Sydney, Bateau Bay, January 2012

January 7^th, Arrived back at Sydney Gateway Holiday Park for a 7night stay. Our pleasant task for this period is to look after Jessica and Annaliese while Mum & Dad are at work. Dianne drops the Girls off at the Park Gates every morning and Greg picks them up after work. I off-loaded the Tinny and stored it and as much gear as we didn’t need, in Greg’s Garage, until we leave Sydney on the 31^st.

January 11^th, Jessica and Annaliese have been having a great time with us in the Park, with Swimming, games, riding their scooters, swing park, making new friends. Unfortunately, the Jumping Pillow is closed down for major repairs, which was one of their favourite activities. We went to Ed’s place at Glebe, for Dinner, with Steven and Margaret. This is now my favourite place to visit, as at the back of Ed’s Townhouse is a strip of land, currently not belonging to anybody, where I was able to park the car. You would understand my elation if you have ever tried to Park in the inner City of Sydney. Ed took us on a tour of his Townhouse, which was a very impressive and nicely furnished home. Ed went to a lot of trouble to prepare a beautiful 4 course Dinner. After we had our appetizer and entrée courses it was off to the Local Pub and the TAB. Margaret’s horse was running in Perth and was favoured to win, so led by our most avid gambler (Val) were encouraged to not only put $10 each way but to take “Stompin” in a Quinella with the entire field. You can imagine the excitement, in the Local on a quiet Wednesday night, when Stompin, from a slow start from an outside barrier, blitzed the field and won in a photo finish for all places. Let me say that 5 people created an uproar as we celebrated and congratulated Margaret on her horse’s win. We then went back to Ed’s to continue Dinner, with Margaret, Val and Steven all $191 richer and Ed had his $20 for a place so was $78 up. Val had passed the Tip on to Greg and he had $20 e/w so was the biggest winner in our family with $290. The main and dessert were delicious, topping off a very pleasant evening. We drove Margaret and Steven home to Centennial Park before heading back to Parklea.

January 12^th, Dianne organized the tickets for the Girls and myself to see “Alvin and The Chipmunks” at Castle Hill Plaza. We all enjoyed the show, while I had a choc top ice-cream and the girls devoured a medium box of popcorn and a drink each. Greg and Dianne came to the Park for a BBQ, after work.

January 14^th, Dianne dropped the girls off this morning, with their holiday luggage, and we headed for “Blue Lagoon Beach Resort” at Bateau Bay. Jessica and Annaliese had such a great time at this Park last year, that they chose to come here again this year. We called in to Express Canvas at Calga, on our way, and ordered an Annexe which we will pick up on our way to The Entrance on 25^th February. After booking in and setting up, the girls were into the Pool and soon found a new friend. After dinner we went to the Caravan Park Hall and watched a movie, Mr. Bean as a Secret Agent, very funny. We were impressed with the kid’s activities available at this Park, starting at 8am each day, right through to 8 or 9 pm.

January 15^th, Carole and Rob came down from Charlestown with their 2 grandkids, Darcy and Sophie. We had a nice lunch and the girls had a great day, playing together. This being Sunday there were no organized activities at the Caravan Park.

January 18^th, So far everything was running smoothly, the girls were doing all the activities they could and having a great time. The 2.45pm activity today was a 2km walk to Bateau Bay Beach, collect some natural spring water and return to Blue Lagoon Beach, so I went along for the walk. The spring water was just running out of the rock face, very clear, good tasting and so we all filled up our drink bottles and headed back. As we were going over the rock flats a photo opportunity came up. Gavin, our Activity Co-ordinator, had picked up a crab, so the girls needed their ipods to take a photo. Annaliese was last to get hers out of the backpack and running through a water puddle, slipped over. She quickly picked herself up and went to take her photo and then she saw the blood on the rocks coming from a cut under the heel of her foot. I sat her on a large rock, grabbed the towel from around her shoulder and mopped up the blood then applied pressure, to stop the bleeding. It took a while to calm her down and assure that she was not going to lose “all her blood”, as she put it. I used my 2 handkerchiefs to make a covering over the wound then “piggy backed” her to the Park. Val took over and dressed the wound, but at the mention of the cut needing a stitch, Annaliese went ballistic, screaming “don’t stitch me just put on a band-aid”.

January 20^th, Annaliese had a quiet day yesterday but seemed to be recovering well, so was able to do some of today’s activities. Apart from the cut foot, I think the Girls enjoyed their holiday at Blue Lagoon. We leave for Sydney in the morning.

Wangi Point 2011

December 29^th, We moved to Wangi Point Caravan Park this morning and set up for our 9 day stay, including taking the Tinnie off the car. It was good to be back at Wangi Point, we had forgotten how good it was at this Park. Waterfront, on Lake Macquarie, great views and was packed for New Year. We were up the back near the Amenities Block, but that was our own fault because when you leave it to the last minute to book during a holiday period, you have to take the last and only site left. We have decided to save some money this year for our trip to Tasmania next year. We want to take the Caravan over on the boat and take 2 months to look around. We will look at the possibility of staying at Wangi for the winter.

December 30^th, I set the Tinnie up and towed it down to the boat ramp, well! It serves as a boat ramp. It’s really a large slab of rock face that suits the purpose. I found a shoreline tree and chained the back of the boat to it and had an anchor out front. I knew from our previous experience that that pointy end had to face out, as most of the wind comes from that direction and a lot of seaweed packs up on shore. I am now ready to go out fishing when the weather improves, very windy today.

December 31^st, We had 2 invitations for tonight, to bring in the New Year. Carole and Rob got in first, which we had accepted then Joan and Robert called to do the same thing. Our compromise was to call in to Joan and Roberts on the way to Carole and Robs, so it all worked out well. We caught up with all the Ravlen’s at their daughter, Kirri’s place at Macquarie Hills near Cardiff then it was only 5 minute drive to the Lawrence residence at Charlestown. We had a lovely BBQ Dinner and played tiles for the night, with a short break to watch the Spectacular Sydney Fireworks on TV and bring in the New Year. We headed home around 2.30am and got to bed by 4am. I had to set an alarm as Carole and Rob were coming over at 11am tomorrow.

January 1^st, Carole and Rob arrived on time and after lunch I went out fishing with Rob. While we were out fishing, Carole and Val went to the Office to see what sites were available for a long stay, starting after Easter. We still plan to do our 14 day Pacific Island Cruise with Holland America, at the end of February. Then we have 5 weeks booked at Dunleith Caravan Park at The Entrance, which takes us up to our intended move to Wangi. The girls were given 8 sites to look at and decided that site 8, With a water view was the best. Val confirmed a booking for 5 months from 14^th April. Rob and I came in from fishing, having only caught 5 throw backs but still enjoying being out on the water. The wind came up making it was very choppy and we were both drenched, so straight to the showers to get rid of the salt water. Val filled us in on their afternoon activities and told me I needed to pay a deposit on our booking, in the morning. As you can see, I have to do all the ”important” things in this relationship. We all had a walk around the Park and watched a bit of the kids waterfront Disco before going home for dinner and some Tiles.

January 3^rd, We drove into Toronto today and did a big Supermarket shop and had a look around. The place hasn’t changed very much over the last few years. Val was thankful that she got a Vacuum Sealer for Christmas and that allowed us to fit all our meat and frozen items into the freezer.

January 5^th, I went out for a fish yesterday and again today, catching 2 bream yesterday and 3 today, all between 26 and 27cm. After filleting, Val vacuum sealed them and put them in the freezer.

January 6^th, In-between showers I packed up the car with our chairs and tables. The rain eased up after lunch so I pulled the tinnie out of the water and loaded it onto the car. We leave for Sydney Gateway Holiday Park in the morning, ready to look after Jessica and Annaliese on Monday, when Greg and Dianne are back at work.

Sydney, December 2011

December 20^th, Drove to Sydney Gateway Holiday Park at Parklea and booked in for 9 days. Jessica and Annaliese were being looked after at Pa’s place today, so we had all afternoon to get set up. I even set up our Christmas lights, so we were fully in the “Merry Christmas” mood. We went around to Greg and Dianne’s late afternoon, to catch up and give Dianne her belated Birthday present.

December 21^st, Dianne dropped the girls off on her way to work and Greg picked them up in the afternoon. The weather was good so they were able to play on the Jumping Pillow, ride their scooters, spend some money in the games room and get in 2 bouts of swimming. Sometime they managed to fit in some snacks and lunch as well.   

December 22^nd, Dianne dropped the girls off again but today it was very overcast. The rain started about 10 minutes after they got here and didn’t stop till mid-afternoon. So today’s activities were colouring in, painting, hang the man, noughts and crosses, constantly being hungry, so eating all poppy’s choc chip cookies, and making pink and white meringues under nanny’s supervision. We took the girls home around 6pm and stayed for the most delicious Chicken Baked Dinner and vegies, that Greg had cooked on the new BBQ and I finished that off with Trifle and a coffee. This was the last day we were looking after the girls till the 9^th January when both Greg and Dianne go back to work.

December 23^rd, We did a bit of shopping, just to buy all the ingredients for the Trifle that Val is going to make tomorrow for Christmas lunch at Steven and Margaret’s new Apartment at Centennial Park. We ducked around to Greg and Dianne’s in the afternoon, so that Dianne could paint Val’s toenails, ready for Sunday. Karina(Dianne’s Friend) dropped in with Chloe and Riley and it was good to catch up and wish them all a Merry Christmas. Greg was pottering around in the garage, doing nothing much, but after we got chatting about the Pergola lights and ceiling fan, that still hadn’t been wired up, he got the incentive to make a start on that project.

December 24^th, Christmas Eve, had to go to the shops to replace the Sherry, when “strangely” there wasn’t enough left to make the Trifle. The Trifle looks great, the presents are in the car and we’re ready to party tomorrow. We watched the “Carols by Candlelight” from Melbourne, on TV, a spectacular show as always.

December 25^th, We drove to Steven and Margaret’s place in record time. I couldn’t believe how little traffic was on the road this morning and we, first time ever in Sydney, arrived 10 minutes early at our destination. Steven gave us a tour of their new Apartment, which we both liked. It was bright, roomy and had a good view off their balcony. It was on the second floor at the back but was the only Apartment that had any sort of view, as the others all looked onto the roof of the front Apartments. They had the dinner table beautifully set up to seat 21 people for Christmas Lunch. Our family had all arrived by 10.45am and we were able to do our Secret Santa Presents before the other guests arrived. We enjoyed a great lunch, nice wine and good company and left for home around 5.30pm. Typical of Sydney Council, parking was only 1 hour and we couldn’t believe they had a Parking Officer working on Christmas Day. So every hour we had keep rotating our cars around the street, so I’m hoping that I have avoided a fine.

December 27^th, We had all the family over to the Park for Dinner, in the Camp Kitchen. Val did tempura fish, chips and salad with Meat pie for the non-seafood people. A very enjoyable night.

December 28^th, I took the Christmas lights down and packed them up. They won’t be needed until next year. I went over to Greg’s place, after lunch, and supervised the wiring up of a set of lights in his pergola. I went back to the Park at 5.15pm to pack up all the outside gear ready to leave in the morning, for Wangi Point Lakeside Holiday Park. Val and I went back to Greg and Dianne’s for a roast pork dinner and little meringues with cream and fresh fruit, delicious.

Anna Bay, December 2011

December 6^th, We travelled to Anna Bay, with a coffee break at the Caltex McDonalds Roadhouse on the Expressway, and booked into Bays Holiday Park for 2 weeks. We had a break in the rain that allowed me to get set up, then I dropped Val at the Salamander Shopping Centre while I went into Nelson Bay to lodge my Centrelink paperwork. We were looking for changes in the area since we were last here and knew that Bunnings were building at Taylors Beach 12 months ago, but now it has expanded with Supercheap Auto and BCF joining them and other new buildings are in progress.

December 7^th, We drove around Salamander Haven Village, which is part of the Retirement and Aged Care Group that we have our name down with. It looks the same as Fingal Haven, our 1^st preference, but newer and more expensive to buy into. We went to our Storage Shed and spent some time going through boxes and took out some things we thought we needed. Tomorrow Val will be going through the Van looking for stuff to pack up and put in the shed. I dropped Val off at the Salamander Shopping Centre to get started on our Christmas Shopping, always very stressful, and went to the RTA in Nelson Bay and fixed up the registration for both the car and the van.

December 8^th, Vans started arriving at the Caravan Park from 8am onwards. It was the Hunter Coastal Caravan Club getting together for their Christmas Party, held at this Park every year. First thing they did after setting up their Vans was to put up Christmas lights and decorations. I hadn’t planned on putting ours up until we went to Sydney but outvoted by the “Boss”, I had to put ours up as well. Only 3 rope lights, not very impressive but bright. More Christmas shopping during the afternoon, more looking and deciding, than buying.

December 9^th, Val pulled everything out from under the bed and started packing boxes for the Storage Shed and a separate pile for The Salvation Army. I filled in the day with a few little odd jobs around the Van when Val didn’t need my assistance.

December 10^th, I went to The Nelson Bay Community Hall at 9.30am to play Table Tennis. The group that I used to play with at the PC/YC had got fed up with the way they were being treated and joined the Community Hall group. Lex was the only player from the PC/YC group but we had 6 players for an enjoyable couple of hours. They play again on Monday afternoon but that will be the last game for this year. After lunch we enjoyed a drive through Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay and out to Fingal Bay, just to check the place out and see what had changed. The Caravan Club had their Christmas Party in the Camp Kitchen tonight and it sounded like they were having a very jolly time, but they didn’t disturb us.

December 11^th, I went to the shed this morning, swept it out, put our new boxes away and replaced the baits for mice, rats and cockroaches. It had been very hot today, I checked our thermometer and under our awning, it was 29deg. Around 1 pm. The dark clouds rolled in during the late afternoon and during the night the rain started.

December 12^th, I went to the Nelson Bay Community Hall at 3.30pm for Table Tennis. This was their last day for this year as they close up for the Holidays. This was a thorough workout for me, as it was some of the old team that used to play at the PC/YC. Lex, Karl, Paul and Brett really put me through the wringer, I didn’t win any games and I lost around 5 kg in perspiration. It was good to catch up with them again.

December 14^th, We went to our local Doctor this afternoon, Val needed her prescriptions and we both had a general/cancer check up, which we both passed with flying colours.

December 17^th, We drove to Kotara Shopping Centre this afternoon to finish off our Christmas Shopping. Westfield have taken over this Shopping Centre now and it is huge. We were amazed at the changes. We picked up a bottle of “Red” from Dan Murphy’s before getting to Joan and Roberts place at Cardiff around 6.15pm, for pre-dinner drinks and nibbles. Joan put on an excellent roast dinner then we watched the Carols at the Domain on TV, while catching up.

December 19^th, Packed up today ready to leave in the morning for Sydney, to spend Christmas with our Family.

Sydney, November 2011

November 28^th, Hooked up the Van to the new towing hitch and was very happy that it all looked good, so said good-bye to Carole and Rob and set off for Sydney. Booked into Sydney Gateway Holiday Park for 8 days and went around to Greg and Dianne’s in the afternoon. Greg’s new “Pride & Joy” (boat) was taking up one side of the driveway. Very impressive! Dianne had the day off work to take Annaliese to the Dental Hospital as she had a back tooth with a huge hole in it that had to come out and the Dentist wanted to remove it under anaesthetic, as this was her first extraction and would be too traumatic to be done under local anaesthetic. Annie was still drowsy from the aneasthetic but wasn’t in a lot of pain. Greg had cut fillets off a recent catch of flathead and bonito, caught on a fishing trip in his new boat, so we stayed for dinner. Greg and Val made a curried fish dinner from the flathead and bonito pieces and I BBQ’d some nice t-bones for Dianne, the girls and myself.

November 30^th, Yesterday and today have been stifling hot, typical western suburbs weather. Jessica walked home from School today, so I had to take her back to School at 4pm for Guitar practice, which was followed a Recital. Each student had to perform for an audience of parents, before getting their certificates for the past years achievements. This was an after school subject run by an outside musical company. My photos aren’t very good as I was one of the last to arrive and had standing room only, out in the vestibule, so had to take long shots over peoples shoulders. I’ll know better next year. We got back to the Caravan Park in time for the girls to have a swim, before Greg picked them up to go to their piano lessons.

December 1^st, I picked Jessica and Annaliese up after school and brought them back to the Caravan Park for a swim, while Val was making dinner. Greg and Dianne joined us for dinner and Karina, Cloe and Riley paid us a visit after dinner.

December 3^rd, Set an alarm for 7.15am so that I could get to watch Annaliese playing Netball at Castle Hill at 8.30am. At 7.30am I got a phone call from Greg to let me know that Netball was starting at 8am, so had to get my skates on with breakfast and hope I found the Sports Arena without any problems. Foresaking a coffee at home, I made it to the Sports Arena with 5 minutes to spare and Greg had a coffee waiting for me. Annaliese played a great game in the goal shooters position, all her team mates were in great form and came out winning 9-0. After the game, the girls came back to the Caravan Park with me. Greg and Dianne went home to finish packing and drop off the girls clothes to us before heading off to The Hunter Valley for The Elton John Show. Jessica and Annaliese were fully occupied with swimming, jumping pillow, games room and other activities. At 2pm we all went over to Steven and Margaret's place, at Balmain, for a farewell drink and afternoon tea, while sitting a the waters edge on the Harbour. We are not going to see them before they move to their new Apartment at Centennial Park. We had a lovely afternoon, the girls were waving to all the passing boats. We left for home around 6pm. After dinner Annaliese challenged me to a game of “sequence” and beat me 6 – 3. She has picked the game up quickly and I just could not get the right cards.

December 4^th, I took the girls for a swim after breakfast, but ½ an hour later we were chased from the pool by a Thunder Storm. It rained all day with only a few short breaks. Greg and Dianne arrived back from the Hunter Valley around 4pm, having enjoyed the Elton John Show and their visit to some of the Wineries. They brought a nice bottle of “red” back for Val and I got some lovely chocolates. After a cuppa and catching up they took the girls home.

December 5^th, Dropped Val at Greg & Dianne’s, to do our washing, then took the car down to NRMA Motor Serve Depot, at Seven Hills, to get a pink slip. When I paid my car Insurance, they sent me a voucher for a free pink slip inspection. No problem with the pink slip but I was told they had to replace 2 wiper blades for it to pass. So my free inspection still cost me $20 but I didn’t worry as I had replaced the passenger side wiper blade a week ago, so that left 2 old blades, one on the driver’s side and one on the rear wiper. Later on I checked the blades to confirm which ones had been replaced and Guess what! they had replaced the 2 front ones, so much for my free pink slip. Val made a really delicious lasagne for dinner, which we all enjoyed. We all left around 6.30pm, when Greg was taking the girls to piano lessons, as I still had some final packing up to do ready to leave in the morning for Anna Bay.

The Entrance, October 2011 Cont.

November 12^th, The day started off with an electrical storm and settled into steady rain, so no fishing today. The weather cleared during the afternoon so we had a happy hour get-together with Carole and Rob at Terri and Patrick’s RV, who were leaving on Monday.

November 13^th, Val had a hankering to go crabbing, although we had been told that the crabs weren’t around. I had saved up 3 bream heads, from my catches, for this purpose. We went up the main channel and anchored just short of Pelican Island, just off the weed. We both fished while waiting for some crab action and caught a small flathead and several small bream, between us, all throwbacks. It was a very pleasant outing but not a crab was interested in our fish heads. On the way in we stopped near the shallows and fed the fish heads to the Pelicans.

November 14^th, Carole & Rob bought us some beach worms, while out shopping, that the Tackle Shop guy assured them would catch Whiting. The whiting were everywhere in the Lake, but would not touch my bait (cooked prawns). We had early lunch and headed out to try our luck, Carole and Rob went out at the same time. We had used most of our worms and still could not get a whiting to take the bait. We headed in around 5pm, no fish and Val was looking red around the shoulders and arms after 2 days out in the boat, in the hot sun. Carole & Rob did well by catching some whiting, flathead and bream

November 15^th, I went out fishing by myself this morning. I had a few leftover worms and picked what looked like the perfect spot to nail myself a whiting. I anchored in the shallows just off a deep hole and I could see the whiting swimming all around me in the shallow water. I had rigged up with a smaller sinker and hook and in desperation changed to no sinker, with the last of my worms. Still no luck, I was losing the bait and not even feeling a bite, very frustrating. I went to using my cooked prawns for bait and caught a 46cm Flathead, in the hole, so was able to go in feeling happy with my catch. The prawns were running, so I spent the afternoon getting all our gear set up for tonight and checking that all the boats navigational lights were working. Val couldn’t miss “Junior Masterchef”, on TV, so it was dark when we ventured out on our prawning trip. We navigated the shallows and the prawners, walking around the shallows with their hand held lights and nets and made our way to our usual prawning area the other side of the Bridge and decided on a spot inbetween 2 other boats already set up. Val drops in the front anchor and I can see it wasn’t holding, so I grabbed the torch and wouldn’t you know, were over thick weed. Up anchor, reverse out to clear the weed patch, this time we get set up with front and back anchors out, despite Val having trouble tying her anchor rope to the boat. I handed Val her prawning net and proceeded to connect  the prawning lights to the battery. Suddenly Val yells, “I’ve dropped my prawning net into the water, I just let it go” and sure enough, it was floating with the current and out of reach. Fortunately, the boat downstream from us had long handled prawning nets and was able to rescue Val’s. Up come the anchors again, Clatter, clatter, clatter, we must be annoying everybody out there trying to catch prawns. We drifted down to the other boat and collected the prawning net. We thanked them and they kindly lied by saying, that’s OK, no trouble, and I motored back to our spot to set up again. Val dropped her anchor out front and was again having trouble tying it up to the boat. I told her, calmly, that she has to tie up to the rope coming from the anchor, this she could not understand,  and continued tying to the rope inside the boat and pulling vigorously to tighten the knot, but we still continued to get further from the anchor. So after telling Val that I will have to teach her how to tie up an anchor and I can’t believe you can’t do it or understand, I then said “Do you want to go in”. Answer YES. Up anchor again and in we head with Val, in a bad mood, telling me she is never going out in the boat again. As soon as the boat nosed into the shore and I was getting out to pull the boat up onto the sand, Val jumped off into the shallow water, the boat came up and she fell into the water, up to her waist. After I helped her up and set her on her way dripping wet, I secured the boat and brought all our gear in. What a night to remember and I’ve vowed never to go out prawning after dark again, it’s just too difficult to set up.

November 18^th, After 2 days of Storms and rain, it finally cleared, so I went out for a fish after lunch but didn’t catch any keepers. When I came in and got out of the boat my back was killing me (lower back pain) and I was struggling to walk. My back kept collapsing on me, so I cancelled our outing, with Carole and Rob, to The Bateau Bay Sports Club, for raffles and dinner. I took a couple of nurofen and lay down, flat on my back, for a couple of hours.

November 19^th, I woke up with by back still a little bit sore but it wasn’t going to stop me going with Greg, Dianne and Rob on our planned fishing trip to Budgewoi Beach tonight. Dianne had told me they would be up for lunch, after Annaliese had been to her 8am Volleyball match. At 12 noon I decided to find out where our visitors were, as we were ready for their arrival. I rang Greg, to find out that he was still at work and wouldn’t be knocking off for another 40 minutes and didn’t expect to be up here till 4.30pm. We had rolls, meat and salad organized for lunch, so invited Carole and Rob to have lunch with us and the leftovers we would use to make up rolls, for the fishing trip. So far so good, then another phone call from Greg to say they were on their way but in his haste to leave home he had packed their rods but left their reels and line at home. But, hang on, that’s not all! Somehow he had also got the tide times wrong and we would not be fishing under the optimum conditions. We were to be fishing around the high tide at Budgewoi Beach, 6pm until 9pm (that sounds great) but because Greg obviously had a “seniors moment” we would be fishing around the low tide. However, they arrived with a new reel, line, purchased on the way up, and borrowed a reel off me and the fishing trip was on anyway. It was good to see Jessica and Annaliese again, it has been a while, and are they growing up fast. We loaded up my car with all our gear, including chairs and rod holders and drove to Budgewoi. Gathering up our gear the 4 of us head up the path to the Beach, into gale force onshore wind, Oh No! Still determined we trek up the beach to Greg’s designated fishing spot, with Rob and myself lagging behind. It  is difficult walking in soft sand, so with extra sinkers on our lines, good company and fresh rolls for dinner we enjoyed the experience and Greg did catch a small flathead, not a keeper. We will be talking about our beach fishing trip to Budgewoi for years to come. Back at the Caravan Park, after coffee and relating the highlights of our fishing trip, we all went down to the waterfront to admire the view. The prawns were on, so we quickly fetched our prawning nets and dolphin torches and Greg and Dianne wandered around the shallow water and very soon had caught a dozen prawns. This was Dianne’s first prawn catching experience so was very excited. The Girls had a sleepover in our Van while Dianne and Greg stayed at the El Largo Motel, just across the bridge.

November 20^th, We started off the morning with Greg and Dianne fishing off the waterfront with Jessica and Annaliese, until the bait ran out. They caught a few small bream, so that kept the girls amused. The funniest sight was watching Greg trying to teach Jessica to get the fish off the hook and return the fish to the water without feeding the Pelicans, who were hovering around waiting for the free feed. Steven called in around 11am, on his way home from a Wedding at The Hunter Valley, so we had all the family together for a short time. Steven didn’t stay for lunch as he had to get his borrowed vehicle back to Sydney. Greg, Dianne and the girls stayed for lunch before they left for home. After a light dinner we spent the night playing “Tiles” with Carole and Rob.

November 21^st, Not a great day today, overcast and showery rain all day but we drove up to Blue Haven for lunch at Sandra’s place and had an enjoyable day, catching up. Those girls never run out of something to talk about.

November 24^th, It hasn’t stopped raining for the last 3 days but a little break in the afternoon allowed me, with Rob’s help, to get the boat out of the water and back up on the car rack. After dinner we had another great night of “tiles” with Carole and Rob, they have picked up the game very quickly.

November 25^th, Still raining and it was very noticeable that the water in the lake was rising, my estimation was around 18 inches higher. We went to the Bateau Bay Sports Club for dinner, raffles and karaoke with Carole, Rob, Joan and Robert. We had a very enjoyable night and came home with a meat tray from the raffles. We leave for Sydney tomorrow.

November 26^th, Early start this morning, still had the car to pack, awning to put down etc. before being ready to leave. I walked around behind the car and noticed that I had no towbar! I knew that the towbar was attached to the car to pull the boat out of the water and was still there when we left for the Club last night. I did a quick search of the garbage bins around the area including the public park outside the fence. I was hoping it was only some practical joker. I then drove down to the Club to check around the grounds and report it to the Club Security Officer. No luck, I had to accept that my Hayman Reece Towbar had been STOLEN. I rang Sydney gateway Holiday Park and changed our booking to Monday and extended our stay at Dunleith Caravan Park to match. I still had the sway bars so Rob and myself went to a Caravan place near Erina to see what he could come up with to get me out of trouble. Rob knew the guy and had always found him helpful and honest. After a lot of raking around, he came up with 2 different length right angled support bars and a hitch mount for the sway bars and towing ball. Back at my Caravan we measured the required height of the tow ball and came up with an assembly that was OK. After returning the unused part to Erina, we did a final fit and tighten and installed a locking pin to prevent this problem from ever happening again. So, $163 later, a little wiser, and we were ready to leave for Sydney on Monday morning, until Rob came wandering over and asked me if I had tried the sway bar for fit. We had been told that they would fit the new hitch, but to be sure I tried them and “You Guessed It”, the locating lugs were too big. So out came the side grinder and after sparks flying in all directions and a lot of noise, I was definitely ready to leave.