Head along the F3 Freeway and take the Morisset Exit to the Morisset Mega Markets.   With  hundreds of market stalls you should be able to find a bargain or two.   They have plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained.  The markets are open 8.30am to 4.30pm Saturdays, Sundays and Monday Public Holidays.

For more information:

Central Coast Markets

Morisset Mega Markets

What a fun time the kids had with the human powered pedal boats on Avoca Lake.   Having an absolute ball whilst at the same time benefiting from the  leg exercise they were receiving.  The kids had the choice of hiring pedalcats, kayaks or surf skis.   The business is operated by Aquamuse and is located at Heazlett Park, Avoca Beach.   We found their rates most affordable.   The shoreline area is shaded and is the perfect spot for a picnic.

For more information:

Avoca Beach
Aquamuse

 Friday 7 March - Sunday 9 March

Memorial Park - The Entrance

Country by the coast. Over 50 artists at 20 venues, with entry to most shows free! Entertainment all weekend includes Melinda Schneider, Col Elliot, The Wolverines, and the Chich Frontier. Double Decker Country Music Tours, Poets Breakfast, stalls and More.

For more information:

The Entrance TCM    INFO LINE:  1800 335 377

The Entrance - Central Coast

There are many beaches on the Central Coast were dogs are permitted to exercise off the leash.   For the Gosford area, beaches include:

• Forresters Beach
• Wamberal Beach
• Terrigal Beach
• Avoca Beach
• North Avoca Beach
• Copacabana Beach
• MacMasters Beach
• Putty Beach
• Ocean Beach
• Umina Beach
• Pearl Beach
• Patonga Beach

For detailed description of areas, please refer to the PDF’s located on Gosford City Council website. 

For the Wyong Shire, beaches include:

• Lakes Beach
• North Shelly Beach
• North Entrance Beach

For detailed description of these areas, please refer to the Wyong Council Website.

Don’t forget to carry a plastic bag or similar and to pick up after your dog and dispose of all dog faeces correctly.

I have been commuting along the F3 now for 9 1/2 years.   When we first moved to the Central Coast, I distinctly remember telling my wife “I’ll just do it for a few months, until I find a job locally”.   I work in the Security Industry and for secure employment and good money, you really have to travel to Sydney.   I remember my first trek down the freeway in my car (I tried using the rail network for a while, but with the shift and weekend hours I was working, it wasn’t compatible with the train timetables and the thought of leaving my car at Tuggerah Railway Station car park for extended periods, wasn’t a pleasant one).   I just happen to pick a day when there was a truck accident at Mount White.   A beer truck spilled its load and cut off the south bound lane.   At the time, I didn’t know where all the F3 exit ramps would take me, so just I sat in the traffic snarl.   Five hours later, I arrived at Chatswood.   I fortunately work nights now and are generally travelling in the opposite direction of peak traffic.   I really don’t know how those travelling in peak hour traffic in both directions Monday to Friday do it.   I find travelling southbound late Sunday afternoons to be the worst of my travels.   On these days I check the F3 Traffic Camera at Hawkesbury River Bridge at Mooney Mooney for traffic build up.   This section to the north of the bridge is notorious for traffic problems.   It narrows from three lanes to two, add to this the current roadworks of the road widening between Cowan and Mount Colah with speed limited down to 80 kmph, I generally avoid it and take the exit ramp for the Pacific Highway to Mount Colah.   I then get back on the freeway at Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Road via ramp to the area commonly referred to as the Big Dipper.   This detour adds around 10 minutes to my trip, but guarantees my connection time towards the end of the freeway.  I know of other commuters using the F3  and we keep each other informed of any traffic problems via mobile phone.  Some of the F3 traffic reports I hear on the radio are just pure fantasy.   Travelling in the opposite direction, I often don’t come across these reported traffic accidents or build ups.   Maybe the reports were old, but on many occasions I have been passing the exact location of a reported traffic crash, only to find traffic travelling smoothly.   Conversely,  I’ve heard it reported ,”traffic running smoothly along the F3 southbound this morning”, only to pass sections of the F3 with traffic backed up for kilometres.  I don’t know how these reports are verified, but these along with the traffic advice signs located along the freeway, need to be improved.

What a blessing it is to have Tumbi Wholesale Meats and Fruit For All located here at Berkeley Vale.   With plenty of on street parking and the fact that they are open 7 days a week, I now only need to venture to the big supermarkets once a week.   It’s so handy, I no longer have to pull that frozen roast out of the freezer first thing in the morning to defrost, I just purchase it fresh on the day and then cook it.   I have noticed on many occassions where shoppers pop in only purchase the one tray of meat or a few pieces of fruit.   The convenience of being able to buy fresh every day is just great.   I personally hate going to the larger supermarket carparks and the struggle with trying to  find a  car space.   The other bonus is the personal service you receive from these businesses.   The workers show pride in what they do and nothing seems to be a problem.   Whether you want a particular cut of meat or help carrying your fruit purchases to your car, just ask and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Tumbi Wholesale Meats To The Public
Unit 2,  11 Tumbi Creek Rd Berkeley Vale 2261
Tel (02) 4388 5111

Fruit For All
Unit 2,  11 Tumbi Creek Rd Berkeley Vale 2261
Tel (02) 4388 4450

Turn off Wyong Road at the Mingara roundabout.

We had a enjoyable swim today at Toowoon Bay Beach.  I did notice on passing Toowoon Bay Holiday Park that numbers were down on recent weeks, due holiday makers returning home after the school holidays.   We were fortunate enough to be able to park at the lower carpark by the beach front (for the past month, we’ve had to park in the top carparks by Swadling Park).   Toowoon Bay beach itself was affected by blue bottles, so  we decided to venture across to the south to Little Bay beach.   Though unpatrolled, my children prefer this side of the beach due to the lack of sea swell.    At low tide, the outlying reef becomes exposed.   There were quiet a few people snorkelling and a couple of fellows on their sea kayaks.   The majority were like ourselves, just families frolicking in the surf.

For more information:

Toowoon Bay

 Had a lovely ride from Berkeley Vale to The Entrance via the shared pathway that skirts the foreshores of Tuggerah Lake.   Its roughly a 24km return trip passing through the suburbs of Killarney Vale and Long Jetty.   The pathway is shared by bike riders, inline skaters and pedestrians alike.   The ride is predominantly flat with a few sections along quiet backroads.   I headed east towards Killarney Vale, crossing over Tumbi Creek Bridge.   The local duck population come out in force, particularly when families stop by to feed them.    Further along you will cross a bridge over Saltwater Creek  to Long Jetty.   There is a dirt bmx track for the kids to ride around and picnic areas and a park for the kids to rest and play.   From here I headed towards The Entrance passing  the many jetties that stretch into Tuggerah Lake, with many playing host to the  local pelican colonies.   The first half of the ride ended at Picnic Point Reserve for my return journey.   The ride took me a leisurely hour and a half (with many breaks along the way).    

For more information:

The Central Coast

I attended an auction at Tuggerah today called AUCTIONSRUS.   They are located along Bryant Drive, opposite the Homemakers Supa Centa.   They had a wide range of goods for the home renovator including:

• Electric and Gas Appliances
•  Dishwashers
•  Showers
•  Vanities
•  Tap ware
• Furniture
• Air Conditioners

Other items they had up for auction were:

• tools
• fishing gear
• camping equipment
• childrens toys & bikes
• the list went on and on.   

The pace of the auction was very quick, with the items going to the highest bidder.   I was  fortunate to pick up a Basin Mixer for less than 50% off the retail cost.  Add to this an air conditioner, a wrench and drill set, I picked up a few bargains.

 For more information:

Central Coast Auctions