Wake up in the icebox that was our cabin. Foundered all night it is a contest to know who slept less.

I nip over to toilet block wash, shave and on the road. Much warmer outside than in. How can that be? Maggie explains to camp commandant her displeasure and we part. Hmmm

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Leaving the Barossa we pass Jacobs Creek again and take a few snaps. Quite why the town doesn’t cater for tourists more I’m not sure but mabey better to stay in one of the other local towns instead.

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We are heading fo Coorong National Park and Pelicans. Sand dune systems fronting the Southern Ocean and a long, narrow wetland complex connecting to the lower Murray River.

On the way we see a sign for the local farmers market at Mount Pleasant so it seems like somewhere we can get a bite of breakfast.

 

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It is Gymkana day at Mount Pleasant and so it is busy. So we take a quick look  and get up close and personal to some splendid beautiful horses.

 

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Judges at these events must be hewn from the same rock no matter which country they are from.

 

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The countryside here is big farming country and here farms are farms. the countryside is almost bereft of buildings. Large expanses of land dotted with ancient trees that have obviously been left for animal shelter when the land was first cleared.

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Second stop is Murray Bridge probably better known as Murray Ferry as there isn’t a bridge.

So we take the first of three ferries across the Murray River. Still pleasant wait for ferry watching the black swans.

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The countryside here is wetland and we get to see a few Pelicans in the distance but none up close.

Further on past lake Alexandrina the lagoon dominates. This is a long wide lagoon that is a national park protecting a large population of Pelicans.

I think today they must mostly be on holidays as we meet a party of Germans who have diligently hiked down to the viewing hide  and weren’t at all pleased that the Pelicans were not there.

We take their word for it as it is cold and there is a significant wind blowing of the lagoon.

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dsc02916Stop at wee cafe for spicy fruit loaf at Meningie.

img_9242                     and after not seeing Pelicans we head towards Victor Island.

 

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Have to stop for first time at level crossing and it happens to be a steam train. Must be a heritage railway.
On arrival at Victor harbour we take a walk down to the sea. This is a pedestrian street and is a seaside holiday resort, with a few shops, pubs and restaurants.
We book the Whalers Inn for food and Prawn Squid and Grillered Grawler are order of the day with Tasmanian bubble. Very good too then home to the Harbour Inn to bed and a 7am start for the 9am ferry.