Elliston

We escaped Sheringa Beach in a down pour of rain and coating of mud and came to Elliston (population 250), 50kms up the road. Met by Richo the manager of the Elliston Caravan Park (opposite the Jetty).  Richo gave us tips on surf spots around here and how to catch a fish. Went out and watched Richo surf "Black Fellows" It was scary enough watching them climb down the shear cliff face with their board and paddle out to the surf spot

The cliff to go down and paddle out to the break

We decided the get the tinnie down from atop of the bus and christen it out on the bay. We weren't having any luck on the jetty. Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of my catch. But got a few decent King George Whiting and several Rock Cod and a few Tommy Roughs. Enough for a good meal, so you'll just have to believe me.

Sculptures all along the Anxious Bay Clifftop Rd

No wonder we get spooked about sharks when there's these sculptures

 Been here nearly a week now. Definitely another well kept secret spot of Australia. Although just a small town, lots of young surfie dudes getting around with boards on their 4wds. Elliston's culture breeds super friendly and helpful people. Cars are left unlocked with doors open and keys in ignition while guys go for 3hr surfs. Getting the hang of waving to everybody as we drive along.
Heading off tomorrow as the winds are favourable up the road at Mount Camel Beach
Elliston, SA

Sheringa Beach

After leaving Port Lincoln, we went west 150kms and threw a coin to whether we go to Drummond Point or Sheringa Beach. Didn't know anything about either spots. Sheringa Beach it was, and what a find. Blue turquoise water, white sand and great surf and fishing.
The water was surprisingly icy cold (somebody said 15 degrees).
The outside air temperature really heated up, the bus thermometer said 38 degrees.


Roger really tried to catch a King GeorgeWhiting, but they kept passing his hook. He got plenty of practice in.

Massive platform built for watching the surf and steps down to the beach

Rog surfed with 5 guys from Gunnamatta, just a bit too spooky to go out there on his own

First surf in a month at Sheringa Beach

Road signs coming into Sheringa Beach, very hazardous

Campsite. Unfortunately had to leave after 3 days cause there was 40mm of rain one morning, roads turned to mudholes in minutes. Heading for Elliston, home of the horrific left hander and the ginormous calamari.

 We are having trouble getting mobile phone coverage along this part of Australia. So if anybody is trying to contact us, we have free wifi until tomorrow morning, so can get us via email or Facebook.

The Eyre Peninsula

Travelling down the Lincoln Highway, we decided to go off the beaten path and head to Murinnie Beach. We drove 40kms down a red dusty corrugated road, across farmland. Emu's and kangaroo's running/jumping in front of us. There were about 6 fishing shacks there with permanent residents. A very tidal beach with mangroves.

We moved on the next morning and headed to Cowell, got a few provisions and headed out to Port Gibbon for 4 nights. The weather was fairly rough, so we were in the bus quite a bit and caught up on reading, crosswords and backgammon.

Headed to Lipson Cove, beautiful white sandy beaches and dolphins galore, but once again rough weather.

Down to Port Lincoln, home of the really big Great White Shark.

Enjoyed 3 days of eating seafood, not caught by us.

Coffin Bay Oysters at Coffin Bay

Blaming lack of fish on the wind.

Now heading up the Western Eyre Peninsula towards the Nullabor, chasing some surf and fish

The Clare Valley, South Australia

After leaving Echuca on the Murray River for 7 days we travelled about 30kms north to Torrumburry Weir and spent the night there on the river. There was a lot more boats and water skiers there. The petrol heads of the river. The water ski race Southern 80 starts from there so there was some amazing boats going incredibly fast- absolute wildmen of the ski scene. apparently they lose a skier each year from colliding with a semi submerged tree.
The weather was definitely heating up getting into the high 30 degrees and with no air con in the bus makes it a very hot drive, so we stopped at Robinville Municipal Pool and spent the afternoon there, keeping cool.

Had the pool to ourselves.

We went up Mildura and the heat was stifling, still in the mid 30's at 2am, which wasn't much fun. I was vomiting in the middle of the night from the heat, so decided to cross the border into South Australia and go to the Clare Valley and have a bit of luxury at a caravan park. Showers, flush toilets and plug in a/c. Definitely appreciate the small things in life.

Had a lovely 4 days in the Clare Valley, riding our bikes along the Riesling Trail and sampling the wines.

A nice lunch at Bush D' Vine at Paulette's winery.

Martindale Hall in Mintaro in the Clare Valley, Parts of the movie "Picnic at hanging rock" were filmed here.

We left there and headed towards Port Augusta, At Port Augusta you get 3 options, go Nth to Darwin, West to W.A. or head Sth to Port Lincoln. We're going South. Yippee.

Surfing on the Murray River

Toot toot we're off

Second night on the road, parked up at the beach on the Murray River upstream from Echuca.
Getting the hang of this pretty quick.
Been for a swim had an afternoon nap and now on the grog.
After a fairly torrid start with strong head winds and torrential rain, we had to disconnect the tow vehicle as we were crossing The Great Divide in 2nd gear.
We need to do some serious culling of excess stuff to lighten the load, hence drinking the grog.

Getting a new paint job at Xmas, so we can camouflage in the bush. Doesn't look too bad from a couple of metres away.

New Year's Eve at Phillip Island

Neighbours (Sladey) came out to see us off yesterday

First stop at servo to check everything is ok.

Chillaxing on the Murray

Bonkers, loving swimming in the Murray

The Count Down

The story is that Roger and I and of course "Bonkers" the Foxy are off travelling around Australia in a bus. Planning to set off end of January 2016 with an indefinite return date. We'll have to work along the way but hope to go for 3-6 months until having to find a dollar. Roger reckons he'll catch a fish or two, but I wonder. We have both resigned from our jobs and finishing work on Xmas Eve.

Currently making a check list of all the things that need to be done and one of those is starting a Blog. Thought this might be one of the easier ways we can keep our family and friends up to date with what we are doing, while we live on the road.

• So far we have bought the bus from Manheim Auctions in Melbourne in August this year. It was an ex fire brigade, bush fire control centre from Bairnsdale, Victoria. 1993 Toyota Coaster with only 30,000kms on the odometer.

  

We have been transforming this former control centre into our new home on wheels. We'll be towing a 4WD and carrying a tinny on top. The outboard motor kept safe mounted inside on the kitchen bench.

 We're planning to paint over the red to a green so as to hide away a bit.

 Maiden Voyage Down to Forrest in the Otways

Bonkers in her new crate, she'll get the hang of it