Arno Bay Week 49

                Arno Bay Eyre Peninsula

                                       Week 49

We have had a casual week. Three days has turned into a week. Brian likes it  here because we have grass again. It is almost like we have been starved of grass for so long the prospect of moving to sand and dust again is not attractive to him.

In the windows of opportunity Brian has thrown a line in and tried to entice some fish or squid, but the weather is very ‘Melbournish’ - fine now and rainy and windy and cold in an hour then fine again in a few hours. Brian has broken the record for the number of times the awning has been taken out and replaced.

We have managed a few games of golf ($5- grass fairways- yippee) at nearby Cleve, some essential exercise for our ever expanding waistlines. Travelling north to Cowell we explore the town and enjoy a huge $10 lunch that is so huge we don’t need to eat again that day. We have become excuse people for more programmed exercise - it’s too cold, there’s too much seaweed on the beach, it’s too hot. The list goes on. Gail W will be pleased to know that after seven is get up time in SA and one day we awoke at nearly half past eight - unheard of. After all those 4:30 mornings in WA it is a big change - what daylight saving does for you.

The hint of fish lingers on the air, even when the fish cleaners have long left the cleaning station, but of course the faint hint is actually the seaweed. You do get to tune it out after a few days- a bit like living in Gordonvale in the mill season. That sugar sweet aroma is all pervasive for a week or so and then by the end of the season everyone says, “What smell?”

For the first few days, the fishing charter Fuzzwells was doing well. The fish cleaning station was abuzz with eager fishermen and prospective weather, but by the latter days of our stay here, there was sight nor sign of intrepid adventurers. Brian declined to go, saying you had to catch an awful lot of fish to justify the $180 pp pricetag - was deaf to the idea that is was the experience, so of course another chance to catch the big ones has got away. The locals were all complaining no fish are at the jetty or the river mouth anymore because of the fish feeding cages where the wild fish get an easy feed from the drop through.

Brian’s one complaint that the “pussy” on a lead bit him, how unfriendly is that. That’s what you get for being too friendly with someone else’s pet - be warned all you men out there.

Our park is friendly and hosts “events” like the $2 sausage (and fish) sizzle that allows guests to mingle and chat. We spoke with some would be 10 pound Poms who were rejected years ago, but have now come to holiday here thirty years on, buying a car and a caravan for their trip. Sunday finds us hoeing into pancakes and syrup, my favourite way to start the day. Now you know why the waistlines are expanding.

One of the parks drivers was very unusual. A Swedish Collie with special skills. His owners work at the embassy in Canberra, posted for three or four years. They had to buy a van so the dog could sleep inside and not been relegated to outdoors when they stayed at units. He gets a chance to drive, but hasn’t earned his full lisence yet.

Lifting our February spirits, we found out this week we are going to be grandparents again.  Adele will be having a baby in August and we have the first baby photo already. Looks like it is going to be another year to remember. We are thrilled and proud “Grandies” once again, or soon will be.

We are off to Whyalla tomorrow to get our warranty tyre fitted. Beaurepaires came through at last, even though we have moved states. We were going to the Flinders Ranges next but all the water from the north has closed the roads in the park so we will go to plan B instead and head for Adelaide and then hopefully Kangaroo Island if the weather permits.

Have a good week. I for one and ready to move, no matter what weather presents. Onward ho the Nomads.