Day 19 - 21 3rd March - 5th March 2012

Day 19 Saturday 3 March 2012

We arose rather early this morning, it is still very cold.  We decided to go to the Naracoorte Caves.  We decided on the Victoria Caves tour as this gave us the opportunity to see both the stalagmite and stalactite as well as the fossils.  It was a really good tour.

After we had done with the tour we decided to go into Naracoorte for a look around.  One thing is for certain the roads in South Australia are not as well sign posted as Victoria.  They give you a hint that you may be arriving at a given location and then spring it on you when you need to turn.  We are going to have to adapt our way of driving to accommodate this, especially when towing the van, as we cannot make sudden turns with the van on the back.  By the way Oscar is still doing all the pulling and I am driving on the days that the van is not being towed.  I have promised that I will pull the van when we get to cross the Nullarbor.

We found out at the Town Centre that they were having Rock ‘n Roll dancing on at the Showgrounds that evening and I though Bonus!!!!  It rained and the dance was outside so needless to say we did not end up going.  Stayed in and instead taught Oscar a card trick and Texas Hold’em. Oscar spoke to his Mum, Son Scott and Grandson Oliver on Skype today. 

Stalictite in the making

City Hall Naracoorte

Houdini still having a ball.

Day 20 Sunday 4 March 2012

I have decided to put the day of the week into my blogs as I am lost for days at the moment.  I woke up at 8:02 this morning it seems that we wake early each morning out of habit more than anything else.  Went and had a good shower, really taking advantage of this at the moment. 

After breakfast we took a drive to Bool Lagoon and a walk around the lagoon.  It is a very interesting landscape and there are hundreds of birds on the lagoon this time of the year.  As we were walking around the circuit all was good until…………..wait for it………….a sign of a snake.  After the revelation that there were sightings of copperheads in the area, needless to say I was on high alert and the walk was not as enjoyable as it otherwise would have been.  Nonetheless did not turn back.  Put on my big girl panties and kept walking.  Did not see a single snake which helped, but as I said to Oscar, I am walking behind you and any sign of a snake and you know I will be on your back.  To which he responded “and I will probably die of a heart attack”.  Fine pair we are!!

After an enjoyable walk we headed into Penola.  Had lunch at the local pub and then took a walk to St Mary Mackillop Memorial School until it started raining again.  We went back to the car and took a drive down Petticoat Lane.  Very interesting!!

Drove back to Camp did laundry and then caught up with blog.  Did the laundry and Oscar got a text from Nathan his youngest son to say they were headed back to Melbourne from Adelaide and would dearly love to catch up.  So Nathan and Katie have given us the opportunity to see border town tomorrow, which we would not have otherwise seen as we were headed down south tomorrow.  Everything happens for a reason.

I spoke to Jakes and Clinton today. 

Walk around Bool Lagoon

Australian White Ibis

Now this is the Fly I keep telling you can be caught caged and taught to sing.

St Mary MacKillop

Trust Oscar to find Crotchless Knickers from the 19th Century.  Yes ladies they even had them then.

If they can dip the sheep in this What am I waiting for, sure will save money.

Sharams House in the 1800's had 15 kids in this house.  Defintely no TV.

Day 21 Monday 5 March 2012

Well this is it the end of week three.  Hey boys only 49 weeks then you have the grouch back. 

We headed for Bordertown early this morning as I woke earlier than normal. We arrived in Bordertown approximately 12:00 went to the Information Centre to find out what was to see or do locally.  Information centres in Australia are invaluable.  The people there do an amazing job and as we found out today they are mostly manned by volunteers.  These are Australian people who give up their time to help you whenever you arrive in their town.  They are only too proud to tell you what is in or around their region.  So next time you are on a trip anywhere go into an information centre and whatever you do be nice, they are awesome people.

Went to the White Kangaroo enclosure where they breed white kangaroos.  These are not Albino Kangaroos.  Some beautiful species as you will see.  After this we took a walk to the lake which as Wendy, from Information Centre advised us, a negative; being the excavation for the landfill for the Adelaide/Melbourne freeway, was filled with water and now serves as a lake to the local community.  Bordertown is also the birthplace of Bob Hawke and I am sure most of you Aussies knew this already but for those that did not, thought I would add this bit of trivia.

Nathan and Katie arrived at 13:37 and we went and had lunch.  So we have had our first visitors on the trip of a lifetime.  We did not, however, have to get the guestroom ready for their visit.  They were only dropping by on their way through.  It was lovely meeting them for the first time and Oscar was extremely happy to see his kids.

We said our goodbyes at around about 15:00 and went back to camp.  For the record the weather is still miserable.  Well we pack up tomorrow and head south towards Mt Gambier and slightly west of that.  I am publishing tonight as I am not sure what the next few days hold from a technical aspect. 

Joey White Kangaroo

Defintely a very fine specimen of the White Kangaroo breeding program.

Planking Australia - Jodie this one is for you.

The negative that was turned into a positive - Lake in Bordertown

Still smiling!! - Things can't be that bad.

Beautiful!!! Happy Family. Nathan looks must definitely come from Mom.

So till later.

O&V