Off to See the Wizard - Part 2

SPRING CREEK REST AREA TO PETERBOROUGH

At the rest area where we camped we woke to a room with a view.  Life sure is tough.

It was a beautiful blue morning, but as we drove along we noticed fog in the distance.  Not what we expected.

We drove through it for a little while and we noticed it to be brighter to our right.  When we took more notice, we saw a fogbow.  I’ve heard of them, but never seen one.  It was rather beautiful.

Once we were out of the fog the landscape was full of colour.  You hear that it is boring driving out this way.  Why would you go there? There’s nothing to see.  Well, all the different vegetation was plenty to see.  The small heathlike tufty plants had such a variety of colours, from dark to light green, cerise, sage, silver grey, wheat, purple, white flowers, yellow flowers, all on a background of rich ochre and paler ochre soil.  I could just imagine a quilt in those colours made from clamshells.  We’ll see if it eventuates……it probably won’t.

We called in at one rest area and I saw some of the pretty purple tinged plants close by, so went to have a better look.  It turns out that the purple isn’t a flower, but the foliage…….and look at those needle like thorns.  I imagine most of the plants I have been admiring from afar also are rather spiky.

You know you are getting close tho Broken Hill when you see the mine workings on the skyline.

We called into a cafe to have some morning tea.  As I was about to order I heard “Hello Janice.  What are you doing here?”  I could have asked the same, as it was a lady from home who I have known for about thirty years through my work.  It turns out they are doing pretty much the same trip as us, but will be a bit ahead of us, so we probably won’t run into them again.  Like I said before, you can’t hide, can you.

Shortly after we left Broken Hill, as we drove through a cutting, I noticed a Sturts desert pea growing on the cutting, then another on the cutting on the other side of the road.  They stood out, being so bright red and shiny.  I haven’t seen any more as yet.  I hope we do.

Another first for the trip was Mick seeing some emus.

It is always an event to cross into another state and we had to get a photo of the van under the South Australian border sign.

As there aren’t a lot of trees out this way, birds have to make the best of what is on offer for nesting.  The power pole was ideal.

We had lunch at the little locality of Mannahill.  The old railway station is rather picturesque.

We were caught unawares as we entered the state, as they have strict quarantine laws in relation to bio security.  There is an inspection station and they search your vehicle and caravan.  We lost most of our fruit and veg.  The only things they don’t take are root vegetables, as long as they are clean - potatoes, carrots, mushrooms.  Oh, well.  You live and learn.  We have since been given a brochure outlining the requirements of each state, so hopefully won’t be caught out again.

Our destination for the day was the historic railway town of Peterborough. It has been five years since we were last there,  After setting up in the free RV Park run by the Rotary Club we had a wander around town.

There are some lovely old historic buildings.  

South Australia does have some stunning stone buildings, as a result of lots of stone to hand, and very few trees.

We were a little surprised to see that many buildings were empty and those that still were trading businesses, were, on the whole really run down.  Most looked like their windows needed a good clean and had lots of spiders webs and dust.  It kind of looked like the town has given up.

We did notice one little business we hadn’t seen before.  It was a new cafe and motorcycle display.  

I was surprised to see an Isle of Man TT marshals vest on display.

We had a coffee there and were given the tour of his official display, as well as his sheds out the back. I hope they do well.

I noticed something interesting in the window of a shop, but the sign said it didn’t open until Tuesday.  I would wait until the following morning (Monday) and see if I could get them to open up.  I know, I’m hopeless.

Once we returned to the caravan, I read my emails and discovered that there was a Chookshed Stitchers zoom session under way, so quickly logged on and joined in the fun. It was nice to catch up with the girls and start some of the stitchery on my Blue Quilt.  

Now, The Highlight of the Day for us was the Ironhorse Cafe and Motorcycle Display.