Arrived at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, Umina. Friendly staff with all the information I need and then I'm on my way through the Boom Gate. This park has no codes for the toilets or laundry....yippee. I set up on my site which is large. Sun shining as I walk around the park. 2 other vans in. Has 2 swimming pools and one is heated. Sure I will have to try the heated one. 1/2 Tennis Courts, Jumping Pillows, will stay off these. Camp Kitchen and plenty of BBQ Picnic area's. Also has a cafe which is opened 4 mornings a week. Short walk to the beach. Low tide but nice and clean. We have 2 friends joining us to see if they like us. Find Archie 5 vans down from me. As getting ready to walk to Ken and Elaine's for Happy Hour, Mick arrives. Elaine and Ken are a block and half away due to being in "Dog Section" and they have the sun still. My van is in shade and getting cold. Happy Hour good but not long as the cold creeps in.

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      Next morning find Marion who is only 2 vans down from me. Morning tea under Ken and Elaine's large awning. After some go to the shops while Jazzy and couple others go for walk along the beach. Weather is brilliant and Jazzy loves the off leash beach. Runs in and out of the waves. Having a lovely time. The surf is small and there are surfers out on their electric surfboards...don't they do anything manual anymore....When back at camp 2 more members arrive. Makes 8 vans and 12 members. In the arvo most of us try the heated pool. Lovely. About 30 degrees. Then into the spa which is at least another 5 degrees hotter. Mick did spa first and found the pool very cold....so back into the spa. Was great afternoon. Over Happy Hour we decide to go to Patonga tomorrow.

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      Next morning and - BUGGER - Overcast. Over morning tea the weather is improving so decide to go. We car pool and only couple drops rain. The waterfront is still the same with the pier. Go for a walk and quite a few galleries but all closed. Some garage doors have murals of birds, pelicans, magpies, lorikeets etc. Lunch at The Boat House. Was yummy. Has started a steady drop of rain now so race to the cars and drive around the caravan park on the river. A lot of vans in too. Stop in at Pearl Beach on way home but raining so don't get out of car for a walk. Happy Hour that night is in the small camp kitchen. 

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      Next day is our Club picnic near Umina Surf Club. Is overcast but we decide to chance it. Morning tea sees an array of Deb's famous Weet Bix cookies, Donuts, Chocolate Biscuits and Marion's yummy fresh tasting dip. Marion has now joined and carn't wait to see what she will bring to next picnic. Weather stays dry and the sun pokes it's rays out too. Most buy fish and chips from cafe and was very nice too. This bought the cheeky lorikeets. They were not scared of us and happily camped on Archie's hat. Was a very enjoyable day and ended in the camp kitchen again for Happy Hour.

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      Bugger rain again this morning. A couple  of the members pack and head home due to other commitments. Was going on the ferry to Palm Beach. We all meet for early morning tea and weather seems to be clearing so decide to go as a couple are leaving next day. 6 drive to the ferry. Was rough when we reached the open sea but been in worse. No wind which is good. Walk up to the Palm Beach RSL for lunch. Another delicious meal and large. As we stroll back to the ferry  we see the homes so close to sheer cliffs, wondering what would happen when a tree falls.....Glad I don't live there. We have time so walked up the hill and down to Palm Beach Golf Club. There was some magnificent views.  Back at camp quite a few vans have arrived with children. Doesn't any body work ? Guess with computers and working from home they can get away for extra long week end.

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      Friday sees sun out and couple of us walk to the shops for a look. A BBQ is decided for lunch. Plenty of BBQ's to pick from in this park. Very warm in the sunshine. Only 2 brave the pool as it is filled with kids and family. Actually great to see them enjoying themselves.

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      Saturday saw us relaxing except Ron and Kerrie who had there family there for the day on Sunday morning those left packed up and bid farewell to a very enjoyable break away at Umina.

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Report by Bev