Since moving from the Upper Blue Mountains, it became our habit to stay at the Carrington Hotel... something you don't do when you're a local!

The Winter Magic Festival is one of my favourite weekends in the year.

This painting is the view from our window one Friday on the eve of Winter Magic. We had just arrived and were getting ready to head out to meet up with friends. While I was waiting for my husband to get ready I stood for what seemed ages just gazing out and wondering about the history of the buildings before me, and the people who had lived and worked there.

I could see a faint light in the window of the one closest and wondered about who the current occupants might be... did they feel the past around them? Maybe in their quiet moments, but I guessed they would most likely be getting ready for the anticipated crowds in the morning now!

Beyond I could see the traffic of the highway and coming over the Park St bridge, and saw that Main Street was still a hive of activity. I felt there was magic in the air that night... and as I gazed down into the quiet of the deserted yard in front of me I wondered what the Katoomba locals from long ago would make of this festival. Hopefully they would approve...