Our Australia trip

We thought that last night was hot, well we were wrong. Chased inside by midges (miniscule little cretins that leave nasty bite marks) we were sweating most of the night. That surely contributed to Marjo being up at 6 am and capturing the gorgeous sunrise.

I watched it from my bedroom window 🙂

Then we had breakfast and a slow pack up. It already started to warm up and at 9 am it was 35 Celsius. With my 12m kite gone to the repairer, I felt kinda naked. Normally I don’t mind that feeling but while traveling that is not the best. We spoke about it the night before and did some research to the point that Marjo made me turn off the iPad so we could attempt sleep.

While on the road though I rang the kite teacher from Agnes Water and asked whether a used 9m kite that’s on offer in Whyalla would be a right choice. He confirmed in a non committal way and we arranged to meet the seller. Unfortunately he was about to go diving all day and couldn’t meet till after tea (read dinner). We decided to drive to Whyalla and take benefit of the camping there so we could cool down with a shower. By now the temperature had risen to 39 Celsius.

Because it sounds greedy to only buy stuff for Axel, we went to the shopping mall where Marjo went berserk in a $2 store. All she bought was some Christmas presents and some head coverings for my red burned bald patch. So selfless. I decided to treat her for dinner tonight.

For the rest of the day we had a quiet one in the shade. The camping here is right on the beach and this view is our back yard. With low tide the water is far out but later it came not far from where the bus is.

We had our showers and shave and also hosed down the dogs with nice cool fresh water. The first time that they didn’t mind getting wet from a hose.
Marjo went for a walk and collected only three shells while I waited for the arrival of the kite seller.

The setting sun left a nice view and while Marjo captured that, I inspected the kite after the seller turned up. The kite was in good nick and well priced so we had a deal.

Now I have two kites, one for 12-20 knots, the other for 18-25 knots of wind. He also mentioned that my board is kinda small for my muscly build (well that’s not what he said but you get the picture) which contributes to my submarine kiting style. Without strong wind it is hard for me to get it up….uhm that is the board from the top of the water. So that could be the next change (a trainer in Port Douglas said something similar).
He also suggested catching blue swimmer crabs while they are running in with the tide. Although we love crab, the idea of catching a life snapping crab, finding a pot with boiling water to dunk it into and boiling it alive doesn’t make us smile. So instead we went to the soccer club next to the caravan park and I treated Marjo on a sumptuous dinner (polystyrene box with 20 chips, a nice pasta and garden salad and a chicken schnitzel). We both loved eating it while looking out over the water and seeing the sun set.

A beautiful day!

Posted from Whyalla, South Australia, Australia.

This stop was nice but enough for an overnight stop only. After feeding Marjo, the dogs and Pluto we’re on our way.

The little town of Port Neill tries to get on the map and become more attractive, but somehow I don’t think that frequently grading an already reasonably smooth dirt road to the town is going to cut it.

From here on the scenery gets a bit more hilly and from some we suspect they’re man made.

Then we come to the town of Whayalla which is already visible from 25 km up the road.

And loses its attractiveness the closer we get.

We stop for a look at the town beach but turn around when we see that we’ll never make it over the mountain of seaweed on the beach and then go for shopping for rye bread and post the kite. This takes a couple of tries as it doesn’t seem simple to insure the kite during transit. I have too often heard of things getting lost and don’t want my kite getting regrettably lost. When we finally succeed, we decide to indulge in a 50 cent Hungry Jack’s ice cream and then say farewell to Whyalla.

Our next stop is Fitzgerald Bay where a couple of bush campings are located. First we pass Defence training land and we’re glad we have camouflage colours.

Then we stop on the side of the road on the top of a hill with mobile reception to congratulate Joran and Christine with their engagement! Very happy for the two of them.

And we come to the bay.

At the first campground the access to the water is a little hard.

So we decide to go to the next site and camp there with a nice view. Dotti enjoys it too and lets herself out for a walk.

Then a yummie dinner from Marjo and coffee after.

Then Marjo and Nossi explore a bit further.

And come back to the bus where Dotti sits enjoying the sunset.

A day with love in the air….congratulations Joran and Christine!

Posted from Whyalla, South Australia, Australia.

It’s difficult to say goodbye from a place with such good memories. Here it was I made friends with Randy (when he introduced himself to Marjo, she replied with “sometimes”) who then came over every time with a liter of home brewed beer and kept feeding me more. And also where the kite decided it was time to split.
Well the decision is made for us. There’s no bread and no water anymore, so it’s time to hit the road again.

The first stop is Port Neill for fresh water and dumping the toilet. Most towns here can be found by looking for a big grain silo.

Also we need some bread and see if we can send the kite for repair. The first shop is a derelict petrol station that seems boarded up.

Luckily there’s an alternative. The only shop open in Port Neill with hardware, fuel, pharmacy, groceries and post office. The bread is limited to white only and they have no clue how to send and register / insure the kite to send to Tweed Heads in NSW. So we get some necessities, leave the kite till we get to Whyalla and continue onto a nearby camp site.

We come past Arno Bay (Arno is a good Dutch friend in Sydney) and we’re now going to be on the lookout for Marjo Bay and Axel Cove.

And we continue the road, now more inland with less wheat fields. A snapshot of our state-of-the-art cockpit with electronics and communication in suitable stands, our happy bird and a lucky travel hangy thingy that I mistook for a voodoo figure.

We arrive at the Port Gibbon camping where you can camp for whatever you think it’s worth. Apparently many people like this idea as it is quite busy and almost mimics a commercial camping with caravans in a neatly ordered row. Not everyone fits though.

We park somewhere on the side (we don’t like orderly rows) and make a beeline for the beach. Very different this time.

And we all want to pose with such a stunning background.

We all take a short cut but Marjo seems hesitant.

There are also interesting things in the water.

Before we head back Marjo convinces Dotti to take a bath and Nossi contemplates rock climbing.

Later that afternoon Marjo and Nossi check out the other side of the beach and find a jelly, tiny and prickly.

Posted from Whyalla, South Australia, Australia.

From Louth Bay we want to try the next bush camping along this coast which seems to be Lipson Cove. First we have an opportunity to stock up on water at Tumby Bay, a nice but sleepy town where we take the dogs for a stroll along the town beach.

Then we drive another 20km before turning off a dirt road towards the coast. The first glimpse of Lipson Cove is promising.

And it only gets better. We’re not alone but to say it’s quiet is an understatement.

We find our spot and settle in.

Then our hectic life starts, breakfast, walking, coffee, watching dolphins, kiting, lunch, read a book, art, kiting, walking, and it’s time already for a wine / beer and a snack. Then it’s time for dinner, a coffee and either talking, reading or a movie. Added to this busy schedule we have some social visits of other campers, general bus maintenance. In short…..we love this life of leisure!

To give you a little taste of our nice stay here:

Our walks

The wildlife:

(A little birdie collecting Dotti fur for her nest).

Some passing dolphins.

Some art:

(Marjo artistically trying to hide her hurt toe from the camera).

Some kiting:

And an unfortunate ending…..a sudden gust made the kite flip up and do some pirouette. After landing it showed a tear in the canopy…..off to the repairer.

Might as well repair some smaller tear in a strut as well.

Some flowers:

Another beautiful stay.

Posted from Lipson, South Australia, Australia.