19 November 2012 - Nowra Showgrounds, Shoalhaven, NSW

I know that rain and wind are part of everyone’s life and I should not go on about it, however for us as we have traveled about Australia so far, there actually have been very few days where inclement weather has influenced our travel plans. However that has not been the case over the past week hence my fuss.

The plan for the day had been to travel up to Kangaroo Valley and all around that area, a full day’s outing, with a list of things to see and do, however this morning it was raining, again. We decided it was pointless to waste time and fuel to travel that far and perhaps see very little and enjoy it even less. A little part of me thought we might change our mind after lunch, however that didn’t happen either.

Instead we drove down into the CBD and wandered about, shopping a little, checking out the shops, window shopping more and enjoying being about the busy centre with others all decked out in raincoats as we were. We returned to camp, noting the fabulous show of flowering jacarandas through the streets and a brightening of the sky. However by the time the dishes were done, black clouds were gathering again and we decided against any futile road tours for the day.

The rocky overhangs of Ben's Walk

Instead we set off on Ben’s Walk, a lovely walk along part of the Shoalhaven River and the Nowra Creek, along under more fabulous rocky bluffs and through spotted gums, mangroves, lantana and wooly nightshade. The walk starts here at the showgrounds and is easier than that walked yesterday although it has many of the same features. There were birds aplenty and evidence of wombats in even greater numbers; diggings, burrows and droppings marking out their territories. We met a young couple who had just spotted one of these elusive creatures however by the time we arrived at the small bridge, he was gone. We spent about five minutes tiptoeing about searching without success.

The rain had held off for the hour or so we were gone, however after afternoon tea, the wind came up again threatening a repeat of yesterday’s storm. In the end it was just a squall of showery rain, enough to vindicate our decision to have stayed about Nowra for the day.

We are supposed to move on north tomorrow. Whether we will extend yet again in an attenpt to explore Kangaroo Valley or simply give it a miss can be decided over breakfast tomorrow. Checkout from here will be a little more relaxed than your regular camping ground.