IT'S DECEMBER ONCE AGAIN

Crowdy Head Lighthouse

Crowdy Head Harbour

Some of the unusual painted posts by the water's edge

Harrington Leisure Park

Glenrowan Ned Kelly's Last Stand

Another colonial setting at Harrington

Sunday 4^th December   We left Laurieton and went 40 minutes south to Harrington to catch up with our friends Colin and Margaret.  Harrington is a pretty little fishing town with lots of new housing developments springing up.  We’re staying at The Colonial Leisure Park which is quite large.  We’re at the back of the park on a big open grassy area, which is good for letting Sally run around.  The park has lots of permanent residents and is very well maintained with colonial theme settings outside the amenities block and throughout the park.  It’s very effective and adds to the atmosphere.  There’s a lovely pool that I can’t wait to try out.  The telegraph poles in town are painted with dolphin and whale sea paintings and create a very coastal feel.

We take Sally to Crowdy Head Beach each day for a walk.  It’s a very flat beach and often has 4wds driving up and down   There’s a small harbour leading up a hill to the lighthouse and beautiful panoramic views.

Margaret and I go for a swim as soon as we’re set up and have a lovely bbq together that evening.

Monday 5^th December   We decided to go to the Harrington Hotel for dinner that evening as it’s got beautiful views from the balcony overlooking the ocean and the food is supposed to be very good.  We wanted to get the courtesy bus but when we rang up to order it we find it’s not operating through the week.  All wasn’t lost as the manager arranged for one of the office staff to come and pick us up and the chef to take us home when her shift was finished.  We were blown away by their hospitality.  It’s so unusual for someone to really go out of their way to be helpful and we can’t get over it.  We had a lovely time at the Hotel, the view was superb, the food excellent, company great – what more is there???

Wednesday 7^th December   We left Harrington at 8am bound for Budgewoi about 4 hours further south.  We said goodbye to Margaret and Colin and arrange to catch up with them at Soldiers Point, Port Stephens in January.  This is our last stop before we head to Sydney for Christmas with the family.

We got to Budgewoi at midday and feel really comfortable here.  It’s cold and wet and we’re back to where our journey started six months earlier.

Thursday 8th December  We  visited our friends Kate and Jeff for dinner and it’s so good to catch up with them again.

Friday 9^th December  We went to Budgewoi Pub to see one of Kate’s friends that are in the band.  They’re a young band – good musicians.  We had a good night.  Mitchell and Reece (10 and 8) haven’t been to a live band before and found it very noisy.   They enjoyed themselves running around with their friends.

Saturday 10^th December   We went to Wyong Leagues Club to see a band “Rolling Stoned”.  They are a Rolling Stones cover band.  They were pretty good and did a good job at imitating the Stones.  The lead singer was like a younger version of Mick Jagger, skinny and very energetic.  It was a small stage but he kept running around the audience and in front of the dance floor getting everyone involved in the singing,.  He came out  on stage dressed in a stars and stripes felt top hat and floor length red satin scarf, pouting his lips and face just like Mick does.  The lead guitarist also looked very much like Ronnie Woods.  There were 6 people in the band, unlike the real Stones.  They did a lot of the earlier songs and “Mick” played the harmonica very well and had a lot of Mick’s moves perfected.   We really enjoyed the night and are going to see them in Sydney on New Years Eve.  They do a lot of gigs on the Central Coast.

Sunday 11^th December   Went to Westfield Tuggerah to start Christmas shopping with Kate.  We got there early but the shops were already open and getting crowded.  It’s the first sunny day since we’ve been here.  Spoke too soon as a big storm hit later in the afternoon.

Monday 12^th December   We’ve had a terrible storm overnight and the Central Coast has already had 65mm of rain – the highest for over 30 years.  Its torrential rain and we have leaks inside the caravan.  Outside is waterlogged and there are ducks swimming in the puddles outside the caravan door.  We know how Noah felt and feel like we’re floating away.  Richard decides to move the caravan to a spot on higher ground.  The rain is easing but there are flash flooding alerts for the Central Coast tonight.  Welcome to Summer!!!!  The forecast tells us there’s been 125mm of  rain in Gosford over the past 24 hours.  

Well, this will be our last blog for this year. We’ll be in Sydney with the family 15^th December  to 10^th January.  We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone again and having a good Christmas/New Year.  We’re also looking forward to seeing the new house that Hayley and Karina moved to recently – a larger 3 bedroom house at Holsworthy.  We’ll be staying with them whilst we’re in Sydney.

The plan for 2012 is to visit The Elvis Festival in Parkes 12^th – 16^th January (this will be my 3^rd visit and I’m really looking forward to it).  We’ll be at The Central Coast until the end of January and then plan to do The Great Ocean Road, drive through to South Australia and make our way over to Western Australia.  Wow – a big plan!!

We want to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and New Year.  Have a wonderful time with your families.  Thanks for your support and interest in our blog.  Hope you continue to log in to keep up-to-date with our adventures.

Love to you all from Marian, Richard and Sally.