Tag Archives: south coast

Another Winter Visit – Part 1

Last year’s visit to Jamberoo Abbey took place in mid-winter. I was up bright and early the first morning to watch the sun rise.

Winter Visit

The cattle were in the paddock closest to the cottages, which was a bonus to the photographer.

Winter Visit

They looked to be mainly black Anguses, and were busy breakfasting…

Winter Visit

When an interloper appeared out of the bush.

Winter Visit

The bovines weren’t quite sure of the wombat.

Winter Visit

And neither was the wombat completely comfortable to be so exposed. After a few nibbles of grass it wandered back to safety.

Winter Visit

Day out in the Illawarra – Part 1

It’s been a seriously long time since I visited the Illawarra coast line north of Wollongong. In fact, the last time I posted about the area was back in 2009!

Since then, the Sea Bridge at Coalcliff has become a bit of a tourist attraction, and on a day out with M, we decided to see what the fuss was about. We started the walk on the north end of the bridge, and walked down to the south end to get this view.

Sea Bridge

Just note that it was very windy there out on the bridge. The view of the coast was better when you’re walking south to north, but only in the morning/late afternoon/cloudy days. And do not attempt to do a ‘Titanic’, as we saw some Chinese tourists do in the middle of the bridge. I mean, really?

Kangaroo Valley – Part 3

The venue for the reception was slightly out of town at Melross & Willow’s Estate, in a converted barn. By then the clouds were threatening to burst, so there wasn’t any croquet or skittles, but the view was still spectacular.

Melross & Willow Estate

The estate is also a working horse and cattle property, but I’m guessing that it might have been a dairy as well at one stage. These days, it’s all about the wine.

Melross & Willow's Estate

Kangaroo Valley – Part 2

The wedding was in the very quaint St Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Kangaroo Valley village.

St Joseph's Catholic Church

Quaint because it was built in 1888 and as you can see doesn’t seat very many people – everyone really needed to squash in!

St Joseph's Catholic Church

As with a lot of 19th Century churches, there are the obligatory stained-glass windows. These are modest but colourful, reflecting the farming community that it served back when it was built.

St Joseph's Catholic Church

A lovely little country church.

Kangaroo Valley – Part 1

We spent last weekend in Kangaroo Valley for my cousin J’s wedding. I hadn’t been in Kangaroo Valley for close to 15 years, and it’s certainly gotten busier in that time. I remember only the ice cream shop in the village before, and now there is a dozen places to eat as well as shops of all sorts. But one thing that hasn’t changed is Hampden Bridge.

Hampden Bridge

Built in 1898, it’s still the oldest timber suspension bridge in Australia, still one-laned, and still stands high above the Kangaroo River.

Hampden Bridge

Hampden Bridge

Autumn at the Abbey – Part 2

When I walked down the avenue the next morning, the sun was just emerging over the hills, producing a wonderful halo effect.

The Abbey in autumn

The fallen leaves on the road were lit up as if they were in spotlight.

The Abbey in autumn

But the wind was rising. By lunchtime, the clouds had rolled in and by mid-afternoon so had the rain. It was the beginning of what was to be a very stormy week, as we now know. However, let’s leave this visit to the Abbey on a more sunny note.

The Abbey in autumn

Autumn at the Abbey – Part 1

Just before the big storm, I spent a few days at Jamberoo Abbey. I came by train and taxi this time, instead of driving down from Sydney, and I must say it’s a good way to come, as the train journey to Kiama really quietened the mind. But that also meant that I couldn’t bring all the things I usually brought in the car – my SLR camera was out! I must say I was regretting it when I was greeted by this.

The Abbey in autumn

Nevermind, I still had the camera in my phone, and I guess it didn’t do too badly.

The Abbey in autumn