Sun, 28th Feb, 2016 Port Parham foreshore, SA (Mt Lofty)

Another beautiful morning with clear sky, light breeze, 16 degrees at 7.30am. Headed off for the hour drive down to Chris and Diane’s for brunch. Passed the Protest Statues near Dublin – just got them in the photos as we were on the highway. They were built in reaction to the SA Government approving an application for the construction of a landfill dump on the outskirts of Dublin in 1998. Concerned about the impact a dump would have on the Gulf of St Vincent, and appalled at the decision, residents of the town and surrounding areas formed a protest group and rallied to voice their objection. Leading them was Steve Jones, a quietly spoken local farmer who devised a unique way to protest against the government’s decision. With the help of other members, Steve built several imaginative sculptures, each with its own distinct message and positioned them on private property dotted along Port Wakefield Road. Due to the intensity of the lobbying at the height of the protest and fearing discovery, the sculptures were assembled under the cover of darkness where travellers would intermittently awaken to a new message proclaiming the groups’ opposition to the proposal. Despite losing the campaign, the sculptures remained and have now become a familiar landmark on the Adelaide Plains.

The Environmental Observer – built to indicate the absolute need for a transparent Environmental Protection Authority, many felt they were betrayed by the agency, and came at a time when the ‘peoples EPA’ was form.

Ned Kelly – Built to highlight the dump was approved for political interests, leaving residents with a toxic mess, while the government would simply ‘gallop’ away hiding behind their masks of office.

The Rat – Indicating the general feeling that the local agriculture had been ‘sold out’ as secondary to waste disposal.

The Cockroach – Demonstrating concern at the increase in vermin, it holds a knife and fork indicating how residents felt with government authorities – ‘they knife and fork you’.

The Tin Man – Built of discarded oil drums and emphasising the need for better recycling of waste, rather than landfill.

The Spaceship – ‘Lost in Waste’ suggesting the government of the day had lost its way on the waste issue by siting a dump, as they termed it ‘in a remote area’ – suggesting no people existed.

I took a photo of The Giant Blowfly when we first came here – The residents and protestors felt they had been ‘whacked’ on the head by a large fly swatter. The letters EIS on the swatter stand for ‘Environmental Impact Statement’, with the sign below directed at John Olsen – the State Premier at the time ‘Olsen power, the fly who shagged us’.

Had a wonderful time getting to know their children Anthea and two of her sons, Felix and baby Phineas; David; Zoe’s husband, Scott (Zoe had to work) and their three children, Aimee, Jack and Angus; Nick’s wife, Sandie and their daughter Sophie. Diane cooked up a feast and we all had a great time chatting.

Headed off to Bunnings to get some cheap chairs for the V8s. Then did the groceries. Programmed ‘Kate’ and headed down to Mt Lofty to meet Leanne & Rick.

Mt Lofty House is lovely. It was built between 1852 and 1858 by a pastoralist.

Sadly it burnt down in 1983 in the Ash Wednesday Fires but has been rebuilt beautifully.

Gorgeous Giant Redwood (Californian Redwood).

Fabulous views too.

Leanne & Rick had a lovely room. Had a drink then headed up to Mt Lofty Summit to watch the sun set. Nearly missed it.

Quick photo over Piccadilly Valley.

View over Adelaide in the twilight.

Spectacular view as the sun sets over Gulf St Vincent – glad we had our jumpers as it is freezing. It goes down so quickly.

The fire tower is 34 metres high and commenced operations in 1982. It is the focal point of all fire spotting in the Mt Lofty Ranges. The tower remained operational throughout the Ash Wednesday fires on 16^th February, 1983. 26 lives were lost that day.

Flinders Column. A plaque says Mt Lofty Summit 710 metres (2329 feet) above sea level.

A plane leaves its mark on the sky.

Headed back down the steep range. Didn’t have my camera ready as we drove up so missed getting a photo of the Toll House, est 1841, or the tunnel. Bit blurry taking the photo at night.

Had to detour around the closed off roads around the Clipsal race area. A V8 Supercars’ Clipsal Medical car parked beside us at the lights.

A big Scotsman outside one of the hotels.

Back home by 9.30pm. Will sort the groceries tomorrow!! New vans from Qld on either side of us but all is quiet.

Sat, 27th Feb, 2016 Port Parham foreshore, SA

Cooler night. 15 degrees at 7.30am with clear sky and no wind. Enjoyed breakfast in the sunshine.

Walked down to the water to check out all the ‘jinkers’ standing in the water.

A few other people were wading through the water chasing crabs. They were a long way out.

A few fisherman came back in so watched them tow their boats back to shore. One boat though nearly made it to the shore as it was high tide and an obviously knew where the deepest channel was.

Said farewell to David & Jenny – some people you just click with straight off like you were friends for years.

Steve changed the fan belts on the truck while I enjoyed relaxing with a new book. After lunch he coloured my hair then headed off to change the oil on the truck – versatile chappy!!

Nice afternoon enjoying the sunshine while I enjoyed my book about Burma. Got to 27 degrees today though the breeze is still cool and getting stronger as the day goes on.

Another Qld couple came over to chat – Stephen and Darlene from Mudgeeraba have a motorhome and are heading to WA too. Joined them for drinks and chat – lovely couple. Meeting people is so easy on the road.