Burn to Berrima

13 June 2020 / Story Anne Zattera, Pictures Anne Zattera and Anda Clayton

Social distancing rules have eased and our first time in a long time taking our little MX5s out to play with other “Miatas”. Cobwebs brushed off, engines revved and away we go. Our group of 6 depart the Heritage Bakery at Milton at 9.00am for a one hour drive to Cambewarra Lookout to meet with the rest of our group. A total of 10 intrepid travellers who were quickest on the “Book Now” button as soon as the event was posted. Keen to get out of isolation and meet with old friends again.

The drive up Cambewarra Mountain is scenic, the ascent steep and narrow in parts with a few hair pin turns, exactly the roads our little cars handle with ease.

We arrive at the Lookout Café and immediately fall into catch up mode, the months melting away but then are taken by pleasant surprise at the breathtaking view. Set out before us is a panoramic view of the Shoalhaven coastline, from Coolangatta Mountain in the north to Pigeon House Mountain near Ulladulla in the south. The view includes Point Perpendicular and the beautiful Jervis Bay National Park.

Our host at the café has made fresh scones with jam and cream for us to enjoy with our coffee. We chat and take photos of the amazing panorama, time flying by until Brian calls time to leave for our drive to lunch.

We descend winding roads through lush rainforests to the historic township of Kangaroo Valley and cross the iconic Hampden Bridge. We continue through rolling pastures, glimpsing grand estates as well as quaint cottages. It’s winter and many trees are bare but there is still amazing autumn colour clinging to others.

We arrive at the Surveyor General Inn at Berrima which boasts the reputation of the oldest continuously licensed Inn. The air is crisp so we hustle inside to the fireside warmth. We peruse the menus and make our selections. The food is hearty pub fare and very welcome. The lady serving us is delightful. We wonder if she is always this happy or if she too is pleased to be back at work after the lifting of restrictions. She brings one couple their rhubarb and apple crumble with walnut ice cream. Immediately the rest of us also order the same. We justify that we won’t eat dinner tonight.

Time to stretch our legs and work off some lunch kilojoules, we take an amble along the street and wander into the village shops.

All too soon it is time for the return trip home but we look forward to our next lunch meeting.

We’re back!