WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL     SOUTH WEST ROCKS

April Fools Day. Another humid day.

We were expecting a visit from Z and C, so I made a batch of pikelets for morning tea, before they came. We talked here for a while, over morning tea. We had remembered to tell them to bring their own seating!

C drove us around South West Rocks, pointing out some places of interest, then out to Arakoon and Trial Bay. I was pleased that his driving seemed fine – one never knows!

Arakoon is a small National Park on the outskirts of South West Rocks. It surrounds the Trial Bay Gaol, built in the late 19th century.

We went to Little Bay for a BBQ picnic lunch. There was a shelter, with table, seats and a fireplace. The men organized the BBQ. We had the Tbone steak and a tray of satay sausages. We cooked the whole tray full – it seemed easiest – and took the leftovers back to the van for tea.

After lunch, we walked up Monument Hill to the top. In WW1  supposed German sympathizers were interned in the gaol and the Monument is to those who died here. The walk was about a km to the top, gradually uphill, through coastal scrub and banksia woodland,  where there were lots of birds. C managed the walk well – at the outset, we had been concerned about him attempting it – but Z was stuffed!

From the top of the hill there was an excellent vista over the historic gaol.

We got back to the van about 4pm.

Tea was cold sausages and salads.

It began to rain in the early evening, with some really heavy showers at times. It was great to clear the air, and to hear rain on the roof. It was such a novelty that I went out and walked about in it!