Day 93 - Saturday 6th April 2024

Today has been primarily a day of travel, but I did have some plans for this morning.

Awake at 05:30 to a racket in the bedroom again that sounds like a washing machine going into the spin cycle, I stayed awake and phoned Mum at 07:00 my time ...... I may need to rethink my contact times as I travel westwards.

I set the weekly video to render after checking it, but something hasn't worked so I'll need to re-render it later when I've arrived at Penola for my this evenings stay. Away from the motel at 09:30, I stopped off for a coffee at Pam and Paul's campsite, and as I was about to go in they were on their way out, so I had a brief chat before they went their way and I bought my coffee. I resisted the temptation of the recommended cakes!

The first plan today was to visit Clematis Falls just outside of Halls Gap. A 1.2km trail lead to the falls, but alas there was no water to be seen, so after a few seconds of looking at a most uninteresting rockface and having a chat with some Aussie hikers, I made the return journey to the car empty handed.

Next on the plan was Splitter Falls. I made my way to the same car park we used yesterday for the Pinnacle Lookout walk, and it was much less busy than yesterday. I found the trail to Splitter Falls  and was about 200 metres along when a couple were on their way back. I asked whether there was any water at the falls, and the answer was no. I therefore saved myself the wasted walk and returned to the car.

All that was left was to move on and start the journey to Penola for my overnight stay. I'd decided on the northern route, so made my way to Horsham. A brief stop there, and back onto the road. A comfort break in Edenhope where they had a display about the first international cricket team coming from there (an aboriginal team that toured England in 1868)  

Then back onto the road once more and across the unmarked border into South Australia. I was estimated to arrive in Penola at 14:45, but actually pulled up to the hotel at 14:15; I had failed to factor in the half hour time difference between Victoria and South Australia.

All checked in and car parked up for the day, I took the opportunity to wander along the Penola main street, and go into a local winery's store for a tasting experience. Penola is at the heart of the Mount Gambier and Coonawarra wine regions, and as I'd driven in past all of the wineries their 'cellar doors' were tempting me to come in ... not while I have the car and need to drive.

I sampled a selection of 6 wines which were all very nice, and one that really confused me .... a sparkling red that was served cold. I left there, and reserved a table in the Royal Oak for a 17:30 dinner before returning to my room to catch up on the day and to re-render the weekly video ... which has worked and now plays. This means that the Week 13 video is now available here. Then to dinner before returning to the room to publish the video.

One other thing worthy of note ..... after the clocks changing as I entered South Australia this afternoon, daylight savings happens tonight at which time the clocks go another hour back. I suspect that I'll be awake tomorrow at silly o'clock ..... still, it means I'll have an early getaway as I have a four and a half hour drive in store for tomorrow! Hopefully I'll find some spots worthy of photos (unlike today)!