Kangaroo Valley Camp 2014

Monday 24 November - Friday 28 November 2014
Led by Ainslie and Mike

Words by Ainslie, Donna, Mary and Sharon
Photos by Donna, Brian, Lesley, John and Karen

 

We all arrived safely on a hot Monday at Glenmack Caravan Park close to Kangaroo Valley Village. Mike and I almost didn't make it when our engine cut out, and brakes and steering failed, towing our caravan over Mt Cambewarra. On Tuesday we had the car towed to Nowra where Mike spent the day, while Nowra Car City went out of their way to repair the engine.

We had arranged four grades of walks each day: Easy, Easy/Medium, Medium and Medium Hard. We had ten leaders: Bev, Robert M, Jill, Karen C, Ian H, Donna, Val and us. Unfortunately Rodney could not come as he had recently injured his knee on a bushwalk. Also Ron and Barbara had advised that sadly Ron was too ill to come on the camp; they had hardly missed a camp or camping safari in over twenty years. Thanks to the volunteer leaders without whom we would not have a camp.

Day 1 - On Tuesday we had four walks (Mike missing out) for thirty-six participants.

Cambewarra in the Dharawal language means "mountain of fire". It is believed the mountain was once a volcano. Anyway, at the very least the constant cloud cover mirrors smoke. Luckily for Karen's group there was no cloud or smoke, ensuring that we had spectacular views overlooking Kangaroo Valley at the Cambewarrra Trig Station where we had morning tea. Walking on to the communication towers we found deeply grooved sandstone providing evidence that the local people had sharpened their tools there for thousands of years. The lunch spot was a bushwalkers' delight. Sitting on a clifftop, some with legs draped over, overlooking Nowra and its surroundings.

The easy group completed walks around the village and at Bendela Campground where they discovered a large group of teenagers celebrating their Schoolies Week.

The other two groups took in the views from the Three Views Trail and also spent an informative time at the fish lift, learning how it operated first hand.
 

Medium group on Three Views Trail Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Medium hard group at Camberwarra Nature Reserve Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Brian and Chris living dangerously Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Easy group at Bendela Campground Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Heather overlooking the dam Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mary not really trying to push Stan over Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Day 2 - Fortunately the weather was milder for the three days of walks, than the 30 plus degree heat we experienced on our arrival, and they all went more or less as planned, although as the Pioneer Museum was closed we did not go there, and Rodney's walk was cancelled.

So on Wednesday we had two groups go on the Fitzroy Falls West Rim and East Rim walks so that we bumped into each other half way. In clear weather the views of Yarunga Creek from the many lookouts were magnificent. Rob M's easy walkers raved about the views from Carrington Falls area.
 

Mark, Wendy and Chris at Fitzroy Falls Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Joone looking pensive on Warris Chair Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Ian and Jan Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

The Grotto, Fitzroy Falls Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mary composing her poem, Betty wondering "What the..." Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Fitzroy Falls Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Day 3 - Thursday did not go as planned although a valiant attempt was made in steady rain. Ian H's walk was cancelled and Val decided to join up with Donna's group on Meryla Pass to Wombat Hill Lookout. These walks, as with nearly all the walks, promised magnificent views from the escarpments surrounding Kangaroo Valley, so when all we could see was thick mist, we turned back and drove down to a bone dry Valley floor.

Six of us enjoyed a game of tennis while others browsed the delightful little shops and galleries in the Village. The camp ended with dinner at the Friendly Inn.

Sandstone by Mary - While walking on Wednesday, Mary took a break from the walk to rest her injured back. On our return we found Mary lying prone on a rock reciting a poem she had composed while waiting. Here 'tis:

This rock that now so accommodates me,
Was once at the bottom of the sea.
Where grains of sand that had come to rest,
Felt the earth's power as the water pressed.

Grains then cemented into sedimentary stone,
Heard the earth's core rumble and moan.
The rock was thrust up, the sea slowly drained.
Rock, now exposed to both wind and rain.

Today grains of sand wash to the valley below,
And are carried out to sea by the river flow.
There they drift down to the seabed floor
Waiting, waiting, till they are rock once more.

 

Are we mad? Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Yes we are. Let's stop. Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	How many people can you fit in a 4WD? Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Our esteemed leaders Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Betty devised a no hands umbrella holder Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Let's go walking Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Around camp
 

Sharon chilling Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Big kids Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mary and Heather Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Lesley at the infamous bridge Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	A friendly visitor Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Mike at dinner Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

 

Another excellent Batemans Bay Bushwalker excursion. A big thank you to Ainslie and Mike for organising a wonderful time away.  

END   

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