Judy & Brian Tour Oz: Crystal Brook SA Adelaide

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Crystal Brook SA Adelaide

Just after we left Port Augusta, heading east toward Adelaide, we came across a novel experience; a road down which we had not travelled! Last time we came her we came in via the Quorn road, so now here we are on a 'new' road. And a fine road it is as well, smooth and fast. We took a detour to Crystal Brook where surprise, surprise, the Crystal Brook Show was on. We went in and gave it the once over, stopping to evaluate the usual offerings of craft and hand made jams and sauces and other assorted tat. Outside we were fascinated by the judging of the strong-wool rams (my, but they are well endowed!) and then the Seniors shearing competition. In the ring there was a large collection of older, classic type cars and a bunch of current utes on show. A quick run through sideshow alley confirmed that nothing's changed ($5 for two shots at the duck shoot, $9 for a dodgem car ride) and they were as quite as they were in Darwin and Proserpine and wherever else we have seen them (I'm sure it's the same people).

Coming into Adelaide 6 hours after leaving Port Augusta was a bit stressful, having to be mindful of cars and trucks and buses and negotiating the usual older city road system. Finally made it into the Big4 at West Beach, and I have to say its quite magnificent as far as van parks go. It's huge, and tidy and clean and doesn't appear too crowded. We are only 1 row back from the beach, a very narrow strip of sand at the bottom of a man made rock wall. They must have had some big storms and seas as there appears to be quite some damage and not a lot of actual beach. There is however, a really good boardwalk that appears to run for miles in either direction. We walked up to the next beach for a bit of a look and its very pleasant.

It is however, quite cool, we even got a few spots of rain, so we have taken ourselves indoors for the evening. We'll do some serious sight seeing tomorrow.