Friday 6th Nov 2009: With perfect weather conditions forecasted for our weekend away, it was 3:07pm when Bruce and Maree called us to let us know they had just left their home which gave us to nod to start heading for the Port Wakefield road where we were to meet them as we all headed for our weekend at Balgowan. Troy and Renae who were also going to be with our group for the weekend had left earlier in the day and would probably be all set up by this time.

Unfortunately for Bruce and Maree, the engine in their Patrol blew up approximately 11 kilometres short of Maitland. Sally and I went into Maitland to have ask the RAA to attend to their needs only to find out that the closes one was at Ardrossan. Leaving Bruce to phone the RAA, we continued on to Balgowan where we finally arrived at 5:27pm to unhook our caravan. Sally remained at the Caravan Park with Renae while Troy and I returned to the roadside to assist Bruce and Maree. By the time we arrived back to Bruce and Maree the RAA man had already diagnosed serious engine failure and had arranged for a tow truck to come and collect the vehicle. As it was now getting close to being dark, we hooked our Patrol up to the caravan and Maree and I headed for Balgowan as the caravan seven pin plug had come out of the base and damaged the plug to the point of the caravan having no lights at all. It was just on dark when we arrived at Balgowan with the caravan. One the caravan was on site it was a quick trip back to pick up Bruce and Troy as the waited at the roadside until the tow truck had arrived.

Saturday 7th Nov 2009: Most of our mornings were started off with a breeze before it died out to very little air movement in the afternoons. It was surprising to see that the Park had been booked out for the coming night. For us it was our first visit to overnight at Balgowan although we have been here many times before during the day. The Park is very clean with some sites having shade while others did not. The toilet block was open to the general public with the shower section only being open to Caravan Park patrons as there was a key required to access the showers. With our great ocean view to look at out the back of our caravans, it was almost like being in paradise. Bruce and Maree took a quick drive into Maitland and purchased a new plug for their caravan and this was quickly fitted before it became too hot out in the sun. For some of us our early evening was spent on the beach with the dogs and Madeline playing in the water. While Troy managed to get his car stuck in the sand, we soon had it out after a bit of digging.