Actually, it was the road out of Kangaroo Valley, and the realisation that road signs should be observed. Especially ones that say ‘no large vehicles and caravans’!

So day eight saw us leave Canberra and set off on our way to see Mandy at Kiama.

We had decided that Kangaroo Valley would be a great idea coz lots of other internet reviews said so, and the internet is never wrong, or misses out bits of important of information, especially Pauline from Sydney or that bloke from Turkey who also gave it five stars.

We made pretty good time and dropped in through Fitzroy Falls, across oldeworldy Hampden Bridge and stopped for lunch in Kangaroo Valley itself. The usual dietary requirements (veggie and gluten free) were asking a bit much so we opted for another lunch by the side of the road.

Which is kind of what the van is intended for.

Fitzroy Falls took us completely by surprise and were pretty spectacular.

If we were aware of it in advance we could have allowed time to do some of the walks that were on offer, but for the time being its another one of those places that we will flag for a follow-up (may have to start a list!).

And no small-town scouting expedition is complete without locating the traditional lollie shop:-

Well, so far so good and it was now time to leave this Valley place, and catch up with Mandy at Kiama.

This is where things got interesting.

We followed the road out of Kangaroo Valley unaware of the twisty surprise that was lying in wait. Funnily enough, as the road narrowed and every corner seemed to be speed rated at 35 and even 25 Belinda recalled having half seen a road sign advising that it was not suitable for large vehicles and caravans. Or did she? It was all a bit subtle, and didn’t really stand out. And are we really supposed to pay attention to these things anyhow? As we know now, that would be a Yes and a Yes.

So those of us thinking that such an an important sign would be in massive letters? Wrong! The road was indeed not suitable but it was too late to turn back, and there no way of turning round.

For the next few hours of our soon-to-end lives (seemed like it) we navigated insane hairpin bends, disappeared into an extreme concentric cirlce vortex (eccv), had to use the wrong side of the road on multiple occassions, and put up with the not insignificant top heavy wobble of the van.

The good news for locals is that we have now committed  to funding a new road sign which will stand out  (think flashing lights, loud-hailers, circus midgets etc).

The brakes were also joining in the fun by emitting quite a strong burning smell, which was fortunately soon overpowered by the smell of fear.

Finally the Valley bottomed out, the smell went away (both of them) and we managed to arrive at Kiama a few minutes later. Everything was in tact, but we might keep a closer eye on road signs in future.

There is a video attached which shows a section of the road but maybe does not catch the worse part. Anyhow …. have a look and see what you think.