Narooma to Kiama

 We had a relatively easy day where we visited one of my old school classmates near Moruya. It's always interesting to hear what happened to them during their lives and this one was no exception. He made a good career in the Australian Army and finished up as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Gary Donahue. He joined the Army after working in a bank and in Vietnam, he did a lot of logistics work with Americans. That was his route to success when he returned to Australia. When he eventually left the Army, he became a consultant. We meet at the reunions, but conversations are relatively short. It's wonderful to have a few hours to find out more.

Mystery Bay was less than inviting on a gloomy day. In sunshine, it looks marvelous.

It didn't improve looking south.

Or inland.

A nearby lake.

We drove down to the inlet in Narooma.

These are Australian Pied Oystercatchers according to Marianne.

We stayed in Narooma for a week several years ago and one evening we had dinner by the inlet. It is wonderfully peaceful.

Marianne is developing a fondness for toilets with murals.

The entrance to the inlet.

Rain and gloom to the north.

And to the south.

We walked out on the southern groyne. You may notice seals lounging on the rocks to the left.

I was intrigued by the iron handles inserted into the rock to allow easy placement.

A golf course lines the cliffs.

Did you know that seals stink?

It's amazing how high they can climb.

A curious youngster.

Walkway by the inlet.

The water was not particularly clear this day but when we were there last, it was easy to see fish and a stingray. Sharks also enter the inlet on occasion.

We thought seriously about possibly moving to Narooma years ago, but it's a five-hour drive to Sydney.

We then drove to Tuross Head, a few miles north. The coastline is beautiful in this area.

The effects of wind.

Interesting house overlooking the water.

And the old weekender next door.

Norfolk pines are common in this area.

While I had a nap in the car, Marianne was out there looking for the Loch Ness monster.

It looks like a seal to me.

She also took a photo of the same tree. Mine was better.

We stay just south of Ulladulla that night in a Discovery Caravan Park that had cabins. We were really pleased with our cabin and will try them again sometime. It had a kitchen so we were able to cook a meal for ourselves instead of eating out, which was most welcome. It was much better than a motel room and very quiet.

Ten years ago we did a house exchange in Narrawallee, just north of Ulladulla. This was the path to the local beach.

Not much had changed though it was not all that attractive on a rainy day.

If you want to see the beach at its best, click here.

Decent size waves.

Further north was Gerringong. The cemetery has a wonderful view.

We visited here in 2007 and the town has grown considerably. It has now become trendy, so we would fit right in.

To be honest, we could not afford to live there since it is a holiday region for the wealthy in Sydney.

Just a few miles north is Kiama. Fifty years ago when I first stopped there, it was small and quiet. It's now so trendy that the overflow had to go south to Gerringong.

The lighthouse is still there on the headland.

And the blowhole was quiet that day.

I can't say I enjoyed the drive from the Victorian border to Sydney because of the rain and it was a relief to arrive at our lodging in Sydney which is in a very nice self-contained apartment, Stanmore House, run by the Salvation Army. It's close to where Robin lives and we have off-street parking which is quite a problem in the area since it is close to a train station.

As you might expect, booze is not allowed on the premises.