Kiama 26th August 2012

Sunday 26^th August 2012

Our adventure to Kiama for early father’s day for Larry , Leash , with Poppy (Gil), Julianne (Grandma) and some of our grandchildren.

Due to the number of people we took three cars on our adventure our first stop being Cordeaux Dam off the Picton Road this was a first for Leash, Larry and the family and they were quite inspired with the picnic grounds and the dam.

  We all walked across the dam with the younger ones having much excitement asking how old it was and looking at the overflow etc it was great to see the interest.
 

We all saw a wombat

in its freedom in the bush which is always very exciting.

From the dam we drove to Kiama an excellent drive,
 

found a parking space immediately then gathered all and walked to the light house and blowhole, unfortunately being a perfect weather day the blowhole was not at its best but the family enjoyed climbing over the rocks and the spectacular view.  

We all had lunch at the park, chicken and rolls and the younger children enjoyed the climbing frame and slide.

After this break Julianne, Klancy and Melita left for a quick beach trip at Kiama to collect some shells and then off home. 

Larry, Leash, Poppy and family moved on to Jamberoo in the hope of seeing the Markets but unfortunately a little too late, they returned to Kiama and   let the kids shop at the old settlers homes on the terrace.

The weather was perfect and a pleasant rewarding drive.

 Maybe next time we can come down to Kiama for the markets at Kiama as they are great .

Colo Heights 19th August 2012

Upper Colo River  19^th August 2012

Gil and I decided to go on a drive from QH through Windsor along Putty Road to Upper Colo.  Driving along over the bridge at Windsor along the flood plain you notice the veggie gardens have been replaced by turf farms which in a sense does not seem right but turf is in big demand with new housing these days and obviously better income.  We drove through Wilberforce and past many of the areas of Glossodia, East Kurrajong then to Colo Heights.

Turning left off Putty Road at the Upper Colo sign you get the impression this could be a good tarred road, we did our homework before hand and knew differently, but if you did not check before hand this is misconceiving. 


The road is tarred for a while then goes into dirt but not too bad there is some corregation but easy to cover.  


There are quite a few houses/farms on this road but nothing too flash.  The road is narrow in parts but taking your time two vehicles can pass, the scenery is great -  bush, valleys and lots of wattle out and other wild flowers which create beautiful colour amongst the green.

We took the right hand turn towards Colo Heights Road which would return us back to the Putty Road further north to where we entered the Upper Colo Road.  

Initially we crossed a very old, one lane bridge made up of sleepers and other timbers with timber tracks to drive on.   

We stopped on the north side of the bridge as there was a little clearing where we could pull in off the road and walk down to the river.  The river was clean and very beautiful and quite.

This road is also narrow and windy in parts but careful driving is easily negotiated.

We had morning tea at the reserve at Colo Heights which has been neglected a little but was good all the same. 

After morning tea we drove not far south on the Putty Road and turned into Wheelbarrow Ridge Road this was a very good road – wide, tarred for a little while, then dirt but no corregations, just had to watch for some potholes which in the shadows of the road were sometimes hard to see.   








This road took us to West Portland where the road came to a T intersection where you could turn left and go to Webbs Creek or right to Windsor.  This drive was very enjoyable.

Three Dams 5 Aug 2012

CORDEAUX DAM

We wanted to go for a drive but not to far, so remembering taking children when they were very young we decided to visit the dams south of Sydney, the Cordeaux, Nepean and Avon and free of charge, all within 1hour to 1 1/2 hours from Sydney,


Packing up a picnic lunch we headed off to our first dam, the Cordeaux, as the memory had lapsed over time we did not know what to expect.  The dam is very clealy sign posted off the Picton Road with a short drive into the entrance of the dam area, we were very pleasantly surprised to see well kept picnic grounds and a  shelter sheds, tables, barbeques, toilets, playgrounds for children and more, what a great place to bring a family or just come an veg out.


We drove down to the dam and this was even more of a surprise, with overhead battlements and beautiful columns reminding us of ancient Greece at the entry.  Made from sandstone and completed in 1926 you wonder how such a feat could be done at that time without the machinery we have today.

The walk across the dam was truly magical taking in every view and the vast mass of water.


 The water is 156 feet deepand is 1931 acres in size and the catchment area is 35 miles square.

This water is some of Sydneys water supply water is diverted to the Nepean Tunnel (7.5kms long) to the Cataract River there it flows through Catarct Tunnel, to upper Canal where it flows 57kms to the Prospect Water Filtration Plant near Prospect Reservoir.

                                                                                                                                                                   

NEPEAN DAM

After leaving the Cordeaux we headed back to the Hume Highway and turned south taking the turn off to the Avon Dam Road (approx 30kms) turning left the road takes you directly to the dams. 

 The Nepean Dam is first turn right and drive to the entrance, although smaller in size the picnic area is great, when we visited there was a birthday party happening, playground area for children and picnic tables, shelter sheds, toilets and barbeques throughout the grounds.

This dam was started in 1925 but not completed until 1935 due to the depression of the thirties but again a beautiful dam it has been upgraded since and restrengthened.

                                                                                                                                                                 

AVON DAM

Retracing our steps back onto Avon Dam Road turned right towards the Avon Dam this was completed in 1928 and has very similar structure as the Cordeaux beautiful battlements with columns onto the walkway of the dam.

 This area also has a beautiful picnic ground with play area, toilets, barbeques etc.

A tunnel links the Nepean and Avon dams so water can be transferred between these dams in time of drought.

These dams are also constructed of the beautiful sandstone.