I know, I've been slack with my blogging but getting back to nature involves kicking back and soaking it up, so I did.
We visited a couple of national/conservation parks around SA. Mambray Creek at Mt Remarkable was terrific even though it poured most of the time we were there. We did a few of the walks, one in the rain but found the view was a white-out when we got to the top, the other was during sunshine and we could see all the way back across the gulf to Whyalla.
We also stayed at Bool Lagoon which was in full flood for the first time in 6 years so the rangers and bird watchers were very happy, as was Erin, ever with the bird book.
Naracoorte Caves was interesting, we went into the fossil exhibit and the Wet Cave, a bit costly but we enjoyed it.
The Murray River in South Australia has several free ferry crossings so we couldn't help but try one out at Wellington on the way to Strathalbyn, Geoff found it a bit unnerving, especially when the site has claimed a few punts and cars in the past. No dramas for a while now though. The ferry was quite large with a pantec behind us and four cars beside us doing the crossing.
Friends from home, Terry, Carolyn and Rachael came to South Aus to catch up with their friends and family so we caught up with them at Deep Creek Conservation Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula then again for a trip into Swan Hill in Victoria on their way home.
As it was school holidays, we decided it would be a good time to go into the Swan Hill Pioneer Village as they'd probably have more activities going on and we weren't disappointed. Carolyn and I went with the girls to watch the butter making demonstration while the boys checked out the blacksmithing, we all went on the horse and carriage, Erin and Rachael made nails at the blacksmith shop and then dressed up in pioneer clothing for photos and there's no going past ye olde lolly shoppe without buying something yummy, is there? We went back the following day to pick up a wrought iron tripod that Geoff had ordered from the blacksmith and visited the lolly shop again.
We are currently touring through NSW and enjoying the colourful displays of flowers everywhere, there are fields and fields of Patterson's Curse in full purple flower, yellow canola flowers, golden wattles, cape weed and orange gazanias. There are also flashes of white and yellow and pink that are also everywhere but I have yet to stop and get a closer look to identify.
We are looking for warmer weather as the cold and wet has got to us and we seek the warmth of the north again before we return south to Tassie for Christmas. We loved South Australia and cannot fault the people (one lady even baked cookies and slices for us at Whyalla, apparently she does that for everyone who stops at Weeroona FC), though I think we had four fine days the whole time we were there so we will hopefully return another time, another season, and then probably complain about the heat!
