Day 60 - Sunday 26 February - Staying around Murray Bridge

DAY 60

SUNDAY

26 February 2017 –  Grand Final Game 1 - Wildcats 89 v Illawarra 77. Winner!!

Murray Bridge

 The middle bike is the one Paul wanted to bring home.

With no real plans for today we were able to stay in bed and not feel guilty. After reading for a while we were out and using the onboard shower for the first time this trip. Up until now we have been at caravan parks and prior to that we didn’t want to use it because of the pump issue, but with it all sorted we could use it no problem. That being said it isn’t luxurious and you do what you have to do and get out, which I did.

Paul decided he would organise his fishing things and put them in the car in case we got to a spot near water. It was 11am before we actually got in the car, though we didn’t go far, just across the road. An old boy by the name of Dean Hogarth had Nortons for sale and Paul wanted to drool over them. We spent the best part of an hour chatting to him and another couple about what was in his shed and in the drive.  I could see Paul was like a kid in the proverbial candy shop.

We left eventually, moving down to the start of the bridges so I could take some pics and Paul could phone a friend about his discovery. I told him he could buy a bike if he wanted and with that info he was in heaven. We drove down to the Sturt Reserve to check out the Bunyip cave, but it wasn’t working. We did a walk along the front before returning to Dean’s to discuss the bikes and their prices. Paul was disappointed that they really weren’t within our price range and the ones that were weren’t really what he wanted and were nowhere near as pretty. So after chatting for another hour we left without a purchase but a wealth of information and stories about the old boy.

We drove the car down to Avoca Dell, a popular spot for those into water skiing and towing biscuits on the Murray. We set out our chairs and had our lunch and when finished we did the 3.5km wetlands loop, checking out the very large carp and the various bird life. We stopped to chat to various fishermen before talking to a bloke selling a Buell, which Paul had spied on our drive into the recreational park.

With the loop completed we drove back to the van. It was quite warm and we were in need of a cool drink and some quiet time. An early dinner was had and then a walk around the large showground complex before we made our way into the Murray Bridge Hotel to watch the first game of the grand final series. We had the bar to ourselves, the volume up and chatted to the young barman. Perfect.

While the start wasn’t the best, the boys wound it up for the rest of the quarters and ran home comfortable 12 point winners. Now to take it to Woolongong on Wednesday.

We returned to the van at 8.30pm readying ourselves to move on again tomorrow. I check the map and read some info before deciding we should head to Robe and base ourselves there to do a few day trips. Once organised I was off to bed  to be ready for our start in the morning.

Day 59 - Saturday 25 February - In the Murray Region

Day 59 

SATURDAY

25 February 2017 – 

Murray Bridge – Tailem Bend – Meningie – Raukkan – Narrung

We woke to a lovely blue day though Paul had spent much of it awake with a headache. We read in bed for a while before finally surfacing to greet the day. We had decided we would take in the some outer areas of the Murray and Coorong, so with our things set we headed first in to Murray Bridge to check out the bridges, the river, farmers Market and stop in at the shop for rolls then it was on to Tailem Bend. 

This town is on the Murray and as the names suggests at a bend. The town itself isn’t on the banks of the Murray though, the Princes Highway runs between them. We drove in one end and out of the other thinking we had seen most of it along the way so we continued on to Miningie.

Miningie is situated on the edge of Lake Albert, this is where we parked up and walked through the town and then along the interpretive lake walk. It had come in quite overcast and was cool with the wind whipping up over the lake. There were some heading out in small boats ready to bring in a catch of Coorong Mullet.

We stopped at the Birdman Ostrich statue, where you could climb aboard and pretend to be like the outlaw who once road an ostrich evading the local constabulary. Of course I was clambering straight on to enjoy the ride much to Paul’s char grin.

With my ostrich riding days done we returned to the car and followed the road out to Narrung, stopping first at an Aboriginal settlement, Raukkan to check out a few old buildings. The town itself is small but well cared for by the local indigenous people.

We then moved on the Narrung and the river crossing. We passed a well-used RV stop before driving onto the barge and travelling 100m across Lake Alexandrina. On the other side there is Point Malcolm lighthouse, this is the only inland lighthouse in Australia and was used to help paddle steamers navigate between Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina. Lake Alexandrina is the lake that the Murray River finally empties into. 

With the photos taken we continued back to Tailem Bend where we stopped this time and had lunch at the park though we didn’t bother to look around. Following lunch we drove back to Murray Bridge and checked in at the pub to ensure we had somewhere to watch the Wildcats tomorrow and then we walked the streets. We stopped in at the Cottage Box Chocolates and picked up some delicious candied almonds coated in chocolate and some chilli chocolate.

We followed the road down to the riverfront and checked out the old Round House building built for the construction of the first bridge to be built over the Murray River in 1873. It was later used as a number of different things, including a school in 1881. The views from the verandah were awesome.  

After checking out the homestead, we returned to the car and back to the showgrounds to rest up. I went through the photos and messaged friends at home with time slipping by quickly.

By 430pm we were out the door again and back into Murray Bridge to join other diners on the Paddle Steamer Captain Proud. We were fortunate enough to end up at a table on our own while many others were thrown together if they weren’t in large groups. We settled in, listening to the singer Maxine Kay and then the captain before we departed up the river about 5km and an hours worth of sailing.  

We checked out the view from the aft end of the boat, chatting to a couple who had lived in the USA. It was lovely to have others to chat to for a change. I took some pictures of the view before we returned to listen to the singer before our dinner was finally served.

When we were finished I checked out the ladies loo where you had a view of the paddle rotating and then we ventured to the top deck to chat to the Captain and I was allowed to take the wheel for a bit and a photo. He gave us some info about the area and what we were seeing and we wished we had him commentating for the whole trip.

Once back in our seats we were served our dessert and continued to listen to the music before we finally made it back to the dock about three hours later. The sun had just set and it was starting to darken. We disembarked, checked out what the fishermen were catching and then returned to the showgrounds to listen to the noise emanating from the speedway just down the road. 

Day 58 - Friday 24 February - Along the Murray River

DAY 58

FRIDAY

24 February 2017 –  started a new book, number 7 - “Don’t You Cry” by

McLaren Vale – Murray Bridge (Camps 8 SA#65) - Mannum

Moving day! IT has been a while since we packed up the van but here we were again. We were up early and ready to get the day underway. Dad rang as we were getting sorted, so I had a brief chat to both of them. All is good at home. Everything was organised and ready and we were out of the park at 9.15. We decided however that we would go and do some shopping in the car before doing the final hitch up.

We drove back out to Morphett Vale to pick up a new battery for my phone and then on to Colonnades shopping centre to doing some clothes and food shopping. We returned to the van at 1030 after having left it in the parking area at the front of the park. Paul hooked everything up, while I sorted inside and then we were off, though not very far.

 We stopped at the winery Serafino. Martyn and Cheryl had a photo of them with Mum and Dad outside a beautiful stained glass frontage and I wanted to take a similar photo that we managed before enjoying a wine tasting a picking up a bottle of moscato and returning to the road.

We tracked over much of the ground we had driven yesterday when we went to the zoo eventually making it to Murray Bridge for 1.30pm. We opted to stay at the showgrounds, found ourselves a space and set up camp. With it all in order and lunch had we got into the car and drove into the centre of town and found the info centre. A very helpful lady gave us the info we needed and more and we came out with armfuls of brochures. We then ducked into woollies for forgotten pieces and went back to the car.

We drove out to Mannum, stopping at the Waterfall along the way. We didn’t do much of the walk as we could see it was fairly dry and there wouldn’t be much to see. We continued on to the town site and found a place to park near the car ferry.

We watched the cars driving onto the barges and then sailing across the 100m or so of the Murray River and being deposited on the overside where there was a campground. It was very picturesque and if we weren’t already set up we would have loved to be there ourselves.

Mannum is the birthplace of the paddle steamers. You can cruise the Murray on quadruple deck boats for 3-5 nights or you could hire your own luxury houseboat. Both options looked appealing. We wandered the main street before returning to the riverside park and watching the senior cits with their luggage boarding the Murray Princess ready for their cruise.

We returned to the main road and were pointed in the direction of a hill top walk that we followed. This gave a good view of the river and the streets below. Once at the end of the walk we returned to the car and made our way back to Murray Bridge and the showgrounds.

I organised dinner and then we ate before enjoying a very quiet and relaxing evening. Paul spoke to Jaden while I sorted the pics and blog from the past few days. I tried to ring Brad but no one answered.  I booked us on to an evening paddle steamer dinner cruise for tomorrow evening that sounded like fun and by 845pm I was looking for bed. A real early one by our recent standards. 

Day 57 - Thursday 23 February - Off to the Zoo

DAY 57

THURSDAY

23 February 2017 –  Game 3 Semi-Final decider - Adelaide  98 v Illawarra  106.

Perth Wildcats Grand Final opponents will be Illawarra

Monarto

A better night’s sleep was had with no scraping trees on the roof thank goodness. I was awake and up first for a change, ready to get the day started. Paul wasn’t long after me and by 9.45am we were on the road, heading for Monarto and the free-range zoo.

The zoo is out in the Adelaide Hills about an hour from McLaren Vale on what was once farming land. It is a large expanse but only part of it is used for exhibits with the rest off limits to visitors.

Once through the gatehouse where you pay your $35 each to enter, you wind your way further into the park to the visitors’ centre where you leave your car and begin your journey.

We checked out the very cute meerkat colony before hopping on the zu-loop bus that winds its way through the park, stopping at various spots. The bus driver stops when there are photo opportunities or if the animals are wandering in front of the vehicle. A guide on the bus tells you all about the animals you are seeing along the way as well. We had Mongolian wild horses, American bison and various antelope and deer all out in view.

We passed the black rhino wallowing in his mud hole before entering the “African Plains”. Here giraffe, zebra, ostrich and another antlered animal roam free there were photos galore taken before we continued on to the white rhino enclosure for a keeper talk.

We headed off the mini bus and up to an enclosed rotunda where one of the keepers brought in a white rhino to show off and chat about. The rhino was happy receiving some extra chaff while he was discussed. I was able to reach out and touch him on the rump, picking off some of the hardened clay.

The talk lasted around 10min and then it was back in the bus and on to the next stop. On the route we passed the Hyaennas and painted dogs who were finding shelter from the sun under logs and trees. We then entered the lions’ enclosure, passing through three sliding fences, which slammed shut behind you as you passed, very Get Smart like. 

The lionesses were all out basking in the sun, lying amongst the long grass and within the shade of the trees. It was incredible how close you could get to them. We completed the circuit of their enclosure and were then dropped at a viewing platform where a keeper talk took place. This time the talk was on the painted dogs. They had scurried down to the building upon seeing all the spectators obviously aware that people meant food and sure enough they were rewarded with ostrich eggs. They smashed into bits when they hit the ground and the dogs happily licked up the contents.

We then shifted to the other side of the building for the talk on the lions Again many of them came meandering through the grass when they spied the visitors. Once in close they were thrown a turkey leg each that they chomped on happily while we listened to the info. The noise of the big cats warding each other off over their food was quite incredible.

Back on the bus again we did a return loop to the visitors’ centre where we stopped to have lunch next to the meerkats. We returned all our unnecessary items to the car and then got out for a walk. We stopped in to check on the yellow-footed rock wallaby that was on the brink of extinction but the zoo is helping to repopulate. We saw a beautiful wren like bird but with a red belly flitting amongst the trees.

We crossed the road and checked out he chimpanzee enclosure where there was an infant annoying his family and an older chimp playing hide and seek under a blanket with mum. They were so funny to watch.

We then continued our walk, this time back to the “waterhole” where the Tasmanian Devils are housed, but were not out today and on to the platform for the keeper talk about the giraffes. The giraffes were up nice and close eating branches of some eucalypt. Unfortunately, the first giraffe born at Monarto died this morning. Paul and I figured the lions would eat well tomorrow.

We joined a group on the bus heading to the cheetahs. We had a bit of a wait once we were there, which was a bit of a bore but once started the hand raised four year old cheetah emerged from her sleeping spot under the trees and came to say hello. She was long and sleek and was purring when she was given a piece of meat for her troubles. She promptly took it and sat on a platform with her back to us. 

Paul and I then decided to walk back to the visitors’ centre rather than wait for the bus. It took about 30min, passing some stray emus along the way. The walk was relatively easy and before we knew it we were back in the car and winding our way back through the hills and into McLaren Vale.

We arrived home at 5pm, enough time to sit and unwind for a bit before changing and heading out to Martyn and Cheryl’s for dinner. They had had their water tanks put in and we were able to sit outside and enjoy the nice evening for a bit, as we chatted and Martyn cooked up the BBQ.

We returned inside to eat and continue to chat. All the while I was keeping an eye on the Adelaide v Illawarra score line, as it would determine what we would be doing tomorrow. I really wanted Adelaide to win so we could see the cats play here on Sunday, but it wasn’t to be. The result is good for the Wildcats as they get home court advantage during the five game grand final series.

With that decided and the night ticking on we said our goodbyes, taking home-grown tomatoes with us and we made our way back to the par for the last time. It wasn’t long after we were in bed and out for the night. 

Day 56 - Wednesday 22 February - Surrounds of McLaren Vale

DAY 56

WEDNESDAY

22 February 2017 –  Finished my book “The Last Anniversary” By Liane Moriarty. This was another easy read with an enjoyable cast of characters who keep the book ticking along.

Onkaparinga National Park – Port Noarlunga – McLaren Vale

The wind came in strong and fast last night, causing the tree we were parked under to scrape wildly across the top of the van, dropping nuts and keeping us awake.  By 8.15, Paul had had enough and wanted to move the van over, so we needed to move some things outside and secure things inside before he did a big loop and parked away from the trees reach.

Now that we were up we figured we should make the most of the day so we grabbed our things and headed to Onkanparinga National Park to walk the Gorge trail, a 4km loop that was supposed to take two hours, but only took us an hour and 10min. We enjoyed the lookout, spying the Onkaparinga River Below with the natural bushland and vineyards splayed out over the rolling hills.  The walk itself was pretty average, with nothing of real note to see and I was glad to get back to the car.

We returned to the ocean, stopping in at Port Noarlunga to take in the ocean views and the jetty. There were some people attempting to fish, but no one catching anything. We walked through the little town enjoying the little food shops and deciding we would come back for dinner.

Once back at the car, we drove to South Port Noarlunga and parked overlooking the river mouth and beach, where we had lunch before driving down to the river and walking the foot bridge over to South Beach and back. We watched the large bream swim around the pylons and a family attempting to catch their share.

By the time we were back at the car, Paul was ready for a beer so we navigated to Red Poles in McLaren Vale where he could try a tasting paddle of Fox Hat Brewery Beers and a paddle of McLaren Vale Brewing Company beers. When he was done it was time to head back for nap.

We spent a long time sitting around and recovering from our poor night’s sleep. 6pm rolled around before we knew it. We figured we should walk before dinner, so we drove down to Seaforth Beach and walked the cliff path south to Moana before returning. The water looked no where near as inviting as it had yesterday with the surfers taking advantage of the rolling swells and the kite surfers enjoying the strong breeze.

We soon worked up an appetite and were happy to get back to the car and head on to Ampika Thai restaurant in Port Noarlunga. This place overlooks the beach and jetty and was a lovely place to stop for the evening and enjoy some really good Thai food, even if it was on the pricey side. Guess we were paying for the views too.

Our bellies were certainly full by the time we finished our meal and we felt the need to roll home. Instead it was in the car and back to the caravan park to have a quiet and restful night ahead of our day tomorrow.