Stockton, 2010

17th May, To-day we are reverse travelling, ie, backtracking. Val is still suffering with a lower jaw ache so we have made an appointment for her to see the Dental Specialist in Newcastle. We booked into Stockton Beach Caravan Park (FPA) and had a drive around Stockton. Val made an appointment to have her hair done to-morrow and we checked out the local RSL. Val won $180 on the Pokies and I found out that they have Table Tennis on Wednesday Night. I found out that this, Council Owned, Tourist Park will not sign a Centrelink Rent Assistance form (Crazy,eh?).

18th May, Rained all night and still raining. Had a quiet day with Val taking herself off to the Hairdressers at 1pm

19th May, Drove down to Glendale NIB Dental Clinic and Val’s problem was a huge infection in her lower jaw, around an implant pin, so she is now on a course of antibiotics which should solve all her problems within a week. I went to the RSL for the special steak dinner (delicious) and played Table Tennis. They had around 16 players turn up (that was about half what they normally have) and was teamed up with a young local, to play doubles. I had a great time, winning the lucky door prize of a $10 voucher and young Jim & I reached the finals & won, collecting $15 each for our efforts.

20th May, Another quiet morning, rain has stopped and I had just finished breakfast, when I heard a loud long TOOT and realized that one of the big Tankers was leaving Newcastle Harbour. I grabbed the camera and made my way to the beach to see it heading out to sea through the narrow breakwall channel. From now on I will be ready and hopefully get to the breakwall in time to see the whole ship and the Tugs. We went to the RSL for Dinner & Raffles. Meals are very good but prices a bit high for an RSL, they only have a Restaurant. Val won a meat tray and come home with some money out of the pokies.

21st May, Another quiet day, I’m not complaining, Val has gone for a pedicure and now we have an afternoon storm coming up. Val’s jaw is starting to get better so we will leave here next Monday for Laurieton. I had the opportunity to talk to the Park Manager to-day, about them not signing my Centrelink Rent Assistance form. This was the first time I had been refused. He was instructed 6 weeks ago by the group of Council Parks that they belong to, not to sign anymore forms pending a Courtcase involving one of their Parks on the Central Coast. A Caravaner booked into this particular Park for 150 days (Max. allowed stay) and overstayed another day and because he had a signed rent ass’t form, claimed that he was permanent resident and wouldn’t leave. This is now in the hands of the Court and because these Parks are on Crown land, that could also have a bearing on the case. The outcome of this Courtcase could affect all homeless Travellers, like us.

22nd May, We are just filling in time waiting for Val to get over the side effects of the antibiotic that she is on, for her infected jaw. Her jaw is getting better but she is getting continuous headaches and not sleeping at night. We met Joan & Robert at the Wests Club, Mayfield at 6pm for dinner and a flutter. This was the last chance for them to give us our mail before we start travelling again.

24th May, We decided to stay another day so will be off in the morning for The Christmas Cove Caravan Park at Laurieton. We have had a couple of fine days and I have been enjoying a daily walk to the end of the breakwall and back, it takes 30 minutes , so it’s good exercise. I’ve had a few opportunities to photograph some of the big Tankers coming in & out of the Newcastle Port. The Tankers seem to be coming and going 24/7, you never know at what hour they are going to blast their horn.