Point Gibbon

We stopped at a lovely little town called Cowell for fritz sandwiches & coffee. Then we headed on to Point Gibbon for a couple of catch up days. Just beach as far as the eye can see! Besutiful...a tough classroom/office for the next few days :-)

Whyalla

What an unusual place. Everywhere you go there is a small shopping village with vacant shops. The population of Whyalla used to be 37,000 but has dropped to around 21,000. This would probably explain the closed businesses. The housing is set amongst saltbush & dry desert looking Landscspe & the coastline has amazingly blue water & white sand....so many Dolphins to see. 

Yesterday we visited the Maritime museum where we did a tour of the HMAS Whyalla. It was originally built in Whyalla and then purchased for $5,000 when it was retired. It did cost in excess of $500,000 to move it the 2km to its new dry home!

The captains dining room. The poor men had to dine in very cramped conditions but the senior officers had their own dining area.

A lookout overlooking Whyalla foreshore.

We decided to stay an extra night & take a drive out to Port Lowly lighthouse.

Camping for $5 per night but it's a little too close to the gasworks for me :-)

Dolphins swimming right in front of us...too quick for a photo :-(

A Besutiful gravel road winding all along the coastline.

Fitzgerald bay...stop for a picnic. Not a lot of water. I think it's very tidal

Whyalla

We left Iron knob after pancake Sunday due to the fact that it's Sunday & nothing is operating...not that I think a weekday would be much different in Iron Knob. 

Catholic Church...services run twice a month.

Anglican Church also runs services twice a month :-)

The road to Whyalla...52kms...a HUGE driving day but we pushed through (lol). Nothing to see but beautiful Australian Landscspe.

Whyalla foreshore. They've spent a huge amount of money. Great play equipment, exercise stations all along the waterfront & permanent shade structures along the sand...fabulous for a day at the beach.

Whyalla boat ramp. A netted swim area & a visit from the friendly local Dolphins. Too cold for us to swim though!

The kids always find shells to collect though. Great campspot beside the baseball grounds...shower & toilet...$10 per night. Six other vans...all friendly :-)

Iron Knob

After a scary night in the caravan we decided we were done with the wind & rain. We packed up for a travel day ahead. We were going to do a short day but there's not much to see on the West coast so we thought, after a family meeting, we'd push on the the tip of the Eyre Peninsula. 

Found this cool place. Looks like a set from the Bold & the Besutiful but on the Yorke Peninsula. Arrgh...I thought I was on the Gold Coast.

We did a quick stop at Nick's Bakery for some nice fresh bread. The kids have discovered Fritz sandwiches....so SA. I'm surprised they haven't developed a love of Farmers Union Iced Coffee. Those who are from SA will understand. 

Port Augusta mud flats. I just don't get it. We drove through this time...didn't even stop for fuel.

I'm officially entering unchartered territory. I've never headed West from Port Augusta...this is exciting! Such beautiful country. I have one question for you..."If I drive for days & see nothing but sheep, why is lamb so darn expensive?"

Another Wiki Camp suggestion. We are staying at Iron Knob. It is a mining town...one of the original iron ore mines. They even let off a blast to herald our arrival. They have set up a community campground...toilet, shower, plaything, even exercise equipment. It's nothing flash but just a donation for fees.

....

Innes National Park

Wow! So beautiful it soooo windy. I don't know if you could ever swim at any of these beaches. The waters all look so threatening. We were done with the rain. 

A local out for a wander. He was in no hurry to get off the road.

Michael spent the morning working inside & the rest of us huddled around the school desk to get some school work done.

We thought we'd head out for a drive. We went to Marion Bay because we saw a coffee sign. Found it...a store that does petrol, groceries, fishing gear, take away & is a post office. The coffee was made with a Saeco coffee machine lol. The man serving was gold. Typical no nonsense Aussie man. 

That's some serious seaweed...

We took off for a tourist drive. Found an old town full of historic relic buildings. Some of them have been restored & are now used as tourist accommodation. 

This lake was used to mine gypsum to make cement.

The old bakery...

West Cape...

The remains of a shipwreck from 1902 :-(

Home for a warm cuppa & movie night!!!

Innes National Park

We drove through some lovely little towns today...Yorketown & Edinburgh...to nane a few. We headed for a few days of school catchup in Innes National Park.

Port Vincent...

Michael found a fabulous spot (Browns Beach)... Of course it involved a corrugated dirt road. It looked huge on Google Earthbut when we got there it was impossible to reverse into. The campsite was ok in size we just couldn't reverse the van in. We even tried taking bikes & sway bars off so we could swing harder....still no luck!

We headed back to where we began (about 25kms back). Found a great big site, close to the beach. We'll go for an adventure tomorrow after school.

It's overcast but not raining yet. I feel for all you coasties...I flew out just in time. All flights were grounded Wednesday morning. 

Yorke Peninsula

After a beautiful arrival home to Adelaide last night, lots of cuddles & kisses & an early night. 

We stayed at Adelaide Shores Big 4 caravan park. It was the biggest van park I've ever stayed at. It was huge...and right under the flight path of the airport. $5 for a load of washing & packed in like sardines...in true Big 4 style. We couldn't get out quick enough. The troopy sounded a little strange and we soon realised three of the four wheel nuts on the rear wheel had come loose. Lucky we were still in the van park...even if it was in the exit lane of the driveway...OOPS! We quickly jacked up the van & tightened the nuts.

It looked like a small suburb...

Off we go...finally! We were running late so decided to stop for some hot chippees for the kids & a real coffee for mummy & daddy. They were thrilled. We've stopped at Maitland Showground ...$15...power, water, showers, toilet. Perfect for a one night stop.

School catchup time with my handsome boy :-)

We've booked 3 nights at Innes National Park. A few school days & maybe a spot of fishing. South Australia offer a National Patk Pass that includes camping for $66. It lasts for 3 months...bargain!!!

Farewell

Yesterday we farewelled our beautiful nan. I was asked to do a reading. For all who know me...I get a little emotional at times. All the grandchildren were taking part so I thought...you can do this. I was having a shower yesterday morning & I looked up & asked nan to help me. I was nervous all morning. As father commenced mass, a calmness came over me & I read without tears. I think nan gave me that helping hand that I needed. 

We always told everyone how beautiful nan was but yesterday showed this to be true. Around 250 people crowded into the little chapel at Reynolds Court to say their farewells. We shared a cuppa & a bite to eat & then family moved onto Mackays where we shared stories of nan & what she meant to us all. You were an amazing woman & we will carry your love with us always. 

A special thank you to two of my dearest friends who came to nans service to support me. With Michael and the kids absent it meant so much more xxx you know who you are.

It rained all day & then last night a huge storm hit. As father said...even heaven was crying. Well, we heard a giant crack around 9pm. In the dark we couldn't see the cause of the noise. I woke this morning to a giant gum tree blocking the driveway. Lucky no damage. Dogs all accounted for :-)

Bye bye Great Nan

We arrived on Sunday because Michael had a few update days of training at the prison. A good opportunity to catch up on missing schoolwork. Keira has been complaining about fuzzy eyes so I took her for an eye test. She needs glasses!

She's quite impressed & the other kids were very encouraging of her.

Very sad news...my nan passed away today. She was 96 & had more love in her little finger than most people have in their whole body. She never had a cross word to say about anyone. A visit to nan always brightened your day. A huge smile, a bear hug & a joke or two. She was a true lady and a beautiful soul. We all love you very much nan & the world will never be the same! MISS YOU 😘😘😘 

Grampians

Woke to a very foggy morning. We thought it was raining but it was just moisture dripping from the trees.

After tackling the small walk to McKenzie Falls yesterday, we thought we'd attempt the Pinnacle...2.1km...that's not far! It was 2.1km of rocky steps. It was tough but the kids made it all the way to the top..charley crashed in the carpark on the way home...50m from the car...after all that!

It was steep....really steep in sections!!!

We visited Halls Gap for lunch. The kids chose a pie from the bakery & an icecream. Michael & I had a coffee...one of the nicest coffees I've had in our 120 days away. 

I think a rest afternoon is in order before school in the morning ....aargh!!!!

The Grampians

School this morning. Why is it soooo hard some days....grrrr!!!! I know...because I'm mum & not Ms White or Mrs Pierpoint or Mrs Dezius (bless all of you ladies) lol

Wow!!!

We did a walk to McKenzie falls. It was fabulous but very steep. Charley struggled on the way back but she did it. The Grampians are still recovering from the bushfires of January 2014. The bush is amazing...the way it regenerates. 

Hmmm...they found me a present...a sheep head. I feel so lucky. It's now on the front of Isaac's bike. At least that is better than on the front of the Troopy!

Tenae at the waterhole at McKenzie falls. It's about halfway. She didn't complain once...a beautiful young lady xxx

Reid's lookout on the way back to camp. Simply stunning. 

What a way to end the day. Tenae is reading a book (alone time) and the three younger ones are toasting marshmallows. How good is life right now xxx

This photo is for nanny & poppy who've gone home for a visit. Love you both xxx