3rd March – Day 29
This morning was one of those mornings where there was a mass exodus from the park, vans were lined up to go out the gate, by the time we get home tonight, it will be full again; they tend to arrive between 2 & 4.
It has been a lovely day today; sun was out, not hot, just a lovely day. It was a bit windy, but not enough to spoil the day, which we are grateful for.
We decided to do some more exploring and head around the other side of Coffin Bay, where we could access where it opens into the Southern Ocean. The access through the National Park is 6hr return 4WD track, and as we couldn’t take the van in, not a practical trip.
So the other side of the bay it was – and spectacular it also was! We ended up at a beautiful beach called Farmers Beach. We drove down the ramp and onto the beach and parked amongst the many other people who were launching and retrieving their boats – being a Saturday, there were obviously some locals around. The beach goes for miles! Just before you get to the beach, there is a ‘tractor parking’ area!! Love it! We have never been anywhere (state that is) where are so many tractors in drive ways etc for launching and retrieving, it obviously has to be because of the many beach launch areas. We stayed there for a while whilst Carl dangled a line, more to enjoy the scenery than to catch fish. We then went for drive along the cliff top to a beach called Gallipoli Beach, which I believe is where the movie was made. On our way back, one of my biggest fears was on the roadway, the fact that it was only a small one, was of no comfort to me – a black snake!!!!!! Carl, who is in awe of these disgusting creatures, had to stop and take a pic. My comfort was to wind up the windows; you never know what they’re going to do!!!
Back at camp I decided to give myself a pedicure, so out came the bucket and my chair, Carl pulled out a beer and sat with his feet up and watched one of the new arrivals, roll out and roll up his annex about 4 times, the other one had the instruction sheet – Carl applauded when they eventually got it right! They laughed their heads off, then one of them had to start all over again as his struts didn’t fit, which he needed if he was to put up the annex which his wife was insisting they had – he came over and had a chat to Carl for a break – lol!
We bought feet for the van stands that you can fill with water to stop the ants from getting in – not working!! Heaps of wild bees here too, crawling around on the ground. Carl had socks on last night when he was sitting outside, when he put his foot to his shoe, he was bitten.
It looks like the weather is on the improve, so tomorrow we will head into the National Park and spend the day in Avoid Bay. The more sunshine, the more time Carl spends fishing, the more time I can read, write, relax!
Untill next time xx Farmers Beach
2nd March – Day 28
We’ve been on the road 4 weeks today, it has really flown. I was concerned that I would get quite homesick, which I usually do, but not at all, I think it’s because we are on the move all the time.
Today we went into Coffin Bay National Park. It’s a small park by comparison to others, but we found some nice spots to go back to, we like this park. Each park we have been to has been so different – Stenhouse was all saltbush and scrub, Lincoln had taller, but still low bushes, Coffin is taller again with gorgeous weeping Sheoak throughout.
We did a fair amount of driving in the sand dunes and on the beach today. As we went along one track we spotted a kangaroo having a bit of lay down with her joey, then as we were driving back, there in the middle of the track were 3 Emus – really makes you feel like you’re in a national park when you see the wildlife first hand!
We then headed in the other direction of the park as the west end was going to be a bit too difficult for us novices.
We found a great beach and Carl decided to through in a line – a magnificent King George whiting in minutes!
As we later drove along the cliff tops, we spotted a huge pod of dolphins in Avoid Bay, magic!
Once we got to the end of the point, there is an island called Golden Island, you could see the waves coming in from either side of the island, a rock shelf running between it and the mainland, and the waves hitting together – I can only imagine how great it would look in a high rough tide! As we looked back to our left, we could see magnificent sand dunes. We headed back towards the entrance of the park and took the 4WD track to another beach, it was 4km in. We got to about 2.5km and decided, being the novices that we are, and not having any one else with us, we should not proceed. If you see the pictures below, you’ll see the posts in the sand to show the path you should follow – getting a bit soft for us! The sand dunes were huge, Carl had fun!
On our way home we decided to buy some more Oysters J As we turned the corner, there were 4 emus just strolling along the road, amongst all the houses, it was amazing! Whilst I was preparing dinner, Carl saw a herd(?) of kangaroos hopping through the caravan park!
Dinner tonight – 1 doz oysters for Entree, followed by crumbed whiting and salad! J
Until tomorrow xx
1st March – Day 27
Last night the wind was dreadful, the van kept rocking severely, I really did think it was going to blow over, although Carl assured me that it wouldn’t.
We had planned to stay a couple of nights at Lincoln National park, but as it looked like the wind was not going to abate in a hurry, and the only spot we liked was coping a pounding from the wind, we decided to go straight on to Coffin Bay where the caravan park is a lot more protected, even though the wind is still blowing a gale.
As you drive down into the township, all you can see is Oyster beds! I’m in heaven!!!!!!
We got ourselves set up, and it was one of those days where I had to do some housework, so I did the washing and swept the floor – housework done J
This is a very pretty little town; we both like it very much. The caravan park grounds are riddled with Kangaroo pooh, so we are hopeful that we might see one wandering around whilst we’re sitting outside. We went for a drive and found the Oyster sheds this afternoon; we will get some more tomorrow for Entree again - $8 a doz - unshucked. Unfortunately for me, when I did them the other night, I did half a doz Kilpatrick, and Carl has decided that he likes them, so I have to share –L
A couple that we met along the way are still here, so they came over for drinks this afternoon, they’re heading off to Streaky Bay tomorrow, we might catch up with them again when we get there, who knows. We have exchanged emails anyway, they’re the ones doing 12 months around Oz, they come from Qld and she has had Breast cancer, so they decided that it was now or never – great couple.
Until tomorrow xx
Coffin Bay Oyster Leases
29th February – Day 26
Once again the wind has been absolutely revolting, overcast as well today. We headed off into the National Park to try and find a cove that we could get out of the wind and Carl could do some fishing. We drove down the outside of the park to Mary Ellis Wreck Beach – we could not believe the size of the sand dunes, they were absolutely huge, and the sand was like powder. We had to go around them to get to the beach as when trying to climb up them the whole side started to slide down. The beach is where the Mary Ellis shipwrecked. I did take some pics, but only with my phone as we had forgotten the camera, unfortunately we haven’t got the software on this computer to down load them, which is a real pity, as they truly were a sight!
We then drove back into the park and found a couple of spots for Carl to fish. We had lunch at Taylors Landing which is right on the edge of the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area. We had talked to the Information people about going into the Area, not only do you need a key to access it, it is apparently a very rough 1 hour 4WD track – although we have a 4WD, we were a bit uncertain not having any real 4WD experience.
We did some shopping on the way home, and 1 dozen oysters for entree, which Carl is shucking as I type!! Really looking forward to dinner!!
Until tomorrow! Xx
28th February – Day 25
The wind is absolutely revolting today – we can’t any reprieve from it. We had thought of going into the National Park today, but the wind is coming from the South and all the places we had thought of going to are along the south coast. So we have had an in day! Can’t even sit outside as it is so windy, would be lovely if we could just find a spot out of it. We visited a couple of sites today, lookouts, naturally, they were even windier.
Carl and I reckon that instead of being called ‘the Festival state’, SA should be called ‘the state of big winds , sheds & tractors’
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