Friday, 8 April 2016

Thurs, 7th Apr, 2016 Decres Bay-Wittelbee Conservation Park, Eyre Peninsula, SA (exploring Ceduna)


When we went to bed there was stars in the sky but about 4am the light rain started again. Overcast and cold as we headed into Ceduna.

Stopped at the Info Centre to ask about the Golf thing across the Nullarbor. The chap said it was $70 to get a score card and that was discounted as it used to be $110 – he got a bit rude when I said I thought it was a fun activity and curtly told me it cost them lots of money and they were still in debt!! Well we won’t be paying $70 each!! I asked about the weather balloon and animal rescue mentioned in the brochure and he rudely said I had a years old brochure and tried to take it off me. Luckily he had to answer the phone so we just grabbed some brochures for WA and left.

Drove out to Pinky Point Lookout. Took a photo to send to Grant and Tracy.

It is at Thevenard, the deep-sea port, where all the grain, fish, gypsum and salt is loaded onto ships.



The locals created a tower.



In February 1627 a Dutch ship ‘Het Gulden Seepaart’ under the command of Francois Thijssen landed along the coast. He charted the main islands and named them St Francis and St Peter. He mapped the coast and called it Peter Nuijtsland in honour of his supercargo.

Looking over the jetty to St Peter Island.




There is a 3.6km walk back to Ceduna with info boards along the way.



A few boats out.

I walked along the path reading the info boards.





Looking over Murat Bay (originally called Bay of Saints) to Ceduna.



Piles of Cheetham Salt.

A truckload of grain being unloaded onto a grill and it disappears below. Unloaded the first truck. The chap took a sample.


Now the next lot.



Zoomed through the entrance to the piles of gypsum behind. It is brought in by train.

Back into Ceduna - Bright toilet blocks along the esplanade.



Parked near the jetty and went for a walk. One chap was leaving with a squid.

Spotted a crab in the shallows. Another lady (born in Townsville) had 3 in her bucket.

Out to the end of the jetty, looking across the bay to Thevenard.

Went to the toilet – it was one of those electronic ones but this one talked explaining the buttons and that after the door locked I had 10 minutes to do my business!! Then the lovely relaxing music started!! Auto soap, water and dryer and the toilet flushed when I put my hands under the water tap area!! Cool.

Nice mural at the Surf shop.

Got some groceries and fuel then headed back to the van for lunch. Sky starting to clear up. Packed everything away while Steve replaced the brake line on the truck.

The sun is out so enjoyed a cuppa in the sunshine then a car pulled up. It was the WA couple again so this time we introduced ourselves. They are Geoff and Dee from near Mandurah. Made them a cuppa and enjoyed chatting with them. A school of mullet swam by.

Jumpers back on as the clouds came over again. Found a spot to climb down to the beach to fish. Cracked open the pipis but they were not the same as the cockles and only had little bits to put on the hook. No fish were wanting our bait anycase.

Climbed back up. The dark clouds are heading inland.

Looking brighter for tomorrow.

A motorhome parked in the turn-around area. Nice to be outside again to watch the sunset over Cape Vivonne.





Temperature dropped quickly as the sun set but at least the wind has settled down.


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