Thursday 30 November
Murray Bridge – Moana
It is hard to know what the exact time is at the moment, our phones have clicked to SA time but our watches are still working on Vic time until we get internet and I can sync them. It was because of this that Paul was up at 8am, when it was only 730am. It was actually a relief to get out of bed. We spent a very sticky night in the van with the air con coming on and off throughout the night when we got too cold and then too hot. A damn mozzie was also darting about, stealing our blood and squealing in our ears, so it is safe to safe it wasn’t the best night’s sleep.
We set about dressing, having breakfast and then readying the van. With all cords removed, we moved the van to a spot where we could load the car on the trailer and then we returned to the A1 at 830am, SA time.
We followed the highway, before taking the Mt Barker exit and entering the Adelaide Hills which meant the GPS was taking us via the scenic route and ensuring we used all the twisty, turny, up and down, rubbish country roads. We wound our way through the little settlements, popping out at Meadows and heading in the direction of Kangarilla. I was now starting to see familiar landmarks and it wasn’t long before we saw signs indicating the top end of the McLaren Vale wine region.
We drove along the Main Street that splits the patchwork of vineyards and soon entered the townsite. Once we popped out the other side, we had a view of the sea and Moana Beach was only 8km away.
We checked in to the tourist park at 10am and then found our way to site 39, noticing the park was quite empty. We took our time sorting ourselves and the van out. I was hanging for a shower, but it was closed for the following hour, so I busied myself cleaning the van and putting the laundry through.
There was internet available and I jumped straight on, though I could see it was going to frustrate me no end, as it was slow and wouldn’t upload things. Thank gawd I won’t have to do this much longer. These first world problems are doing my head in.
I was so glad when the showers became free and I could wash off all the filth and sweat from the past few hot and sticky days and it was soooo good.
We returned to have lunch and then figured it was time for a walk, so we made for the beach about 100m away and then walked along the top path. The beach here is designated as a 4wd access and there were plenty out carving up the sand.
The waters were flat and calm and the heat haze provided the illusion of endless water with the horizon difficult to discern. It looked so inviting and so many were out enjoying as we wandered by.
We walked until we were ready to turn a round and then made our way back to the van.
We didn’t stay long, just enough time to have a cooling drink and then were in the car and making our way to the shop. We didn’t really need much, but figured we should know where it is and figured it would provide respite from the heat and possibly better free wifi, I was wrong on that front though.
We grabbed what we needed and then drove up the road, before heading back to the coast at Noarlunga and back down the coast to the tourist park. Once in, we cranked the air Con and took it easy. Paul read, I became infuriated by the crappy internet and watched another Offspring episode. I did get my watch to sync and swap to SA time, a small win.
Paul rang Marcello to see how he was getting on back in Perth and to wish him well on his return to the UK tomorrow. We then wandered over to collect our washing that had dried quickly in today’s heat.
I set about organising dinner and defrosting our freezer once more a job that seems to be endless. The weather made a quick change with the skies turning very grey and then the wind picked up, sending us scurrying outside to save the awning from any damage. The beach sand was being whipped up and it was like we had been transported to the Sahara. I clung to the awning like a swinging ape, trying desperately to keep myself anchored to the ground. Paul undid ropes as speedily as he could and then the door caught the wind and slammed closed, normally not an issue, but today it locked us out!
We finished what we were doing and packed away our furniture before turning to the issue of the locked van. Hmmm. Things weren’t looking great, but then Paul noticed the bedroom window that I had left on breather.
Like an episode of Macgyver, he reached into his pocket to produce his plastic comb. It slid effortlessly between the gap and he was able to use it to press each of the four handles up to release the window. Next was the roller blind. With a bit of jigging about, he was able to move it and creat a gap for his hand, release the catches and low and behold, we had an open window.
It was my turn next, being hoisted through the open window like a cheerleader, rolling across the bed and opening the van door from the inside, crisis averted, phew!
Paul finished putting things away outside, while I finished cooking dinner, we then sat down to eat our meal, watching the rain begin to tumble down. It was still quite warm, despite the rain, so we put on our coats, grabbed the brolly and made our way along the beach front. The water was not as calm, but was far from menacing. We stopped at a covered picnic table to take it all in and so Paul could ring Jaden. During the time we were there we watched idiot drivers going full pelt down the wet road and heading into a large puddle, parting the water like Noah or some biblical character. If we had been standing near them, we would have drowned.
The rain eased right off and we continued our walk through the neighbourhood, past the shops we visited earlier, a school and then back to the beach to return home. A good long walk, perfect to finish the day before heading to bed to read.
I realised the month of November has been our busiest travel wise. We started the month in NSW, spent some time in Victoria, before scooting across to Tasmania. We then returned to Victoria and now we have finished the month in SA. Four states in the one month, it is quite surreal. Now for the last month of travel.
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