Sun, 1st November, 2015 Pete & Marion’s, Camden (Bulli Beach and Sea Cliff Bridge)

Up early to join the others to watch the Rugby World Cup, Australia vs New Zealand – who could believe I am watching another football game!!

Lovely sunny day. Stopped in at Grasmere Terrace, Carrington Village to see where Uncle Wal will be moving to soon. Lovely room with great sunny outlook – No. 66 and lots of great areas to chat etc. He is looking forward to it which is great.

The original building was built by the Palings (the piano people) in 1890 and then donated to the government and they have expanded it to cover all areas of aged care.

Dropped Uncle Wal back to his unit in Menangle.

Headed towards the coast. Across the upper reaches of the Nepean River.

Down a very narrow steep road called Broughton Pass and across the Cataract River at the weir. Will be marking this one as a ‘no van’ road.

Into Appin and spotted two stretched Jaguars.

Pass the turn off to Cataract Reservoir – more places to explore next time. Out onto the edge of the Illawarra Escarpment at the Bulli Lookout. Fabulous view filled with the sound of all the birds below in the forest.

Zoomed in on Wollongong with Port Kembla behind that.

Having a wonderful day with my cousins, Pete and Marion – Natalie was on the camera. Quite warm up here, 28 degrees.

Going to head down Bulli Pass to check out Bulli Beach then up the coast to the Sea Cliff Bridge.

Down to the Bulli Point – looking at Thirroul and back up to the Illawarra Escarpment. Saw the signs about the Sydney to Gong Bike Ride – we found the last 4 luckily as there was something like 50,000 competitors!! Imagine the traffic congestion that would have caused.

The wind is blowing and is quite cold and there are lots of crazy people swimming. Ordered some fish and chips which were lovely.

A couple were having fun with the seagulls.

Drove along the coastline then over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Back again to park on the south side then we walked along the 1.7km path of the bridge. Spectacular.

Where the old road went.

Lovely walk though it would be great if we saw a whale too. My friend Kerri in Kiama had posted up photos on Saturday of the whales passing near there.

Hopeful fisherman.

Hand gliders take off from here.

Some crazy kids jumping off the rocks.

Around the bend to Coal Cliff where there is a coal mine inland (Illawarra Coke Company).

There is even a thong tree – just like our old one at Cowley Beach.

Turned around and headed back up the path. Certainly is a fabulous view.

Stopped at the famous Scarborough Hotel (built 1886-87) which is perched on the cliff edge. There is another pub further back that was for sale and needed lots of renovating, with a great view too – if only we had a few spare millions!!

We laughed at the new age family – all on their phones!! Actually Pete was checking the weather as there is a big dark cloud looming. It was already raining back in Camden so we decided we better get going.

Got a shot of a lovely old theatre.

Made it up Bulli Pass before we hit the rain. Quite heavy but made it back ok with no hail, thank goodness.

Lovely dinner again.

Jeanette posted a photo on Facebook of the hail at her place further down the coast so we were lucky to have missed it.

Sat, 31st October, 2015 Pete & Marion’s, Camden (Windle relatives)

Halloween tonight!! A few clouds hanging around but the sun is coming out now. Wrote up some more history of Great Grandad Frederick to put on the Facebook page. The younger generation have all accepted his request to be a ‘friend’ and are keen to hear the history of the family.

Rang Betty Taylor and we are meeting her and her siblings at 2pm today in Campbelltown for afternoon tea.

Our home for the next few days up beside my cousin Pete’s home.

Some of the lovely flowers from Marion’s Mum’s funeral.

Went for around the area with Marion, Natalie & Caitlin and the dogs. Lovely homes. Should have taken the camera. Down to the duck pond which is quite a big lake. As we were heading back we passed a Brown snake which is quite poisonous.

Headed off with Pete and Marion to pick up Uncle Wal then into Campbelltown. The café set up a big long table for us.

Got a shot of the Windle family, me, Uncle Wal (mum’s brother), his youngest son, Pete and wife Marion and their two daughters Caitlin and Natalie. Their son Tim is on Hamilton Island for the weekend.

Linda and David arrived then Linda’s cousin Jenny and her husband Rod – all my second cousins as Linda’s Dad and Jenny’s Mum were brother and sister and Mum’s cousins.

Mum’s cousins from her Aunt Winnie arrived, Ron, Betty and Jeanette and Brian’s wife, Patsy. So wonderful to meet them. Betty brought photos so we worked through them writing names on the back. Linda with scan them so we can all have copies. Started updating the family tree but got their emails instead as there has been a few babies etc to add. She had a lovely wedding photo of another of Mum’s aunts – Aunty Alice and her husband Fred Baldock. Another with Alice and her youngest sister, Edith.

I got Mum on the phone so she could have a chat with everyone. Then a photo of each of her cousins. Wally Windle, Ron Taylor, Brian’s wife, Patsy, Betty and Jeanette.

Boy were we a noisy bunch. We all had a great time chatting – Steve had David and Rod to chat to as the ‘non Windles’. Lots of great stories to listen from Wal and Ron. Those boys back then were devils!!

We finally left at 6pm and headed back to Pete & Marion’s for BBQ dinner with Linda, David, Jenny & Rod. Linda and David were glad they didn’t drive down in the Bufori as it has started to rain. Another great night with lots of stories and laughter.

The rain had stopped and the sky is clear as we said our goodbyes. So great to reconnect with my relatives.