20th April - 27th April

Monday 20th

We packed up in the morning and headed for Warooka - we had an easy afternoon and didn't do much :) - hard life. We stayed overnight at the rest area with another couple who had broken down and couldn't move (Rod and Dianne in a big bus towing a 4x4 and boat). We were going to move to the showgrounds where you are supposed to stay but thought we should keep the other couple company and had happy hour with them.

Tuesday 21st

We took the caravan to the showgrounds and left it there and went sightseeing today. We went first to Gleason's Landing on the west coast because we had some information that said there was somewhere there you could have a shower. What we found was that there was a hand pump stuck out in the middle of nowhere with a hand pump that pumped bore water that you could use to shower in - we decided not to go with that option! We then moved on to Corny Point which was quite nice. We saw a pod of dolphins just offshore which was lovely. We then headed down to a nice secluded beach and went for a swim - much better than standing under bore water I reckon! We then drove to a couple of other beaches along the coast and found Flaherty's Beach which was just lovely. There are umpteen spots you could stop and camp in that area but most if it is rough dirt tracks with small campsites so we reckon it wouldn't be very practical taking a caravan in there. You also have to pay $6 per night to camp anywhere down here (except where we have camped of course!) It says in Camps 4 that you have to pay to stay at the campgrounds here but that just aint true! You can even hook up to power for a donation.

We had happy hour with the rest of the campers who were camped in the showgrounds and had a great time - what a great bunch of people! One of them also told us that you can get showers at the CWA in Maitland or Minlakowie - can't remember which one.

Wednesday 22 nd

It took us ages to get on the road today. A lady pulled up travelling alone in a caravan just before we left the showgrounds and we started chatting and that went on and on - lovely person and very brave doing it all on her own.

We took a drive to Hardwicke Bay, Port Minlacowie, Parsons Beach and ended up at Bluff Beach. Bluff Beach is a fantastic little beach and you are not supposed to camp there but we talked to one of the locals and she reckoned that there would be no problem camping there as there was nobody else around. It is the tiniest little village but there is heaps of construction going on so it is growing. We went for a swim at the beach and then had a shower at their outside shower. They also have toilets there.

Thursday 23 rd

It is cold and raining this morning and the weather forecast is for more of the same for the next several days so we are going to start heading north to find somewhere out of the weather.

We drove north and stopped in at a few coastal towns for a look including Victoria Point which reminded us a lot of Ardrossen and it would have been a nice place to walk around except for the weather so we kept going. We seem to have sprung a leak in the caravan - we reckon when the roof popped up and got damaged it might have damaged the roof a little too so Ross will get up and have a look as soon as he can - once we get out of this weather. It is really windy again too.

We went to Moonta and decided we were going to stop there for the night so we stayed at the Information Centre where it said "No Camping" :) It was really windy so we pulled up right next to the information centre to get out of the wind which turned out quite well.

We had a bit of a walk around Moonta and it's quite an interesting little town with some great shops.

Friday 24 th

It isn't raining as much but it is still windy. We have decided we are going to go on the Wheal Hughes Copper Mine Tour which takes you on a tour of an old copper mine. We are booked in for 12: 30 and Boris will have to stay in the car while we go - it only goes for about an hour.

Back from the tour and Ross loved it though I could take it or leave it - mining doesn't really inerest me. We then went around the Moonta Heritage trail for a look at all the old ruins of the mining era around the place - that was more interesting - lots of old buildings to look at and climb over. We could have camped at any number of these old ruins along the Heritage trail but we dedided to move on and drove up to Port Broughton which is a nice little town. We originally parked in front of the pub near the water but being a Friday night there was a lot of noise from the pub and also it was REALLY windy! We moved to a little information sign and camped there which was better.

John and Elaine from Point Parham phoned us tonight - it was lovely to hear from them - they are up on Mildura and thought we might be in the area so we could catch up - not this time guys!

Saturday 25th

ANZAC DAY. We moved on from Port Broughton to Port Pirie. We decided to stay in a caravan park as we have had no sun for several days and needed to top up the power. We are staying at ?Highview Caravan Park and the guy who runs it is really friendly and it is only $19.00 per night for a powered site so we are happy with that. We are booked in for two nights and will see what happens with the weather before we decide when we will move on and where.

Ross managed to get his webcam working and talked to his family tonight - it was great to catch up as we haven't seen them for a few months.

Sunday 26th

Nasty weather again - can't really do much. I have done a bit of washing but it is really hard to get it dry. The weather forecast says it will start getting better as of tomorrow. In the meantime we will just stay put!