no photos because I am having trouble uploading them
Day 28 - arrived at Patonga mid afternoon, to the first rumblings of a storm, so quickly set up camp. A glorious spot, on the northern side of the hawkesbury, across the water from Brooklyn. The caravan park is on the point between the beach and Patonga creek, with views to Palm Beach and Barrenjoey peninsula, and out through the heads to the Pacific Ocean. A glorious spot.
Went into Umina for shopping and phone calls, and on the way home, the storm hit. Lightning and driving rain. Peter could just see the lines on the road, using them to drive by, nowhere to pull off. When we got back to the caravan park it was in total disarray, a tree had been split by lightning, most tents had collapsed, and people were wringing the water out of their possessions. Also,the power was out.
Telstra repeater was also out, so returned to Umina to make calls, to sort out the plans for the weekend. Jenni sent a message offering us a bed and a casserole if we were washed out, but our house was undamaged and dry. HOwever, during the night it did develop a leak, so we had a suitably positioned bowl on the bench seat to catch the drips. Power came back about 10pm.
Day 29 - Saturday. Weather didn't look good, so Ian and Louise decided to come up for lunch, rather than for a day of kayaking. However, the weather cleared a bit, so we took the kayaks out for our first paddle on the Patonga Creek. Met about 3 people fishing. Then, a pleasant lunch at the pub, before we picked Kerryn up from the Woy Woy station. A lovely day with friends.
Day 30 - Sunday. Jenni and Phil came over with their kayak, some kayaking and much chatting, then we went back to Jenni's for lunch. Dropped Kerryn at the station and headed home. Caravan park almost empty after the weekend. Another lovely day with friends.
Day 31 - Monday . Big kayaking expedition up the creek, out for about 4 hours, but we did it with the tides, so had tide assistance both ways. Hard to believe we are just an hour out of Sydney
