Goodbye South Australia

Well, winter finally caught up with us and all of a sudden camping isn’t as much fun!! After I signed off yesterday, a storm went over us at Beachport and we spent the evening in the BBQ area which turned out to be quite adequate but nothing like sitting around a campfire. Luckily we had taken down our annexes as the night was quite rough with strong winds and rain - we all actually quite enjoyed hearing rain on the roof.

This morning was damp and dismal so we had a quick breakfast in the camp kitchen then headed off to Mt Gambier - no detours or scenic routes this time as it was raining and dreary - so we were here by 10am! We’re set up at the Showgrounds which will suit us but it’s damp underfoot and cold so we’ve broken all our rules and had morning coffee, lunch and dinner out!! 

It was a good day for driving around so we saw the lake and the city. Last time we were here it was wet too!!

                   

Blue Lake                                                                                    Valley Lake.

We saw Adam Lindsay Gordon’s statue and had good views of the city.

He was a daring young man to jump his horse onto a ledge of the Blue Lake, then back onto the road!

This afternoon we drove out to Wayne & Dora’s place right over near the border and Dennis was in his element seeing all the tractors in varied states of repair. Tops and I were entertained by Dora whilst the men were out tractor inspecting.

So tomorrow we’ll head home - a little prematurely but probably sensibly. We’ve seen so much of SA this time - from the beautiful Cooper Creek at Innaminicka, down the Birdsville Track to Marree, along the Oodnadatta Track to William Creek and Coober Pedy, out to the Painted Desert and up to the NT border and into see Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon, down to Yorke Peninsula and southern Flinders Ranges, and into the beautiful Barossa Valley. Then our memory lane trips at West Beach, Victor Harbor and Keith and finally into the lower South East at Beachport and here at Mt Gambier. Everywhere we’ve been we’ve been impressed with the lovely farms, the healthy looking stock, the towns with their grand buildings and especially the people who’ve been most friendly and helpful. Thank you SA.

This time tomorrow reality will hit and we’ll soon be settled into our routine at home. It will however, be lovely to do the rounds and catch up with all the family. 

So we sign off from this trip and hope you’ve all enjoyed reading of our travels. 

Love from Marg, Darryl, Dennis & Tops ❌❌❌❌