Autumn 2018

The bakery in Victor Harbour advertises scallop pies, but they’re not ready. It plays on our minds. It is cold and the wind is blowing straight off the ocean. I’m questioning why I’m still wearing shorts. We pat the horses, have a coffee. Almost losing an arm we extricate the van from an overhanging tree by the road and head off to Goolwa.

There used to be nothing between Victor Harbour and Goolwa, now it’s just one long suburb.  It’s hard to find a car park in Goolwa. We go in search of a scallop pie, explore the old river port. Lake Alexandrina is being whipped into a frenzy by the wind so we leave cold and dejected.

We’d like to stay at Currency Creek but it would make tomorrow’s drive too long. Amending our plans we aim for Langhorne Creek, get sentimental about Currency Creek Wines which we visited back in 1980 and do a loop around the middle of nowhere. Unable to park the van without exacerbating our stress levels we do a very quick lap of Strathalbyn then continue to Langhorne Creek free camp which being midday is full. We can still taste the scallop pies that we haven’t found. Gabbi Garmin is completely lost and shouting at us and Mr Google is telling us that we are driving backwards. We haven’t found any scallop pies, we’re tired and hungry and Woody, who hasn’t consulted a map for the entire trip is now wondering why we have to cross the Murray river by ferry. Like hey, there is no bridge.

It’s an uncomplicated ferry crossing and rather than going15kms to Tailem Bend Woody is suddenly refreshed (it must have been the boat trip) and up for another 40kms to Meningie a town that we don’t or can’t remember.

Within minutes we’re admiring this bright little town and falling in love with Lake Albert Caravan Park. What a surprise. The sun is shining, a flock of pelicans cruise the shore and everyone has a water view in this pleasant little family owned park. It’s not what we planned but what a pleasant surprise.