Saturday, 9 October 2021

Days 95-99 Eyre Peninsula - west coast

 (Kate)

Day 95-99 Eyre Peninsula – west coast

We took 2 days to drive from Coober Pedy to Smoky Bay, camping overnight in a Wikicamp nominated site on the Gawler Ranges Road, named Casuarina Forest.  There were plenty of casuarina trees there.  It was nice and peaceful.  Except for the flies.  We’re all a bit over the flies.  We saw some amazing Sturt Desert Peas on the drive.  So amazing that we stopped to marvel at them and take photos.

We landed in Smoky bay at the home of our friends Damien and Trish.  Trish was still at work when we arrived, but Damien was at home, as was their cockatoo, Kingsford, who was very chatty.  Keith took a fancy to Kingsford, and loved saying “You’re a pine cone!” whenever Kingsford said “Want a pine cone?”  Damien made a fresh salsa which was amazing, then for dinner he cooked us all a 3 course seafood meal.  What a treat.  We are so blessed to have amazing friends.

The next morning, Ben fixed the trailer brakes, then we headed off to Ceduna.  We visited Trish at work, got the Deli’s tyres balanced, and had a general drive around.  Or should I say, Nicole had a general drive around.  She has clocked up quite a few hours on this trip.  She says Ceduna is much friendlier to drive around than Blackwood. Even the roundabouts.

We are amazed by how much grass there is around, and how green everything is in general below Goyder’s Line.  Unfortunately this also means hay-fever, which we were reminded of the following day when it was ridiculously windy.

Near Streaky Bay are a bunch of large rocks called Murphy’s Haystacks.  The farmer whose land they are on has installed some toilets and info boards, and an honesty box at the gate, where you pay a modest amount ($2pp) to view the haystacks, and you can also buy honey if you wish.  We had no need to purchase honey, having already stocked up on honey from Jagged Crow Farm before we left Adelaide (https://jaggedcrowfarm.com.au)

 



Ben and Keith reducing the tyre pressures to suit the unsealed road.




Casuarina forest.

I think these are called ruby salt bush.

Rabbit holes.






A windy day at Smoky Bay.


The sunshine at Ceduna.

The learner driving gaining expertise.

Ah that's better - some sunshine in Smoky Bay.

We haven't seen this sort of field of green in a long time.


Some of Murphy's Haystacks.






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