bensvilleres

Bensville is divided in two by a main road that has gotten busier over the years. I live on the "bush side" where it is quiet, it has no curb and guttering and there are no shops of any kind. On the "water side" there is a discount chemist, a hairdresser and an empty shop, it is newer and has curb and guttering. There is a public wharf, which is a gorgeous quiet place to sit. Bensville has a bus service, but as it's not frequent enough, most people use cars. It might sound bad that we don't have shops, but whatever we don't have in Bensville can be found within half hour or so drive away... Erina, Gosford, Woy Woy are all within that distance. We personally like it quiet, so we are happy to drive ten minutes to do groceries. We shop at Kincumber, but we could just as easily go to Woy Woy or Umina. There are beaches within 15 mins drive in either direction, Terrigal, Avoca, MacMasters, Copacobana, Ettalong, Umina all fit in here... I like to walk in the mornings at Ocean Beach (Umina) because the sand is usually hard packed and fairly flat. It is also a nice family beach, dogs are allowed on part of it too. The best boat ramp is found at Woy Woy, and Brisbane Water is great for boating. We have lived here for 16 years, there is an Independent Christian School at Bensville, and the local public school (Empire Bay Public School) has a good reputation too. Children cannot walk to Empire Bay Public school from any part of Bensville due to lack of safe paths on the main road which is a 70 zone (and there are only a few Streets that kids could walk from if they went to the Christian School too) school buses run along Empire Bay Drive. We have good internet access. There is no gas, a lot of homes are heated by wood fires. There are lots of trees, birds, fruit bats, many people have dogs and sometimes they bark. I know the names of about 15 families in my area,10 of those would go to church with us, or school with our kids, the others would be the ones who live closest to us. We wave when we see each other and chat out the front with three of those who live nearest us, (probably once a week or fortnight). The local park on the bush side has beautiful open space, the equipment is old and has been partly removed by council, there is no news about when or if it will be replaced, the water side is a newer estate, it is curbed and guttered... it has a small park with new (small) equipment. Bensville is safe, and quiet. We love it here. :o)