Day 16  28th April

Macclesfield to Yorketown, Yorke Peninsula

Distance Travelled - 298.9 km

Today was a bit of a tale of two cities. Woke up early again but managed to fall asleep again and got up about 8.30 am. Packed things away and started to repack the car, hoping to make a few changes and have things run a bit smoother maybe. After that was mostly done Uncle John took me for a tour of their property. We motored around on a small 4 wheeler type vehicle that was almost more car than bike - I think he called it a Gator?

Wow!!!!! What an amazing property. I think it has everything you could want - magnificent views, rocks, hills, a creek, lush vegetation, wildlife, birds, dams and much to Uncle John's surprise lots of stunning dead trees - more than he thought were there. We toured and took photos for about an hour I would guess before heading back to the house to wash the car (lots of limestone splashes from Kangaroo Island driving) and have a tasty lunch of vegetable soup and crumpets.

After lunch I packed away the last few things, said my goodbyes and left at about 1.30 pm to enter the dreaded traffic and boredom of highways and main roads. Made a few stops on the way at some shops to try and find multi-packs of individual, 1 serve polyhedra tetra packs of long-life milk but alas no one seems to stock them - black coffee for a while then maybe?

Eventually came to a stop just outside of Yorketown where I found a suitable spot to camp for the night. Tomorrow should see the first of the lighthouses on the Peninsula and a few other sights.

                                 The view from the veranda and Aunty Jan and Uncle John's house

                                                           View out on the property

                                                         Another view from the property

                                             Just a couple of the dead trees out on the property

A sample of the coloured leaves in and around the Stirling / Harndorf area 

Day 15

Macclesfield to Adelaide to Strathalbyn to Macclesfield

Distance Travelled - 124.8 km

Today was a very laid back affair. Although I woke at 4.50 am much to my disgust, I was able to finally to drift in and out a bit and listen to music and get up about 8.30 am. Sorted a few things in my room and then went to do my washing in the main house at Aunty Jan and Uncle John's. Spent some time listening to a kookaburra and looking at kangaroos before heading off into the city to get my camera.

The drive down was very pleasant although lots of the coloured leaves have fallen off the trees and have been ruined by the rain. It was still a very pretty drive though. Got to the city and managed to get the camera without any dramas.

On the way home I went through Stirling, Aldgate and Mylor looking at more coloured leaves and trees. Found an amazing array of colours (even for a colour-blind guy) and collected them for photographs later. It was a drive home through stunning scenery and majestic views - way too hard to adequately capture in a photo so I just enjoyed the views as I drove.

Continued through to Strathalbyn where I visited some more antique shops and spent more time drooling and wishing. Came home and spent time talking to Aunty Jan and Uncle John about their property and house. They built the house themselves over a period of about 4 years and have a beautiful home to show for it. Set on 90 acres it is surrounded by bush with lovely tall trees and an abundance of kangaroos and birds - watch the blog tomorrow for photos.

After a yummy tea it is time to write and then start preparing for tomorrow when I head towards the Yorke Peninsula. 

Coloured leaves - Stirling SA

Dead trees near Macclesfield

Day 13 - 25th April

Kingscote to cape Willoughby to Macclesfield

Distance Travelled - 214.6 km

Woke up with the alarm just after 5.30 am to get sorted and find the Dawn Service which was easier than I thought. I would guess that there were well over 500 people there which I thought was a very good number given the size of the population. The service was very different  to most that I have attended as it had lots of speaking, a few hymns being sung and Bible readings, none of which I have ever encountered before. Normally the service is conducted in silence and then afterwards someone will give a speech or talk and that is about it.

After the service went to the Gunfire breakfast at the town hall and looked at an exhibit of artwork about the war which I must admit did not appeal to me at all. The style of painting was not to my liking given the gravity of the topic. I must admit my initial thinking was that it resembled some painting styles I have encountered in my Pre-Primary classes that  I have taught not that of a well known local artist. At the end of the exhibition there was a sign saying the paintings were done in a style to represent the mental suffering and anguish that accompanies many of the soldiers, and other people, returning from active service, but that really didn't change anything for me. Comments I heard from others though disagreed with me and some others agreed - art is so subjective!

After breakfast I had plenty of time on my hands before the scheduled 2.30 pm departure so I went back out to Cape Willoughby to have another look for my lost ring but to no avail. The drive through the back roads from Kingscote was very nice - somewhat forresty and rural with lots of kangaroos in paddocks and the occasional one on the road. Took a few more snaps of the lighthouse and surrounding scenery before having a coffee or 3 (who knew I could drink that much coffee in one morning) at the Zest and Thyme Cafe, chatting and looking through a couple of photography books.

Left in time to make the ferry check in at 2 pm with plenty of spare time - just in case. Stopped on the way to take a photo of a magnificent old, dead tree. Boarded without incident and settled in for the trip back. Supposedly relatively calm but felt crook as by the time I got off - maybe too much coffee or the lovely lemon cheesecake I ate just  before  I left the Cafe (do you really expect me to forego the chance to eat lemon cheesecake or tart?).

Once off, I took a few snaps of the Cape Jervis Lighthouse - almost arty in it's design compared to the others I have seen so far -and then started the journey back to Aunty Jan and Uncle John's in Macclesfield. Took a few more snaps of dead trees (another photographic passion) on the way and meandered back enjoying the sun breaking through the clouds an illuminating   the wet grass and trees giving them a magnificent lustre and beauty.

Got back to delicious vegetable soup and hamburgers for tea and then after a bit of chat hit the shower and an early night. Tomorrow I plan to travel to Port Adelaide and Merino Rocks to photograph more lighthouses.

                                                        Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

                                                      Dead tree, Cape Willoughby Road

                                                               Cape Jervis Lighthouse

Day 14 - 26th April

Macclesfield to Port Adelaide via Marino Rocks

Distance Travelled - 146.5 km

Body clocks suck! Today I woke up without the use of an alarm at 5.15 am and it took me until nearly 7.30 am to fall asleep again. Slept for about another hour or so before waking again just after 8.30 am. Refused to get up early so lay in bed until about 10 am listening to music and reading.

Checked cameras and a few other things and got talked to Aunty Jan and Uncle John about best ways to get to Port Adelaide and Marino Rocks and then set off. The first part of the drive between Macclesfield and Kangarilla was very pretty with lots of trees and paddocks - green and lush, so very different to the Southern Cross vista I am used to.

Was very disappointed when I got to Marino Rocks to find out that work was being undertaken on it and there was large rusty scaffolding around the lighthouse and lots of debris on the ground - not the most photogenic of subjects but I guess it happens every now and then.

Took the obligatory shot and moved on. Port Adelaide lighthouse is a bit different to most  have seen so far and looked ok. after taking a few shots walked around for a bit looking at the markets and then came home, stopping for a few dead tree photos on the way.

Tomorrow will consist of washing clothes, picking up cameras and a the like and getting ready to leave Macclesfield and head to the Yorke Peninsula and then northwards to the Flinders Ranges and beyond.

                                          Marino Rocks Lighthouse, complete with scaffolding

                                                              Port Adelaide Lighthouse 

Day 12 (the real Day 12) Friday 24th April

Cape St Albans to Kingscote

Distance Travelled - 101.7km

Somewhere along the way I have skipped a day with my numbering so this is the real Day 12.

Woke up early to an overcast and very windy morning so stayed in bed for an extra half hour and got up about 6.15am. Packed sleeping gear away but left the tent out to try and dry off a bit of the dew accumulated through the night. Set off at 6.30am to start the hike in the Cape St Albans lighthouse. Just as I left a text came in confirming the cancellation of the ferry for today.

As I got closer to the lighthouse huge black clouds could be seen on the horizon and the wind picked up a bit more. Took a photo of lighthouse with the clouds behind and continued walking towards the lighthouse. Just as I got there the sun poked out into a gap in the clouds providing a nice shot before quickly disappearing.

The lighthouse has a wall built all around it preventing entry or climbing but someone - definitely not me - has cut a small square hole in the base of the door which was just big enough for me to poke the camera through and take a shot of full lighthouse. It took several attempts to get it right due to shooting unseen but finally got one that will suffice.

Started the half hour walk back and with no shelter in sight it started to rain, rapidly getting quite heavy. Put on my rain jacket over my other jacket and continued walking as the rain got heavier and heavier. After about 20 minutes it stopped and although the rain jacket had kept me dry on the outside I was sweating profusely from the uphill walk in 2 jackets. Finally got back to car and changed into dry clothes and packed away a slightly more wet than before tent.

Drove to the ferry terminal to sort out travel plans. They were very apologetic, obliging and helpful. I am now booked on the 2.30pm ferry on Saturday providing the wether settles. Posted my recent blog entries using their wi-fi and then went to the visitors centre and waited for that to open at 9am. Spent some time there looking at maps etc and found that there is a dawn service for ANZAC Day tomorrow in Kingscote - about half an hour away. Having not missed a dawn service since I got my car license I was glad I could find one happening here on Kangaroo Island. Drove to Kingscote and looked around a few shops before finding somewhere to park, hopefully for the night. Weather at the moment is very windy and rainy still but hopefully it will blow itself out during the night ready for a clear ANZAC service and a good ferry crossing tomorrow.

Cape St Albans lighthouse with the approaching storm.

 

A glimpse of sun before the downpour.

 

 

                                             Cape St Albans lighthouse from the hole in the fence.

Day 9

Macclesfield to Kangaroo Island

Distance Travelled - 167.4 km

Today started with a short trip to Strathalbyn - about 11km away to look at a few book shops that were unfortunately both closed when I got there but I did enjoy some time wandering through a couple of antique shops looking at some cool stuff.

After arriving back at Aunty Jan and Uncle John's I repacked most of the gear into the car and headed off to catch the ferry to Kangaroo Island. It was a very pleasant and pretty drive down to the ferry at Cape Jervis. I was booked on the 4pm ferry but when I checked in at 2.30pm they said they could squeeze me on the 3pm trip so I waited to drive the car on and then boarded. I survived the 45min crossing without mishap or any real feeling off seasickness (maybe my Antarctic trip has cured me?).

Arriving on Kangaroo Island I quickly visited the Visitor Information Centre who were very helpful even though in essence we got nowhere. Cape St Alban's lighthouse is on private land and they were trying to hunt someone down who could open gates etc for me at some stage. Eventually they took my number and are going to get back to me when they find something out.

Leaving there I headed out to Willoughby Lighthouse, getting there as they officially closed for the day. Sneaked around the back and took a few photos before heading to the nearby Zest and Thyme Cafe to ask a few questions. It was just on closing time for them but they were very happy to talk and offered me the use of their grounds to camp on overnight, particularly as I was wanting to do some night photography of the light in action.

After an average tea of spaghetti bolognaise, I headed back to the lighthouse, jumped the fence and set up to do some night photography. It was very windy and even on the heavy tripod the camera was having trouble staying steady. Spent about 90 mins trying to get a few shots before leaving to go to bed. Hopefully a good sunrise tomorrow will make up for the lack of night photography.

                                           Late afternoon at Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Night shot of Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Day 11

Cape Willoughby, Kangaroo Island to Cape Borda, Kangaroo Island

Distance Travelled - 184.5km

It was very windy last night making photography a little difficult as even on the heavy tripod the camera was moving a bit on occasion. After a couple of hours I decided enough was enough and went back to camp outside the Cafe. After a good sleep I awoke to the sound of my phone alarm and got out of bed to get some sunrise photos featuring the lighthouse. Got a few that look ok.

After that hung around until Liz and Mos came to work at the Cafe and had a very nice coffee with scrambled eggs, bacon and a ham and cheese croissant for breakfast whilst we talked photos and emergency services stuff as they are both in the volunteer ambulance on Kangaroo Island. During the morning I realised I had lost my ring that I got for my 21st birthday. Searched the car park, sleeping bag and stretcher tent and the area surrounding the car and where I had slept, all to no avail. Went to the lighthouse and explained to them I had lost it, possibly during night photography and went and the searched the areas I had covered but still no luck. Both groups took my name and number in case it turns up - apparently Adele at the lighthouse found a SD card from a phone 7 years after it had been lost and still had the contact numbers so was able to return it so who knows.

After a significant chat all things lighthouse with Adele I went back to the Visitor Centre to see if there was any update on the Cape St Albans lighthouse situation. Whilst I was there a few more calls were made with the final outcome being that it appears I can take my car as far the gate and then walk the rest of the way if I wish but that is the only option so at the moment that is planned for Friday morning.

Spent the afternoon driving to Cape Borda and sorting stuff for night photos. Did a quick tour of the surrounding area and some of the spectacular scenery and then read for awhile before heading back to the lighthouse just after 5pm to start work. Cape Borda has the traditional beam light but has 4 beams operating at once making it difficult to get the shot I want but hopefully, although not what I want, some might be ok.

After a couple of hours there I returned to a spot not far down the road where I decided to camp for the night, made tea, wrote my entry and prepared for bed ready for sunrise photos again tomorrow before heading down to Cape de Couedic lighthouse and possibly the Kelly Caves before heading back out towards Cape Willoughby and Cape St Albans.

                                           Morning Visitors outside Zest and Thyme Café

                                            Early morning at Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

                                           Early morning at Cape Willoughby Lighthouse 2

                                                              Cape Borda Lighthouse

                                                                     Scott's Cove

Way too much noise, but a start on the type of image I eventually want to capture, this is Cape Borda Lighthouse at about 8.30pm.

Day 12

Cape Borda to Cape De Couedic to Cape Willoughby

Distance Travelled - 258.6 km

Woke up early to another overcast sky and with it went hopes of sunrise photography but ever hopeful I drove back to lighthouse and did a few more shots before heading off towards Cape De Couedic. A pleasant drive through the bush on a gravel track rather than the slightly short sealed road before arriving at the Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre. Despite having bought a National Parks Pass for South Australia for $80 (I still find it weird that you can't buy a National, National Parks Pass but need to buy a NATIONAL Parks pass for each state as you go) I had to pay $10 for day entry to the park and then $4 for a shower! - even the showers at Eucla only cost $1.00.

Left the Visitor Centre and went to Cape de Couedic lighthouse which I think is the nicest looking one so far. Took a few snaps and then headed down to Admirals Arch - a coastline feature made by the sea eroding the rocks. As much as I wanted to think it was grand it really paled into insignificance with stuff from Antarctica. I hope the trip to Antarctica has not spoiled me for appreciating other sights around Oz. Lots of signs about the sea lions which were mere specks compared to how close I was to them in January.

Left the arch and went to a place called Remarkable Rocks which I did say imp\pressed me somewhat. Lots of weird shaped rocks caused by the erosion but I struggled with inconsiderate tourists who kept walking in front of me when I was trying to take photos. One in particular was lucky not to get a serve from me. I had waited about 10 minutes whilst a tour group went through and had tried several times to sneak the shot I was wanting in hoping to snap it in between people moving through but no such luck. This family could, I think, clearly see what was happening and after the group had moved off and I was about to take my photo they moved right into my frame - see attached picture. Then to really top it off the father turned around and asked me if I would take a family shot for them. I smiled and obliged, uncharitably thinking the whole time how I could accidently fumble the camera after the shot to cause some sort of damage to the camera or cause the shot not to work. Fought off the urge and after they had finished their next set of poses for each other I got to take my shot some 20 minutes after I first tried.

Leaving the rocks to fall on annoying and inconsiderate people, I started heading back towards Penneshaw, stopping at the Kelly Hills Caves for the tour of the cave. It was very well set up with minimal lighting showing off particularly good stalagmites, stalactites, helitites, columns, straws and other decorations. The guide was very good and we spent a few minutes after the tour discussing various things.

Left the caves and headed out to Cape Willoughby were I called in to the Zest and Thyme Cafe for a  coffee and chat. If anyone comes over here I heartily recommend the Cafe, great food, good coffee (albeit from a minimist coffee drinkers perspective) and wonderful hosts. Eventually left there at closing time and headed the short distance out a side road as far as allowed ready to trek in few kilometres to last of the lighthouses here on Kangaroo Island. Cape St Albans is on private property but I have been given permission to drive in as far as the gate and then walk in so hopefully that will go ok.

Just before I left the Cafe, got a text from the ferry company informing me that due to forecast extreme weather conditions they may have to cancel trips tomorrow but will confirm at 6am tomorrow so I might be here longer than expected. Anyway, enough drivel for now - time to get on with sorting some of todays photos.

                                                           Cape de Couedic Lighthouse

                                                                      Admirals Arch

Just as I was getting ready to shoot, camera to my eye, this moron walked in front and called his  
                                                                 family in for his shot.

                                                                Remarkable Rocks 1

                                                               Remarkable Rocks 2

Original Entrance to Kelly Hill Cave

 

Cave Formations 1

 

 

                                                                Cave Formations 2

Day 8

Adelaide

Distance Traveleld - 117.5 km

Today was pretty much a sort of rest day.Spent the majority of it at Aunty Jan and Uncle John's either reading or researching for the next phase of travel. The only real travel I did today was into the city to drop one of my cameras of for cleaning. It appears there is some dust on the sensor which is leaving marks on the photos. Had a very nice lime chilli chicken lunch at a small Thai restaurant just across the road from the camera shop.

Went to Adelaide using the freeway and came back the scenic route through the hills and on some very cool, very, very windy (lots of turns) roads. It was great fun driving along  those roads.

After looking at maps and weather forecasts and talking with those in the know it has been decided that I will head to Kangaroo Island tomorrow and come back Friday whilst the weather is still fine. Saturday I will do a bit of a day trek up to Port Adelaide and Merino Bay for light house photography and then Sunday or Monday I will head off into the Flinders Ranges and beyond, leaving Adelaide behind and making my way towards Coober Pedy, Alice Springs and then Darwin.   

Day 7

Burra - Macclesfield (Aunty Jan and Uncle John's)

Distance travelled - 317.6 km

  Getting up early is becoming a bad habit but at least today the 5.15 am get up was looking worthwhile. After successfully negotiating the 21 steps from my room to the floor below and then outside the pub I gazed skyward to find a breathtaking array of stars and no clouds anywhere to be seen. So back inside it was to get camera gear and a coat, it was surprisingly chilly outside.

After driving the short distance to the homestead I took a ridiculous amount of photos on various settings hoping something reasonable might be produced. I know that looking at scene with my eyes was very gratifying, I just hoped I have managed to capture some of that essence on film, so to speak.

90 minutes later I headed back into town and to the pub to try and steal an hour or so of sleep but to no avail, just couldn't quite shut my mind off enough to fall asleep. Finally gave up trying so got up and showered, packed the car and walked to the bakery for some breakfast. After that went to the Visitor Centre to post the latest blog and chat about travel plans for the day before hopping into the car and starting the journey to Aunty Jan and and Uncle John's place near Macclesfield. I took the scenic route through the back way instead of down the main highway and through Adelaide's freeway system. Although it added about an extra 120 km it was certainly a lovely drive, particularly the latter part where there were lots of autumn leaves on trees and decorating the road and paths, quite a spectacular sight really.

Arrived here mid afternoon and spent time talking and settling in before tea then showed off a few Antarctic photos before retiring to my room to write the blog and then sort through todays photos.

Looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow and getting a few things sorted before starting the next phase of the journey will is still to be finalised completely.

                                                           Burra Homestead at sunrise

Day 6

Burra Township, SA

Distance Travelled - 98 km

Made an early rise today but looking outside at 5.15am the sky was very overcast and cloudy meaning very little chance of sunrise photos today. I was hoping to get early morning sun on Burra Homestead (made famous as being the photo for the cover of Midnight Oil's Diesel and Dust album) but no luck so went back to bed. Woke again about half seven to a partly clearing sky. Spent most of the morning walking through town visiting the antique shops who are preparing for a big antique and collectables fair here on May 2nd and 3rd. Wow, if only I had some major spare cash and room in the car for some stuff. I think I could have spent some serious coin here. Had a very interesting chat with one of the owners about Koonalda Station in SA near the WA border and a few other palces we had both been.

Late morning with a cloudy sky showing just the odd patch of blue, I headed the 4km out of town to the homestead known by locals as the Oils House. Took a few snaps and then headed off back towards Spalding to another house I had seen yeaterday on the way through to Burra. Drove the 40 or so kms to find the house but couldn't locate an access road to the house set a fair way back off the road on a hill but still enjoyed the view. Stopped at the homestead on the way back in for another quick photo session and had a late lunch around 3pm followed by a short snooze. Left the pub just after 5 to go back to the homestead for another attempt at photos, not real happy with the first lot. Rain started just after I got there but managed a few snaps before leaving to come back. Nice salt and pepper squid for tea then spent the evening sorting photos and getting ready for another crack at sunrise photos tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

Day 4

Streaky Bay to Cape Donnington, Port Lincoln

Distance Travelled - 368.6 km

Most of last night was spent listening to the rain which was a good test of the swag tent, good news - no leaks! Whilst the fly had to be packed away wet this morning pretty much everything else remained dry. The rain followed me today all the way to Port Lincoln and out to Cape Donnington where at 8pm it is still raining. I am camped (well parked anyway) at the base of the lighthouse waiting for the rain to stop so I can hopefully get a few night shots of the lighthouse in action. If things go according to plan the weather is meant to clear during the night giving me a chance to do some shots tonight and again early in the morning.

On the way through today I stopped at a few places to take photos of old stone buildings and tree lines. There are lots of old buildings on the drive down the coast and I could easily have taken a whole day to simply make it to town had I stopped at them all.

Hopefully tomorrow I will get to Cape Catastrophe at the other end of the Port Lincoln National Park to photograph the lighthouse there and then make my way up to Whyalla and maybe on to Burra.

 

 

Day 5

Cape Donnington, Port Lincoln to Burra.

Distance Travelled - 660.5 km

Well, true to form for photography purposes it pretty much rained all night making night photography very limited. It rained persistently until just after 2am when it eased off significantly so out of the car I stumbled to start taking photos. The rain break lasted until about 3am when it decided to bucket down again. Unfortunately I did not have much success and the image I have in my head remains there and not on my camera. Not to be defeated I decided to get up early and get amazing sunrise photos with a few clouds in the sky and the lighthouse as the focus. Well.. at 5.30, 6.00, 6.30 and 7.00am there was still no visible sun even though the light had increased. Thanks to a hugely cloudy and overcast morning there was no visible sunrise - strike idea number 2.

During my wait last night I discovered on one of the 4 maps I was looking at, another lighthouse marked down at Cape Catastrophe. Further investigation on the only map to have it listed showed you need to go through a locked gate to access it. Information at the entry point to the park said the key was available at the Visitor Information Centre - funny they didn't mention that to me yesterday when I was talking to them about taking lighthouse photos. So I made the 41km drive back into town, waited half an hour for the centre to open and went in to get more info. None of the 5 people there could tell me for sure whether there was an actual lighthouse there or not, one seemed to think it might be more like a light beacon or buoy. Computer research did nothing to help. Finally the decision was made when they said that there was significant clearance needed in your vehicle and they didn't think the Subaru would clear some of the rocks - how rude! So now it was off to Whyalla.

It was a pleasant, if somewhat rainy, drive to Whyalla where I dropped in to the Visitor Centre and chatted for a while about directions, campsites and lighthouses. Went to the Point Lowly lighthouse and took a few snaps before heading on through Port Augusta, past Port Pierre and finally into Burra with rain all the way. Stopped along the way for a few photos of interesting things and got to the Visitor Centre just as they were getting ready to close. With rain forecast for all night I decided to get accommodation rather than swag it or "sleep" in the car like last night. The pub seemed the best option from the ones provided and I booked into a comfortable, if basic, room. Yummy fish and chips for tea before retiring to read and sleep ready for an early start tomorrow - hopefully the clouds will allow a viewing of sunrise.

    Cape Donnington Lighthouse

 

Point Lowly Lighthouse

 

 

 

Day 1
Departing Southern Cross

Distance traveled - 769.1 km

After a leisurely wake up and finishing off the last few tasks at home and about I headed off just after 10am. Drove through to Norseman and had a bit of a leg stretch there and spent some time in the Information Centre reading a bit of history and looking at maps and brochures for South Australia. Left Norseman and continued onwards not really sure where I would stop. Eventually pulled over about 40km short of Cocklebiddy and camped overnight out the back of a parking bay some distance off the road. Went to bed early and was asleep before 7pm I would think. Had a good sleep although did hear several very weird noises originating it seemed from the car but a few checks didn't reveal anything so back to sleep each time.

Day 2 - Cocklebiddy to Eucla

Distance Traveled -329.2 km

Woke up at 6am to the sound of birds and of water dripping inside my swag tent. It would appear with the fly on and completely zipped up there is enough warm air inside to cause condensation. Got up and removed slightly wet sleeping bag and swag and undid all the zips on the tent to let it dry out. Went for a bit of a walk and spent time reading brochures about Adelaide while waiting to pack up. Heard some more weird noises from the car and careful investigation revealed a bird caught inside the front bumper under the grill. I remember thinking I hit a bird near Ballaedonia but didn't see feathers etc so thought maybe I had just missed it but apparently not. Finally managed to get it out and it took off without so much as a thank-you - what a rude hitchhiker.  Left camp about 9.30am and called in to Cocklebiddy for fuel. Spoke to a couple of people heading from Victoria to Albany for the ANZAC Day service. Continued on to Madura and stopped to talk to the owners/workers there about some of the nearby caves but apparently all the people in the know about them are away at the moment so no luck there. Between Madura and Eucla stopped a few times to try and get photos of some eagles in trees and flying around and one on a dead roo but none of them were interested in being helpful so unfortunately no great shots. Finally pulled into Eucla about 2pm and went for a squiz around the telegraph station ruins and then down to the beach for a look at the old jetty. Decided to go back at dawn tomorrow to try and get some early light photos of the jetty. Once finished on the beach I walked back to the car and went up to the campsite to enjoy a bit of time reading and writing after setting up the swag for tonight.






Day 3

Eucla to Streaky Bay

Distance Covered: 618
km
Made an early start (well, early for me) at 5.15am and drove the 4km down to the Telegraph Station ruins and then walked another km or so to the beach just in time to get the sun rising beneath some clouds to illuminate the jetty. Spent about 25 minutes taking a few photos and then walked back to the car and drove back to camp, arriving about 6.30am. The tent was covered in dew so spent some time reading, talking to a few other campers and having a shower before finally packing up and leaving at about 8.30am. Spent the day mainly driving stopping to look at a few places very briefly. Just past Nundroo and before Penong saw an old building in a paddock so stopped to take a photo or two before continuing in to Penong. I was hoping to visit the Woolshed Museum but alas it is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the moment. Have tried on each of my 3 trips over here and each time it has been closed for some reason or other, I am beginning to think they don't want me to visit.
Continued on through the fruit fly check withiut issue and into Ceduna where I spent some time at the Tourist Information Centre trying to upload the last few days worth of blog but it hasn't seemed to work so will try somewhere else later. Left there and continued to Streaky Bay to find the caravan park I stayed at last time completely full so went about 5km out of town to a rest area and stayed the night there along with about 8 other groups. Met a couple of nice Canadian girls heading to Perth and spent a bit of time answering their questions about what they should expect on their Nullarbor crossing.    
Feeling a bit weary so an early night is in store I think so hopefully in bed by about  9pm SA time.