Cactus’d mate

From Head of Bight we made Ceduna, but on the way attempted to access Cactus Beach out of Penong (the windmill town). Just 500mtrs into the turn-off the road turned to ‘not the best’ but on stopping a local who had just come along it we were faithfully advised that the road was OK, particularly in ‘a good rig like that’. OK – onwards. But another 500mtrs in the road turned to ‘worse than not the best”, so a slow U-turn and back with the resolve that we would see the ‘Cactus’ another day.

Well, on to Ceduna for a water fill and longer showers. Discovered we had seen all of Ceduna worth seeing on the first visit so we took Suzi back to Cactus. The road turned into crap so we were real pleased we didn’t take the Hovel the 25 or so Ks on to the beach the day before. Additionally the promised camping area was not accessible by a big rig, nor did we find a level spot so the trip down would have ended in major disappointment and probably heaps of damage.

However the trip was still worthwhile. Firstly, we found the jetty at Point Sinclair along with the shark proof sea pool. Apparently a young boy was taken by a shark in 1977 when swimming out to meet a boat so the locals put up the fence beside the jetty to keep the kids in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very pretty spot, but where is the surf beach we believed the Point was famous for? Further around we found evidence of good surf but surely even the most enthusiastic surfer would not risk life and limb on the jagged rocks surrounding this bay! Well quite obviously the surfers come here but must experience a lot of idle time judging by the rock gardens and stacks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very popular camp ground featured some of the better forms of accommodation……

 

 

 

 

 

 

but there is a village of private caravans covered by protective constructions…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

but so far not a soul to be seen.

Where is this so called surf beach? Surely people come here for something more than living in abject poverty ( a bit like hovel). Not a sign to direct we darted off the “road” onto what appeared to be a well compressed sand track and headed for the coast again…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and there it was!

 

 

Ya gotta know where to go!

Back over the causeway, heading back to Penong the most unusual occurrence of pink and green water on either side caused occasion to pause….

and then there’s just the ‘wags’…

But, all in all, another very beautiful part of this country and such a variety of contrasts in one small area.

Suzi has a few more rattles but a lot more experience. Us too.

Next stop Port Augusta and first port of call the “Outback Centre” to experience the best information centre we have come across (although all have been very good in both SA and WA) and into their display. This is one of the best “interpretive centres” we have experienced. It is fascinating, involving and informative. We even bought a copy of one of the feature films outlining the experience of Tom Kruze the outback postie.

It was here we were advised of the Motorhome park at the Port Augusta Sporting Club –  just $7.00 per night. No facilities other than a dump point and the ability to top up with fresh water but a well used site. When we arrived late afternoon there were already 10 or 12 happy campers, including one we recognized.

Happy hour was! And the one we recognized, after much speculation as to where we espied them turned out to be from Benalla and we had seen them at home!!!

So Bob and Linda Arthur on their return will be visitors to Lima for a de-briefing. Others with whom new friendships were formed over 4 days of waiting out the weather included Warren & Noelene, Peter & Kathleen, Dennis & Anne and Ivan & Mary, all from all over the country. Weather was the worst we’d experienced for the whole trip, but we finally got underway Friday and headed for Adelaide.

Now in Adelaide and the weather is crap!