I arrive at the office to see Mick walking up from the park to the office. He has just arrived before me and has found his site is occupied by another van. Bugger. Well it was easily sorted, just gave him another site. Later Barb, Ken with Jazzy arrive followed by Glenore and Ivan who are staying in a cabin. We all settle in for a good week away. Happy Hour is behind Mick's van - very sunny spot until 4.45 pm when the sun goes down. It is getting cold and some head back to their vans -- except  -- 2 brave members who sit and chat for awhile. When Ken goes to get another drink he brings his small electric heater and plugs it in to the power pole. Brilliant. We sit very close to it and continue chatting into the evening until finally we head to our vans. Was a good first night.

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      Next morning after morning tea we drive to the Lighthouse to hopefully catch a glimpse of a whale. They are a very long way out and only see a couple of them. Have a walk around the Lighthouse grounds then drive to Cabbage Tree Harbour and the Rock Pool. We all have fond memories of taking our kids there for a splash and fun. Mick suggests Soldiers Beach Surf Club for lunch. Good idea.... Bugger....the surf club is receiving a major overhaul and is closed. Up to the top car park where there is a kiosk. Hamburgers and Fish & Chips all round and was delicious. A short Happy Hour that night. Back at van I've turned on my lights and now plugged in the heater. Then "Total Dark".....Bugger. Luckily I had packed my good torch. So outside to see who else in the dark, no one. Back in van and check my safety switch, it's all good. Outside again and check where the cord is, no it's ok too. Just heading back inside when Ken appears...I've lost power. We decide nothing we can do tonight so it's bush camping for tonight. Fridge on gas and read by torch light. Only problem was a cold night.

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      In morning still no power so up to the office and they have it fixed in no time. Must have been the main electric room that switched off. The other van that was on our box has ran his cord to another box. Wish I'd thought of that. Today we head to The Entrance to try one of Ken's Humble Pies. Must say very good they were too, pastry very flakey. A walk up the street bought back memories from "days gone". A lot of vacant shops and the old picture theatre is boarded up and apartments and shops are to be built there. Johnnie's Milk Bar also closed. That had been a meeting place for teenagers including me in the 60's and beyond. The old Bingo hall is now shops. Progress they call it. We are not holidaying far from home and know these area's from growing up. Was good to go back and see it. That afternoon back at camp the wind came up, so I put my awning in and thankfully I did. That night it poured and the wind was in gusts.

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      Pouring this morning and Bbrrrr. I text everyone to say morning tea in the camp kitchen. While walking up there I meet Don who has come for morning tea. They didn't come and camp here as only live on other side of main road but decided to visit. He bring a small Kombi van and Tear Drop caravan....toy one, so cute. Later in the arvo sun comes out and so does people out of their vans. So warm. Jenette and Graham arrive and we start Happy Hour in our usual spot. No sooner have chairs set up when it starts to sprinkle which turns into heavy. Bugger....under Mick's awning we all go. Bit squashy but dry. We have bunny rabbits coming out of the bush each arvo plus a couple of bush turkeys wander through. Jazzy normally looks at them but one comes too close and Jazzy goes to chase it. She is on a lead but this wraps around the table legs and OH No....1 beer falls followed by 2 more. One rolls under the vans. Also Graham's nuts end up flying off the table and scatters all over the dirt. I pick up the sandy almonds, full dish of them there was. We straighten up everything and refresh our drinks for a very pleasant evening. Not as cold tonight and think it's because we are under the awning. 

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      Friday sees it sunny and morning tea behind Mick's van. Cheeky Myna birds and Lorikeets join us.

We normally have a Bacon and Egg Breakfast but as it's very cool in the morning we decide on a BBQ lunch. The camp kitchen has BBQ's and tables and chairs outside. Also kitchen sink. It is a good community meal together. Graham and  Jenette have a card game - Aussie Travels. Each card has 4 choices of places and things around Australia. Was fun trying to bet the others.

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      Saturday we decide to go out for morning tea to the cafe above the rock pool 0- Norah Head Beach Haus. Good service and coffee was excellent. Afterwards a couple of us walked the stairs down to the rock pool. Was low tide and we also took a walk along Cabbage Tree Beach. A couple of the houses along the cliff were very close to the edge as erosion had taken place. Later that afternoon the weather turned very cold so Happy Hour was in the camp kitchen. Was ok but very hard to hear due to the echoing. Least we were warm.

 

      Our last day and we are meeting up with other members for our monthly outing. Most of us walk as the club - Norah Head Sporties Club - is right next door. Must say a very large park and I'd say three quarters are permanent vans. Been there for years. Was disappointed to see the tennis courts I use to play on are now ripped up. Looks like another bowling green going in. We have  23 members for lunch. Good turnout and many laughs. 

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      Happy Hour is small tonight as a couple of the campers decide to leave early. We discuss our stay and agree was a good trip and sometimes nice not to travel too far. Back to van and "Groundhog Day" Lights on and turn on heater - DARKNESS. Ken and Elaine are out too. 

    

      In the morning we pack up and I call into the office again. Not happy that it happened twice. Hopefully they check it out before putting another van there. All in all a great trip with great people.

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Report By Bev

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