OA walk - FS TWD

Well, in the last official week of Spring it finally made 30° two days running. After my rather long walks around Goolwa, today it was time to sit and admire the view, enjoy brunch at Marino and take a short stroll to loosen those aching muscles Foiled again... and I've been shivering in bed with a stinking cough and cold for the last 3 days!

Well, the sun finally put in an appearance so we made an early start and headed down the Fleurieu Peninsula to Goolwa for siteseeing, walks and coffee. 4 different walks and 250% of my recently increased daily steps. (Perhaps not what the doctor ordered after my heavy session in the gym yesterday..... my poor knees and quads!) First stop was the Nangawooka Flora Reserve just outside Victor Harbor. Lots of well labelled native shrubs, winding walkways and birds. Next, on to Bombora on the River for #coffeeoclock and brunch before popping down to the barrage. The gates are open and water levels rising fast. Still plenty of seals and pelicans providing the entertainment Then drove across the bridge to Hindmarsh Island and off to the viewpoint for the Murray Mouth. No dredgers needed at the moment and the Coorong in full flow. Finally, a trip to Port Elliott, Horseshoe Bay,  Freeman's Knob and the Frenchman's rocks coastal path. Those steps at the end were punishing! 

Not a great start to the week   Yesterday I attempted a short walk at Byards but the blue skies soon disappeared and the rain lashed down. Had to cut it short and come home to get warm dry clothes on again Another grim, grey day but at least the rain's stopped for a while and the power outages missed us. 'Feels like' 8.7°' ..... will soon be summer but we don't seem to have had much spring yet. Clive's got a hacking cough and runny nose but tested negative for Covid! At least that bowl of porridge with rhubarb and ginger warmed me up  

Christmas Sip and Paint I was a little bit naughty on Friday night and used up my indulgences for this week. Karen and I spent an enjoyable evening painting gin bottles which were then filled with spiced fig gin. The painting evening was held at my favourite distillery, Ginny Pig, at the McLaren Vale Visitor Centre.  A large G&T and a cocktail helped the creative juices flow and we also nibbled a tasty charcuterie and cheese platter.  There were 3 main designs to copy but many chose to 'go rogue' including Karen with her gorgeous harlequin patchwork design. I stuck with holly and mistletoe on a graduated pink and lavender background.

Saturday afternoon saw the scariest storm ever... a tornado that caused flooding, trees uprooted or huge branches felled, power lines down and thousands of homes, particularly in the Southern suburbs left for days without power. We escaped for a few hours to do a concert with Adelaide Allsorts in Victor Harbor and then spent the evening at the Warradale Hotel having a warm meal and watching the cricket final Looks like we might get power back on Wednesday but will have to discard all the newly bought food from our fridge and freezer

The emergency services are doing a fantastic job and our power was restored at 6.00pm on Monday... 24 hours earlier than expected. Coromandel and Eden Hills could be another 3 days yet the damage is so severe. So glad to get a cup of tea, hot shower and a fully charged phone. It's amazing how we take these basic things for granted. Around Blackwood Bit of a problem with Woolworth's roof Lighting strikes over Port Noarlunga 

At the risk of sounding like Scrooge, why in heaven's name do they have the Christmas Pageant in early November. Bah humbug. The rain, thunder and lightning held off for most of the morning but as for the rest of the day..... (see next post)