Time to catch up! It seems ages ago that I wrote a blog, the trip around the Eyre Peninsula at the end of October, early November, 2020 was the last entry in Blogspot. After that we experienced a brief lockdown in South Australia, when we found the other states closed their borders on us, rather than the other way around.
At the moment we are not sure about leaving South Australia as any Covid-19 outbreaks bring border closures, and the worry about getting stuck in another state, or having to drive an extra couple of thousand kilometres to get back into South Australia, does put one off a bit. It all happens so quickly, but we can be thankful that Australia has very few outbreaks, and the state governments are onto them very quickly.
We feel very isolated from the rest of the world, but at least we can shop, go on holidays locally, walk, cycle, visit museums and parks, and most importantly socialise with other people. We have our check in 'Qcode' system, masks if needed, social distancing, hand washing and measures in place just in case of an outbreak. Covid-19 is a very catchy virus.
However our hearts go out to people living in the countries which are heavily infected by the virus, and we watch with great concern at the large number of infections, hospitalisations and deaths. And the limitations being placed upon people living in these countries. Luckily everyone we know in the United Kingdom and Europe have gardens, and open spaces around them, although it is too cold to sit outside but at least the view is not just of buildings. And being able to walk around must be a blessing. However it is still very difficult, and our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the lockdowns.
I am reminded of how lucky I am, when I receive an update from the NAHT (National Association of Headteachers} in the United Kingdom. There have been plenty of emails since March, but the most recent one has been very disturbing to read. It mostly responded to concerns put forward by headteachers and covered many issues arising from a government that has not put any forward planning into schools, and where there is mostly chaotic decision making and U-turns. I am so thankful not to be a headteacher, teacher or support staff in the United Kingdom during these very difficult times.
I must not digress, and will continue on a more positive note. I so appreciate the area we live in, the freedom, and of course the sunshine.
Piper is great company and we enjoy having her around, and get so much pleasure from her. Except for the unexpected occasions when she behaves badly. Well I guess she is a dog.
Piper lives for the ball, and for someone to throw it to her. We keep them hidden most of the time, as she will sit by the ball, and look worried that no one is throwing it to her.
So what did Piper do? She chased the mother or father hooded plover as it flew above the sand, distracting Piper away from the baby standing on the beach.
On some mornings there are horses, plus a car park full of horse floats. They have such a good time, rolling in the sand and swimming in the sea. On one occasion there must have been fifty of them on the beach. Piper shows absolutely no interest in them, but I keep her well away from the horse area
The swimming pool has been such a blessing on the hot days, not that we have had an over abundance of them this summer.
The new bird bath, a birthday present from the family. A family of magpies who meet up in the tree above love to drink and bathe in the water. Interestingly Piper does not chase the magpies, and regards them as part of the family, However that might be due to the magpies swooping on Piper a couple of years ago during the breeding season. Magpies can be scary.birds.
The staghorn fern, growing very large. One of the neighbours gave it to me, as it had outgrown the container. I divided it into three plants, gave one to Andreena and put the other one on a wall by the clothesline. I believe they are very expensive plants.
A small collection of plants. The other staghorn is above the plants.
The garden has started to take shape, and I so appreciate the dripper system that Darren installed eighteen months ago. It is taking ages to acquire pots and plants to cover some of the paving that makes up a large portion of the back area.
Where once there were three large hedges, which were rapidly dying, a huge fountain, plus stones and paving, we now have a small display plus cool green grass. I think the neighbours appreciate the new landscaping too.
Walter taking a breather on the bridge over a dry creek bed which leads to the First Creek Wetland. A very lush area.
The Palm House was built in 1877, and one of the last of its kind in the world.
Another stop for a breather on the steps of the Palm House.
We also visited the Santos Museum of Economic Botany, no photos unfortunately. It housed an amazing botanical collection. People painstakingly categorized and labelled plants and fruits collected from around the world. It was fascinating to see the category of various common fruits and vegetables, for example peaches, nectarines, apricots belong to the rose family.
Just to fill people in about hooded plovers. They are small shorebirds with distinctive red beaks, red-ringed eyes and striking black hoods and throats. They are endangered, with only about 700 left in South Australia. As they nest in the sand on the edge of the beach they are exposed to people and dogs. But their worst predators are wild cats, foxes and hawks Sadly most of the baby birds do not survive.
There are signs to inform people that there are birds nesting on the beach, and it is imperative to put dogs onto a leash when walking past. I was some distance away from the nesting area, but eagle eyed Piper spotted the birds and made a dash for them.
It has been posted on the local forum that this particular baby bird has survived and is now ready to fly. Also the parents are both still alive too. That was good news.
However i have not been back to Port Willunga beach. I think I will wait until winter when there will be no risk of encountering hooded plovers, or aggressive people.
Instead we have moved further south, to a beach called Silver Sands. No cars are allowed on the part of the beach I take Piper to, as it is fenced off on either side. The Surf Life Saving Club rooms are here, plus a lovely picnic area. There is plenty of beach, and most importantly the water is shallow, which makes it easy to throw balls or frisbees to the dogs. There are no birds, and the road is some distance away. I wish I had been coming here for the past couple of years.
Piper, with her two friends, Charlie and Poppy, happily chasing the frisbies in the water.
Poppy and Piper waiting for someone to walk past the house, so they can have a little bark, and tail wag. A person this morning threw air kisses to Piper, which made her tail wag even more.
Walter relaxing in the shade under the gazebo.
Our two granddaughters, Jay and Isabel, graduated from Tatachilla Lutheran College. The ceremony was delayed by two weeks due to the Covid-19 lockdown. It is hard to believe that six of our grandchildren have moved onto university and work.
A gingerbread house making session. Lucy, Jay and Isabel spend an afternoon making their houses, using a variety of very sweet stuff. Creative for sure. I am not sure any of them were eaten.
Christmas lights time. The house across the road had a very bright display. The lights on the roof were powered by electricity but the rest were powered by solar energy. The advantage of living in Australia is that outside Christmas lights can be solar powered, which means one can go really overboard, which we did and also our neighbours. It was sad to take them down after New Year.
The best display in Aldinga Beach was the huge house on Aldinga Beach Road, which had lights and displays everywhere. They were also powered by electricity, must have cost a lot of money. It was a friendly gesture to make, and much appreciated by the people living down this way.
Christmas Day was celebrated at our house. An array of Secret Santa presents waiting to be opened by us.
Walter about to open his present with Steve and Piper looking on.
The grandchildren, who all earn money from part time jobs, spent quite a bit of it on new pool toys. The slide was especially popular.
And our grandson, Scott, moved into his new house in November. A great achievement for him.
After being back in Australia for two and a half years we finally visited the Botanic Gardens. It was a chilly day, but perfect for walking around admiring the large collection of plants. The gardens, excluding the very large wooded Botanic Park next to it, have an amazing collection of plants in a relatively small area compared to gardens that we have visited in the UK and Europe.
I remember when the Bicentennial Conservatory was built in 1989, and achieved fame as the largest single span glasshouse in the Southern Hemisphere. When we visited it in 1989 there was no rose garden in front of it. Just bare grass or possibly gravel. The International Rose Garden is also very impressive.
Instead of celebrating a family day outing at the beach on Australia Day, we decided to hold it on the Saturday beforehand. And it turned out to be a perfect day weatherwise, with clear skies and temperatures in the mid 30s, and a cooling breeze coming from the south west/south east. On Sunday the wind was north easterly (blowing in from the desert) and extremely hot. And on Australia Day it started off cold and overcast, although it became sunny and warm later on.
Piper running after a ball, her favourite occupation.
The Saturday also coincided with the bike races, the alternative to the Santos Tour Down Under, an international event which could not be held due to Covid-19 restrictions. However there was a large turn out of Australian cyclists, and it was still a very impressive event. The women's race came past us at 10.30 (one lap) and the men's came past twice in the afternoon.
Some of the family waiting for the start of the women's race.
Our collection of four vehicles and two gazebos. The photograph was taken early in the morning before the crowds arrived, and filled up the beach.
It was lovely to be there without the hype of Australia Day, and we generally relaxed, swam, played a few beach games, talked, and ate plenty of delicious food. John cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast, and chicken, sausages and chops for lunch, all cooked on two barbeques. I especially love John's marinated lamb chops. There were also healthy salads, plus fruit and lamingtons. We reluctantly packed up at 4.45 pm, having been there since 7.30 in the morning. A great family day.
And to finish, a photograph of Aldinga Beach, on another perfect day. I so love the blue skies here. And the sandy beaches which seem to go on forever.
