Day 60 Wilmington to Adelaide

I went for a walk in the bush area which is part of the Caravan Park and met a lady who was also at the Alice Springs CP. Their campervan had come into the park on a transporter but her husband managed to fix the problem and they are on their way back home to Victoria.

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It was only 6 deg. when we left Wilmington and 23 kms on we came to the tiny town of Willowie. I’m sure one of the residents works on a farm because he came home in his ute while we were there, I didn’t see anything in the town that would employ people.

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Before driving through Orroroo we stopped at the Big Gum Tree, it really is massive.

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Jamestown is the birthplace of R M Williams and there is recognition of that in a small display hut.

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At Jamestown we not only got a nice hot drink but also entertainment from some locals. I think a coffee at the IGA/Cafe is probably a Sunday morning ritual. There were two men sitting at tables outside when we arrived, they greeted us then continued their conversation.

Alex was in the shop when a third man arrived. He shuffled along in his baggy tracksuit and thongs and was greeted by the first two. After some minutes the chat went something like this:

Someone busted me fence. Know anyone who will fix it?

What about Joe Blow?

Can’t do it, he’s too busy.

Joe Blogs could do it after October.

No, he’ll be organizing his party then.

Fred Nerk?

Not having him! Coward punched me at the pub!

When?

After Christmas. Them shearers were in, had an Esky full o’ beers an’ they were drinkin’ them, not buying from the pub. Sneaky bastards. I didn’t do anythin’. ‘e came at me from behind, got me like one o’ them sheep down on the floor. Punched me. Had ‘is arm across me neck then I seen his thumb an’ I chomped it hard. You could hear the crunch!

That wouldn’t tickle!

Another person arrived and greeted the men with, “G’day Mad Arabs!” but we had to move on.

Apart from the brilliant yellow Canola which is flowering at the moment and the lush green crops, chimneys catch my eye. They are the strongest parts of old stone houses so when walls fall down and only ruins are left the chimney is often the one part left standing. They’re like beacons pointing out where pioneers struggled to make a living.

The Morgan to Whyalla pipeline also snakes along beside the road in parts. It seems that where the original pipeline has deteriorated a new section has been built beside it.

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As we approached Saddleworth we could see cars lining the road and lots of people, it was Market Day. We didn’t stop but now know it’s held on the first Sunday of each month and is the biggest country market in South Australia with about 150 stalls.

We stopped at the Tarlee Bakery about midday but there was no bread left so we decided there’d be no more stops until we got home. The rush of traffic when we were on the Northern Expressway made me wish we were back out in the country but home is quiet, we have space, space, space and there were dozens of tasty Sugar Snap Peas just waiting for me to eat them.

Now, where is the remote for the Camper Mover????

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