HELEN'S 30th BIRTHDAY

Friday 13th May started as any other work day, except I felt a little slower, my back hurt a little and a few of my hairs had turned grey. Then it dawned on me, I had turned 30 overnight and old age was setting in. Still, there's not much one can do other than get on with it. Luckily Will had made me breakfast so all was not lost.

At work I got a call to head to reception and there waiting for me was a glorious mud chocolate cake with chocolate plaque on the top from my parents, Lucy and Andy. It looked far to good to share with colleagues so I brought it back to my desk with the idea that me and Will would eat the whole thing on our van trip this weekend.

Midday came around quickly, I said goodbye to my colleagues (hiding the chocolate cake) and I rushed out to meet Will to drive to a special restaurant for my 30th birthday lunch. We drove for just over an hour, over the harbour bridge and through the Northern parts of Sydney until we reached Berowra Waters. It was a pretty little place perched on the river bank inside a large national park north of the city. We had booked a table at a restaurant that only does a 7 course degustation menu. You can only reach it by boat or sea plane. Upon arriving at the jetty, we realised we were at the wrong dock, called the restaurant and diverted the boatman to pick us up from the fire station jetty. We were collected and ferried across the serene calm water, dodging expensive looking yachts and taking in the view. Walking in through the door below the restaurant felt like we were entering a bond villains lair.

Once inside and seated, we realised there wasn't a bad table in the place, as every single table (and there could only have been 10) was overlooking the water. We were immediately bought an amuse boushe of ginger mousse. Will had thoughtfully brought the presents and cards I had received in the post to the restaurant and after a quick count, he concluded that there were enough things that I could have one present or card after every course. This was going to be fun! It was like pairing a good wine with each course but better.

First was scallops
With a present from Will of a gig tomorrow night at the Jenolan Caves! The Melbourne Ska Orchestra were playing, we had skanked to them at the festival at New Years and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Raw fish
Present from lucy, a fabulous Happy Birthday banner and a silver necklace she had had engraved with the hills and waves pattern.

Prawn and squid ink ravioli
Card from Lizzle

Lamb
Card from mum and dad, and card from the Ross's

This was when our waiter said the best 4 words I have ever heard "here's your pre-desert". YES!! Why can't every desert come with a pre desert course first? 

Cheese and beetroot
Present from mum and dad, a book of the series Walking the Himalayas.

Chocolate mousse
A Cassio watch from Will, specially imported from Argos in England.

Lemon tart
Will had saved the best for last, a beautiful rose gold ring made be a jewlery designer in Sydney.

We got back to dry land and realised we could probably get away with camping where we were parked tonight. However we didn't bank on the sleepy fire station we were parked in front of, coming to life throughout the night. One by one, teenagers dressed in bright orange overalls turned up and started doing drills, the funniest of which was when they unraveled a 40metre hose on the road in front of us and then rolled it back up.

In the morning we drove on the ferry to get to the other side, found a place to make breakfast then drove off in the direction of the Jenolan Caves. The journey took us through the heart of the Blue Mountains, past the Bilpin Cider farm, and of course we couldn't pass up on the opportunity to have a cider tasting.

We bought a mixed 4 pack and continued on our way, to a viewpoint we'd stopped at once before, to have birthday cake and a cider. It was a bloody great spot and a bloody great chocolate cake. So good we went back for a second slice.

We arrived at the farm Will had booked to camp at along with the gig tickets. There were already loads of people there, a fire pit and food tent set up for later. Unfortunately, they had not put on transport to the gig, so everyone had to drive down perilously windy steep roads to get to the caves. Our plan was to find someone who might let us jump in their car, so that a) we didn't have to drive Vanwell down those crazy sharp bends and b) so that we could both have a drink. Lift secured, we made a speedy dinner of fajitas and headed out to the gig with our new friend Gabby.

Seeing the cave for the first time was insane. Will had already been here with Dan but I didn't know what to expect. The car park was high up and we descended down a dimly lit steep path to get to the caves entrance. It was magnificent, all lit up with purple and red lights. We were in for a treat. The first band on were called Rhythm Hunters and ended in a almost tribal dance.

Then up came the headline act, The Melbourne Ska Orchestra. And they did not disappoint. Out came a 25 piece band of saxophones, trumpets, tubas etc. They were really interested in the acoustics of the cave and tried doing a few numbers without amplification. The crowd fell silent as we listened to acoustic ska music and a deep deep baritone voice rolling around the depths of the cave.

Back at the farm we had a drink of chai tea, hung out by the fire then headed to bed. Rock and roll. On the Sunday we went for a tour of the cave. It had some magnificent crystal formations, thousands of years old. Then we slowly made our way back to Sydney.