Day 57:

Streaky Bay was left behind sadly but headed to the bottom end of Eyre Peninsula. We drove approx. 270 kms to Coffin Bay without a break because we had read that the seafood place in Port Lincoln (50 kms east of Coffin Bay closed at 2 pm). Our arrival time in Coffin was about 12:15 so we did the 4 Ps (park, power, pee and petrol), stuff goes out and stuff goes in. We cut it fairly finely going into the Bay with only 50 kms left in the tank as we had a fairly bad head wind on the way down and it chewed thru the fuel as usual. Our campsite is okay, although, we are the only site without matting which is annoying, why us we wonder, we are nice people most of the time.

Anyway, arrived in Port Lincoln, seafood place was packed, only seated about 30 and there were 28 in there. So, we ordered, so many choices but we decided on Queen Snapper with a side of scallops and chips also a serve of King George Whiting. Waited and watched the kitchen staff who were 1 metre in front of us, unfortunately we were behind a tour group so we had to wait for their orders to be done. Eventually they were fed and our chips went into a cardboard tray for us and they sat and they sat and they sat whilst they then cooked the fish (pan fried not battered). Hmmm I thought goody cold chips. Our order arrived, yep cold chips and our order of scallops for $5.50 consisted of 2 crumbed scallops the size of 20cent piece, nah more a 10 cent. Expensive lunch for what it was, the fish was okay but very little of it. The rest of the shop sold fresh and frozen fish and smoked and pickled products of which I wanted many things till I saw the prices. All fish was at least $45 a kilo and absolutely no tuna. This is one of the fishing capitals of Australia. The fish is caught just off the shore and grown in the huge holding pens in the bay that you can plainly see. The lobster I wanted was $245 and for some reason the old boy declined my plea. So we left in a huff and went to another wholesaler where we purchased ½ kilo of golden jacket fish, some smoked salmon - for my scrambled eggs - a bag of mussels and some marinated calamari for the grand sum of $24. Drove down to the Marina and the many millions of dollars on huge fishing trawlers and mansion in this area and Port Lincoln is not necessarily a town I would visit again if asked but there is big money in the right areas.

On our way back to Coffin Bay as we entered the outskirts of housing and our caravan park there were about 8 emus just browsing on the side of the road just below our caravan park sign. We have seen lots here for some reason. Spent the afternoon trying to buy Coffin bay oysters, finally tracked some down at local supermarket. Fresh as anything and enjoyed with finely grated ginger. My chef crumbed the fish for dinner and it was so superior to what we had paid at lunch.

Day 58:

It was beautiful blue skies yesterday and we did not take advantage of it and take pics and now today is bleak again and threatening rain. The Oyster tour we would have liked to do only operates Mon - Fri which was disappointing. Lazy morning and then by 10 decided to head off to the National Park. After more emu sightings around the town we found the turnoff and headed about 5 kms in till we got to the 'you need to pay park fees notice' where but back next door to our caravan park. So back we drove and back we drove again and entered the park. Not much to see unless you are an avid 4WDriver…..ahhhh no, we got bogged 7 years ago in this park so did not take the chance again. We then sat in a camp ground with seven hundred zillion flies, many March flies that loved the old boys legs, one of us was fully covered and did not have a problem, ate lunch of cold roast chicken and a cuppa prior to leaving back to the van. Had to wait for some emus making up their mind as to whether to cross the road once we were back in town. Lots of baby ones sighted also, very cute.

Now, doing a major wash cause we are running out of underwear which always makes it a priority. Luckily, he has just returned and has got the washing into dryers so we will have dry clean sheets for tonight. If you are not a camper you just do not realise how important these things are in our day, small things but at least we don't smell at this point.

So for another day. xxxxxx