A wet weekend in Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, Australia.

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, NSW Australia.

The rain started on Wednesday and almost cleared up on Friday and we held out hope for Saturday.

Maybe Sunday would be better?

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, NSW Australia.

A great big black cloud hovered above Shoal Bay that whole weekend.

We had booked a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment with a rooftop spa and barbecue area and a lovely sea view. We intended to spend our time between the spa, the barbecue, enjoying the view and long walks along the beach and up to Tomaree lookout.

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, NSW Australia.

It was pouring so much Friday night we ditched the very good restaurant, a 300 metre walk away and went to the Thai restaurant below our apartment instead.

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, NSW Australia.

A lazy…yes it is still raining Saturday morning passed quickly and we made a quick run to the local butchers before country town midday closing. We opted for a roast instead of a barbecue.

Hope for a glimpse of the sun was fading fast and the only rainy day entertainment to be had was visiting the sales office of a new local apartment development. This also sadly failed to live up to dream weekend standards. Our rooftop paradise was flooded.

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, NSW Australia.

We then remembered a parcel that had arrived just before heading up the coast.  The first season of Orange is the New Black. Well that certainly spiced things up!

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, NSW Australia.

Not sure what the Sister in law thought though…oh well, boring it wasn’t! and who wants a beer?

We almost missed the forty five minutes the sun broke through just before sunset..

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, NSW Australia.

Shoal Bay dazzled. There could not have been a prettier sunset. It was simply beautiful.

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, NSW Australia.

Then that big black cloud appeared again.

The rain stopped just before we left for home Sunday.

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, NSW Australia.

This glimpse of Shoal Bay was enough to ensure I will return to attempt the rooftop spa, the views, and long walks along the beach. I might even get my toes wet!

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, NSW Australia.

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens, NSW Australia.

All of the photo’s were taken during that 45 minutes the sun shone on Shoal Bay that weekend.