The paddocks have Kangaroos, it must be Kangaroo Valley, NSW

It had been a few years since we stayed over at our friend's place in Kangaroo Valley, not in the township just 15 kilometres out of town.

The trip was planned and the departure was set for 12:00 noon. I wanted to get away sooner but I didn't know what fate had in store.

The Kawasaki was packed, the car was almost packed and there was a call from VitaCall.
"Your mother has hit the panic button, we cannot contact her via the device or phone and we have the ambulance on its way".

Quick change of plans. The Kawasaki was ready so it was off to mum's to see what was happening.

I arrived and the ambulance was parked out front, the front door of the house was open and I could hear mum's voice. I went in and the two ambulance officers were just finishing the paperwork. Mum, so she tells me had decided to do some cleaning and got down on the floor to clean some low lying objects. She then discovered she couldn't get back up and so hit the button. She didn't hear the operator's voice and when the phone rang she was still on the floor and couldn't get to it. The ambulance officers arrived and called out to her and she told them how to get into the house.

So the end of this part of the story was, mum's well and we know the VitaCall system works.
www.vitalcall.com.au .

I returned home to start the trip to Kangaroo Valley but had a fuel stop along the way to minimise the stops along the way.

With the vehicles ready, it's time to load the special passenger, 'Jock' our ex pound puppy.

Jock's chariot awaits with the escort bike in front.

The plan was, I would lead, so it was going to be a slow trip as I currently only have one point left on my licence. Its a long story, so its for another day.

On board with some 'road snacks', Jock now just has to be belted in.

When travelling with pets and children remember to plan the stops according to their needs. Jock's need, wa to extend his territory and mark it out everywhere. So at the rest area, north of Kiama we stopped as it has all the necessary facilities. Trees, posts, signs and any stationary vertical object.

A little stop enroute. Important territory marking stuff to do for Jock.

We rest but do not have to water the vehicles.

Interesting signs about the area and its original owners.

The motorcycle for this trip was the old faithful Kawasaki 1000 GTR known as a Concourse in the USA. The reason for this, I was expecting the roads to be wet, possibly slippery and the forecast had been rain and was expected to be the same for the whole weekend.

Just before leaving the rest area, I noticed Jock was leaving the toilet area. 

Had he finally been toilet trained?

Maybe Jock's been toilet trained, top left in the photo .

Just before we returned to the road, my mobile rang and it was Steve from Just Cruisin', he tells how well the Tourist job he and Kym had just done went. I mention this call as a bluetooth warning. Never have your phone paired to 2 vehicles which are in close proximity to each other. My wife suddenly had a strange man's voice coming through her car's stereo system. With the call finished we continued on. Through the Kiama Bends then the road construction zone near Gerringong. The next town was Berry where a few weeks ago I took some mates to see the Car and Bike Show. Just as we are leaving Berry, we took the Kangaroo Valley Road to the right which I also travelled those weeks ago. Here was where the Kawasaki choice proved to be the right one. The road has 15, 25 and 35 kph corners climbing from Berry and descending into Kangaroo Valley. Along the way there were some fallen branches on the road.

We arrived and passed through the township of Kangaroo Valley or as its known locally KV.

The property we were staying at is off the main road and the last kilometre is gravel without signage.

We arrive with the gravel road now behind us.

Open and close two gates and we are there.

There are Kangaroos in the distant background. I hope you can see them.

A little ad time. Shame I couldn't get the Kangaroos any closer.

We unpacked and as there is no rain, we went for a walk to the entrance to the National Park just up the road. We could not enter as Jock, being a dog was not allow and they are currently fox baiting.

A horse riding farm is just around the corner from this sign.

There is a kangaroo in there somewhere.

A kangaroo in the neighbour's front yard.

Another kangaroo in the neighbour's front yard.

A kangaroo in the neighbour's front yard.

What to do after a walk? Have a rest and wait for the fire to be lit.

In the afternoon, we went into town and left Jock to guard the house and farm from intruders such as wombats.
We both had a great pub (hotel) meal at the Friendly Inn. www.facebook.com/TheFriendlyInn .
The trip into town was interesting as the wildlife was out trying to become the wilddead with a kangaroo and 3 wombats as star candidates. I didn't get a change to photograph them but tried on the way home.

Somewhere about 4 metres beyond that fence is a wombat.

The next morning and the kangaroos were back but still a fair way off.

Panorama of the backyard.

More Kangaroos

2 of the property owner's dogs, Heather and Honey are buried here.

Just cannot coax the kangaroos any closer.

We had breakfast and returned to Kangaroo Valley township to do the Tourist thing.
I have discovered after all these years, my wife does not like 'bric a brac' shops, something like things not taken to the tip but she does like artwork and so we checked out the Carpenter's shop called Kangaroo Valley Woodcrafts www.kangaroovalleywoodcrafts.com.au .
Last time we went to one of these, it was in Echuca last April and we bought a clock.
 

Is this the starting line for the Kangaroo Valley Cup?

Beautifully made rocking horse. 2nd prize winner in the Craft section at the 2014 Royal Easter Show.

The stable?

Previous prize winners.

Doll's houses and children size furniture.

We continued our exploration and discovered a Lolly (Candy) Shop. There were even Sugarless and Low Carb treats. One of the joys of Diabetes 2 is discovering food you can eat.

This is just part of the lolly (candy) section of the store.

Looking along the main street towards Nowra.

On our last trip to Kangaroo Valley we went to an Art Gallery which we rediscovered. Last time there was a sculpture of a Silver back Gorilla. It has be replaced by the black horse below. Its for sale but I didn't ask the price. 

At the entrance to the Kangaroo Valley Art Gallery.

Side view, shame we have nowhere to put it.

 We continued wandering along the main street.

Fudge Shop on the left, Woodcraft Shop on the right.

Looking west through town towards the escapement.

Time for a coffee and a hot chocolate drink.
We headed for Jing Jo Cafe Restaurant www.jingjo.com.au which we remembereed as the meeting point for our farm gate tour last time. They have moved from where they were next the Hampden Bridge. It's the same owners and yes, it was them. The large artwork on the wall caught my wife's eye. Quite unusual in the way it is done. If only we had the $4,700.00 it would be hanging on the wall at home.

An interest painting of a bird's nest.

We returned to the property for some lunch and settled down to some reading.

Its was almost time for me to return home and I discovered the Kangaroos were closer than before so I took this video.

 

Last try to photograph the Kangaroos.

Time for me to head home, my wife and Jock were staying on for a week. Nice relaxing break for them and I am sure the wood fire is going to be put to good use. 

The road in went from sealed to gravel without a  warning sign.

Its daylight so they are staying as wildLIFE.

Looking across to the escapement to the west of Kangaroo Valley

Hampden Bridge heading east into town.

Some information about the Hampden Bridge can be found at: www.hampdenbridgeheritage.com.au

Looking to the west having just crossed the bridge.

On the other side of Kangaroo Valley township is the Police Station in the old Courthouse.

Police Station in the old Courthouse.

On the Kangaroo Valley Road to Berry. Looking back to Kangaroo Valley.

Looking back to Kangaroo Valley.

The road ahead to Berry and the continuing climb out of the valley.

Looking back to Kangaroo Valley.

Looking back on the Kangaroo Valley Road to Kangaroo Valley.

Coming into Berry on the Kangaroo Valley Road..

Looking south.

The corner swings to the left and there is a 25 kph corner waiting for me.

I reached Berry and turned left to return to Sydney. With the one point still on my licence I sat just below the 60 kph limit in the roadworks area. I had a queue growing behind me. As I lead the following cars over the rise, a Highway Patrol car is waiting. I and my followers were safe from his clutches.

I travelled through the Kiama bends and discovered another Highway Patrol car, I was of course below the 80 kph limit. I had a bit of time so I exited and returned south through the bends as I had never stopped to photograph the local scenery. Following is the scenery. 

Looking north to Kiama with the end of the bends to the left.

Somewhere in there is a Highway Patrol car.

About the mount and travel south to the next lookout 2 corners away.

The Grand Pacific Drive map and the view South.

In the distance, the Highway Patrol car's lights are flashing. Success for some and not for others.

Again is looking south to Gerringong and beyond.

The southern panorama.

I travelled again into the roadworks areas and wonder why its a 60 kph zone when the only ones working are the Highway Patrol. I thought the speed limit was to protect the roadworkers. There was a U-turn bay after a right turn and I returned to my original journey north.

I travelled the usual road north along the coast, the Princes Highway but at Bulli, I took the deviation and go to Sublime Point as a final stop to see how clear the view is as it had been quite windy and there was no rain.

Home in one piece to share the weekend with you.

I hope you enjoyed this ride.