As some of you may know, my obsession with putting Norman Lindsay on the internet has eaten into my private life somewhat and  I'm pretty sure my children think Norman Lindsay is alive and living in our house somewhere!  So, after two years of total compulsive obsessive, my poor husband suggested we get away,  just the two of us,  for a weekend, away from the computer.

I immediately thought of the mountains! Well, I couldn't give everything up could I! 

First Stop - Springwood

Not prone to early rising, due to my late night hours, we arrived at Springwood about an hour before the Gallery and grounds were closing, so we only had a short time there on the Saturday.  Besides, a large, white marquee was set up on the grounds as some lucky couple were having their wedding there and their guests were beginning to arrive and it was getting a bit crowded. What a wonderfully romantic place to be married in so I hope the magic of Springwood continues to rain down on them throughout their marriage, whoever there were.

So, with our limited time, we headed straight for the pool (as you would) and wallowed in its enchantment again.  I've been to that pool so many times, yet every time I walk down those broad steps towards it, something just falls from the sky and fires my imagination. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it and I certainly didn't this particular day. Its amazing what a little bit of imagination can do! 

Rather than return the way we came, we took the long way back from the pool to the Gallery itself, through wonderful bushland that runs along the edge of the mountain where the Gallery grounds stand.  The beauty of the Blue Mountains right there in the backyard.  Makes you realise just what a small amount of space you actually take up on this earth.  Although we couldn't see the river running below due to the steepness of the incline, we could hear it.  And that was all we could hear. Its little wonder Norman created so much at Springwood, inspired with such serenity, beauty and majesty around him, it would have to be every artist's dream.

On the edge of the earth,
the trail through the bush
 at the back of the pool

The Carrington Hotel - Katoomba

The trip from Springwood to Katoomba is approximately half an hour by car and on our arrival at the Carrington we were already anxious to begin our weekend of  "30's" frivolity.   We certainly weren't disappointed when we drove up the circular driveway towards the hotel. The grandeur and beauty, and obvious hard work that had gone into restoring such a gracious old building, was definitely felt and appreciated.  Walking through the pastel coloured, stained glass doors to the foyer was like walking into the past.  And, surprise, surprise, the entire place had Norman Lindsay's  etchings and paintings gracing its colourful walls. ( I promise I didn't know about that treat!). It was magnificent. The people who worked there seemed as enthused as we were at being in such a gracious place. It was everything I'd hoped the Carrington would be restored to.

The Carrington Hotel and the Hydro Majestic had, ever since my first visit to the mountains many years ago, stood patiently and silently waiting for the day when their beauty and luxury would be desired again. Built around the turn of the century they were havens of happiness and frivolity, of grand balls and parties, particularly after the depressive years of the first world war had eaten into the hearts and souls of every Australian. Year after year, when I visited the mountains, I'd always look to see if anyone had yet taken on the massive challenge of restoring them to their former luxury and grandeur and allow these historic buildings to breath happiness into the air again.

Someone finally did.

The beautiful facade of the Carrington, finally restored to its past glory.

I chose The Carrington Hotel in Katoomba, purely because I had wanted to visit a restaurant I'd read about that had opened just down the road, by a couple of Lindsay enthusiasts,  appropriately called "Lindsay's Restaurant", and therefore wouldn't have to worry about driving.   The Hydro Majestic is about fifteen minutes drive out of Katoomba, at Medlow Bath. We did visit the Hydro the next day,  but for some reason I didn't feel it was as connected to the era as the Carrington was.  It is, however, still exquisite and that view over the Megalong Valley is priceless.

A topic of conversation came up later that night where we questioned why they had stopped building exquisite buildings such as these and opted for the four walls / gymnasium / lacking in atmosphere / health resorts we now have. There is definitely something quite 'naughty' staying in these grand old mansions that are haunted with the freedoms and frivolities of the past. It was wonderful.

These are resorts for the soul !

Below are a few photos of  us in two of the the many rooms in the hotel.  It's huge, colourful and very spacious with lots of separate lounge areas to be private in, if you wish, or other rooms to mingle in. There's a library, with a roaring, open fireplace, stacked with books in old fashioned book cases and a billiards room with a table over a hundred years old. For more images of the Carrington see the link to the Carrington's web page at the bottom of this page.

Here's a few of us at the Carrington

A little bit of technology had crept in, but not one I'm disappointed with, otherwise  you wouldn't be reading this! You can visit The Carrington at their website listed below.

Our room had one of the pen drawings I have on my pen and pencil page "The Infuriated Husband " hanging over the bed, which tickled my fancy, as mine wasn't!   and just outside the noticeably heavy, wooden door, a pencil portrait of the equally majestic Rita. The room was beautiful and completely authentic with the era, queen sized bed, antique styled dressing and bedside tables graced with beaded lampshades. Royal blue and gold carpets and drapes and huge bay window seat.  All centrally heated and the en suite off the bedroom featured warm towel rails and fluffy white bath sheets. 

We were a little early for our dinner booking at Lindsay's Restaurant so we had a few drinks in the bar, which looked into the magnificent dining room. Heavy with stained glass doors, sky domes and chandeliers dripping from the ceiling I felt a little sorry I'd booked elsewhere for dinner. A pianist played on the baby grand as we finished our drinks and a balcony above the bar was supporting two familiar figures, Laurel and Hardy, although I'm not sure what significance these two may have had with the place. I wondered what that balcony might have been used for back in the old days! 

We returned to our rooms and prepared for our night out at Lindsay's Restaurant.

Lindsay's Restaurant - Katoomba

The Restaurant is owned by Ron and Michelle, both avid Norman Lindsay collectors for many years and they have designed their restaurant reminiscent of the era. With their Norman Lindsay etchings and paintings on the walls, stained glass table lamps, statues, ambience and extremely good natured staff, it kept the "30's" feel going. The food was great (as was the other bottle of champagne, or two) and we sat back and enjoyed the easy music the pianist played for most of the night.  The owner fortunately dropped in that night, so we introduced ourselves and spent quite a few hours talking and having a few laughs swapping Norman Lindsay stories.

The tariff was very reasonable and I can't remember the last time I  enjoyed a meal as much, the food was excellent and served with great enthusiasm.  With the decor and dim lights,  you can't help but let yourself give in to the belief that you have actually gone back to those heady days of Norman Lindsay's world.

Some scenes at Lindsay's Restaurant, Katoomba  

Karaoke, 30's style		Inside Lindsay's
	Restaurant decor is definitely Norman Lindsay oriented

We bid farewell to Ron and thanked him for opening such a wonderful place to wine and dine in and for sharing his collection of Lindsay artwork with all who frequent his restaurant. Outside, we were shrouded in the heavy mist so common in the mountains and despite our walk only being a minute or so up the road, we could barely see two feet in front of us. We had the street to ourselves, and it was quite mystical walking up the quiet, foggy road,  barely able to make out what lie a few feet ahead. 

Back at the Carrington the bar was still open so we decided to have a nightcap (ha, another bottle of champagne more likely and a fat cigar from their Cigar Cabinet - the sins of the 90's  -  freedoms of the 30's) and  found another couple with the same idea. As they'd been the only ones there til we showed up, she had been  playing some lovely music on the piano, so we joined them and enjoyed some good conversation with a few great tunes thrown as the mood struck.

A lazy Sunday morning, with breakfast in the dining room at the Carrington, set a relaxed mood for the rest of the day. We wandered around the streets of Katoomba, with its art and craft places, antique book stores and parade of colourful people, lucky enough to live there, as they slowly made their way to local coffee houses. We then drove up to see how the other grand lady of the mountains was fairing with her restoration. The Hydro Majestic is a bigger concern than the Carrington and has the most magnificent views over the Megalong Valley. We weren't able to see their grand ballroom or any guest rooms but from what we did see it looks like she's well on her way to being alive again. Both places are wonderful venues for Christmas in July parties and occasionally get a bit of snow around that time of year.

We drove back to Springwood, where we walked around the gallery grounds again, visited the Gallery to admire Normans wonderful paintings and statues and, of course, took a few more photos to post to the pages. We stopped by the cemetery to say hi and returned to the 'smack in the face' reality of the 90's.

Ah, its a wonderful break from the busy lifestyle most of us must live now,   going to the mountains offers a chance to catch up with your soul and imagination again and slow down the pace of life we have to keep up with day to day. The restoration of legendary buildings such as The Carrington and The Hydro, a century after they were built, proves our need to return to things gracious and beautiful for inspiration and hope, if only for a weekend.

Best of all, its full of Norman Lindsay! 

If you'd like to do a "Norman Weekend" there are some links below that will help make it happen for you. With Christmas in July approaching, its an opportune time to think about it. If not, don't forget, Springwood Gallery have jazz bands and picnics at the Gallery on the anniversary of Norman's death in November and his birthday, in February, each year.

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by the Desertqueen

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