We have arrived in the Friendliest town of all time. ARNO BAY S.A.
It is the smallest town ever.273 people when they are all home [I was told by the post Mistress]
We went to the office at the caravan park, to book in, we were greeted by the owner Steve.
"We have a Bar B Q on tonight at 5-30pm we charge $12-00 per head. The money goes to Charities in the area."
I said " sounds Good "
"On Sunday Morning we have a pancake breakfast $3-00 per head. The same thing applies with the money"
"OK"
"On Sunday night, every fortnight the Yatch Club has a dinner that is Very good value for money".
"Wow this is incredible".
"Also there is a rose garden at the front of the Park it has over 200 roses and feel free to pick them and take them to your van."
" Oh! Thank you".
While Steve was picking out our site, There was a photo album on the counter with the most amazing photos of snapper and crabs. That were caught last month. By fisherman from the park.
We set up. Still trying to come to terms with what Steve had just told me.
Then drove to the Post Office, To pick up the mail.
I asked the lady did she have a map of the area. She said no but started to draw one for me, and tell me some of the history of the area.
Including the part that was to say about the amount of people in the area.
" I said I couldn't`t believe how friendly everyone is.
" She said not every one could cope with the lifestyle, because it is such a small community, people know what you are doing before you do it."
We had a great laugh together.
At 5-30 pm, we got our plates, chairs and drinks, off we went to the Barby.
As you can imagine almost all the park come to the Barby, it was fantastic.
When you went to pay your money, they give you a bottle of red. OMG. what next.Maureen the Lady that cleaned our windscreen in Port Lincoln.
While lining up for our dinner, There was
They had, sausages, steak, pork all from local farmers, and they sell packs from the office to the caravaners, If you would like them, at wholesale.
Then out come a 10 kilo Baked Snapper, Tez`s eyes went like saucers. it was delicious, Tez said it even tasted like snapper. It was donated by one of the fisherman.
The next day we drove around the small town, And took photos of the local scenery,
Today Tez caught his first King George Whiting. YYYEEEESSSSSS.
Well Tez has been catching a few more fish, the longer we stay here the more I like it. But we have to move on as Easter is coming up and everyone is booked out.
Yesterday Carol, Stephen, John, and Sandy all arrived at the same Caravan Park, It was nice to see them all again.
We had been and done a tourist drive, from Arno Bay, to Cleve to Cowell to Point Gibbon to Red bluffs to Arno Bay. It was a great day. When we arrived back they were all here.
Today Tez and I went Back to Cleve to do Tez`s Licence to be sent back to N.S.W.
We come back and Tez went fishing and I Washed and cleaned the freezers and fridge.
Now I am going to have Happy Hour with the Sicaworkinsix.
Today we all did each others hair, dying and cutting. So we all look Gorgeous again.
We all leave today, to go our separate ways. Sandy and John left a little earlier as they are going to have some work done on their van in Whyalla. So Tez and I were leaving the same time as Carol and Stephen so we travelled together as far as Whyalla. Then Tez and I went on to Port Augusta to buy a Vanilla slice in the French Bakery, It is actually called a Granny Slice. UNBELIEVABLE...
Then continued on to Port Germein.
Dun Dreamin Team
Di & Tez Living the Dream
Saturday 31 March 2012
Wednesday 21 March 2012
Port Lincoln
Well we stayed at the Port Lincoln Tourist Park, The Only Caravan Park in Port Lincoln And don`t they know it. The worst park as far as sites is concerned. They were so uneven, everyone was complaining.
There were even people driving in and driving out again.
The view was great, windy and dusty though as it was on the water we coped it head on.
When we arrived. Sheila and Geoff were there, [ the people we met at Bremmer Bay with the 5th wheeler]
We had a few days of sight seeing and doing the tourist thing all around Port Lincoln and districts.
All of us went to Coffin Bay, Farm Beach, Gallipoli Beach, Tumby Bay, and all around Port Lincoln.
Sandy and John were in Port Lincoln the other afternoon, so they called in to say hi and it was such a surprise.
We had our dash in the car renewed, only problem is the colour is charcoal grey not black. Tez said it is better than the bubbles all over it. I just wish people would be honest and not sneaky and tell you.
But it did not cost anything, it was done by the company because it was a fault with that model.
Tez had to go to the doctor, to get some drugs, to keep him going. So we did that then went down town to wait for the car.
Sheila and Geoff went home yesterday to Victoria.
We met Sandy, John, Carol And Stephen in Port Lincoln they were in a coffee shop, wasting time waiting for John`s car to be repaired. Was nice to see them all again.
Then we went our separate ways to do our things, Bank, Shop [for groceries] swap books, get Fish,[havn`t caught any] Go to the Chemist and the Post Office. Then back to the van and Pack up ready to move on tomorrow to Arno Bay
This will give you an idea of the people and how easy it is to get along with them.
Yesterday when Tez was filling up with Petrol, I was in the car. The lady next to us was cleaning their windscreen, I turned and said, "you can continue over here if you like" She said in your dreams " and we laughed. Next thing she was climbing on our car and cleaning our window, I am saying I was only joking, she said no its all right, and went on to tell me she was staying in a caravan park at Arno Bay
I couldn't`t believe it. So we said thank you so much and see you there tomorrow. How is that. So we are looking forward to seeing her there.
There were even people driving in and driving out again.
The view was great, windy and dusty though as it was on the water we coped it head on.
When we arrived. Sheila and Geoff were there, [ the people we met at Bremmer Bay with the 5th wheeler]
We had a few days of sight seeing and doing the tourist thing all around Port Lincoln and districts.
All of us went to Coffin Bay, Farm Beach, Gallipoli Beach, Tumby Bay, and all around Port Lincoln.
Sandy and John were in Port Lincoln the other afternoon, so they called in to say hi and it was such a surprise.
We had our dash in the car renewed, only problem is the colour is charcoal grey not black. Tez said it is better than the bubbles all over it. I just wish people would be honest and not sneaky and tell you.
But it did not cost anything, it was done by the company because it was a fault with that model.
Tez had to go to the doctor, to get some drugs, to keep him going. So we did that then went down town to wait for the car.
Sheila and Geoff went home yesterday to Victoria.
We met Sandy, John, Carol And Stephen in Port Lincoln they were in a coffee shop, wasting time waiting for John`s car to be repaired. Was nice to see them all again.
Then we went our separate ways to do our things, Bank, Shop [for groceries] swap books, get Fish,[havn`t caught any] Go to the Chemist and the Post Office. Then back to the van and Pack up ready to move on tomorrow to Arno Bay
This will give you an idea of the people and how easy it is to get along with them.
Yesterday when Tez was filling up with Petrol, I was in the car. The lady next to us was cleaning their windscreen, I turned and said, "you can continue over here if you like" She said in your dreams " and we laughed. Next thing she was climbing on our car and cleaning our window, I am saying I was only joking, she said no its all right, and went on to tell me she was staying in a caravan park at Arno Bay
I couldn't`t believe it. So we said thank you so much and see you there tomorrow. How is that. So we are looking forward to seeing her there.
Ceduna And Elliston S.A.
Tez and I arrived at Ceduna on Sunday we had pre booked the site at the Shelly beach Caravan Park.
It was quite packed as there were allot of fisherman there, all with their boats.
This time of the year is very good for blue swimmer crabs, King George whiting, and Snook.
Two families that were travelling together went fishing come back with 42 crabs. The women were cleaning them when the men went back out and caught another 60 crabs. Their hands must have been so sore, cleaning all those crabs. That is what all these people do at this time of the year they come down and fish and fish till they fill their freezers and then they go home with enough fish for12 months.
The people that live in S.A. don`t like it much but I don`t suppose they can do much about it. That is a shame.[they go mad about the Japanese reaping the waters].
We did the tourist thing in Ceduna, went to Denial Bay, Decres Bay, all the jetty's and photo spots.
The caravan park even had its own vineyard only small, but under cover so that the visitors could go and get their own grapes. There was one problem the people had not taken advantage of this great opportunity, and they had dried on the vines, but there were new ones starting to come on the vines. I could not believe it,it was such a lovely thought.
We stayed two days done the washing and headed of to Elliston.
On the way down we called in to see Streaky Bay as we would have liked to have stayed there but there was no accommodation, they were fully booked out.
Then we also called into see Venus Bay, nice and quiet nothing much there though.
Next stop Kenny Lake, or should I say drive through, a little scary this one.
Next stop Elliston
Stayed at the Elliston caravan park, the owners were very friendly and helpful, told us places to go and visit. Shaded sites, on grass sites, Lovely clean amenities. Just go to any site you would like dosn`t matter. So relaxed.
Drove around town and had a look took about half an hour , such a big town ,hee!hee!
Then we went to the Jetty, met a nice guy who has been travelling for 5 years with his wife, looking after peoples properties, farms etc. They had just left Broome after six months and were on their way to Victoria.
Latter that afternoon Tez went down to try his luck with catching some squid come back with two.
Did the washing , that never goes away. it seems to follow us no matter where we go.
Next day went a little further to the Coastal Scenic Drive, Where some of the locals place their sculptures around the Cliff sights. It looks great, We were told by the locals that if they don`t come up to scratch, they are given the flick.
The scenery on the cliffs of the ruggered coast is beautiful.
Then we went to the tourist information centre, This building was unique. All around the outside the building was a mural that depicts the area. Sheep and Wheat, stations it looked great.
On the inside was somthing else, it was just like a rabbit warren. there were rooms everywhere.
One was a library, another a craft room, another a sewing room, another a small museum, plus the tourist information centre. It was AMAZING.
Everyone was trying to help each other out, do you have any sewing needles, no but I will ring so and so she will have some.
Next thing in she comes with the needles.
Oh to live in a country town.
We miss all this in the city, no one has the time. It is such a shame.
Next day we were on the road again, driving through the sceine on the building all the sheep and wheat properties.
You wonder how they grow wheat, the soil is limestone rock, and it is very dry.
The sheep look like they are eating rocks.
I looked at it and said to Tez
"You can understand our National Anthem when it says" Golden soil and Wealth for Toil.
That is exactly what they do. But there is also pestulance, flood,drought and fire. So the wealth is not always forth coming.
The stations go on for kilometer after kilometer, they are huge.
It certainly has opened my eyes, I have been intreaged, I love it all.
I would give my eye teeth to go knock on the door and ask if I could spend a couple of days to see what their day consists of.
Now off to Port Lincoln.
It was quite packed as there were allot of fisherman there, all with their boats.
This time of the year is very good for blue swimmer crabs, King George whiting, and Snook.
Two families that were travelling together went fishing come back with 42 crabs. The women were cleaning them when the men went back out and caught another 60 crabs. Their hands must have been so sore, cleaning all those crabs. That is what all these people do at this time of the year they come down and fish and fish till they fill their freezers and then they go home with enough fish for12 months.
The people that live in S.A. don`t like it much but I don`t suppose they can do much about it. That is a shame.[they go mad about the Japanese reaping the waters].
We did the tourist thing in Ceduna, went to Denial Bay, Decres Bay, all the jetty's and photo spots.
The caravan park even had its own vineyard only small, but under cover so that the visitors could go and get their own grapes. There was one problem the people had not taken advantage of this great opportunity, and they had dried on the vines, but there were new ones starting to come on the vines. I could not believe it,it was such a lovely thought.
We stayed two days done the washing and headed of to Elliston.
On the way down we called in to see Streaky Bay as we would have liked to have stayed there but there was no accommodation, they were fully booked out.
Then we also called into see Venus Bay, nice and quiet nothing much there though.
Next stop Kenny Lake, or should I say drive through, a little scary this one.
Next stop Elliston
Stayed at the Elliston caravan park, the owners were very friendly and helpful, told us places to go and visit. Shaded sites, on grass sites, Lovely clean amenities. Just go to any site you would like dosn`t matter. So relaxed.
Drove around town and had a look took about half an hour , such a big town ,hee!hee!
Then we went to the Jetty, met a nice guy who has been travelling for 5 years with his wife, looking after peoples properties, farms etc. They had just left Broome after six months and were on their way to Victoria.
Latter that afternoon Tez went down to try his luck with catching some squid come back with two.
Did the washing , that never goes away. it seems to follow us no matter where we go.
Next day went a little further to the Coastal Scenic Drive, Where some of the locals place their sculptures around the Cliff sights. It looks great, We were told by the locals that if they don`t come up to scratch, they are given the flick.
The scenery on the cliffs of the ruggered coast is beautiful.
Then we went to the tourist information centre, This building was unique. All around the outside the building was a mural that depicts the area. Sheep and Wheat, stations it looked great.
On the inside was somthing else, it was just like a rabbit warren. there were rooms everywhere.
One was a library, another a craft room, another a sewing room, another a small museum, plus the tourist information centre. It was AMAZING.
Everyone was trying to help each other out, do you have any sewing needles, no but I will ring so and so she will have some.
Next thing in she comes with the needles.
Oh to live in a country town.
We miss all this in the city, no one has the time. It is such a shame.
Next day we were on the road again, driving through the sceine on the building all the sheep and wheat properties.
You wonder how they grow wheat, the soil is limestone rock, and it is very dry.
The sheep look like they are eating rocks.
I looked at it and said to Tez
"You can understand our National Anthem when it says" Golden soil and Wealth for Toil.
That is exactly what they do. But there is also pestulance, flood,drought and fire. So the wealth is not always forth coming.
The stations go on for kilometer after kilometer, they are huge.
It certainly has opened my eyes, I have been intreaged, I love it all.
I would give my eye teeth to go knock on the door and ask if I could spend a couple of days to see what their day consists of.
Now off to Port Lincoln.
Thursday 15 March 2012
The Nullarbor..
Well today is the day we meet the others at Norseman.
Tez and I are leaving Esperance,It is a beautiful day a little windy, no clouds.
I loved it ! loved it! loved it !
Heading for the first section of what a lot of people think is the Nullarbor is the Eyre Highway, Then at Boarder Town it goes into the Nullarbor, to Ceduna.
We stopped to get Petrol and wait for Stephen, Cas, Sandy and John. to come in from Kalgoorlie.
I went to the roundabout to take some photos, the people we met at Bremer Bay Sheila And Geoff drove around the roundabout, on their way to Ceduna. So we had a cuppa till the others arrived.
The drive to start with was a little boring, I suppose you could say, The landscape didn`t seem to change .
We had a couple of stops as Stephen and John were playing 18 holes of Golf across the Nullarbor.
It starts in Kalgoorlie, Norsman then on the Eyre Highway 6 holes. Then 9 holes on the Nullarbor to Finnish at Ceduna.
They are pretty rough courses, but the boys have had lots of fun and lots of laughs.
We decided not to play, as we don`t normally play golf and everyone would have still been on the first hole.
There are not allot of Caravan Parks so we have all decided to stay in Free camps on the way over.
So we are virtually sleeping on the side of the road. As bad as that sounds it isn`t. The sites are huge
and go along way back off the road. As there are quite allot of road trains use this highway.
If the weather is in your favour you can even have your own fire.
Most of them have allot of shade, but there are some that don`t so you try to pick the right one.
We seem to have done well in our choices.
The first stop was called Harms Lake [without a Lake] hee!hee!
Lots of shade no toilets no water so you carry your own.
As you drive along the Highway towards Balladonia, you come to a sign that says. This section of road is for the landing of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. How incredible.
[but further down the track there were another two spots as well where they do the same thing.
The second stop was Observatory Turnoff, There was plenty of room. The sunset was incredible.
The days drive was still very much the same.
There was a section of road that was the straightest road in the world it is 96klm long.
The third day was 43 klm west of Boarder Town and the South Australia Boarder, and the start of
The Nullarbor, This is where all the scenery starts. It is a huge WOW factor. Absolutely Wonderful.
Our fourth day was on our own as we have now parted company with our friends, Today was very sad,
We have had a wonderful time, Without all of them I would not have seen as much as I did. They included me in everything, If Tez did not want to do some things. And I can`t thank them enough.
Today was a very long day as your time change also comes in to play. That is 2 1/2 hrs difference to W.A.
Also there were 13 Photo stops along the Great Australian Bight. All so very Rugged, Spectacular,
and AMAZING. It takes your breath away.
When we reached the town of Nullarbor we saw a sign that read. The next 90 kilm is a treeless Plateau
and it is so, when you look there is not one tree. It is all like a low salt bush.
By the time we set camp that day at 222 peg, It was 6pm. So it was a very long day.
We met some people from Tassie who were very nice.
Day five,we arrived in Ceduna to be met by Quarantine, no problems this time all went well.
The only thing was it was Sunday and a long weekend in S.A. no shops open thank God for our Freezer.
Tez and I are leaving Esperance,It is a beautiful day a little windy, no clouds.
I loved it ! loved it! loved it !
Heading for the first section of what a lot of people think is the Nullarbor is the Eyre Highway, Then at Boarder Town it goes into the Nullarbor, to Ceduna.
We stopped to get Petrol and wait for Stephen, Cas, Sandy and John. to come in from Kalgoorlie.
I went to the roundabout to take some photos, the people we met at Bremer Bay Sheila And Geoff drove around the roundabout, on their way to Ceduna. So we had a cuppa till the others arrived.
The drive to start with was a little boring, I suppose you could say, The landscape didn`t seem to change .
We had a couple of stops as Stephen and John were playing 18 holes of Golf across the Nullarbor.
It starts in Kalgoorlie, Norsman then on the Eyre Highway 6 holes. Then 9 holes on the Nullarbor to Finnish at Ceduna.
They are pretty rough courses, but the boys have had lots of fun and lots of laughs.
We decided not to play, as we don`t normally play golf and everyone would have still been on the first hole.
There are not allot of Caravan Parks so we have all decided to stay in Free camps on the way over.
So we are virtually sleeping on the side of the road. As bad as that sounds it isn`t. The sites are huge
and go along way back off the road. As there are quite allot of road trains use this highway.
If the weather is in your favour you can even have your own fire.
Most of them have allot of shade, but there are some that don`t so you try to pick the right one.
We seem to have done well in our choices.
The first stop was called Harms Lake [without a Lake] hee!hee!
Lots of shade no toilets no water so you carry your own.
As you drive along the Highway towards Balladonia, you come to a sign that says. This section of road is for the landing of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. How incredible.
[but further down the track there were another two spots as well where they do the same thing.
The second stop was Observatory Turnoff, There was plenty of room. The sunset was incredible.
The days drive was still very much the same.
There was a section of road that was the straightest road in the world it is 96klm long.
The third day was 43 klm west of Boarder Town and the South Australia Boarder, and the start of
The Nullarbor, This is where all the scenery starts. It is a huge WOW factor. Absolutely Wonderful.
Our fourth day was on our own as we have now parted company with our friends, Today was very sad,
We have had a wonderful time, Without all of them I would not have seen as much as I did. They included me in everything, If Tez did not want to do some things. And I can`t thank them enough.
Today was a very long day as your time change also comes in to play. That is 2 1/2 hrs difference to W.A.
Also there were 13 Photo stops along the Great Australian Bight. All so very Rugged, Spectacular,
and AMAZING. It takes your breath away.
When we reached the town of Nullarbor we saw a sign that read. The next 90 kilm is a treeless Plateau
and it is so, when you look there is not one tree. It is all like a low salt bush.
By the time we set camp that day at 222 peg, It was 6pm. So it was a very long day.
We met some people from Tassie who were very nice.
Day five,we arrived in Ceduna to be met by Quarantine, no problems this time all went well.
The only thing was it was Sunday and a long weekend in S.A. no shops open thank God for our Freezer.
Tuesday 6 March 2012
Esperance. W.A.
This Leg started on a bit of a hick cup, but nothing that couldn't`t be worked out.
When we left, Stokes Inlet at Stokes National Park, we were supposed to go to Lucky Bay, In Cape Le Grand National Park . To stay in a free camp for two to three days, but because it is a Long week end in W.A. this week end, there was no sites left even though Steven and Carol were there very early, and lined up it wasn`t to be.
So Carol, Stephen, Sandy and John all went on to another place called Dunn Rock, It was about another 50 ks from Lucky Bay, and corrugated dirt road, after 80 mile beach we were not keen.
Because we all had to go and shop at Esperance, Tez and I opt for Esperance caravan park.
We let them know where we were, they come to shop, and booked in for two days latter.
Tez and I, set up, went all over town to do what needed to be done, shop and find out about Tourist information.Also to the Lookout at Wireless Hill.
Once again, staying in the same caravan park, we have met up with people we have met in the past, at Canarvon Sue and Phil, they are from Newcastle N.S.W. have sold their home and are travelling this beautiful Country.
This is about the third time we have met them along the way.
It was nice to see them again and catch up.
Tez and I went for a drive along Scenic Drive Oh! My! God! As I keep saying you go around another corner and there is another WOW factor. and Esperance seems to have Quite a few.
We saw 18 beaches all absolutely beautiful. And a picnic lunch at one of them.
That night the others had arrived and cooked a beautiful baked dinner that we all enjoyed together.
The next day Tez and I went to Cape Le Grand National Park. We drove along Wylie Beach 22 ks [Please look at all the photos] you will see what I mean. Again the wow factor comes into play.
We were gone for 5 hours, it was great, had lunch at one of the beaches.Then had happy hour with the others when we come back.
Today we went to the local markets [not very good] Then Tez and I went to the Museum, it was the best Museum we have ever been to. The eray of articles, and the amount of years that it covered, was incredible, we were very impressed. Tez said it was the best $5-00 he has ever spent.
We come back to the van, had morning tea then headed back to one of the beaches we had seen the other day called Twilight Beach, sat on the beach for a couple of hours another picnic, then come back to the van.
The others all left today for Kalgoolie, Tez was not interested, so we are staying here till Wednesday, then we will meet them at Norsman, and go over the Nulabour.
When we left, Stokes Inlet at Stokes National Park, we were supposed to go to Lucky Bay, In Cape Le Grand National Park . To stay in a free camp for two to three days, but because it is a Long week end in W.A. this week end, there was no sites left even though Steven and Carol were there very early, and lined up it wasn`t to be.
So Carol, Stephen, Sandy and John all went on to another place called Dunn Rock, It was about another 50 ks from Lucky Bay, and corrugated dirt road, after 80 mile beach we were not keen.
Because we all had to go and shop at Esperance, Tez and I opt for Esperance caravan park.
We let them know where we were, they come to shop, and booked in for two days latter.
Tez and I, set up, went all over town to do what needed to be done, shop and find out about Tourist information.Also to the Lookout at Wireless Hill.
Once again, staying in the same caravan park, we have met up with people we have met in the past, at Canarvon Sue and Phil, they are from Newcastle N.S.W. have sold their home and are travelling this beautiful Country.
This is about the third time we have met them along the way.
It was nice to see them again and catch up.
Tez and I went for a drive along Scenic Drive Oh! My! God! As I keep saying you go around another corner and there is another WOW factor. and Esperance seems to have Quite a few.
We saw 18 beaches all absolutely beautiful. And a picnic lunch at one of them.
That night the others had arrived and cooked a beautiful baked dinner that we all enjoyed together.
The next day Tez and I went to Cape Le Grand National Park. We drove along Wylie Beach 22 ks [Please look at all the photos] you will see what I mean. Again the wow factor comes into play.
We were gone for 5 hours, it was great, had lunch at one of the beaches.Then had happy hour with the others when we come back.
Today we went to the local markets [not very good] Then Tez and I went to the Museum, it was the best Museum we have ever been to. The eray of articles, and the amount of years that it covered, was incredible, we were very impressed. Tez said it was the best $5-00 he has ever spent.
We come back to the van, had morning tea then headed back to one of the beaches we had seen the other day called Twilight Beach, sat on the beach for a couple of hours another picnic, then come back to the van.
The others all left today for Kalgoolie, Tez was not interested, so we are staying here till Wednesday, then we will meet them at Norsman, and go over the Nulabour.
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