Saturday 4th August 2007.

6.30AM. The adventurers were up at sparrow's fart on this cold and windy morning. Larry collected Horse and Diamond in the Club Car and they drove north through the Illawarra along the coast rode to Otford.

The ocean at Otford

They reached the top of the hill at Otford and took a moment to take in the magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean and the Illawarra escarpment

The newly constructed Sea Cliff Bridge was visible in the distance. Diamond captures some great photographs of the bridge and the Illawarra.

Sea Cliff Bridge

The three adventurers began the walk through the southern portion of the Royal National Park. Larry found some of the early stages of the walk heavy going as the cliffs were near and the edges threatened - despite the presence of a two metre high fence.

On the coastal track

It was a downhill walk down to Werrong Beach. It was deserted. The three explorers walked around the beach and it dawned on them why it has the nickname of "Hell Hole". The trek down was steep, the surf was dangerous and in a storm it would be a rather unpleasant place to be stranded.

Larry commented that he felt like Piggy or Ralph in William Golding's classic tome, The Lord Of The Flies.

Werrong Beach

They wandered about, checked out the fresh water stream, picked up some cuttlefish 'bones' and had a drink. Diamond and Larry shared a freshly brewed coffee.

The rocks and pebbles on the sand were rich in colour. Larry attempted to capture the colours with his camera.

Werrong Beach

The three adventurers decided to have a meeting. Would they return via the track from whence they came or attempt to reach Bulgo Beach via a walk along the base of the steep and treacherous cliffs?

They decided to risk the dual threats of the incoming tide and the falling rocks. Horse lead the three as they negotiated the rubble field at the base of the cliffs. The going was difficult as they clambered over the uneven terrain.

The rugged cliff walk terrain

Horse clambered across the rocks with the skill of a mountain goat while Larry and Diamond exhibited skills more akin to that of a albatross on land.

At one point a rock that looked seemingly inert tumbled as Diamond took a step on its surface. He slipped and cut his hand on the jagged edge of another rock as he reached out to steady himself.

The Injury

After an hour or so they reached Bulgo Beach and the huts occupied by a hardy group of individuals who have decided to escape suburbia.

The houses are settled at the bottom of the cliffs. They are examples of self sustained lifestyle. They provide their own water and use solar cells to generate electricity.

Bulgo Beach

The three chatted to one of the locals for a while. After taking a few photographs the three adventurers embarked on the steep uphill climb back up the cliffs to Otford.

Shacks on the point at Bulgo Beach