Hi All!

Hi All!

Several people have suggested we create a blog so that you can follow our trip online at your leisure. I guess the fact that you have logged on to the site suggests that you are interested, and at least this way, you can log off when you have had enough!

The trip is going well so far. We spent 3 nights in More, where we really enjoyed the thermal artesian pools. We also spent a day driving, picnicking and walking in the Mt. Kaputar National Park. From there we drove to Bourke - a long drive, but easy enough. The roads are generally good, and there's not a lot of traffic.

We only stayed in Bourke for 2 nights - we felt we had 'done' Bourke in a day. Not a particularly inspiring town, I must say. All the shops have security roller shutters, and there is basically nobody about. A town on its last legs, I would say. The Back o' Bourke exhibition was worth the effort though.

From there we went to Broken Hill, where Ruth caught up with some of her rellies. We also had an interesting visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and we dined at the Broken Earth restaurant on top of the slag heap that overlooks the town. Another town on its way out, I think - albeit more slowly.

After our 3 nights in Broken Hill we headed to the Yorke Peninsula, to a place called Wallaroo where Ruth has a cousin. We spent 4 nights there - had a look around the local area, and drove in to Adelaide to see the pandas on the Friday. That was wonderful and well worth the 3-hour return trip.

Unfortunately the ferry that used to run across the Spencer Gulf from Wallaroo to Cowell is out of service until November, so to get to the other side we had to drive nearly 500 kms.. As on other days, it was a long - but really not difficult - drive. We then spent 3 nights at Arno Bay, about 50 kms. south of Cowell. Loved it! The first day Ruth went fishing - even caught a few (but too small to keep) and I went walking through the coastal wetlands and mangrove swamp. The locals have built raised walkways through the area, and it was just fantastic. The next day we went for a long walk along the beach and back through the same area. Ruth and I agree that this is one of the most stunning walks of this kind that we have ever done. I think the people of Arno Bay are to be congratulated - apparently the walkways were all constructed with local volunteer labour.

From Arno Bay we drove around the coast of the Eyre Peninsula through Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay and are now at Elliston on the west coast. Yesterday we did a lovely - and extremely long! - walk along the beach and up onto the headland opposite. Later in the afternoon we did the Cliff Drive to the north and south of Elliston. Absolutely breathtaking coastal scenery!! I had never heard of this area until a couple of days ago - I'm sure they could do a better job of marketing it. Or maybe we should just keep it a secret so that it remains pristine..........

Anyway, congratulations on reading this far! Future missives should be shorter as I shall try to update regularly. Right now I am going to see if I can attach some photos..........You'll soon know if I succeed!

Hope all is well with all of you.

Cheers,

Narelle