Victor Harbour’s delights

They say third time’s the charm so let’s hope so eh? I keep trying to get this blog post done and no matter what I do it seems to disappear lol… well lets get to it, this woman is a tad tired of typing now so each time I try to do this blog the amount I type about each experience gets smaller and briefer lol….
Ok so you know I did a U-turn to get back to that petrol station. I did get to park up behind it, the man in the reception was so understanding and reckoned it wouldn’t be a nuisance to anyone if I did. I was so damned tired I didn’t even bother making dinner, just a hot cup of dandy and, despite his protestations that I would be safer if I got closer to the light, I had a wash and fell into bed. Moving the motorhome again was way too much trouble now, what with the blinding headache the trip had gifted me lol. Besides I felt quite safe and wasn’t in the least worried about the cars constantly pulling into the MacDonalds outlet next door. I reckon they were more intent on getting some nosh than a bus parked quietly up in the shadows of the Petrol Station.
I don’t remember anything else until I woke up early the next morning, headache free and rested. I could see now where I had parked and I ruefully realised that I would have to move before the start of business seeing as how I had managed to park right in front of two rather large roller doors that kept the riff raff out of a local tyre business of a night. Hmmm lol, I made a lukewarm coffee, all the better to scoff it down in a hurry and locked up the girl, noting that the gas bottle was also dangerously low and if I wanted to have another cuppa a little later, I had better add finding an outlet that fills them to my to do list this morning, along with finding somewhere else to park!
I find it easier in a strange town to get my bearings on foot, maybe because I didn’t learn to drive any kind of vehicle until rather late in life. Off I went, taking note of the amount of time I could afford to do what I needed to do. Luck was with me because I found a mall not far away… well there wasn’t any parking in there thanks to the sign that said Private parking bay, 3 hours limit.. along with very tiny spaces even if I did! I did notice there was a Woolworths fuel outlet on the way out of it so I popped in to ask the lady in there where I could park, explaining my dilemma. She was lovely, as most people are I find, telling me if I wanted, I could park on one of the side parks even though I am larger than some and pointed out a van that seemed to always be parked in there all day without getting pinged. I thanked her, adding I also needed to find a shop that regassed bottles. No problem she said, there were two, the local Stratco being the better of them and she gave me directions on how to get there. I smiled and wished her a happy day, as you do, before walking back to get my bus out of the way of the business people and their customers. Lucky I did because they had opened sooner than I thought, the carpark filling rapidly with anxious customers and their cars.
I hightailed it out of there and headed straight for Stratco. I might as well get that out of the way, then I wouldn’t have to worry about it the rest of the day. Of course it was on the wrong side of the street but luckily there was a roundabout not too far up and I used that to do a uturn. No parking right out the front for this big girl so I nicked around the corner, happy to discover there was a parking bay especially reserved for Stratco customers and staff. I parked her in the corner, hoping that would keep her from blocking anyone coming in or out. I took note of the signs and only then did I realise I had come in the wrong way lol. It is a one way, my girl is too big to manoeuvre any sort of turn around without taking out a car and there were a lot of them in that bay! Oh well I will have to go out the wrong way just like I came in, I mused and put it in the ‘for later’ basket as I made a bee line for the shop.
There were two young men in there, one of which came over to see if I needed assistance. Boy oh boy, he will most likely think twice about that in future lol. When I told him I needed him to grab a tool and come and get the gas bottle off so he could fill it, he was less than impressed. He said they were not supposed to do that but I pleaded with him, saying that I didn’t have a tool to do it with and it had an extra bit on it to ensure that if there was a leak it would cut off. He sighed and went in search of the appropriate tool while I stood there feeling really guilty. I didn’t want to get him in trouble nor did I want to put him to any unnecessary trouble but I did have to have it done and would have tried the other place if he couldn’t do it.
He plodded along behind me as I led him to my bus. I could feel his resentment like a living thing but oh how that changed when he caught sight of my bus! He was waxing lyrical before long as he admired my girl, confiding in me that he and his young wife went camping as often as they could but they couldn’t afford anything so neat as my motorhome. I was a bit surprised, having been looked down on by many who have much grander motorhomes and caravans, but pleasantly so as he told me they went camping in a tent for now but both wanted to save for something just like mine! It reminded me how lucky I was to have what I do, despite the snobbery of some.
Once the gas bottle was refilled and reattached, I decided a laugh at my expense was in order and I told him how I had come in the wrong way and, due to the angle I was on, how I would have to go out the wrong way. He smiled at me and confided he had done that many times. I don’t know if he said that to make me feel better or if he really did do it on odd occasions but I will take it. Its nice to know I am not the only duffer around lol.
Now to park for the day; I was feeling rather satisfied with my day so far and headed back to the Woolworths Fuel outlet, fully intending to park on the side as she had said. That is until I saw how busy it had become and the fact that it would be bloody hard to get back out when I was ready to. I decided to go down the little one way street that was just up ahead and I am so glad I did. There was a lovely, easy to manoeuvre parking bay right after the crossing. It was obviously a quiet one, only one other vehicle in there so far. It would be easy to get out of and having traffic only going one way a bonus I rather liked the sound of. I parked happily, locked her up and headed out to find the Information Centre.
It was right next to the ocean.. oh joy! I went inside and the lovely woman on the desk asked what she could do for me. Never shy about asking about free camps, as you may have noted, I immediately launched into a dialogue about what I could afford, how long I wanted to stay and the added advantage I felt I offered when free camping which is of course spending my money all through the town rather than just in the caravan parks.
She was most enthusiastic, pulled out a large map and proceeded to circle five possibles for me. One turned out not to be but hey, no worries there. I had an idea of where I would like to park. It was on the road, granted, but directly next to the beach and it was a quiet little road other than of a day. It was just along from the Information Centre, though far enough away to be inconspicuous. As she had said, and I quote, ‘don’t be cheeky enough to park close to here or they will feel challenged and fine you for it!’
I went and got my motorhome pretty much straight away, might as well put it in its safe park for tonight, I reasoned. The fact that it was closer to where I was exploring was a definite bonus. I had noticed a gorgeous draft horse on my way to the information centre, finding out in there that it was one of the four horses they used to pull the single carriage tram across the long, long white wooden bridge to Granite Island. Apparently a single draft horse was always used for this purpose so long ago when the island was used for the ships to come in and dock on its pier. The beautiful horse I had seen resting in the corral turned out to be the eldest one at a whopping 22 years of age. Her name was Missy and she was a beautiful dusky brown, mottled with white on her hind flanks. I must admit she didn’t look all that happy and I did hesitate about spending the $9 to ride over. I mulled it over as I walked along the beautiful esplanade beside the ocean, breathing in the refreshing ions that only the ocean can provide.
I had planned on catching up with a friend who was house sitting in the area while here, so I contacted her to set up a time and place as I walked along. Turns out she was actually free that same day and I happily arranged to meet her for morning tea at the nearby Anchorage, a beautiful place that boasted umbrellas on the patio for those who wanted to feast on the ocean view while enjoying the delectable delights from the café inside.
We had a wonderful time, the sun was shining and the coffee was beautifully made. The company for me was fabulous and before we knew it, it was lunch time. We decided to order, my friend insisting on paying for my lunch by way of a belated birthday present, bless her. We must have whiled at least two hours away, chatting and laughing in the brisk air until at last it was time for her to leave. Alright for me, I was on holiday so time is pretty much meaningless.
We hugged each other goodbye, promising to catch up again at some stage in the future, depending where we both were at the time. What a lovely way to spend a morning, I thought happily as I made my way back along the esplanade towards the little streets that made up the town. I am not one for malls unless I need to shop in Woolies or Coles for those things that I cannot get for a reasonable price from the grocerers etc. I do love to explore all the little specialty shops in each new town and spent the whole afternoon doing just that. It was getting late now, well around 4pm really but my feet were tired. I hadn’t planned on staying more than a couple of days on my way to the Bight so I decided I would like to see Granite Island before I went back to my little home on wheels for the evening. Trouble was I really didn’t think I could walk that far now. The decision was made; I would get a ticket and go over on the horse drawn tram, wander around the island if I felt better, and then come back on the tram once again.
I got my ticket from the Information Centre and made my way to the little tram station to wait for the horse to pull it in. I didn’t need to wait long and as a bonus a very knowledgeable man who volunteered to be a bit of a guide on the history of the place, had decided to accompany the three or four of us who were heading over on this trip. The down side was that it was the last one for the day so I would have to stay on unless I wanted to walk back. Nope, my aching limbs absolutely rebelled at the mere thought. Never mind I would just have to get up at a decent hour and walk it tomorrow. I would content myself with the ride for now.
Well there was a top storey to this tram and I decided to challenge myself by going up to the top. I really do not like having fears; I know they are really silly considering the people who are doing this obviously care very much for their horses and customers alike. I am glad I did it but I was just as glad to get back safely lol. The bridge is a bit interesting in that when you are on the top seating of the tram you cannot see the white rails on either side; that put the wind up me to begin with as the tram rocked its way across to the Island. I do mean rocked; it seemed a rickety bridge that was no doubt safe but really didn’t feel it in places as the tram changed rails. To make matters a little more hairy for me, a bird decided to tease our horse! She was blinkered but still saw it, thankfully she is also an old hand at such things and merely gazed at it before looking away in what I felt was total boredom.
It felt so strange to be looking down on her from a great height and I had my trusty camera with me, so I took a photo showing just how high up I was. Proof! Ha! I didn’t have the courage to stand up and take photos of the stunning view, though a couple who had joined me up there did. I was quite content to click away while seated and the pictures that I got were more than stunning enough. As we moved slowly along the bridge that man told us the background of everything and also pointed out that there was no other piece of earth between us and the Antarctic, just ocean. It was a magical feeling I can tell you.
Happy to return and get down, I was nonetheless pleased I had at least mastered my fear enough to take the journey up in the fresh air. I resolved to really poke around the island the next day, yawning happily as I thanked the girl handling the reins and the man with all the knowledge, for making the trip such fun. True to their word, the tram headed back to its housing, the horse happily trotting now, knowing full well the day’s end would bring some well earned play in its home pasture at last. I took one last picture of their brief homeward journey and headed back to my home, already half in love with this place. The gentle pastel sunset embracing an almost full moon did nothing to dispel that feeling; instead adding to the magical feel of the day I had experienced as well as giving a mystical promise of the day to come.
The next morning I did get up and walk across to the island, though I stopped long enough to admire the vivid colours of the sunrise while enjoying my morning coffee. I walked all around the island and then back again. It was a long way and I was gone for hours, its such a magical place even though the penguins are not there at the moment! I sat often, took pictures of the stunning views and those beautiful rocks on there. I have no idea how anyone could not be affected by such a place, you can feel the sacred past beneath your feet, in the air you breathe and the beings of wood and rock who dwell here make you feel welcome; you can hear their stories of times past if you listen carefully. Well if you are aware you can. Certainly I did. For me it felt like hallowed ground with so many stories to tell, including the dreamtime. One day I may find out about that but for now it is enough that I sensed such a blessing and was able to share in its powerful yet gentle energies.
I had a lovely, lingering coffee in a nearby café when I got back to the mainland before walking that beach once again.
The morning was taken care of, time for a siesta before I did anything else. I was loving my time in Victor Harbour and had already decided I needed at least another day to check out all the things I hadn’t yet seen, including the Whale museum though I was trying not to spend up too big. One must eat I reminded myself and dining out heaps wasn’t the way to make it happen though it was so pleasant!
I had also thrown my hat into the ring so to speak, when a house sit in Victor Harbour came up on the house sitting site I was a member of. I hadn’t heard anything so I assumed I had missed out. That evening I got an email from the owner, thanking me for my enquiry but that she had a young man coming around the next day for an interview. She did say she would get back to me if it didn’t work out. Whats not to work out? I thought. He would be mad to stuff up such a chance. I forgot all about it, chilled out after dinner with a bit of mindless telly to wind down and then opted for an early night. I would have one more day here I decided. I hadn’t gotten to the Whale museum or that other free camp. I would dearly love to check that out! In the meantime it wasn’t so hard to spend the night where I was; the moon shining over the ocean made for a magical backdrop so I opened my curtains and allowed sleep,take me while I gazed upon Her beauty.
I really didn’t feel like museums the next day; I just wanted to soak up the smell and sounds of the ocean. It had been so long since I had been around it; way back at the Tea Gardens I believe. Anyway I needed to get moving soon if I was going to make the Bight before I had to head back to the Mid North Coast. I spent the morning doing nothing and yet I filled it with so much that brought wonder and renewed interest in this town I had only just begun to get to know. The afternoon was a busy time rearranging my little home, as you do when the space for things is a tad compact.
As I prepared dinner later on, I heard the sound of an email coming through and went to investigate while I waited for dinner to cook. You wouldn’t credit it, the owner had gotten back in touch and wanted to know if I were still in town as the man had not worked out for her. She works so it would have to be when she had free time which wouldn’t be for a couple of days, what did I think. Well I thought it was just wonderful of course and I agreed to stay in town until we could catch up. I stopped planning on seeing museums etc .. I knew I would get the house sitting job and that would be the perfect time to do the rest. Besides money would be a bit freer by then. I did have to pay for my roadside assistance and yes the phone bill is a constant lol.
We did meet up after a lot of hassles which I wont go into here, will only bore you and time is pushing on. Suffice it to say I will be doing an 11 day stint for her with her gorgeous moggy which will leave me heaps of time to do the things I hadn’t yet got to.
The next day I went up to Cape Jervis to check it out. OMG … it is very definitely UP lol… but oh so worth it! The view was simply breathtaking and I free camped beside the only pub in town. Hell it was the only anything with a shop lol… the rest was made up of a few houses and then the edge of a cliff overlooking that gorgeous ocean. If you get a chance, do it! I was a tad worried on that first climb but would do it again in a heartbeat for that view!
Well I have so much more to tell you but it will have to wait for tomorrow as this little blonde is suffering typist cramp lol… from all those other deletions! Cheers for now, lots of love …. moi