Ironfest is an annual event we always enjoy attending. This year’s event, ‘Fusion’, the 9th annual Lithgow District Ironfest 2008, will be held at the Lithgow Showground over the weekend of April 25, 26 & 27, 2008.

Ironfest is a very popular event with lots of interesting and exciting activities such as the Australasian World Jousting Tournament, art exhibitions, market stalls, blacksmithing demonstrations, music, and many other fun happenings.

There’s some more information about Ironfest at their official site,  http://www.ironfest.com.au/

Lithgow is just a 20 minute drive from Cedar Lodge Cabins and now would be a good time to book if you are interested in attending Ironfest.

Many of our guests visit the Jenolan Caves, and those staying with us in mid-December should definitely take a trip to the Caves on the 15th December to enjoy the Christmas Festival. 

There will be two Christmas Carol Concerts under the Spectacular Grand Arch from 2pm until 3.30pm  and again from 8pm until 9.30pm. There will be buskers, markets, raffles, Santa Claus, choirs, & the compere will be Benita Collings from Play School.

Take a chair and a warm jacket.

All funds raised will go to the Childrens Hospital at Westmead’s Oncology Research Unit for research into the causes and cures of childhood cancer.

For Ticket Information go to www.jenolancaves.org.au

It seems that magic does happen at the Talisman Gallery & Pizza Café with the major transformation of the woodfired oven. In just over a week it was out with the old and in with the new as our pictures show.  We had one of the last pizzas from the old oven (top) and we just had one of the first from the new oven (bottom) and can happily say they are just the same if not better!

When you are coming up to the mountains you need to put this on your list of must do visits. Not only can you enjoy the fabulous woodfired pizza, coffee and homemade desserts, you can actually do all your gift shopping as well.  The café is  attached to the Talisman Gallery which specialises in inspired metal creations including, candelabras, mystical mirrors, handcrafted unique furniture and sculptures.  A great place to do all your Christmas Shopping the stress free way. 

Our mate Charles, who is a guide at Jenolan Caves, has organised  an  astounding new sound event at the Caves on November 3rd.  It really sounds like a fabulous concert with 8 Taiko drummers, Asian gongs, Sumatran flutes, vocals and fast paced island log drumming.  As we are just a short 45min drive from the Caves we are hoping to attend this spectacular event. If anyone is interested in attending, all the details are located at http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/  

Being keen ice skaters, we attended the exciting Australian Ice Hockey League Grand Final at Penrith Ice Palace on Sunday afternoon.  The Grand Final was between Sydney Bears & Newcastle Northstars.  The Bears won 3>2 with a golden goal after a 2-2 draw at full time.

Click the photo to see a bigger picture.

We took a break from cleaning cabins on Sunday to visit the Mount Victoria Markets which are held on the second Sunday of the month, on the corner of Station Street & Harley Avenue.

They had a bit of everything. Antiques, produce, plants, jams, jewellery & lots of other mostly locally made stuff. You could even have your face painted while being entertained. It’s really a good morning or afternoon out.

Here are a few snapshots we took on Sunday. Click on each one to see a bigger picture.

We went to a Yulefest dinner at the Blue Mountains Manor House and no, we didn’t eat kangaroo!

Our hosts, Annette and Colin, greeted us with a glass of mulled wine and we then moved into the warm dining room with its two open fires. The room and the tables had been decorated and you would think you were in England and it was Christmas.

The dinner was a fabulous four course meal. A smoked salmon entrée was followed by soup. Roast turkey, ham & veges was the main meal with dessert being Christmas pudding and glazed pear.

It’s really more of an event than just a dinner. Glenys played the piano all through dinner, and between courses Annette led the singing of Christmas carols. Santa arrived with his helper with all ages getting into the spirit and having pictures taken with him. Everyone got a gift!

We finished the night with a coffee and port before we ventured back into the cold.

Our friends at Scenic World in Katoomba are hosting Snow Day for 6 days over 3 weekends -

• July 28 & 29
• August 4 & 5 and
• August 11 & 12

There’ll be lots of entertainment for the kids and a special Snow Day buffet (with spiced, hot wine for the adults). You can read all about it at http://www.scenicworld.com.au/

Katoomba is just a 20 minute drive from Cedar Lodge Cabins.

We have been very busy lately because the Yulefest season is in full swing with many guests taking advantage of dinners at the Manor House & the Imperial Hotel. Like many places in the Blue Mountains, we offer a great package deal for Yulefest.

We’re happy to report that the Hartley Valley Tea House has reopened after renovations so we had lunch there last week. The Tea House serves a very nice lunch, or morning and afternoon tea, and they also sell their own range of dessert sauces and dressings of which we have tried quite a few.

Hartley Valley is just a 10 minute drive from Cedar Lodge Cabins, through some beautiful scenery in the Victoria Pass.