Just as
my first views through the windows yesterday had been of clear blue sky, today
was of flat white skies. Venturing out did little to change the outlook, at
least until 9.30 am when we pulled out of the caravan park at Kiama when we
could see the cloud cover burning off. Some sort of surf meet was on, we had
heard the loud speaker announcements from the surf beach over breakfast.
Perhaps the weather would fit the occasion after all.
But
further north, we drove into low cloud, obscuring the escarpment which has
crept closer to the coast here at Woolongong than further south.
With a
population of nearly 300,000, Wollongong is the third largest city in New South
Wales, and ninth largest in Australia. Built on coal mining and industry, and
its port, this city does not spring to mind as a tourist destination for most
discerning travellers however we believe we will be able to fill at least the
four days we are booked here. or should I say, thought we could.
As I
write this, thunder is crashing all about us and rain threatens to restrict our
activities. Only the dim silhouette of the escarpment is visible from the
window. Perhaps the heavey rain has yet to reach us.
We are
right on the beach, this I know from the park map and the birds who have already
come over to introduce ourselves. A plover family spent some time engaging
vocally with me while I finished my book lounging under the awning earlier. Two
tiny chicks were testing out the patience of their liberal parents as they wandered
about the caravans and vehicles parked nearby. Three magpies have just departed
after an excellent concert performed on our welcome mat. Seagulls are whirling
and wheeling about in anticipation of the coming storm. And the short forecast
that popped up on Google showed a line of black clouds with zigzags of colour.
The week is not looking so good after all.
Chris is
watching the last throes of the cricket test and I have, as I said, finished my
book, dealt with some business emails and now summing up a rather sedentiary
day. We only travelled forty seven kilometres today.
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