A Sunflower & Fruitbat's adventures: Day 26 - Monday 23 January

DAY 26

MONDAY

23 January 2017 –

Streaky Bay

Rain! It found us. We had some showers through the night and while I was laying in bed this morning, reading my book, it came down again. We had already decided that we were heading out to Point Labatt today to check out the only permanent seal colony on the Australian mainland so we packed wet weather gear along with all the other usual things.

In the car at 930am we drove on to Sceale Bay. There wasn’t really much there, just a very quiet beach town. On a clear day it is no doubt very picturesque, but today wasn’t letting it show off.

We continued our meander onto dirt roads heading for Point Labatt Conservation Park and sea lion colony. The closer we drover the darker the skies became and then the rain started and the heavens through down great bucket loads of water on us. Not happy Jan. By the time arrived at the lookout area, it was torrential. Not letting it stop me though, I donned my raincoat and grabbed the less preferable waterproof camera and make the 50m walk to the platform. There was no point dodging the puddles, as my feet were already soaked. I stood and looked out at the wild view ahead, spotting seals laying on flat rocks below. Unfortunately the camera wasn’t really up to the distance shots so the seals looked like lumps protruding from the rock.

It rained buckets.

The seals are across the horizontal middle of this photo!

With both of us thoroughly drenched it was back to the car for refuge. Paul just looked at me and shook his head. His spray jacket had afforded no protection from the driving rain.

The drive back along Baird Bay was a little more treacherous now, as the rain was washing the dirt from the corrugations and it was a little more slippery. I was disappointed that the weather ruined this part of the trip as again the views would be spectacular on a clear day.

Our next stop was Murphy’s Haystacks. This geological wonder is 1500 million years old. The granite outcrops are wind worn inselbergs. We piled out of our now very dirty car, made our way to shelter to wait for the rain to subside and then wandered around the various pink granite boulders. They were very impressive and looked quite stunning against the grey, broiling sky, threatening to dump on us yet again.

Once I had had my fill of photos it was back to the car and into Streaky Bay for fuel and food before returning to the van for lunch. It seemed like it had been pretty dry here while we were out, but the air was thick with humidity and it wasn’t long into the afternoon before the thunder sounded, the lightning flashed and the rain set in for the afternoon. Just as well we had nothing better to do than read and listen to the patter on the roof.

I spent some time researching our next part of the journey down the Eyre Peninsula, looking at Venus Bay but began feeling way too lazy, so I suggested we go for a walk. We headed into town, walking along the waterfront. At the top of the walk is this old boat, a memorial to it running aground.

We continued up the main strip, stopping for drinks before making once last walk along the jetty. There was nothing happening on it, due to the weather. We continued our meander back to the van, where we had dinner. Dip, cheese, crackers and oysters. A finer dinner could not have been had!
With dinner out of the way, it was out to walk again. The weather had cleared up, leaving only the streaky clouds. The last of the sun's light leaving the sky ablaze, It was pretty impressive.
We made our way back after what we figured was a 4km walk, by then it was dark and we were both ready to lay down. We read for a bit, before turning out the light.