Gorged Sunday

Last Sunday, we went to church organised with a change of clothes and picnic lunch so we could head straight out to enjoy the trails, river-crossings and waterfalls of Finch Hatton Gorge through the rainforests of the Eungella National Park.

As the last part of the drive was unsealed roads and involved us driving through 5 river crossings before we could start the trail, we guessed that the 'walk' might be slightly more challenging than Noëlle and I had anticipated - the ladies resorted to removing their shoes and steadying themselves on rocks on river crossings.

The blokes just went straight ahead freestyle, it's all in the balance ...

... even when you're carrying the precious cargos :D

Jumping into freezing cold swimming holes took some building up for Noëlle, so after some waiting, this was her first jump.

Noëlle was very proud of herself ...

... so followed up her first achievement with this next rock

There was lots of arm flapping at this 2nd water hole and jump.  Even though there was a higher jump on the right hand side of the fall, I immediately vetoed it on Noëlle's behalf, hoping that seeing she'd been let-off the challenge of the higher jump she would do this one more easily - 1,2,3 didn't work the first time.

At least 50 photos later, and after lots of cheering and encouragement -

Noëlle still looked hesitant when informed she needed to do it again in tandem.

At least this time she knew what '3' meant, and only a slight delay.

Don't worry, I am not mean enough to throw Balin off waterfalls (yet).

He gets the more gentle introduction to cold water, seeing as he has long forgotten the cold water of Melbourne.

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He'll soon be jumping in ...