We quickly recovered from the long drive and OF took us to look at the local historic train station, which I found interesting. Different track gauges, the width between tracks, has been a constant problem in Australia with some states using narrow gauge, some standard gauge and some broad gauge. Strathalbyn was connected to Adelaide by broad gauge I think, but then the the mainline into Adelaide was changed to standard gauge to allow interstate freight and passenger trains use the track without having to change trains. Consequently the broad gauge line through Strath could no longer reach Adelaide and became a historic line for tourists and enthusiasts.
Of course I don't mention real names in blog posts so I have given the pseudonym OF, Our Friend, to protect his privacy. (edited).
While it was early for dinner, we three had a nice dinner at the Victoria Hotel, sitting outside where the air was rapidly cooling after a rather warm day. Gary came back to our motel and we chatted and he overstayed his was welcome. We made plans for the next day.
Here are some photos taken during our trip and after we arrived. I meant to take a photo of a sign on a bakery window, along the lines of 'Skinny people are easy to kidnap. Stay safe by eating cake.'
We made a toilet stop at this rather nice lake. It has a nice sandy beach. If you enter the water you must wear secure footwear to protect your feet from shellfish.
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It looks lovely - and quintessentially country.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good thing EC. No inner city busyness for a change.
DeleteIt does look lovely there. The railway track situation sounds a little messy.
ReplyDeleteJayCee, I just read this morning how the absurd change of gauge made rail travel here so slow, that once aircraft started flying, it quickly became popular.
DeleteA pretty part of the world. The shellfish? Do they bite?
ReplyDeleteI love Adelaide's sandstone buildings. I guess it's the novelty of seeing something different.
That mural has a quaintness about it.
Caro, the shellfish are sharp, as the sign said. Sandstone is nice but being made of sand, I feel it is weak compared to our bluestone.
DeleteSounds like a lovely vacay. Pseudonym Gary.Hehe.
ReplyDeleteYikes on the banks. Did they lift regulations there like they did here (by the previous administration)?
Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra, yes, deregulation, then when a banking disaster happens, more regulation, then a relaxing of regulation and then another banking disaster...rinse and repeat.
DeleteAll my people I mention in my blog was pseudonym.
ReplyDeleteDora, I am disappointed your son is not called Sawyer.
DeleteIt looks nice down there at Strath. Maybe I should go one day, just to wander around. I'll have to see if there is a bus service from Adelaide.
ReplyDeleteRiver, no doubt there is a bus that replaced the train service. We didn't notice one though.
DeleteI have an old State Guide from 2005 which has timetables for Stateliner, Greyhound etc buses and it says a Transit Plus goes there, but I'd have to check if that still runs.
DeleteThank you! I love the idea that silo art expanded from western Victoria into South Australia and beyond. Particularly that the Strathalbyn art goes to the very top of each silo, is paler and is most gentle.
ReplyDeleteHels, I should have noted that the silos are in Coonalpyne but they are quite isolated from the usual silo art trail.
DeleteLooking good there and the railway station looks similar to a few I've seen. Difficult sometimes if people overstay their stay.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, G staying a bit long was hard for me after a tiring day of long travel and then dining out. R was enjoying the company of someone else but me.
Delete"...he overstayed his welcome..."
ReplyDeletePseudonym, indeed!
Indeed Kirk. I will redact the post in a couple of days, but not as severely as governments do.
DeleteVery different colouring on those silos. I wonder if they will weather as well as the brighter ones
ReplyDeleteMaybe they will Cathy, although they do face north or north east. They are in Coonalpyn, SA.
DeleteI had a client once, who was about 100 years old, when I went to visit her, she as very clear, "you can leave now!" I overstayed, and she repeated, "that's okay, you can leave now!"
ReplyDeleteTP, wouldn't it be good in life to be able to do that without fear of offending.
DeleteTo be honest, I understand nothing from trains, that's Greek or Chinese for me I only travel in them but I understood "The toilet facilities and the covered barbeque and eating shelter were great."
ReplyDeleteThe small stuff can be so important.
DeleteFor the last time I am not anonymous !!! (Gattina)
DeleteI can work out when you comment Gattina.
DeleteShellfish in the lake? What kind? Here we have to wear sandals or shoes because there is often broken beer bottle glass in the lake and river edges.
ReplyDelete