After putting our faith in the GPS we struggled through the remnants of the peak hour traffic through the southern suburbs (we waived to Matt and Kelly in Kogarah, and they either weren't home or they ignored us!) and onto the freeway for the trip to Albion Park.
We made our usual stop at lovely Sublime Point Lookout (Photo, right) which gives glorious views of the Illawarra. It was a shame not to see the famous landmark, Port Kembla copper smelter stack, which was demolished in 2014.
In keeping with the world-wide trend of vandalising (oops) famous tourist attractions with padlocks, the council has provided 2 chains to allow lovers this symbolic gesture, and the warning that locks not on these two chains will be removed. If the depth of love is measured by the size and cost of the lock, then one couple's love must reign supreme. The lock John's holding in the photo was a monstrous, stainless steel Lockwood with a shaft at least 15mm in diameter! As you know, the ritual involves closing the lock and throwing away the key. We reckon there must be a pile of keys at the bottom of the vertical escarpment, a couple of hundred metres down.
No trip to the Illawarra is complete without a scenic drive through Port Kembla. This area is a prime example of the changes in Australian industry. Many of the once thriving workshops and factories centred around the BHP Steel Works are now derelict. The main commercial centre of Port Kembla today is a far cry from past prosperity. Very few shops appeared to be operating and we could have counted the number of shoppers we saw on one hand. A sad byproduct of globalisation. Prior to 2014, the 198 metre tall chimney, built in 1965, stood on the site in front of John and Dave (right).
Who remembers TAA? Albion Park Airport incorporates a well respected air museum called HARS. Their display includes a 747 (called the City of Canberra) which caused great excitement when it landed on the smallish runway. It was a matter of local public debate as to whether it would stop in time! Other aircraft on display include a Constellation (Connie), Catalina, F111, DC3 (pictured) and Tiger Moth. If you are interested in aircraft a visit to the HARS web site will not disappoint.
The Illawarra Yacht Club would have to be in one of the most delightful spots. On such a beautiful day, how could you not enjoy the view after a coffee at a window seat?
Where would we be without Halloween! Yesterday was our mate Dave's birthday - Halloween. A walk around their neighbourhood showed just how involved some people get. This yard (right) got our vote for the most creative. The front yard was peppered with graves, bones, headstones and skulls. Maybe they had a lot of budgies that died all at the same time!
Where would we be without Halloween! Yesterday was our mate Dave's birthday - Halloween. A walk around their neighbourhood showed just how involved some people get. This yard (right) got our vote for the most creative. The front yard was peppered with graves, bones, headstones and skulls. Maybe they had a lot of budgies that died all at the same time!