Hugging the Coast

We are back on the mainland and on the move........ bouncing a few hundred kilometers every few days.  Since our last post, we have stayed in a variety of towns each with their own bit of magic.  Our first stop after Kangaroo Island was Wirrina Cove, a golf resort nestled in some hills along the coast.  It had been months since we played and we couldn't resist having Kangaroos be our gallery. (Note - there wasn't anyone else playing on the course!)
Check out the roo hanging in the shade.

Our next stop was Victor Harbor, a beautiful coastal town that had numerous shops/cafes as well as some terrific walking paths along the bay.  Tourists filled the streets but the crowds were not overwhelming.
Sunset on the bay

Long rolling waves

From Victor Harbor, we continued east with a short stay in Menninge, a little farming community with a giant lake as it's focal point.  Hundreds of pelicans and other shorebirds call this area home so we were very busy birders!  Our good fortune as bird watchers has continued.  To date, we have identified 330 different species of birds across the country.  And we still have more country to cover!

Our next stop was Mt. Gambier, a regional hub for the state of South Australia.  With a population of 30,000 people, it is the second largest town in the state of SA.  Surrounded by farms and less dependent on tourism, we were surprised to find a very lively city center filled with shops and stores.  It is refreshing to find local shop owners meeting the needs of their town in lieu of chains.  We have been pleased with the low number of chains you find outside of the metro areas here.  Shopping local from locals is very much a message you hear/see and feel in this country. 
The blue lake is a volcanic lake that mysteriously turns sapphire Nov. through March

The other interesting change we've noted is that the home and garden architecture has changed.  Suddenly, very sculptured rose gardens have begun to appear.  Even geological structures such as a cenote (sinkhole) has been planted, trimmed and meticulously gardened.
Rows of rose bush trees

A formal garden adorns this sinkhole

We returned to the coast for a really fun stay in Portland.  Here we rented the Lighthouse Keepers Cottage on Cape Nelson.  It was furnished with antiques and working fireplaces along with a modern kitchen and bathrooms.  Hiking here was filled with breath taking views.  We spotted seals as well as a number of birds including a nesting colony of Gannets.
Lighthouse Keepers Cottage

Cape Nelson Lighthouse

Our evening guest was this male wallaby

Views from the cape

We were very lucky to have a full day of sunshine while visiting Portland.  Like the northwest of our country, normally they have cloudy skies and lots of wind.  The temperatures have been fluctuating as much as 30 degrees from day to day.  We think it is very strange to be bundled up in the middle of summer!
Stocking caps in January here is like wearing one in August in the US!

We hope that our many friends across the country are staying warm and safe.  Our next stop takes us to the mountains.

Stay Curious!

Cheryl & Dan



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