BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS . . . .

When settlers of the colony of Sydney to the West gradually took up land
there was always an abrupt halt where solid walls of mountains began
much longer route was opened earlier to fulfill much wanted urgent need
however this consisted of steep gorges, making travel dangerous indeed

Steepness of terrain, impenetrable dense shrub, defeated explorers in past
if they could conquer these mountains, colony expanded to westward at last
when finally achieved, finding lush pastures, rivers, fresh flowing water
open scrubland, shallow soil, ideal for establishing dairy farms much later

Discoveries made of easely accessible deposits of sandstone, coal, peat
some still mined today, climate in winter, like mother England, little heat
grants of land Government controlled, no overcrowding, population explosion
very little clearing of land was allowed in shallow soil, fears of gradual erosion

Soon first settlers did arrive, building homesteads, very functional residences
around perimeters sowed their crops, kept chooks, grew vegetables for existence
compared to experiences of settling other parts of this land, was easy, no battle
in very short time and long hours had their dairy farms stocked with cattle

With coming of railways transported their produce to Sydney Town mart
refrigerated, a big improvement when it was done all by horse and cart
along the way small settlements started to appear, some survive till today
most of these exude old English charm,with ample unique places to stay