(Heads up - a long post, so read if you need some sleep).
Before arriving at Sunny Sunday Ceduna (!) we left Port Lincoln. A nice place old PL.
With threatening skies we started to pack up ... well not in this picture because there was a pretty rainbow.
Oscar has other roles apart from just getting us around places and recharging our equipment. Some are not the most flattering.
And off we went! And then we stopped. The campsite security barrier wouldn't let us out. Checkout was apparently at 10am and it was now past 11am (who would have thunk? This is not something we have to deal with in Central Australia) Luckily Al was able to act convincingly thick in the office and they let us out.
Off we went! Then we stopped. Oscars sat nav (Slapper) is decidedly picky and I think her software was last updated when the first ships arrived in Australia. Anything other than the basic towns and she lifts her nose at it. Al can use her phone with either Apple maps or Google maps. Depending on who which character she feels like listening to it has worked quite well. Having said that there is only one road to where we were going so it shouldn't be that complicated. Actually - here is a picture of said road.
We were heading for a bush camp called Coodlie Camp (I think it's called that anyway). On the way we stopped off to have a coffee break ... and wow! Over the ridge was an amazing scene.
I think having lived so far away from water for such a long time it appears even more magical that it really is but who knows? (If you do know who knows don't worry, you don't have to let me know because I don't really need to know).
I also spotted what I'm pretty sure was a Tilted Shore Shank:
However I could be mistaken.
Talking about wildlife I have never seen one of my favorite animals in the wild before now. Wombats are awesome - just ask them. I saw one curled up in a zoo once and that's it. So imagine my surprise when I saw two ... yes TWO today. Now imagine my horror when they were unfortunately dead. Poor buggers, victims of vehicles. It was like some kind of wombat massacre (can the number '2' be linked to the word massacre?) One day I will see a live one and when I do ... well, it better not disappoint. (It won't because, let's face the facts here - it's a wombat).
Where were we? Oh yes, heading to Coodlie.
Then we arrived at Coodlie.
Its a pretty impressive remote place. All built by one bloke. We were the only ones there.
(I managed to bring the rainbow from Port Lincoln so I got that installed in an appropriate position).
Now, I'm not one for digression but I digress here a bit.
The TC Story:
TC is my drone (Named after the helicopter pilot in Magnum Pi, a 1980's tv series). I like to play by the rules here and don't fly near other people, public buildings, etc etc. Having a drone buzzing around can be bloody annoying. This means that yes, I could miss some good opportunities but more importantly I don't want to be one of those irresponsible drone hoons. At Port Lincoln I found a place to launch and as he did an auto take off, about a metre into the air, he suddenly crashed to the ground. This is an expensive piece of equipment. A bit from his leg broke off. His battery came flying out. It was the same afternoon as my dentist appointment. I could go two ways here; A) Freak out and go ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod! B) Go, 'you know what? I cant be bothered to do A. Things happen, its not the end of the world etc'
I went with B. It was only here at Coodlie that I thought I'd see if he worked or not. Despite the high wind warnings he did. So injured TC is still flying high. I just make sure I dont stand under him, that's all.
More of Coodlie Camp:
Even from here we could hear the huge booms of the waves at night. We also had a chance to get the pig out. Here's a picture of Piggy:
and here is Al making 'oinking' noises at him (don't worry, it's probably all that sea air).
Anyway I'm sure she's mentioned all about Piggy.
The next day, yes still haven't finished yet, we went to the nearby Talia Cave (I think it's called that). Look:
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There were some impressive cliffs with a worrying sign:
And a huge beach...
...that Al walked on to meet the local wildlife. (A Sharp Billed Shore Coot I believe)
Whatever their conversation it left Al in deep thought:
There were sponges and shells on the beach:
Oddly there was a fish. Al reckons is was put there by a Phantom Fish Placer or 'PFP' as we like to called them. She could be right, it looks like a placed fish.
I believe this is a Sandy Beach Piranha (speckled variety).
Although I could be mistaken.
That's it. Then we went to Ceduna.
