Tuesday

The day started with a walk 'round the block' before breakfast andwe were joined by Wendy and Paul and a couple of their neighbours Des and Cindy.  Even at 8.00 in the morning it was quite warml,  especially after walking up a fairly long steep hill at the start.  We covered about 3 kms in about 40 minutes and were ready for our cooked breakfast on the veranda after that!  This shaded area was ideal for watching the birds coming to feed - Shrike-Thrush, Adelaide Rosellas, Lorrikeets, pink and grey Gallahs and numerous Red-browed Finches.  The red pelargonium bushes were full of New Holland Humming birds too.

 Kookaburra hiding behind the irises

 The veranda

Across the Hindmarsh river towards the Inman Valley

After a long, leisurely breakfast we visited Goolwa at the Mouth of the River Murray - a favourite destination for us.  After a brief stop at the beach to watch the local school's PE lesson (surfing) we went on to the Barrage - a huge barrier which separates the fresh water from the river and lake Alexandrina from the salty sea water of the Coorong.  Seals bask on the lock gates and the whole area is full of Pelicans, Cormorants, Black Swans, Herons, Ibis and Welcome Swallows.

We then drove over the impressive bridge to Hindmarsh Island where we could view the mouth of the river and sea through to the Great Southern Ocean.  All you could hear were the sounds of sea birds and the crashing waves beyond the sand dunes.

 yes, there is a seal there ........ right in the middle of the picture!

 The Coorong National Park

It is busy today - 4 other people on the beach - 'fraid you need binoculars to see the actual mouth but it is there.

Finally, after a lunch of Lamb Burgers on Sourdough Bread with mint and mango relish, salad and chips at the Whistle Stop (old Station Waiting Room) we headed for Port Elliott on Horseshoe Bay via the surfing beach of Middleton.

This monument marks the spot of several shipwrecks.