Fleurieu in Winter

This morning we decided, because my musicians were not coming to play today, we would pack a picnic and drive to Carrickalinga , park our van and munch our sandwiches overlooking the lovely bay. Sitting in the van is great because you have such an elevated view of the sea and the wonderful cliffs of Second Valley towards Cape Jervis. The sea was fractious but the underlying perpetual movement of the water has such a calming effect. Funnily enough there are no longer any sea gulls around, only a few crows but a lot of crested pigeons all congregating under the low shrubs below us.

 We scoured the sea for signs of wales but none appeared.
I couldn't resist taking a photo of the lone pine against the very threatening looking sky. Only a few people about and that is the beauty of being retired, you get to enjoy all this amazing scenery mid week when no one is about. We had driven the back roads from Willunga and the bare hills for which Willunga and Aldinga were so well known are no longer quite so bare as many trees have been planted now.  Some of the hills give the impression of young men with 5'o'clock shadows. I must admit I rather miss the sculptural nakedness of those hills.
The Myponga reservoir looks very good at this stage and the burnt trees showed how near the fire came to my musicians house. The country looks very green and the sheep and cattle are in good nick.

 We drove through Normanville and Yankalilla along that very twisty road to Inman Valley and took a look at the cottage we lived in till Harry died in 1986. One should never go back!!
I started the Inman Valley Market there in 1987 and I see it is still going! I was able to hire the Hall for $10 and only charged the stall holders $2 and the Red Cross ladies were free of charge. It was a great way for them to raise funds with their morning teas. At that stage we were not bothered with all the insurances which beset us now......

 Through Victor Harbour ( where the businesses seem to be multiplying) on to Port Elliot to see if there were any wales there. Not a one! but wonderful cloud formations which I tried to capture but I only had my little Nikon as my D80 had a flat battery and it cant fit the charger which came with it. Still, the cloud formation across the bay looking toward Victor  has come out reasonably well. I also took the photo of the lone sea gull, what has happened to all the sea gulls that used to annoy the hell out of you when you were eating something?

We stopped at a lovely little seconhand book shop near the railway line in Middleton and I found a neat little book with notes and comments on Macbeth. I studied that at Kapunda High but never really understood it then at the age of 16 so will get a fuller understanding of what it was all about. The store is a converted little church and very interesting as you can sit and read there as well. There was a lovely young and welcoming Dalmation in attendance.
We drove through Goolwa and Nankita turning off onto Proctors road which leads on to the Willunga/ Kuitpo road and so home to feed the chooks and light the fire for a cosy evening at home......