Cactus beach

Before embarking on the journey we stayed at a great camp at the iconic surfers mecca of Cactus beach. The camp is nestled in among the sand dunes and has limestone toilets and showers. All pretty basic and rustic, but thats how we like it. Ruby and Darcy added their graffitti to the collection that dates back several decades.

The weather was pretty cool and it even began to rain. There were 3 Italian guys camped next to us travelling in an old Falcoln with 3 surfboards and 3 pushbikes! I thought we were cramped. There was no fly on their tent and all their stuff was getting wet. I went to give them a hand and they explained that they bought the tent from an op shop and it didn't come with a fly. Great in the hot weather but no so good with rain. I lent them our tents and they had a dry night, before packing up and heading out next morning. Funny blokes!

Perlubi Beach

Between Streaky Bay and Smoky Bay we found a little gem of a camping spot called Perlubi Beach. The Vallees met us there and we camped under the huts that were on the beach. Some other French backpackers that we had met in Streaky Bay called Bruno and Beverley met us there with their French buddies and before we knew it we were the ones speaking a funny language. There was a night soccer match on the beach under lights (kids lost 10-9), fishing from the pontoon and a very relaxing few days with great company.

Baird Bay

The little backwater of Baird Bay has a colony of sealions who love to play with humans! Alan and Trish Payne run tours there and we went out with them. We swam in a rock pool which gradually filled up with curious sealions. Even Anna got in this time! We swam with them for an hour and a half. Tracey describes it as the best experience of her life (I'm presuming after getting married to me). On the way back we were lucky enough to have a swim with some dolphins as well, although they didn't get as close or hang around as long as the sealions.

Coffin Bay NP 5-6/2/2010

Coffin Bay NP was picturesque and very tough to drive around. The sandy tracks were very soft

and we were relieved to get out without getting bogged. We gave a hand to pull out a couple of other Victorians which will hopefully go into the "karma bank" for when it's our turn to get bogged.

Back at Port Lincoln 30/1 - 4/2

Unfortunately we encountered some car problems and had to stay in Port Lincoln for another few days to have the repairs done. While we were there we met the Vallee family from France. Fabrice, Julie, John & Edith are travelling around Australia in their faithful camper called Matilda for a year. We have had a great time with them and hpe to meet up frequently during our trip.

We also went swimming with the tuna which was awesome. The fish weighed up to 80kg an

d were very hungry! We all went in for a swim with them except Anna who had great fun lobbing sardines on our heads and watching the swarm of tuna attacking us.

Lincoln National Park 27th Jan - 1st Feb

We've just had a perfect week or so in the Lincoln National Park. We stayed at September Beach which we had all to ourselves most of the time.

We did some walking, swimming, and ate very well. The kids have started doing some school work wich they love (not).

We watched the most spectacular full (blue) moon come up over the sea sitting next to our fire on the beach while we ate the obligatory marshmellows.

Getting set to begin the long trek west!

Port Lincoln "tunarama"

I entered my first tuna toss competition at tunarama. Imagine my surprise after training with the big 500g tins to find that they expected us to toss a 20kg monster. I employed the "hammer throw" technique which seemed to be de riguer among the tuna tossers only to find that only weighing a little bit more than the tuna I quickly became disorientated and a bit unsteady. Fortunately the throw was a foul and I didn't have to go through the humiliation of having my throw measured, which I am sure was well short of most of the women.

The crowd seemed to enjoy it.

Ruby and Darcy did well in the prawn toss and were up near the top of their groups.

Eyre penninsula

Very hot and windy. Tried our hand at crabbin (as the locals call it) with the unusual "thong and butterfly net" technique with mixed success.

Burra

Visited the Burra hotel which Traceys parents were licencees of in the early 80's. The staff were very happy to hear from us as they are currently writing a history of the pub. It was nice and cool inside too!

Adelaide & Annas birthday

Unfortunately the woodge spent her 6th birthday in the Adelaide childrens hospital with asthma. She was very brave and enjoyed her Macca's lunch as soon as she got out.

Adelaide was otherwise enjoyable, saw some of the tour down under, the Adelaide oval, the Rundle mall markets, the zoo and the Pandas and more! We also caught up with Louise Gilbert and kids. Young Sam managed to get the biggest splinter of all time in his foot which was pretty noisy, but they were otherwise in good spirits.

Kangaroo Island

Had a fantastic time on KI. Caught up with Arnie & Tracey and (extended) family at Emu bay. Also stayed with Austin and Judy who were old friends of Traceys dad Al. Great to catch up with them and hear some of the old stories. Austin slipped us a crayfish on the way out which was vey tasty.

Anna's first tooth finally came out and she had a visit from the KI tooth fairy which was very generous.

Victor Harbour, Port Elliot, Deep Creek Con.Park

Very hot! Ruby, Darcy and Anna did their first days school. And enjoyed the air conditioned comfort of the museums in Victor Harbour.

The Coorong

Didn't see Mr Percival, but caught up with plenty of his mates.

Penola, Robe & Kingston

Had a great time exploring the historic town of Penola, and fun on the beach at Robe and visiting the big Lobster at Kingston.

Mount Gambier

We found the blue lake in Mount Gambier to be very blue! Said goodbye to Ellie and Chris who headed off back to Melbourne. Only a little bit of crying.

Into SA

Crossed into SA OK. Now I just have the locals to contend with! Wish me luck.