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!