Late Return Pays Off For Horsley Family

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday March 29, 2005

By KILMENY ADIE

MARK Horsley reckons a few extra hours of relaxation pays off when it comes to beating the Easter holiday traffic.

Mr Horsley and his family, wife Sandra and children Chad and Cara, drove to Bendalong for their annual Easter break.

On Saturday, the Mercury reported on traffic problems as holiday-makers headed south for the long weekend, including the Kanahooka family's two-hour trip along the Princes Hwy.

Yesterday, after their return journey, Mr Horsley said the family's tactical decision to enjoy a few extra hours of the Easter break, by having a morning swim and good lunch before heading north, had paid off.

"It was good as gold," Mr Horsley said last night.

"We were held up in South Nowra for half an hour or so near the BTU road turn-off. It was about the same time as it took going down."

Mr Horsley said he drove through Jamberoo to avoid any traffic snarls near Kiama.

"I heard Bombo was a parking lot," he said.

"But everyone was fairly patient, although there were a lot of learner drivers."

Mr Horsley, whose family has headed south for Easter for 11 years, said he believed there was more traffic on the road this Easter because the break did not coincide with school holidays.

On Saturday, motorists reported three-hour trips between Wollongong and Huskisson, a trip which would normally take less than 11/2 hours.

Last night, a police spokesman reported medium traffic flow after heavier traffic during the day. There were no major delays through Kiama.