Day 42 - Wednesday 8 February - nnes National Park. It's HOT!

DAY 42

WEDNESDAY

8 February 2017

Innes National Park

With a hot day predicted, we were looking for some relief by heading out to Innes National Park. We paid up for the entry at the caravan park and 5 min later we were parked at Stenhouse Bay.

We followed the 2km walk loop taking in the views of the old jetty used to transport gypsum from the train and onto the waiting boats. Continuing around there were relics left of the old mine days, including a rusting train. The views out over Investigator Strait and on to Kangaroo Island were as always breathtaking and so blue.

Once back at the car park, we wandered down the hill and on to the jetty, there were a few out fishing. From here we had a better view of how the train system worked. With it warming up, we returned to the car and onto Chinaman’s Hat Island. After taking the view in from the top we decided it was time for a dip, so we donned the bathers and made our way down the stairs and on to the secluded beach, a little bit of heaven all for us.

We braved the very cool water, which once in, was extremely refreshing.  After the dip we wandered the deserted beach before returning to our belongings and on to our next destination, Cape Spencer Lighthouse. This lighthouse is situated on the toe of the Yorke Peninsula and you can see why it is needed, the coastline in this area rugged, though the beaches below look magic. We watched the dolphins cruise by below before they disappeared from view.

Our next stop was West Cape Lighthouse, boy did the beach look inviting below, but you had a hike ahead to earn a swim. We diverted across the cliff and out to the lighthouse, enjoying the 360 degree views this point offered, again there was ruggedness as well as inviting beaches.

Our bellies began calling so we drove on to Pondalowie Bay where we sat in the car and had lunch, before making it down to the beach, clambering over rocks and exposed reef to get there. It wasn’t as inviting as the Chinaman’s Beach, so we opted to head on, drive out the surf break, but couldn’t be bothered do the walk over the hill and turned around.

We had skipped Innestown on our drive through, so we stopped in for a short wander around.  There was a lake here and it was just so blue, we couldn’t resist heading in. I waded while Paul took the plunge. It was refreshing and needed as the temp was amping up. We checked out a few of the old buildings in various stages of restoration and disrepair before hiking back to the car and on to Chinaman’s for another swim. Gee it was HOT!

Down on the beach, I flicked off the thongs and did the hot sand dance to the water before taking the plunge. Ahh.. that was better and so needed. We made the most of the cool, but knew we were being burnt from above so Paul dragged us from the water and back to the car, a hot trek back up the stairs.

By 3pm we were back at the van, air con cranked trying to cool off. It wasn’t really working. Paul read his book while I checked the pics taken today. At 430pm and still sweating I opted to go to the rec room and watch the news. The blast of hot air hit me as I stepped out of the van. I had thought it would have dropped off, but guess not. Think we will be in for a hot night ahead. My phone was telling me it was 43C. I know places north of here were expecting 45C!  The rec room offered no solace either, being open at one end, there were only ceiling fans to circulate the hot air, so I sat there watching the news and sweating on the lovely suede couch.

When 6pm rolled around, Paul and I headed to the Marion Bay Tavern for a cooling beverage. The air cons were on, but struggling. We ordered pizza and sat in the dining room with views over the bay, but with the air con not reaching our end the sweat began pouring out of us again. By the time I got up to order dessert it looked like I had wet my shorts. Oh dear.

We ate dessert in the café end, which did offer a reprieve from the heat and we were both able to cool down substantially, only to be greeted by the furnace blast when we eventually headed on home. So glad we left the AC on in the van while we were out, while it isn’t super effective, it certainly took the edge off when we returned and flaked out.

By 830pm we were recharged enough to head out for an evening stroll. There was not a breath of wind to be had and it was still 37C degrees. We walked along the beach front, the water was absolutely flat calm, with barely a ripple or a sound reaching the shore. We waded in the water, which was slightly cooler. The full moon was bouncing light off the lilac coloured water. If you looked to the horizon, it was hard to say where the water ended and the night sky began, it was all very magical.

We walked all the way to the jetty but didn’t bother going over it. It would have been a magic night for fishing, but Paul was happy to wander back to the van which we did and finally retired.