This is our first trip for 2026. It is a very hot day for driving through Sydney. So many traffic lights. Finally arrive at Corrimal Beach Tourist Park. Book in and find my very large grassed site. All 4 vans could have fitted on. Mick and Cecily arrived about 1/2 hour before. It is still hot and we take our time to set up. Marcella and Ian arrive about hour later. Beach is just a short walk. Park has 2 Camp Kitchens, 4 Amenities Blocks and also a Kiosk. Over Happy Hour we discuss what sights to see. Kiama is suggested for tomorrow.

    Wake up to overcast skies and wind.....Bugger. Over morning tea it starts to sprinkle...another Bugger. Starts to clear so decide to go. On drive down overcast but ok...WHA   As we approach Kiama it is drizzling....Bugger. It is so busy - cars, people every where and so hard to find parking spot. Ok we will go to the Blowhole first. Drizzle gets heavier and we don't get out of the car. Back into town and see a Parking Spot - we grab it. Go into a Wood Turning display - nice work. As we come out Rotary have a van there checking people's heath. Only takes 5 minutes she says. 4 of us say "Why not" Ian decide he's hungry and goes searching for Fish and Chips. Well we 4 all passed the check up - Thank goodness. We find Ian and have lunch. Rain has stopped as we come out of the shop so off to the Blowhole. Still blowing a gale though. Glad we bought jackets. Quick couple photos and then off to Gerrigong and Gerro for a look. Surf was definitely up. Good to see as has been long time for all of us down this way. On the way home need Coles for supplies. Mick looks it up on his phone. Ok turn right, 200 metres another right and it is "here" We look and nothing, just bush. "It should be there" says Mick, more than once. Got to be another one so we drive and drive and end up in Bulli. "There's a Woolies" we all say. Supplies replenished and home. Happy Hour is in the Camp Kitchen as so cold and wet.

    Friday 13th sees overcast skies again. But we pack a picnic lunch and head to Sea Cliff Bridge. Cars everywhere and we miss the car park. Plan B we head to Bald Hill Lookout to watch the Hand Gliders. There are about 10 jumpers and 20 times that in spectators. Still amazes me how they can maneuver the Gliders. Was fantastic to watch. On drive up we pass through small seaside towns. So nice. After Bald Hill we drive down to Stanwell Park and find a huge well maintained park for picnic lunch. And then we see Hand Gliders landing just in front of us. Must have been 1/2 dozen while we were eating. Then onto Sea Cliff Bridge and lucky there is plenty of parking close to the bridge. It is 665 metres long and we walked it. Our last stop was Austinmer for a look at the rock pools. Ian use to holiday here when a kid. 

    Next day after morning tea decide to walk to the rock pools. 1.5 km. Was overcast but dry. We see sign - Wollongong is 6 km and Fairy Meadow only 2.5 km. Why not we say and off we go.....To Fairy Meadow, Wollongong bit too far. There is a path all the way. Used by cyclists, walkers, runners and dogs - Corrimal sure has healthy people. We see a cricket match in full swing and chat to a gentleman in his garden. He is behind a fence and tells us it is a Over 50's. The houses are so large and well maintained. Upon reaching Fairy Meadow we check out the beach and then see in the park Skydivers are going to land. There is 7 Tandem chutes parachuting down. They all land safely with huge smiles on there faces. On our walk back the sun comes out and is very warm. We make it back to camp, have late lunch and quite arvo. At Happy Hour it turns cold again so jackets on. Wish it would make up it's mind.

    Sunday, overcast again,  we decide to go to the Kiosk for breakfast. Was delicious. Cec decided to head back to van, Ian and Marcella to rock pool and Mick and Bev to beach to see why so many people. Oh yes...Nippers. Watched for awhile and kept an eye on a  large black cloud on the horizon. Upon arriving back at camp the drizzle started. Drizzle on and off all afternoon. Easy day today. Around Happy Hour decide on cards in the Camp Kitchen. Couple games Phase 10 followed by the ever popular Rummy O. Good fun.

     Today we wake to sun. Fabulous. What a difference a day makes. Decide to do Shuttle Bus today. Drive to Innovation Campus - leave car and catch bus 55A. Good look at outskirts of Wollongong. Must say bit derelict in parts. Not sure where to get of to see Lighthouse so ask a "local". He now sure but thinks in 4 stops. Good luck he says as we disembark. See water a long way in distance.....ok off we go. Long walk and find nice park and beach...Lighthouse still long way away. Seems plenty of parking there. So walk back to stop and Mick's car. Lighthouse is good and the water is so blue. Beautiful scenery. After a good look around back to car, belt up - no easy feat with 3 of us in back seat. Mick turns key and --  BUGGER. Nothing. Under the bonnet and put jumper leads on Mick's 2nd battery. Still nothing. Ok - phone out and Mick books assistance through the App. Be 1 1/2 hours. Some go for a walk around plus there is an Ice Cream Truck there that is very handy. Finally NRMA arrives. William....doesn't think it's battery, more like regulator. Rings Auto Electrician for Mick, he is very busy but call in tomorrow and will see what he can do. Finally we are home and Happy Hour starts.

    Another sunny day for our last one. Ian jump starts Mick's car and follows him to the Auto Electrician. When back we have pancakes with Maple Syrup, Strawberries and Cream. Yummy. After brekky a couple walk to the shops and Bellambi Lagoon. Very brown and shallow. Then along the beach which is lovely. Meet up with Ian and Marcella at the rock pool for a swim. Finally Mick receives phone call...car is ready and "Bring Your Check Book"  Turns out a loose wire and new battery. Bill wasn't too bad. We have our last Happy Hour reflecting on a great trip. Weather could have been better but HEY...Great to be away in the vans. Ian has a brilliant idea - Fish and Chips for tea. Great way to end a great holiday.

Report By Bev