Day 70 – Thursday 25 August 2016 – Kiama - Tathra

Thankfully we woke to find everything was as we had left it the night before and the hope of the clouds actually breaking up a little.  

Kiama has always been a place where we've felt connected to ever since we drove through here about 5 years ago to pick up a dog trailer we bought online.  Although she wasn't as kind to us weather wise as she was back then, that feeling of connection was still there.  This was the view from the edge of the van park where a row of cabins line the edge of the beach.  How lovely it would be to wake up to this view every morning.

I'm not sure what this was on the common area just below our site - a very small wedding perhaps?????

We hit the road before 8.30am and what a difference a day makes!  The clouds cleared to a beautiful sunny day and although not quite as warm as we've had up north, it was pleasant enough to be outside and feel the sun again.

The areas south of Kiama are just so pretty.  Beautiful bayside townships but also lovely countryside as well.  It is pretty mountainous and so while the distance doesn't look that far on a map - the time it takes is longer than you might think, not to mention the amount of roadworks!  

This country will soon have the best roads in the world as it seems like every darned one of them is undergoing some restoration or replacement!!!!!  However we couldn't help but have a chuckle at this stop sign guy who looked completely uncomfortable with his role.  He spent the entire time looking down or away from the traffic as though he was embarrassed that he had had to stop us.

NSW certainly does huge rivers.  Even some of the creeks were massive.  So it stands to reason there are a lot of bridges to cross and many of them actually open up to allow tall boats to pass through.  These bridges have been a constant source of opportunities for personal growth as there isn't much room between you and the railing especially when there is a truck coming the other way.  

It is also worth noting at this point how few caravans are on the road now.  Where before vans have probably made up a good 50% of the traffic on the road, we are only seeing a handful now so it is very clear the peak season is over and we are on the tail end.

This fact was also confirmed on our arrival at Tathra.  Having stayed in this park twice before I have never seen it so empty with less than a dozen vans occupying sites.  Still - it was a little like coming home.  I don't know what it is about this place, maybe the happy memories of previous visits when my much loved dog Hogan was alive, and the trip with did with Lakeisha and her doggies a few years back.  But whatever it is, I always seems to feel very much at peace and relaxed here.  We picked out a site that backed onto the beach and all you can hear is the sound of the waves on the beach and a few resident birds and then took the dogs for a walk on the beach.  I don't know if it was a coincidence or whether she remembered the previous two trips, but Miss Kitty took the detour to the beach as soon as she got to it and that beach tail didn't stop wagging until we had got back to the van.  

Lots of people walking on the beach today!

The sun was shining, and we are feeling very fortunate to have a couple of nights to chill out here before our last two days heading home.