Fowlers Bay was a nice night as the wind dropped and we woke to a still and calm day. This was not the forecast for later on though. We packed up leisurely as we wanted to arrive at the quarantine station after lunch so we could eat any nasties we were carrying across the border. We drove out to the highway and then back out to the coast about 35Km down the road to Point Sinclair or Port Le Hunte as it is also known as.

The road was a bit corrugated in places and we had to take it easy at times. There was a causeway across a water area with perfect reflections from the sand dunes on one side and rippled water on the other. As we drove a flock of small birds lifted off the water and flew beside the car matching our 45Kmh speed for ages until Sharon got the camera out and opened the window. We later discovered this was part of the Cheetham Salt Mine.

Causeway and perfect reflections on the right

We arrived at Cactus Beach that has a famous surf break known the world over. It actually has 3 or 4 breaks in different directions and parts of the bay. The land here drops off into the ocean at a constant decline making the perfect bottom to produce perfect waves. The spray from the sea was almost like a fog hanging in the air all along this stretch of beach. The waves were pounding in in sets but we did not see anybody for ages until we spotted a couple of surfers over on the other side of the bay from us. We walked around and just enjoyed the sun and calm conditions.

Cactus Beach ‘chilaxing’

Other side of the bay

A short drive from Cactus Beach was Point Sinclair or Port Le Hunte depending on your ‘local’ status. There is a camping area here for $6 a night but it has limited facilities and no shade what so ever but may have been an option if the forecast was better. Just over the hill from the campsite was a lovely beach and jetty surrounded by rocky headlands that we fell in love with. Toilets and a large picnic shelter finished it off perfectly. This would be a great spot to ‘chilax’ for a day or two. The place has a tragic tale to tell though, in 1975 Wade Shipard an 11 year old was swimming out to an incoming cray boat as he always did when he was taken by a white pointer shark. They have installed a large netted swimming area around the jetty now.

Jetty looking back to the shelter

Jetty and part of the shark net visible on left

Wreck of the Cecelia in the bay (1946)

Not much else to tell about today really other than we drove through Penong and a few other small towns. At Ceduna we fueled up and left as quick as we could before being blown off the planet. Being next to the coast tonight would be a recipe for damaged canvas! We got as far as Minnipa and their free roadside stop about 350Km away from Port Augusta. The people we camped next to last night headed to Streaky bay today and they have booked cabins, when the locals head for shelter so should you!

We were blessed for lunch today, Lutheran church just out of Ceduna (hiding from the wind and the toilets were lovely and clean)

Windmills at Penong

Stumpy tail lizards are on the roads everywhere plus snakes

As I write this blog the wind squalls are intensifying but hopefully our chosen spot behind as many trees and shrubs as we could find will offer some shelter from the full brunt of the weather tonight. There are damaging wind warnings for later tonight so it may be a sleepless night. Tomorrow is expected to be Ok, Friday another front as intense as this one will cross.

PS: Sharon has had enough of the flies and bought one of those fly nets that goes over your head and looks stupid. Can’t wait to blog a photo of that…..