Saturday, 6th March 2010

After getting some really nice peaches at the Berri market a fortnight ago, we decided to go back there today and get some more.

It was a very overcast day, with the threat of rain later on. We went straight to the market, only to find that they had no more of the lovely peaches. We did get quite a bit of other fruit though, and then we went on to have a look at Renmark.

The photo is of the main street in town. It is a very pretty place, more so than all the other river towns we have been to. A lot more green around. They seem to have more water further up the river.

While we were walking along the river, the chook boat was setting up. I think it was going to be a country singer show.

He had a smokey wood stove on deck, and a white rooster on the veranda roof, tied there by one foot.

The big orange is between Berri and Renmark, but it was closed, and looked like it had been for some time.

For the first time in the area, I saw a new field of citrus trees recently planted. Made a change from all the dead and dying ones around.

On the way back into Berri, Lyn spotted a sign on the roadside saying peaches for $2. It was a very difficult place to stop, and going round the block to get back there proved to be a very long operation, but finally we stopped and lyn got a few peaches and plant cuttings.

Saturday, 13th March 2010

The Tanunda show was on today, so we planned to go to it. The german cake judging was at 1.30pm, so we thought to try to be there at that time to see what information I could find. The plan was to do our shopping first and visit the show on the way home.

We left the park quite early. First stop was a discount store in Nuriootpa where Lyn wanted to get some cards. We also visited a second hand place where Lyn got some real bargains in cat ornaments.

Just before Tanunda we stopped at the roadside market we had been to before and stocked up with cheap vegetables, including some more of the lovely green beens we had got from there before.

Further down the road we stopped for lunch at Lyndock where we also got some of their german cake for later.

Then it was on to Gawler where Lyn had a weigh-in and got some more supplies for her diet.

There had been socks advertised on TV for $1 a pair at Rivers, so we headed to the closest store which was in Elizabeth. We found the store quite easily, but their stock was low. We did get a dozen, so that should last a bit.

Then back to Munno Para shopping centre for our groceries and we also found some more cats on super special.

The photo is of the cats Lyn has found in the Barossa Vally so far.

By now we had had enough of shopping, and did not have much money left anyway. It was getting on to be nearly 2pm, so we decided to call it quits and head for home rather than the Tanunda show.

As we were coming over the Sedan Hill, the view was quite good for a change, so I tried a photo. In past times there has been too much haze for a reasonable picture. The scene would be really great after a good rain with more green around.

One thing the photo shows is the dry stone walls and fences. It's good to see the craftsmanship of the early settlers still standing.

As we got near the Swan Reach ferry, there was quite a que of vehicles waiting. It turned out that one of the ferry cables had broken, and was being fixed. I took this photo of the old cable.

We had a fifteen minute wait, but finally got home for a well earned rest. It's good to get back to the 'outback' after a period in the city shopping. It really drains us these days.

Once rested, I had a look inside my large computer monitor that had been playing up badly, only to find that most of the 'works' were sealed and unrepairable. To keep the computer going I've had to dismantle the two monitor setup and revert to the old one. Seems like a new monitor will be needed to fix the problem.

Saturday, 20th March 2010

On our way out this morning we stopped by the Oakville Potatoe factory to take a picture of the plant while it was working.

As we were getting near to Mannum, we saw this really pretty view of the river and cliffs in the early morning sun.

At Mannum, we went across the ferry, and then on to Murray Bridge.

We took the freeway to Callington, then went via the old road to Mount Barker.

It was interesting seeing the small towns that used to be part of the trip through the Hills to Adelaide. I could still remember some of the sights and turns in the road from my childhood. Things like the brickworks at Littlehampton, and the old windmill on the hill.

Mount Barker was a very busy place these days. It had very narrow streets, tiny roundabouts and a lot of traffic. We finally found a place to park and went into Coles for some of our groceries, and then Cheap-as-Chips for a few treasures. We also found their Spotlight store to get the chord to fix one of our blinds. In the end we were happy to be out of the place.

A short drive away was our real destination - Hahndorf.

As we struggled down the main street, we were struck by the traffic and people. It was Saturday after all, but it was busy. Every food place had people sitting at all the tables, and there was nowhere to park. In fact there was nowhere to turn the truck around, so we ended up driving right through town to find somewhere to turn. Eventually we did find a park and walked along a bit of the street.

The town was really nice. The canopy of trees all along the whole street, and the many different shops and styles of building made for a very pleasant place. It would be great to visit on a quiet day.

We looked at a few places for a meal including the german cake shop, but in the end just got pies to eat in the truck.

Lyn did have a good shopping find however, and bought a pink ceramic boot to match the one she has the TV remote control in.

We came back via Murray Bridge where we got more snacks and ate them in one of the parks overlooking the river. The many nice roses in the well maintained grounds caught Lyn's eye.

Our shopping was concluded at Coles in Murray Bridge. It was good to be back in an area of more normal friendly people.

Saturday, 27th March 2010

It was the day of the Karoonda Farm Fair, so that was our first call today. Unless we went on dirt roads, it was quite a trip there as we had to go nearly to Murray Bridge, then follow the Karoonda road back out.

They had some very inventive signs for the fair, including this tractor one that took our fancy.

The townshop of Karoonda was really quite nice. Well looked after and with good facilities for visitors with one exception - magic money machines.

We had left with very little cash, so while I followed leads to the chemist that I was told had an ATM of sorts, Lyn went to the newsagent/general store to get a magazine.

When she came out she still had not got the magazine, but did have a new cat on springs for her collection.

We parked a bit closer to the fair site, and then when in.

The fair was bigger than expected, and very well laid out. We walked down some of the isles, and saw the animal nursery. The camel rides were $8 each, so we we passed on them.

Lyn was talking to every second stall in one of the pavillions, but came out with a years supply of pens, carry bags, and assorted stationary.

The pig races were at eleven, so we lined up to get a good spot. They were the same as we have seen in Darwin the last two years, but this time we had a good viewing spot.

It was starting to get quite hot, so we went through the rest of the site, having a good look at the alpacas. The babys in the picture are five weeks and three days old.

It was a really good event with plenty to see. Highly recommended.

We finished the day by going in to Murray Bridge for our weekly shop, then back home for a good rest.

Easter Saturday, 3rd April 2010

With it being Easter Saturday, there were quite a few things on in the area. The caravan park was packed with tents, vans and boats, and so we were happy to get away and look at some of the other attractions.

We had been told of a trash-and-treasure sale at both Walkers Flat and Purnong. We went to Walkers Flat first, but there was no sale at the hall, so we journeyed on to Purnong.

We had not been into Purnong before, but we hadn't missed much.

After another ferry cruise across the river, we found the hall and the sale.

While it was mostly trash, we did find some cats for Lyn's collection. Two of them are Japanese rather than the usual made-in-china things. Obviously quite old.

We returned to Swan Reach for the big Swan Reach Easter Fair.

There was a very good number of people at the fair, and there were some interesting stalls. It was a lovely location on the river bank underneath the shady trees. They couldn't have wished for a better day.

Lyn looked for some more treasures, but found nothing as good as the lovely cat in boot she got earlier.

Easter Sunday, 4th April 2010

Our plans for today were to visit the Port Adelaide Wharf market, and do some shopping on the way back. I had just thought that major shops would be open, but luckily I checked before we left and found all the city and suburban shops were shut. Only country shops were open.

A quick change of plans made us head for Berri where Coles and Target were both supposed to be open.

As we came into Berri township there were signs for a flower show, and as we pulled up near the bank to get some money out, the show was right by.

It was a coin donation, so we gave it a go. What a surprise. It was really very good. mainly roses and dahlias, but the dahlias stole the show completely. The display would have done a capital city proud, let alone a small town like this. We were both struck with the size and colour of the exhibits, and if we ever get property somewhere, we know where to get some to grow ourselves.

The photos did not turn out really great, and don't do them justice.

After the show, we did our shopping. For once there were not many people around.

While shopping in Berri we had heard a mention of a market today in Barmera, so decided to go back that way and have a look.

The market was in the main street with all traffic access blocked.

We parked on a side street and walked to the fair. It was rather good for a small place. Stalls with just about everything, including one with a couple of cat ornaments.

While they were not cheap, Lyn did take a fancy to one, and it turned out to be quite nice too. The photo shows her making the purchase.

While there we had some dinner from the Indian food stall, and bought some more apples.

We also had a look at Blanchetown for a change. I had not seen it for about 30 years, so it was much bigger than I remembered. The photo is from the river cliffs looking toward the township on the oposite side. Once you have seen one of these towns though, they all look pretty much the same.

This is the photo of the weekend's new cat ornaments. The best is the cat in boot we got yesterday, with todays cat on base with pot second.

Tomorrow is back to work for me. Not sure how much longer we will stay here, but it will only be one or two more weeks as it's getting much colder overnight and morning, and in two weeks time, the work I am presently doing will end.

Still not 100% sure where we will go with the choice between Alice Springs and Bowen in Queensland.

Saturday, 10th April 2010

I finished work yesterday, and we are packing today to head north. The weather has started getting too cold and dreary. Just as Easter was finishing, it started raining here. The locals were saying it was the most rain in two years. There were even small swamps formed in paddocks by the roadside.

We've had the heater set up most nights as it gets quite cold in the morning, so all was pointing to us leaving for warmer climes.

We had been waiting for a new satelite receiver and our book to come. The satelite receiver came yesterday, and when we went to the post office to arrange the redirection of the book, he had it there in a box. So now there is nothing keeping us here.

I finally contacted the people in Bowen with the good job, only to find that they had 2 other people for the position. That decided us to head toward the Centre and see what we can find around Alice.

We leave Swan Reach, heading north - click here to follow.

Return to previous page - click here for our trip to Swan Reach.