On Lithgow Trail

August 6, 2007 - Monday
Category: myspace.com/truetomyself: Blog


It was icy-cold and windy yesterday. The railway line was bustling with rail works by men in silver-striped-orange vests. Stretching from Blacktown to Lithgow, this untangling of railroad network has been going on for years since we moved down to the big smoke from a country city called Orange.

The railway department under the New South Wales Ministry of Transport is hoping to straighten out all the hoops and the loops of the network, thereby to ensure the commuting public the convenience of travel in the future.

This rail work is the result of incessant whingeing and complaint from public commuters as delays in rail transportation have besieged them for years, almost like a plague.

Observing this particular abnormal rail transport activity made me think of going for a free ride to the mountain after the church service. It was also our day of fasting so there was nothing much to do afterwards. Where, we normally stay for our afternoon tea as we try to catch up with everyone for news and anything interesting. I decided to limit my fellowship for a few minutes with the brethren then I hastened my goodbye to them all.

At the station where I waited for a train to take me to Blacktown, my seat did not heat up for the locomotive to arrive. Once in Blacktown, I went straight to the bay where the rail bus was waiting to move the passengers to Lithgow. There were only a handful of people boarding. However, more passengers were already waiting at each designated stop. It was an express service that I was lucky enough to hop in.

The Railway Corp offered free bus service to the public in lieu to a disrupted regular train schedule. This happens mostly on weekends; alternately, in different areas so as not to cause more upsets.

Though the trip was uneventful, I sated my eyes one more time to see the countryside looking brown by the frosts as opposed to summer when they turn burnt. Except for a few changes due to roadside works going on now, the sight in most places was pretty much the same as they used to be. Like the evergreen trees and especially when we passed by the natural reserved in the Blue Mountains.

The drive lasted two hours until we reached Lithgow. It is a fair size country town with a population of 20,000 nestling at the foot of the Blue Mountains, which is part of the Dividing Range.

I think that was my second time to get there since taking up residence here in the city years ago. My going there actually was kind of a spur of the moment thrill of adventure as I am alone at home, being my girls are away to Orange. I thought I would go to the mountain to explore and meditate. The exploration ended up sleeping on the bus, and the meditation was carried on mentally while I was asleep.

It was freezing in Lithgow, but I was completely rugged-up sporting a long black coat, headwear, and scarf; still, I was chilling.

For the first time, I walked through the main town, which is just across the road from the railway passage. I found my way to a local pub, the Lansdowne Hotel that initially caught my eyes. Most of the shops were already closed and it was starting to get dark even if it was only five o'clock in the afternoon.

I have never been to a place like this before on my own. I was only compelled to enter the premise because the Noodle Shop before that pub has no table where I could sit down. I was very hungry and tired from fasting and I want to sit down in a proper dining place.

The hotel is just right next door where I saw a Bistro sign displayed outside, so I went in. I seemly intruded when I went straight to the kitchen as if I own the place, and asked for permission from a young man if I could sit down in the dining area while waiting for their service to commence.

I told the man that I came from the city and I want to keep myself warm. He was very obliging that he showed me to a big gas heater sitting in the dining room. However, the room was warm enough for me not to stay closer to the heating fixture.

The man offered me a cup of tea. Because I would be paying anyway, I asked if they have a homemade cake. County towns are usually famous for homemade cakes. At that point, they have none to which the man apologized for. A little later, he came back to suggest if I would like a sticky date pudding. Oh, yes please! Sticky date pudding is my old time favourite, a popular Australian dessert.

Soon I relished his unexpected hospitality as he declined to receive my payment on the precept that the till was still closed. He has no access to the machine and he could not give me the change. So, I accepted his generosity with much appreciation. Then I waited for their dining service that would follow not for long.

While passing away the time, I started writing this blog on a piece of paper. That helped me from feeling fidgety. Anyhow, I was the only one in the area and I stayed very close to the kitchen. Then I rang and spoke to my girls in Orange, which is also two hours drive from Lithgow. It was very lovely to hear their voices. Then they asked what I was doing there. I said that I just came to give myself a special treat. Besides, the ride was free.

When the server started to receive orders, I opted for a medium-grilled on recommendation by the Chef, a Scotch fillet steak with pan-fried mushrooms and gravy, chips, and vegies. A piece of bread and butter came as a compliment that was left untouched. I am not much a bread eater.

I could not eat all the food on a big serving plate though the food was great and scrumptious. I felt half-full after having a cup of tea and the pudding earlier. Anyway, I was totally pleased and satisfied with the country service, so friendly and polite.
I promised my girls that one day we would meet there to have a special meal together, which we have not done in a long long time. We occasionally dine out when we three were all together.

Dining out in a county café, restaurant or club has quite an appeal to me for its relaxing ambience. Its amiable surroundings with people who are easy going and accommodating make you feel at home.

After my final thank you for a pleasurable hospitality, I strolled back to the station. The rail bus left Lithgow ten minutes past seven in the evening. After breaking my fast, I have a digestion problem while in transit. There was no way I could stop in an otherwise uninhabited desert looking road and in that dark night, I meditated deeply to combat the nagging pain until the bus terminated in Blacktown.

Then I waited for another bus that would take me home. It was so uncharacteristic waiting for a late night bus service. They are always late, that is our problem. So I went to get Halle some tin foods to offer her on arrival. The poor thing must have been starving while I was away for a day.

Soon I was on my bed snuggling in my warm blanket. I did have a refreshing and wonderful day!

@lcd, 4 August 2007
NB For future print publication