Clare, South Australia, AustraliaEvery now and again you have a 'Ho Hum' day when you are travelling and Thursday the 18th October was definitely one of those days! Well it ended up okay in the end, but.....Oh dear! It was a very trying day! I thought I had better do a search on the meaning of 'Ho Hum' and make sure I was using it in the right context. I am....it means...used to express boredom or resignation. Love it. It is the perfect adjective! 'Boredom' for the start of the day and a feeling of 'Resignation' quite a few times during the day!
We left Murray Bridge a little before nine and there was confusion on where J & D would pick up fuel. We sorted that and said "We would wait for them somewhere on the other side of the bridge". This was going to be over the old bridge. So we would be going down through the town of Murray Bridge. The Sat Nav wanted us to turn left and go out over the new bridge and that was the way Peter wanted to go. But I said "No", so our 'girl' re-routed! We found a perfect place to wait outside a Caltex Service Station and Peter could see J & D coming over the bridge.
I am so chuffed! In sorting photos to include in the blog I have found that I managed to get the 'Bridge Sign' in one of the snaps. Of course I had to tell Peter and he asked whether the rail bridge was earlier. Web research for the answer! The first bridge to span the Murray River was opened in 1879 with the first train to cross in 1886. The bridge played a significant role in linking the Adelaide to Melbourne transport route.
We were soon on our way and the forward planning for today was to travel what should have been a scenic drive along the edge of the Murray River to Morgan (well to Swan Reach should have been reasonably scenic) and then to Burra on the Goyder Highway. From there we intended to travel to Spalding and then to Gladstone, staying the night there. We hadn't booked at Gladstone and that did save another phone call and cancellation later in the day.
By the time we got to the scenic lookout near Kroehns Landing, I was looking at the map to see where we could make a change of plans. The countryside was so barren. The industry on the river was all gone. Sheds that used to be full of produce, only contained very dry old packing boxes stacked up. The constant changes in legislation for the use of the water from the Murray River, together with the cost of the water, has caused the downturn in production. South Australia is in drought too and we felt saddened that when we were in Queensland and NSW, all we heard about was those two States and the need for assistance to farmers there. What about SA? I think it was a real eye opener for J & D, having not traveled in S.A. John said "I am pleased to be seeing just what it is like, but I certainly have no wish to come back again". Even with rain, this country is not high producing. We have talked a lot about the Goyder Line in S.A.
Before we left the lookout at Kroehns Landing, I was brave enough to suggest we cross the river on the ferry at Swan Reach, travel to Sedan, then another small road to the Sturt Highway, which would take us to Truro and from there we could take a minor road to Eudunda. We had been through Eudunda in 2014, when we went from Renmark to Morgan, and it was an interesting little town. Well.....the driver of the Toyota was not happy and the passenger was not happy either. The trip was going to be boring and depressing. From Morgan it was nearly 100 kilometres to Burra and I had a feeling the scenery on that journey wouldn't be very exciting! I'm sure J & D were happy to be able to have their discussion about it all in the privacy of their own van!
Enough said! There is no way I am about to record the words that were said over the next fifteen minutes to Swan Reach. We did end up going the way I had suggested and I do have to admit, I was a little relieved when the Halfway House Road did get us to the Sturt Highway! We had a nice scenic drive once we got to Truro. Lots of the crop has been cut for hay and is still laying in the paddocks. We were at a loss to work out why it hadn't been baled, although there was quite a stench in one area, which Peter thought was probably wet hay. We were surprised that a lot of canola had been cut and it appeared as though it was going to be put in a bale.
We had lunch at Eudunda, followed by a short walk down the street to check out Thiele Park. The author Colin Thiele was born in Eudunda and there is a statue of him with 'Percival the Pelican', in the park. His novel Storm Boy was first adapted for film in 1976 and the web informs me a fifth adaption is to be shown in cinemas early in 2019.
Colin started his writing career in 1940 and did write a successful Burke & Wills verse play in 1949. He has written or edited 101 books. Storm Boy written in 1963 is his most famous book. In 1974 Uncle Gustav's Ghosts was published and the novel provided the scenes and characters for an ABC series 'Sun on the Stubble' in 1996. A fibre glass statue of himself was unveiled by Colin in November 1995. The community raised over $50,000 to have the current statue cast in bronze in 2004. The following words were on a display panel in the park and they had been taken from Colin's eulogy; 'He walked tall down the road of recollection among the people and the land he loved and portrayed so well'.
The earliest settlers to Eudunda were Lutheran Germans immigrating to S.A., due partly to religious persecution in their homeland and in later years severe drought. When Eudunda celebrated 125 years of white settlement in 1995, a couple of local artists formulated the idea of figurines to depict characters of early pioneer days in Eudunda. Gustav was the first to appear with his dog. They then went on to do workshops with the community and schools. Gustav and his Dog has now been adopted by the Heritage Committee as a logo for the town. It depicts early pioneers and a working dog.
The History of Transport over 100 years in Eudunda was undertaken in 2001. The history is depicted on tiles and was a project to celebrate the Centenary of Federation. Stories and pictures were hand painted onto stoneware tiles, by adults and children from the Eudunda community. The tiles have been placed in various parts of Thiele Park. A lot are on the walls of a gazebo, whilst others have been built into brick walls. It certainly looked like it was a project for all the community to be involved in and one they must be very proud of.
Onwards then to Marrabel where I took some more photos of Curio the famous 'Bucking Bronco'. Well famous in that area and to those that enjoy rodeos. Curio's successful rider was Alan Woods. Curio was consigned to Marrabel in 1945. Her unique bucking action unseated most riders within 3 seconds. 'Curio' remained un-ridden for 8 years. The 'Marrabel Rodeo Club' made her a feature horse in 1947 and each year invited one of Australia's top rough riders to attempt the ten second ride. In 1953 Alan Woods successfully rode Curio. Then it was across to Auburn and north on the Horrocks Highway to Clare.
We had decided that Clare would be far enough today and we would decide about tomorrow later! We could go from Clare to Burra. I had rung the Discovery Park at Clare and we got the last two caravan sites. So that was handy! But there is more to this day. When we came to park the van someone was on the site allocated to us! I rang the office. Two couples had come to Clare for a four day break and one had parked on the wrong side of his mate. Can you believe reception didn't see it as a simple decision for us to park on their bay for tonight and then in the morning they could move to where they should have been! No they were rung and they had to pack up and move while we sat there and waited! Oh dear! Dorothy put the kettle on and we had a cuppa.
Over the cuppa, there was reference to the days travel. Comments made of course with care, and with a slight smile of the lips! I am pretty sure that three of us were happy with how the day turned out and after today (19th) I feel sure that Peter John is happy too. He found himself a mate in Burra to chat with for nearly half an hour. Now he knows all about the season in S.A. And I have suggested......'he might like to do the next blog'!
Jenny
2018-10-19
Ho hum days can leave you drained but you get more as you're getting closer to home and the travelling draws to a close. Ok, heres something to do on the way axross the Nullarbor. Find out who named it, when and where the name(s) are mentioned. That should keep you busy with a geocache of two to find and there's an aboriginal painting on a tree for you to find at Baxters Rest near Caiguna.
Wendy
2018-10-20
Is that what those days are called! glad all turned out okay eventually as driver needs to be a Happy Chappy Look forward to reading next blog! Safe travels
Donelle
2018-10-20
A rare comment from me......just thought I had to write something before you get home. Amazing how SA gets some raves from travellers then for others it is as you said...ho hum!. Enjoy these final weeks.
pamandpete
2018-10-20
Good Morning Donelle, Wendy and Jenny as we prepare to leave Port Augusta to travel to Streaky Bay. Staying there for two nights. You are right about SA Donelle. There are so many contrasts in the State and you do need to travel some of the minor roads and in this particular year, the barren country, to fully appreciate the State of South Australia we do believe. Peter is a 'Happy Chappy' again Wen and I intend to get his contribution to a blog during our travels today. And I think I do know the answer to your questions Jenny, but I will extend the challenge to our travelling companions. Need to check out Baxters Rest though, and you will be pleased to read that we found our first geocache yesterday at the Arid Gardens. It was a micro too! And Pete found it! See you all soon. xxx
Heather
2018-10-21
In my telephone link ups it became apparent to me that maybe there were only two States in Australia!! But i worked out that SA was not travelling well and was in drought. Eudunda brings back memories as that is where Lorraine was born and raised. Both her parents now passed on and no family left there. I have had several visits there in years gone by.