Feet
… and not music you can sit still to!
Nick Charles & Pete Fidler
I love the laid-back atmosphere of the Thredbo Blues, but the tiny, back-lit venues are not always conducive to clear views or good photos.
Pete Fidler on LapSteel Guitar
The music, however, is always wonderful!
Hussy Hicks
I booked myself into the Burger Bar for dinner and Hussy Hicks; …
Julz and her Shadow
… Julz’ passion is unmistakable, …
Leesa Gentz
… and Leesa’s joyfulness is infectious.
Russell Morris
I finished my night in the Kosciuszko Room: if Russell Morris is playing, I’ll be there!
Dom Turner and the Backsliders
The festival organisers made my Sunday easy, …
Backsliders
… putting several of my old favourites on at the same place.
Peter Robinson’s Guitar
That Look! Peter Robinson
Jordan Thomas Trio
I rounded out my mountain-time with a bitter-sweet dinner-for-one and the lively, youthful accompaniment of the Jordan Thomas Trio.
It was restorative.
I drove off the mountain – still sad, but in command. Mountains, yoga and music make anything manageable.
Until next time …
Photos: 05-20January2019
