Our girl had a dance competition on the NSW Central Coast on the weekend, so we took advantage of the opportunity to go away for a long weekend.

After doing lots of research (and calling ALL of the places), I knew we could safely eat out for lunch and dinner, so I just packed breakfast and lunch for the competition day, as we would be short on time, and wouldn’t be able to drive to anywhere safe to eat. But the rest of the time, we planned to eat out – and when you have coeliac disease, that’s an absolute treat!

As usual when we travel (in the car), I packed the air fryer and the car fridge. As I knew the motel had a small kitchen with fridge, freezer and microwave, and I could easily cook what we needed to, I also packed our thermos’, microwave containers, snack containers, plastic cutlery, napkins, and a disposable sponge (because, crumbs). All cold / frozen food went into the car fridge, and all pantry items and fruit went into my white Kmart EVA tote ( I seriously love this tote! The plastic base means it can go anywhere, and if it gets dirty – I just hose it off).

On day one, we left home about 10 am, knowing we wanted to stop at KCKN CHKN in Gosford for lunch – they seriously have the best gluten free fried chicken! They are really aware of gluten free and cross contamination, and have separate fryers for their gluten free chicken and the steak chips (the waffle chips are cooked in the same fryers as the gluten chicken).

They do also usually have gluten free buns, and can do fried chicken burgers, but they were out of buns last Friday, which was fine, as we just wanted the fried chicken. All their sauces are gluten free, as are their milkshakes and frozen custard – which we didn’t try as we were all full, so it’s still on my list for next time.

After lunch we headed into Terrigal and drove to the skillion (the huge grassy cliff at the end of the town). While our boy ran up it (he decided it would be a good way to increase his off season training), hubby and our girl walked up, with me walking very slowly behind. I had to stop quite a few times and wait for my heart rate to stabilise before I could keep going (mostly after each little section of stairs), and while I didn’t think I would get there, I eventually got to the top! Take that POTS!

I did have to lean on the fence once I got up there, because there weren’t any seats at the top, but leaning on the fence, and taking in the view was everything… The only thing that could have possibly made it better, was if there were whales swimming on by – but unfortunately we didn’t see any… I wish I had taken a selfie with the water in the background as visual proof, to put in my chronic illness journal (I try to make sure I record all big wins), but I was so shaky, that I couldn’t get my phone out of my pocket, and just got hubby to send me the photos he took later on…

Afterwards we headed back into town, and checked in at The Clan – the motel that we have stayed at the last couple of years. It’s a little on the older side, but we like the freedom of the family room – and the location is top notch! It’s not in the centre of town, but just before, so parking is easy, and you can walk right along the sand to the centre of town. Unfortunately the air-conditioning didn’t work (so it was freezing overnight), but the kitchen is essential for us, and it’s quite hard to find a place that doesn’t just have two queen beds…

After we checked in, we went for a short walk along the beach, and while I only made it to the point where the ocean meets the lagoon (I was a bit wrecked from the walk earlier), hubby and the kids continued to walk along the beach to town – where they ran into the rest of the dancing crew. So I had a quick little lie down in the room in peace while they were out…

For dinner we drove the two minutes into town to Terrigal Fish and Chips. They have a great gluten free menu and separate fryers, so there was lots to choose from!.Our girl had the gluten free fish and chips, and I had the gluten free salt and pepper squid, while the boys had the normal gluten fish and chips. The squid wasn’t great, it was a bit tough and quite oily – I’ll definitely also go for the fish next time.

One thing to note though, is that while the gluten fish is one large piece, the gluten free is two smaller pieces, but the portion size was only a little on the smaller side.

The next day was comp day – and so breakfast was a Rokeby gluten free smoothie and a banana, as she only likes something really light before she competes. For lunch, I cooked a Coco and Lucas fried rice in the microwave, and Bayview crumbed chicken nuggets in the airfryer for us to take in our thermos’. I also packed some strawberries, Arnott’s gluten free tiny teddies, and Arnott’s gluten free tee tee snacks, as well as Allens freckles (gluten free by ingredient with no may contain statement). I also put in a handful of Woolworths homebrand party mix lollies in (the 1kg yellow bag is currently gluten free by ingredient, with no may contain statement).

Even though she was nervous, she danced so beautifully, and came first! So proud!

Afterwards we met up with all the dancing girls, at the house they were staying in. They always put on a massive grazing table, which though it looks stunning, is a cross contamination nightmare, so we bring our own food. This time we took Mr Chen’s gluten free pork and chive dumplings (I forgot to take a photo of them), as well as the Mr Chen’s gluten free prawn Harlow. I cooked them in the microwave, in the containers we brought from home, and they were so quick and easy – the perfect dinner to eat while standing around and chatting to everyone. Next time, I think I’ll make myself a little cheese platter though…

Our girl only ate the strawberries at her dance competition, and didn’t touch the snacks or the lollies, so I just topped the container from the morning with Fantastic Delites Sour Cream and Chives crackers, and she shared the snacks with her friends…

The next day we had to be up and checked out by 10am, so we decided to take the kids for a surprise trip to Erina McDonalds, where the manager happily made us a sausage McMuffin, and sausage and egg McMuffin without the muffin. When I ordered, I explained to him why, and without me having to ask, he said he would get the staff to use fresh gloves when they prepped our food. He also put them in a fresh box, not in paper, just in case there were crumbs sitting on the papers. We also ordered 4 hash browns (they are cooked in their own oil), and we used them as the bun of the muffin.

It was to die for. Such a treat, and our girl’s first McDonalds breakfast in almost three years! She was so excited I thought she was going to cry!

After breakfast we went for a walk around Erina shops, and I was thrilled to find the very hungry coeliac’s new cookbook – gluten free feasts. The perfect end to a very successful gluten free weekend away!

Until next year, Terrigal!

Jo x