On the move again.

The tour to the Aboriginal wall carvings was interesting but it was sad to see some modern additions in the form of copy graffiti.  The main feature, though, was the plague of flies which followed us, 4 tourists and a guide, and I fortunately had taken my fly head net which was a boon.  I included a photo of it in my last post.  One thing I will remember South Australia for - the flies.
Having survived that mini walk I decided that I had to attempt to see more of this fascinating area.  So, yesterday morning I started a 6.6Kms walk to the site of an old homestead.  That went well so I continued to climb to the Wangarra lookouts up the hill above the homestead.  I reached the lower lookout, knee felt OK so I thought, s*d it, I will carry on to the top.  So another 2Kms added and no ill effects to mention.

Following an early lunch I went for a circular ride first to Blinman, the highest town in SA.  I then rode a 32Kms gravel road to Parachilna, the location of a famous hostelry, the Prairie Hotel, whose claim to fame is that “you have seen the kangaroos, emus and camels, now come to the Prairie Hotel and eat them”. 

I then headed south on a sealed road before riding another gravel road of 29Kms, this time it was less sphincter tightening as it was less travelled by large lorries which tend to leave large rocks and other debris to upset aged Motorcyclists.  It was on this second road that I saw my second emu, this time at very close quarters - it ran out in front of me and almost became road kill, although judging by the size of it I may have been the victim.

After an uncomfortable night of high winds which saw me wearing my head torch in the middle of the night to peg out the guys I rode south to the Eyre Peninsula.  It was a tiring ride of 498Kms because of very strong side winds blowing off the southern ocean which added a chill to the air so I decided to indulge in a motel room for the night.  Seemed a good idea after 8 nights under canvas.  I must be getting old!  Fuel consumption increased today, probably because of increased travel speed 

and high winds (down to 23Kms per litre compared to 25 at dawdling speeds.  

I will head up the western side of the Eyre Peninsula tomorrow where there are some more interesting places to investigate before I tackle the daunting crossing of the Nullarbor Desert.

TTFN.