Mt Gambier

Crossed the border into SA this morning – didn’t ‘see’ it anywhere! Also NO quarantine after all the drama of getting rid of fruit and veg, bins on side of road, people walking the camp trying to give their stuff away. What a joke. Then – I guess the day we don’t do it they will open the check point. I am told they are much stricter on the border further north.

 Checked the show grounds and decided I didn’t want to stop there so went to Top tourist park. Ensuite site for 3nights - $31pn! Feel like some luxury for a change! My own loo, shower, handbasin and a mirror! Dry floor to get out of the shower on to and room to get dressed! Simple things.

Went to the Blue lake – stunning. Cute ‘rook’ built by the locals as a look-out.

Drove to Port MacDonnell, had a lovely prawn & avocado salad for late lunch,  Resisted the temptaion to have half a crayfish at $50 - or a whole one for $90 - ouch.
Feels/looks like it should rain tonight! Good tv reception – and  internet for a change.

Checked places to go next for ages – and still don’t know!   Drove to Nelson – mmm – big river mouth. Tried to find Margaret Caves but no sign at Donovan so took wrong turn and ended up back in  Mt Gambier. Tourism lacking here as well. If you send people off in one direction then how hard is it to put another sign up where the road forks in a village!
 Decided to get the right lens for the camera – big difference in photo width!

 GN who lives here came for a chat .Fun lady.  Invited me for dinner. Fabulous big  home she is trying to sell so she can get on the road. Would be perfect for homestays. Lovely chatty evening.

IT IS RAINING - well a few spits, and a cloudy cool day. Tried the new lens - can get the same scene into 2 photos where it took 4 with the other lens.
Went to Umpherston Sink hole - wow. The most sensible thing I have ever seen ivy used for - wonderful curtain effect!  Fancy having the imagination to put a garden in a tomo.

There is a very  large derelict building complex
on the hill over looking the city - shades of the hospital in Raetihi - prime location and they build a hospital then when it is no longer being used there is 'discussion' about who is responsible for removing it (and its asbestos). Maybe the same thing here.
First place I have seen many logging trucks although they are loaded with stuff that would make fence posts - and not even the strainers!