13th March – Day 39
This is a sight to behold!!! It is 37+ something, I am sitting in the annex of our van which the rear of faces Streaky Bay – from the rear of the van to the water it would be 25metres- it is so hot that people have started to gather on the beach, sitting in deck chairs, walking in the water, sun is setting , Carls got music playing– an absolute picture!
We arrived here today, it bit of a breath of fresh air by comparison to the last place!
We are here for 5 days. Friday is to be our swim with the seals, weather permitting! We may go and stay with this chap at Pt Labatt, he wants us to have a look at the accommodation on Friday after our swim – a free experience sounds good! Just got to find somewhere to leave the van overnight.
This town is much bigger than the last 2 that we’ve been at, 2 supermarkets- we had a choice! The park is very social. On either side of us is a fish cleaning hut, so Carl and I have been checking them out all day. They are collecting Sword fish, never heard of them before. The part that is eaten looks like a scallop, the shell looks similar to a muscle shell, but up to 30cm in length. They sit in the water pointy side down, like a tooth in a gum, you have to pull them out of the sand like a tooth, very little meat for no return , hope to find some tomorrow.
Until tomorrow xx
Murphys Haystacks (Inselbergs)
12th March – Day 38
Another beautiful day today, wind still with us. Carl is still not 100% so once again we lazed around the van today.
We ventured out this afternoon, it was quite hot, so the wind was actually a blessing for a change, it took the heat out of the sun! We did a short walk around the point to a spot called Dolphin Point – it certainly is! I think we see saw at least 2 pods of dolphins, and we also saw a seal come into the bay. You could sit and watch them all day! We are really surprised at the variety of animals we have seen on our trek.
I have to tell you, this van park is not one that I would recommend, if we didn’t know that we couldn’t get in anywhere else, we would have up and left, they turned 10 away from here today! We are very much looking forward to moving on, all reports on Streaky Bay are that it is fabulous, good and not dusty would be good! We are both starting to feel like we should be heading home, I think that this park is so yuck and nothing to do that interests us is having a huge part in this, as well as Carl not being 100%. I have started packing up as much as I can tonight so that it’s less to do in the morning. Carl was able to get the annex rolled up, so that’s one other less thing to do in the morning. Even if he does have a good night tonight, I think I will do the driving tomorrow – it’s only a short distance, good practice!
Until tomorrow xx
Dolphins at Dolphin Point Venus Bay
11th March – Day 37
Today was another beautiful day, a bit windier, but maybe that is because there is about 500m between the Great Australian bite and the Bay – the township lays in between, so we should expect wind!
We went for a drive to Talia Beach and Caves today, the caves have a sandstone top, so are eroding away unfortunately.
We stopped and had lunch at Mt Camel Beach (one of the beaches that is also included in the Australian Surf fishing championships) so of course a line had to be thrown in! I have to tell you, the waves were very big and breaking very close to the beach, which meant that it made it very hard to fish, not that Carl was overenthusiastic today – he is still not 100%.
With news of all the floods, I thought that I should check ahead with Mildura, they’re not expecting the water to affect them for 6 weeks, but if we arrive after the 24th, the town will be inundated with the Ulysses group, so once again, need to book! We’ll have to start doing some homework on the trip back.
Until tomorrow xx
Tahlia Beach near Venus Bay
10th March – Day 36
Every day is beautiful at the moment! Wind is still there, but not as bad as it has been, so very comfortable with that, although you can feel that it is Autumn as the early mornings are getting quite cool.
We got packed fairly early – had to wash the annex roof down before we headed off as the birds had really done a good job on it! We got away just before 10 and arrived in Venus Bay around 11 – not a very big distance to travel at all – we’re here for 3 nights.
Along the way we stopped to have a look at the Colton Bakery – it’s a little hut outside an old sandstone house, that has a sign ‘open’ if there is still wood fired bread to be bought. It’s an honesty system whereby you put in $3.50 for each purchase, loaf of bread, or 4 rolls of any sort – very cute. I wanted to buy some, but, we already had a loaf and my freezer is 5inches x 12 inches – full of meat and fish!
This park is right on the beach, in fact there is no beach between the bushes and the water! We went for a little drive to the ocean view, when you turn around the view is the bay – very gorgeous. The park itself is not the best, shellgrit is the base (I remember putting it in our birds cage!), hence we had to put out our flooring, the first time since we’ve been on the road – I just couldn’t have done 3 days in this stuff!
Carl is having a bit of an off day, I think the constant moving and travel is starting to tire him out a bit. He has spent the better half of the day sleeping in his chair. When the guy next door arrived it was a bit of mayhem and he required a lot of help to get his van parked. It turns out his electric brakes had a problem, so Carl helped him out with them. He was so greatful that he offered Carl a beer – not feeling too well, he declined. The poor man obviously felt in need of paying some sort of thanks to Carl and brought him in a magazine to read - we can’t get tv reception (we only have digital, it’s only analogue here!) so it was greatfuly received! Very nice couple from Moonta (Yorke Peninsula), farmers, Cornish ancestors which is what the Moonta heritage is based on. Every time I look at her, I can’t stop my eyes from honing in on her white moustache and goatie, it’s nearly as good as Carls! I feel like going in there with my wax strips and helping her out!! Haven’t country people heard of beauticians!!! Lol J
We have had to book into parks ahead by weeks as they are getting so booked out. We were told today that it’s because of the floods and the Qlds/NSW people can’t get home and WA can’t go north, and the VIC’s /NSW/Qld are heading west – big build up – it’s also the long weekend in SA this weekend!
Our original plan was to go to Ceduna and head home from there, so many people have told us to don’t bother/give it a miss/try somewhere else – so we’ve decided to do just that, so many people can’t be wrong. Our next stop is Streaky Bay then we’ll head across to the Gawler Rangers and head home from there, depending on what the flood conditions are as to what way we go.
Carl walked through the park tonight and came back and said to me ‘ someone’s cooking something that smells like a roast’ We’re both longing for a roast!!! I think we’re both starting to feel like we are in need of heading home – not before I swim with my sea lions though!!
Until tomorrow! xx
Colton Bakery (Roadside Honesty Box) $3.50 asking price
9th March – Day 35
Another beautiful day in paradise!
We were a bit grounded first up as we’d put the car in to have the oil changed. We went for a walk to the local cafe and had coffee, then I did some shopping and walked home whilst Carl picked up the car. I finally felt energetic enough to walk this morning, it has taken me nearly 5 weeks to get some energy and get in the mood. It felt good, but don’t know that I will be hitting the tar too often, I’m on holiday after all!
We are going to have another leisurely day, Carl is feeling a little weary, he pushes the candle at both ends and wears himself out on numerous occasions. He is starting to slow it down and listen to what his body is telling him – rest! He will be going back to Locks Well this evening, so he needs to have an easy day today.
Carl had an early dinner and headed to Locks Well – he wasn’t disappointed! He caught a very large Salmon, as we had quite a bit in the fridge, after having his pic taken, he gave it away to some new arrivals who were very pleased to receive it!
Until tomorrow xx
A Womans work is never done!
No comments:
Post a Comment