Kiama

Our week in Kiama has come to an end.  It has been great!  This little holiday town and its matching suburb of Kiama Downs must be among the most picturesque in the world.  Our week was filled with scenic drives, great meals, walks, tennis, golf, and more than a few drinks.  We have thoroughly enjoyed our time with family and friends.

Deb & Margo Tennis At Minnamurra Tennis Club

Thanks to the generosity of Gord and Margo’s son Graham, (away in Norway on a course) we were able to stay together at Graham’s home located just two short blocks to Jones beach.  We went for a swim and some sunshine on the beach while watching the surfers and while the water isn’t quite a Caribbean type warm, it is certainly swimmable once you’re in.  G & M were fabulous hosts and proudly showed us the many attractions this little area has to offer. 

Jones - Nice To Have A Neighbourhood Beach Next Door

Jones Beach - Kiama Downs

Minnamurra River Meets Ocean Walk

Light House In Kiama From Minnamurra Headland In Kiama Downs

The first day saw us take a scenic drive south to Berry and nearby Seven Mile Beach.  The streets and shops were filled with day-trippers strolling the historic main street and searching the Sunday Craft market in search of treasures and souvenirs.  

First Stop - Berry Pub

Lots Of Sunday Shoppers

The Ladies Shopping At The Craft Fair - The Men Waiting

The Boys were also reminiscing about our last visit to the town together.  It was 13 years ago during Graham’s Bucks Tour (Stag).  We successfully found the spot where Eric (G&M’s son-in-law) arm-wrestled Gord for his daughter's hand in marriage and the large plastic cow ridden by an inebriated Espen, (another wedding guest from Norway) on the tour.

Espen's Cow Still There 13 Years Later

Later I visited the museum and learned about the town’s history.  Convict prison labourers from Sydney built most of Barry’s infrastructure about one hundred and fifty years ago, Mr. Berry owned large tracts of unused land and he gave free land to the Church of England, the Catholic Church and anyone who emigrated from Scotland to encourage the town’s development.  We found one “Mathers” (my mum’s maiden Scottish name) on the town’s memorial cenotaph.

Great Little Free Museum

We ended the day with dinner at G&M's friends Jane and Nick Hartkerinks .  They have a beautiful beachside house with fabulous views of the ocean.  We enjoyed a meal of beef cheeks, various libations and stimulating conversations on many matters Australian.  Jane and Nick were great hosts.

Beautiful Setting For Dinner

On day three, Randy, Doreen, Deborah and myself went golfing at the Kiama Downs Golf Club.  Deborah and Randy had great days pounding long drives while Doreen looked stunning in her golf outfit.  The best part of my game was getting in and out of the cart without falling down.  I must be getting used to the notion of snakes and spiders because I had no trouble going into the deep grass in pursuit of a lost ball despite the “Snake In The Area” warning signs.  After all, it was a relatively new ball and perhaps not surprisingly, I found more than just my own. 

Beware Of Snakes

Beautiful Green Course

Long Ball Hitter

After traveling over 3800 km and not seeing the results of the bush fires that had dominated the world’s headlines, we were determined to see for ourselves.  We drove down the coast to Lake Conjola.  We had rented a house in the holiday resort and had intended to spend our week in this seaside spot until it became the focal point of the fires.  We were actually surprised at the small number of houses that burned despite being surrounded by a completely burnt forest.  Apparently, some homes were doused with fire retardant preventing them from burning.  

Our Intended Rental In Lake Conjola

Coffee Break In Lake Conjola

Tracks Of Homes Destroyed

Lake Conjola Neighbours

It was also somewhat surprising to see the forest already coming back after only a few weeks on the mend.  Most of the trees in the bush are Gum trees.  These trees have evolved in such a way that they can survive fires.  They naturally continuously slough their bark so when bush fires occur, the fire races up the trunk burning the bark but leaving the core of the tree alive.  The aboriginals historically started bush fires as a way of renewing the forest.  The burnt black trunks were already sporting numerous green branches and the floor was alive with new ferns.

That Sign Needs Replacing

Literally Only Weeks After The Fire

On Friday the Boys took a short train trip from Kiama up to Wollongong to watch a Super Fifteen doubleheader at Win Stadium.  The Super Fifteen is the top professional club rugby league in the southern hemisphere (and arguably the world).  The Brumbies of the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) defeated the Sunwolves of Japan in the opener, followed by the Chiefs of Hamilton, New Zealand defeating the Waratahs of Sydney.  The Chiefs featured Canadian Tyler Ardron in the first fifteen.  The return trip on the train was noticeably quieter.  I don’t know if it was from all the excitement of the day or the 1 beer every 40-minute pace we had maintained over the 8-hour rugby shift.  Regardless, it was a great day for the boys while the girls had an exciting day on their own.

Nicker, Gordo & Bud

#5 Red - Canadian International Tyler Ardron

Not A Great Selfie But You Get The Idea.

Ladies Out On The Town

We ended our stay with dinner out with friends and listening to the Hartkerinks' daughter Penny perform at one of the many venues sponsoring the Kiama Music Festival.

Music In Hindmarsh Park

Blues At The Minnamurra Cafe

One Of Kiama's Two Sea Fed Rock Swimming Pools

Penny Performing At The Hill In Geeringong