A fairly long day on Monday, driving from Forster to Windang, Wollongong, home of Bill's childhood and the wonderful times he spent on Lake Illawara where his parents ran the Boat Shed, hiring out boats, prawning and in general, where he learnt all there is to know about fishing and boating and finding his way in the world.

A pretty uneventful drive, apart from the pain skirting around Sydney.

Tuesday sees the first showers and a bleak, overcast day, accompanied by a pleasant cool spell. We drove to Shell Harbour, Bass Point, site of the historic 'Boston’ shipwreck in 1943 where 6 Australian soldiers, the lost their lives in attempting the rescue of the 62 crew.   The ship was later cut up for scrap, but Bill can still recall seeing the ‘bones’ of the ship on the Point.

Also where Bill’s Grandma Nell and Grandad Bill Burrows used to drive their horse and cart, from North Wollongong (a day trip), to hunt rabbits to supplement the family meat ration during the depression.   Nets were put over the many burrow exits and ferrets were put down the rabbit holes and chased the rabbits into the nets.   I reckon that’s where Grandad got his surname from!

The road wasn't very well maintained but the bush and trees that crowded the edge of the road, forming arches overhead made the drive really scenic particularly in the rain and bleakness of the day.    We sat and watched some of the locals fishing off the rocks with the rain finally driving us back to the car and camp.  

Wednesday dawned cool and overcast so we decided to drive to Kangaroo Valley.   Having heard a lot about this area from my friend and colleague, Graham, we were keen to take a look. We took the coast road south on the Princess Highway and turned off at Berry, taking the tourist drive.   The weather had fined up, all the cloud had burnt off and we were in for a glorious day.

The countryside smacks of New Zealand’s Waikato region. Lush farmlands, rolling hills and lots of cattle.   A fabulous drive, snaking up on a fairly narrow winding road with many switch-back corners that could only safely be taken at 15-20kph.   As Bill would say, the road would break a snake’s back.   Mmmmm!   An obvious Australianism!

We took a detour to Cambewarra lookout – another 8k’s of a winding bush road.   Very pretty and again, reminiscent of NZ.

At 678m above sea level, with 145km of glorious panoramic views, one huge communications repeater tower and one smaller Australian Broadcasting tower and great tearooms surrounded by a viewing deck; we knew this was a great decision.  

And so on to Kangaroo Valley.   Funny how you get a picture in your head of what a place may look like! Absolutely nothing like my picture! .   It is the most picturesque little village with a fabulous old 250m timber suspension bridge, The Hampden Bridge, built in1895 with local quarried sandstone turrets.

We spent a leisurely hour or so at the historic village which was a great insight into the days dating back to the 1800’s in the Valley with original old split timber buildings relocated to the village site.

Really worth a visit.    Then of course we had to have a pie for lunch, down on the river, sitting on the weir, feet dangling in the cool water, where Bill used to swim on holidays as a youngster.   Some fond memories for him today.