A bush walk with a difference
On the Sunday after a week of rain, when we received more water than in the last three months, the On-Track bushwalking group took to the Sea Cliff Bridge 23kms north of Wollongong. This October walk had three distinct treats for us all, and it was probably these that made it our most attended walk ever.
Firstly, there was the delicious morning tea at Bill and Gerry Feneley's delightful yellow cottage in Austinmer. When she heard that we were intending to walk the bridge, Gerry spontaneously offered their home and garden for morning tea, saying that we would have to drive past the street on our way. For most of us this was a chance to see more of the town than the main street and to learn about the fascinating history of the area and their home in particular.
Secondly, our walk was to be a very easy one. Many people have asked why we chose the bridge, as they had driven over it and couldn't see what the fuss was about. But when you walk it there is so much to see and the clever engineering is apparent and the reasons for all its awards obvious. We parked our cars at the Scarborough Hotel and walked from there (if you walk to the end of the sea views, to the first street 
on the right, this makes the walk a 6km round trip). The actual offshore bridge is only 665 metres long and was opened in December 2005 for a cost of $52 million and it forms part of the Grand Pacific drive. It was built because, in August 2003, a large embankment slipped onto the road, effectively cutting off all road traffic between Coalcliff and Clifton. The bridge is affectionately known, in our household, as the Twirly Whirly Bridge, as this was the name suggested by one of the school children who entered the competition and we think it should have won over the more prosaic Sea Cliff.
Apart from the spectacular ocean and rock shelf views along the walk, we saw a sea eagle being attacked by a much smaller bird to protect its nest, a rescue police helicopter in 
action and discussed the unusual practice that has developed, of locking engraved padlocks to the railing of the bridge, to declare undying love. Those of us who have been divorced suggested that there must be quite a few people who return in the dead of night with bolt cutters when all goes wrong. There were lots of people also enjoying the experience on a cool but dry day and we would all recommend it for an activity.
Thirdly, we ditched the old squashed cheese and pickle sandwiches and ate our lunch at the Scarborough Pub. What an experience that is too. The views from the back are wonderful, the food is delicious and we were treated to a display by a mother whale and her calf quite close to the shore. To top off the whole day the rain poured down as we were leaving, somehow we had been blessed by the weather gods.