Friday, 4 January 2019

Days 57 and 58 - Palmer to Nhill to Home - Tuesday 4th July and Wednesday 5th 2017

Almost home. Tuesday saw me drive from Palmer to Nhill Aerodrome via Murray Bridge and Coonalpyn. I managed to score a free shower at the Coonalpyn swimming pool which was closed but access to the shower block was still possible as it was outside the fenced area. And Wednesday I drove all the way home after first going to Meredith with the thought of overnighting there, an idea that was soon abandoned. Twelve days on the road since leaving Exmouth and I'm finally home - so good to be back with my family and familiar territory.

Thursday, 3 January 2019

Days 55 and 56 - Penong to Iron Knob to Palmer - Sunday 2nd July and Monday 3rd 2017

Sunday was spent driving from Penong to Iron Knob. The only stops worth noting were the Ceduna Quarantine station where once again I had to dump my potatoes despite reading on the SA Government's website that washed spuds were OK - seems no-one knows what the real regulations are. I also took time out at the small town of Wirrulla for a coffee from the local store. After a quick drive around town I settled in to Knobbies Caravan and Camping Area at Iron Knob. This operates on a donation basis and is a welcome spot to spend the night in the middle of the otherwise barren landscape.
On Monday I took advantage of there being a mine tour organised by the Iron Knob Visitor Center. The tour leader Bryan gave myself and another couple a very interesting hour long tour up to the now disused pit at Iron Knob with views over the fairly recent Princess mine below and out to Iron Baron in the distance. Then it was off again homeward bound. I decided to bypass Adelaide by taking roads that cut through the Adelaide Hills from Gawler onward. In retrospect this may have been a mistake as the weather was atrocious with heavy rain at times and very strong winds. The narrow winding roads were not that safe under these conditions but eventually I made it to Palmer Cricket Ground for the night - another donation only camping site.