We headed off from Port Rickarby, this was the first time we really didn’t know where we were going to end up.  We looked at a site at Alford but it was really too early in the day to stop, we then looked at a site in Tickera, we had our lunch there but it was extremely windy and remote so didn’t really want to spend the night there.  So end ended up in a tiny town called Blythe, and we stopped the night at Blythe Showground’s.  There wasn’t anything there apart from men working on a new shower house for the oval.  We visited the local pub/hotel which was in need of TLC but we had nice food there, we were obviously celebrities as a child in a window of a house was taking pictures of us – it was a little unnerving.

 

We headed into Clare the following day – we both felt we had already done enough wine tasting in the previous towns so did not want to do anymore for the time being – cellar doors don’t seem to be any cheaper and more often much more expensive than the shops.  Clare is a nice little town with all the amenities and we did a bit of shopping.

 

We headed off, we had to go somewhere free for the Adelaide holiday weekend.  All the paid for sites were booked up so we headed for Hogwash Bend.  We knew the site and it was in an ideal location.  We knew we have to get there early to get a space – however we hadn’t expected so many people.  When we arrived the spot we had last time had already been taken so we took a spot a bit further up the river.  On the Wednesday when we arrive there were four other vans, on Thursday more people poured in.  In the end they surrounded us completely.  It was a hard weekend for us as everyone was in their family or friends groups and we were on our own – it reminded us how much we miss our family and friends.  We had a nice weekend, swimming and using the kayak.  Fishing was impossible with all the boats and waterskiing going on.  On Monday we decided that we should head for the Eyre Peninsula.

 

 

 

We are waiting for friends of ours to fly into Adelaide on the 19th for us to travel up to Darwin together.  We are not sure why we didn’t come this way before the weekend but we both felt we had enough time to do it justice.

We headed towards Port Augusta and to the far side of the Eyre Peninsula – Port Kenny.  The first night we only got to a place called Iron Knob – it was a place in the middle of nowhere – not much money in the town and many old cars.  We went to the free site in the middle of town and there were lots of others doing the same journey – one way or other.  We had a peaceful night and carried on the following day.  We went through Kimba which is reported to be halfway across Australia.  Carried on to Port Kenny.  there is nothing there!!! Just a few houses so we carried on south down the coast.

 

We ended up at Ellision in Waterloo Bay caravan park.  Very nice little park, right on the beach, had a jumping pillow and again we ventured on it – no one around again!!.  Very helpful lady at the caravan park.  We went on the tourist drive which took you around the coast for 12 km.  On the way there were stunning views and a few structures – some better than others.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 11th March moved on to Coffin Bay.  Tiny, tiny place with only 2 shops. Went to the pier and did a spot of fishing – Phil 1 – Bob 3 not bad more than others on the pier!!!  Had a lovely dinner at the yacht club – fish and chips in a bag $10 not bad. Here is the view we had while eating the fish and chips….

The next day we headed into Coffin Bay National Park.  Bob had been dying to do some more 4WD after our disaster last time.  He had read up on in in the car manuals and had talked to people about it.  In the National Park there were a few trails which you could take.  Franz had recommended Gunyar Bay as a brilliant place to go – so off we went.  We had a very bumpy ride down to the beach – across wide sand dunes but this time we were more prepared.  We got down to the beach in one piece although we nearly got struck down on the beach as the sand was really soft and loose we decided to head up before lunch.  We got back up to the road ok and we even took a second trip down to the beach to complete the experience.  It was fun and scary at the same time.

 

We headed deeper into the National Park and went 4WD to Black Springs where we spend a couple of hours on the beach – Phil reading and Bob fishing – no catches today.

A bit boring but here is a link to Dropbox to see the drive over the dunes…

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8md2psjrga6mg5x/AADIg2gIfShprVcdtFEBA4pLa?dl=0