Ceduna to Clare

Over the secondary border (where you have to get checked for fruit and veggies), and into Ceduna.

Normally we restock here and go straight on down the road but this time we decided that as we had missed a couple of two nights stops on the way over so we would have three nights here! 

(Almost putting down roots!!!!!!)

It was also Australia Day while we were there and a few of the ladies from the Dragon Ladies boat,

joined up with Stephen and NBF (New Best Friends) Mark while crabbing off the pier.

NBF's Mark and Robin Cockburn were originally only there for the first night we came in....on meeting  us they decided to stay a little longer and then another day longer...hence the crabbing.

The boys caught enough for a great lunch and then we all went out for dinner.

It is amazing who and where you meet great people...

we are so looking forward to catching up with these two either in Perth 

or in their area, the Snowy Mountains.

We all left on the same day, us to supposedly go to the Gawler Ranges, 

them to however far they could get!! 

Then the rain came and we decided that we were better off keeping going.

We had to stop at Kimba, halfway across Australia and take the picture of the Big Galah.

If anyone remember from our last trip Stephen was fascinated

 by the sign above in the local Public Toilet...

now he had to add another photo because of the addition..

A & A had recommended a place called Spear Creek , 

about 25 k's after Port Augusta and set beneath the South Flinders Ranges.

The back drop was incredible!!

The 400 year old River Red Gums were beautiful.

Evidence of the old water supply pipe that used to come from 

Wilmington to Port Augusta through Spear Creek

Toby and Turtle at the Gate.we will be back

We headed for Wilmington and the Pie Shop...guess what it was closed!!

However, ever other time we had been through the Toy Museum was shut...

not... today they were open.

The two cars above are scaled models of the originals and built by the owner by hand. 

They both are drivable, with petrol powered motors!

His next project is a Blower Bentley.

Collection upon collection of models, selection of board games 

some of which I remembered from my childhood.

This guys is a serious collector (MAD) he also has 80 cars...

and I thought I had problems (says Alison).

As the Pie Shop was closed we pushed onto Melrose and stopped 

at the North Star for a great Pub Lunch.

The on to Clare and our Caravan Park.

(It is partially ours for all the money we have spent here over the years.)

To our surprise a few bays down were two Trailcrafts...

with Turtle that makes three!!

Of course you can't come to Clare and not go to a couple of wineries.

We went to Tim Adams and stocked up with Riesling and then tried a

 new winery to us, O'Leary Walker...Rose and a Platter YUMMMM!!!

And the view was not bad either!

On The Road Again Adelaide Here We Come.

January 22nd 2013 and we start our trip over to Adelaide for Bassie and Jessies Wedding.

The weather had been reported to be hot and windy with some storms 

but we still went on the Hyden Norseman Road.

We stopped at a recommended spot, The Breakaways.

Oh so pretty and we had the place to our selves again...

Well almost.....

Isn't he smart!!

The evening light was one thing...

...but the morning light after a downpour and an electrical storm.. 

of Biblical proportions was something else......

We had thought of staying an extra night but the weather was not settled enough and 

we feared that we would not get out on the dirt roads...

so onwards and passed Lake Johnston.

Next stop Moodini Bluff...litter everywhere and the traffic was still going all night..

not one of the better stops on the Nullarbor.

but Stephen enjoyed shocking the morning traffic to get this picture.

( it was just light & I was trying to get the motion blur.)

Quick stop at Eucla to pick up signal and get telephone messages then on to Border Village.

Last trip we had stayed at Koonalda Homestead so decided to go there again but this time...

we went along the Old Eyre Highway.

This section goes from Border Village to Norseman..

we travelled 80 k's to Koonalda Homestead.

(my mum had come over here with her family 80 years ago so I wanted to retrace a tiny bit of her trip.)

Weather was still not great but we had the place to ourselves again...

One rainbow for Toby and one for Turtle!

Roof garden....

Australian Bustard in flight, on the road out to the Highway.

On our way to Nullarbor we saw a small mob of Camels.

This was the first time we had seen camels in all our travels..

however, on reaching Nullarbor Roadhouse we found this car..

they had found the camels the night before...guess who won..

the moral of the story is don't travel at night!!!!!

Spring Break with Deborah and Anthony down to the South West Corner

I know I am late again, completely forgot that I should have done a blog for this trip.

So please accept my apologies and I will try better next time!!!!!

Ever since we started this caravanning caper we have been trying to get away with Deborah(my Sister) and Anthony for a proper break...

not this couple of days stuff that we have been doing in the past...

well we managed to get a 12 day window of opportunity and we were out of here in a flash..

First port of call was Nannup and the sign below took Stephen's fancy!!

Having been to this area before we decided that we would try something different 

and went for a walk in St John Brook Conservation Park and out to Workers Pool.

Were there is smoke there is fire...

not a good thing for the area but makes a good photo.

The on to Pemberton and on the first full day we went into the Timber Mill 

for a guided walk through...very interesting...very noisy!!

We had been told of some great Pinot Noir from Donnelly River Winery so a quick detour to get some supplies and while there we found that the local mare and foal had got out of their fenced area and come over to the greener grass on the other side of the lake...this foal is only a week old...sooooo cute!

Last time we were here we had been taken to Goblins Swamp 

and so we took D & A for Deborah and Stephen to have a photo session.

Anthony and I just looked on!!

Stephen trying the Black and White effect.

Is that the illusive Swamp Goblin?

Back at the camp we had visitors!!

Stephen and I went trout fishing..and caught enough for dinner..yum!

Onwards to Augusta with a few of the must does....

Out to the Historic water wheel.

And of course the Lighthouse from nearby cliffs.

Up the coast to Hamelin Bay with a question of a good spot to stay in the future!

Then Stephen and Debbie did some evening shots out at the Water Wheel again..

below are a few of Stephen's other water shots..

And of course the compulsory Sunset..

Needless to say we had a fantastic break and have vowed

 that it will be sooner rather than later that we travel again.