Damn Fine Dam
05 July 2020 / Words and photos Jan Gibson
After weeks of staying at home doing those chores that you’ve put off for months, it was finally time to go on a run with the MX-5 club. An early call woke me from my slumber are we still going on the run today...it’s raining?‘ Yes, after a week of sunshine the pitter patter of rain drops on the window confirmed what the voice on the phone had said. After a few quick phone calls we decided yes, we would go despite the wet weather, after all it’s not the first time we’d been on a run in the rain.
Time to organise lunch and snacks for the day then over to Unanderra Pool car park to meet the others. By 9:30 the rain had stopped, the sky was clearing and ten enthusiastic members were ready to hit the road.
We left the car park turning left onto the Princes Highway drove through Figtree and turned onto Mt Keira Rd. Travelling along the escarpment towards Picton Rd the air was crisp and clear..... it was great to be out and about again.
It didn’t take long to reach Picton where we turned right onto Argyle St and headed toward Razorback Mt lookout, where we stopped to checkout the historical landmark. Back in the cars, just as light rain began to fall, we continued on Remembrance Drive to turn right onto Finns Lane then Menangle Rd and Camden Rd taking us towards Douglas Park. Down the narrow road under the hanging rock, across the weir and up the steep incline we were soon turning onto Wilton Rd before crossing the single lane bridge at Broughton Pass now heading towards Appin. Turning right at Appin Rd we soon reached Baden Powell Drive for the short drive down to the picnic area.
There were more people there than we thought would be but we still managed to get a covered area to set up. The sky was clear again and we sat with the warm sun on our back and enjoyed our lunch and a chat.
After lunch half the group decided to take a leisurely walk down to the dam wall. After a stroll along the wall we agreed it was time to walk back to meet the others. The day seemed to fly buy and soon it was time to say our goodbyes and head home.
Thank you to those members who joined us on the day, it was great to catch up. Look forward to seeing everyone on the road again soon, until then, stay safe.
Did you know Cataract dam is the oldest dam of the upper Nepean river, construction commenced in 1902 and was completed in 1907 ( these days it would take longer to get approval, never mind build a dam in that time)
