22 November 2012 - Surf Beach Holiday Park, Illawarra, NSW

Soon after dinner last night, the wind came up and we imagined that we would lie awake in bed later greatly bothered by the flapping of the awning. We do strap it down with a couple of flap restraints either side, however in a good wind there is nothing to keep a canvas awning still. We opened the blinds, turned on the low exterior lights and ventured out into the dark to lower our porch. While I was holding it steady as Chris released the catch, the fabric strap I was holding broke in my hand. No other damage was done, however we will now have fun and games to lower the awning next time. Hopefully I will be able to repair this with needle and thread, however this is not the kind of event you want at about 10 pm!

Although the wind had died down by the time we woke, the skies were dull and uninspiring. We quickly packed up camp and headed north yet again on the Princes Highway, this time a mere twenty five kilometres through to Kiama. It was a slow trip; construction on the bypass  has commenced and the existing road passes over several steep hills, some with no passing lanes, the bane of my husband’s life.

Arriving in Kiama by the sea, we made our way out to the headland beyond the town centre where both the famous blowhole, a lighthouse and the Visitors Centre are situated. We wrapped ourselves well for the blustery south easterly and walked the short distance to the viewing platforms. The sea was perfect for this particular blowhole (there is another a little south that apparently works better with the opposite wind conditions) and we were treated to the blast of the sea and great showers of sea foam.

After gathering a handfull of pamphlets at the centre, we made our way to this camping ground, selected after researching tariffs in the region on line and an exchange of emails. I was unable to find the street on our map so gave the problem over to TomTom who took us up and over a hill so steep that at one point we were stalled at an uphill intersection only able to pull away again by changing into low ratio. We were not amused, particularly when we found ourselves descending again and intersecting a road we could have accessed by an alternative route on a more gradual grade.

Belinda welcomed us in the office, and advised that the $30 tariff could be further reduced if we were Seniors or Pensioners. Chris’s Senior card brought the tarrif down to $25, and so for the time being, our delight erased our discontent with TomTom. We paid for two days and have pencilled a further two in, pending further planning.

Our happy state was, alas, only temporary, the site was difficult to manoevre into, particularly because of the short poles on which the water supply is attached. These are below sight level as one reverses and make for disgruntled landcruiser operators. Need I say more? However we were set up before lunch and Chris was soon enjoying the second cricket match between the Australians and South Africans; happiness restored.

After lunch we set off along the shore, above which we are camped, into town where Chris had a haircut and we purchased yet another frypan. I have yet to work out where this one will live. The path along the beach runs above the rocky shore, down to the surf beach and across behind the surf club then up through the two main streets which are lined with lovely old buildings and this afternoon, full of tourists and locals going about their business. The well manicured gardens are at their best with fragrant and healthy flowering plants.

Kiama is the first country town south of Sydney, although Berry makes the same claim, and is home to 12,000 folk. It is located on a very small harbour and in the 1880s, was the heart of the cedar, quarrying and shipping industry. The fine buildings remaining in the civic precinct include the Old Council Chambers, the pink Italianate Post Office and the oldest surviving building on the South Coast of New South Wales, the Kiama Court House, completed in 1861.

We were gone well over an hour, time for the team’s lunch to be over and the Australian’s batting score to be applaudable. I may suggest the earphones for Chris and start a new novel. There is still quite a bit of the afternoon left.