Strathalbyn South Australia to Western Australia

This episode covers over 2,000 Kms but has little photographic evidence; one of the travellers edited the camera one day and over 100 images are out there in cyber space.
In fact this is the penultimate chapter.
The route was Strathalbyn; Goolwa; Victor Harbour; Cape Jarvis;McLaren Vale; Adelaide;Melrose;Port Augusta;Kimba;Ceduna;Eucla; Noresman; Esperance.
A long-long way!!
We start at Strathalbyn which was a very pleasant town with us touring the Fleurieu Peninsular before going into Adelaide and visiting Patricia.who lives adjacent to the ancient Tram from Adelaide City to Glenelg.
The first image is the strangest house we have ever seen.
It is lived in as well!!
How the hell does it work??


The bulk of the time we were parked overnight when on the Peninsular in locations shown below outside our bedroom window.


So rustic
The entry into Patricia's driveway as can be seen tight.
In fact we had to call on the workers building a new tram bridge and have the gate post gas axed from it's concrete foundation, so in it went after that.
A very pleasant 10 days were spent at Patrica's especially as Anna (Katherine's sister) visited from America. needless to say Mike had a quiet time.

On one of our trips to the City we came across this giant lily pad.
This is just one of a number of pads in a special building that must of cost close to a $Million dollars.
Not sure this was money well spent.

Adjacent to the pad building was this very special sculpture.
Whatever the cost we liked this one.
Sheets of glass contoured as shown.



As you walk around it has a different perspective.

Finally this leaf was an image that has some meaning to us, it typifies the beauty of the sights seen - but our journey around Australia is nearing its end.

After Adelaide it was the Long jaunt up to Port Augusta across the top of the Eyre Peninsular and into Ceduna. This took us 6 days and one mishap - a puncture 18Km outside Ceduna - a ruined tyre plus a days wait for a new one which came overnight to Ceduna. Could have been worse 500 Km further on and may have been a significant issue!!

The Nullarbor to Esperance was anther 4 days of hard graft with our daily distance rising to just over 400Km on one day!!

Back to normal now and averaged just 120Km for the last few days.

Distance Travelled = 22,914 Km

Distance From Perth = 459 Km

Number of Days on the road =256

"Howlong" Victoria to "Strathalbyn" South Australia

Definitely heading home to the "West"as the Sun is now going down later at nights - well until the South Australian time change.Sunset at9.30 pm in Victoria was strange.

On leaving "Howlong" (cannot stop using that name) we headed west to Ouyen ( pronounced "who - yen"), then Pinarroo, Murray Bridge and Strathalbyn. The whole of this trip was marred by high temperatures - the highest 47 degrees just before Murray Bridge.

But high temperatures cannot keep a good Cook down

We certainly suffer in the Van for lack of good food and wine!!

Before saying good bye to Christmas we had to acknowledge this-

Father Christmas trying to deliver late Christmas presents!!


Here is another of our visitors

He came the next day as well

The Murray River -it appears to be in full flood.

But this is controlled to let the farmers of Victoria to be properous.
While in South Australia there is little water in the river.

This shows downstream where the water levels are low.
But the scene is idyllic.

One of the river survivors - Just

And one of the current causes of the problem.

These extraction pumps that run nearly 24 hours per day.

We know because we parked here overnight.

But what a delightful scene for the night stay.

An old log cabin we discovered "Kow Plain" homestead.

We visited in 45 degree heat

It looks charming

And this interior decor looks comfortable.

The camera does not show the heat.

These were pioneers

Near the homestead was the town of "Cowangie"

Not even the post office has survived.

This was typical in varying degrees from Pinnaroo to Murray Bridge.

But this was an interesting find!!

A cricket bat plantation.

Distance travelled from Perth = 19,641 Km

Distance from Perth = 2745 Km

Number of days on the road = 223

To the end of 2009 or Tamworth to Howlong

This is either the last Blog of the year or with the glass half full - the first Blog of another exciting year for this small group of travelling Nomads.

We have been very content with 2009 and are looking forward to all that 2010 can provide.

The itinerary covered by this episode includes, leaving Tamworth, to Musswellbook and Seamus's gravesite, Singelton, Cessnock, Morrriset, Katherine's parents grave site, Wyong, Spencer (defy you to find that one), wisemans Ferry and Windsor where we spent 10 Days with Katherine's sister Mary. From there it was 2 days in Curl Curl with Katherine's niece Anastasia and on to Canberra for Christmas.

After Canberra it was Yass, Cootamundra ( of Don Bradman fame),Wagga Wagga, Albury and at the end of the year "Howlong"(another search I am afraid)

But to reinforce that the we are in a big Country; Tamworth's giant golden guitar is one example.

Not to be outdone the fauna in represented at another town

The itinerary above mentioned Wisemans ferry well this is the vehical that carried the Van and us across the Hawksbury river, a free service. Whereas throughout Sydney the tentacles of private enterprise is geared to charge you at any road that is quick and efficient.

Luckily our "Tom Tom" lady avoided the 21st century highwayman!!

The next group of images are from the stay at Mary's and John's.
The hostess and grandchildren, forget the bottles!


The happy visitor and grandchildren.


The host and another visitor. Again forget the bottle!

Then the Ladies went out to lunch

Anna and Babe

Katherine and Anna

Katherine and Patsy

Katherine and Babe

After Lunch there was the Graveside tea party

With Katherine and Mary

And all together

Whilst in Canberra Mike went to the National War Memorial,

just to keep in the mood of the girls

This does require a day to fully do justice to the money and effort put into this icon.

Mike only had 3 hours, whilst Katherine was shopping for Christmas.

Our Christmas was planned to be here in Gunning just north of Canberra.

However the weather intervened and we ended up in Canberra.

Next year will be different!!!

Just to keep us in the mood, our friends Dick and Patsy

Sent us this picture from there back yard

As you can see they are literally worlds apart

But the spirit is the same

Distance Travelled from Perth = 18,713 Km

Distance from Perth = 3436 Km

Number of days on the road = 211

Finally we would like to Wish all who are following our Blog

a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year