Week 28

Sunday 17 October 1971. Kiama

A nice warm day. I spent most of it on the beach. A bit windy though, so I did not go into the water. In the afternoon I first had a nap, then walked around town a bit, including to the lighthouse and the blowhole (on the picture in my journal) Then off to the Methodist Church where they had a combined service with the Presbyterian brothers and sisters. Only singing hymns, so no sermon, and coffee with snacks after the service. I had too many questions to answer, which kept me from getting the most out of the snacks. Pretty late before I went to bed.

Monday 18 October 1971. Kiama to Sydney: 74 miles

I got up early on this my last day of the journey around Australia. Had a quick breakfast and got going. Soon I was nice and warm again. When I got close to Wollongong I got stuck in early morning peak-hour traffic and the accompanying exhaust fumes. At nine o'clock I went to visit a Dutch family I had met a few times in West Australia. Received a second breakfast. Because the man of the house had decided to especially come home for lunch because I was visiting, and also because the local newspaper had been alerted, it was after many cups of coffee and much shaking of hands that I was finally able to leave. By then it was 1 p.m. First I had to climb a pretty steep hill that I had to take in my lowest gear. The descend was very gradual all the way to Sydney. I left my bicycle with Coen (a former radio officer from my merchant navy days) and then on to Ineke Kwaytaal, who I had met in Perth where I had told her that I would be at her place at 6 pm on Monday the 18th of October. I was 25 minutes late, not bad really. We had sauerkraut with sausage. I slept in Coen's place that night.