Day Three - Playing in Port Augusta

Today was a day off the road...quite strange really, I have really enjoyed the trip over. First up today was a trip to the butcher to order some vac pac'd mince - they were great butchers, so if you are ever heading over this way and want meat vac pac'd, look up Terry Gardner meats.

I then took Dad's advice and headed out for a look a the Arid Land Botancial Gardens. I arrived just in time for a guided tour with volunteer Shirley and couple from Newcastle.

Before the actual gardens, I took a look at the Flinders Red Cliffs lookout, these are beside the Spencer Gulf and discovered by Matthew Flinders and his botanist Robert Brown.

This shot shows the cliffs on the left and mangroves in the gulf. These are the only Botanic Gardens in the world which include Mangroves, evidently.
A short walk along the cliffs and saw this little guy, haven't got the bird book out to check what he is, but he was happy to pose and chirrup on the fence post for me.

An Erimophila on the Red Cliffs.

Shirley was very keen on the Latin names for plants. So this one is Bossiaea walkeri or the Cactus Pea.

More Bossiaea walkeri.

This was another of the Eremophila (I think) so many plants, so many names and all Latin!
Unfortunatlely the batteries in my camera died, but maybe that was for the best, as I could focus on the amazing information that Shirley had to share.

After the 2 hour tour, I had lunch in the picnic areas with my friend the Magpie and Crested Pigeon - both very friendly and happy to share lunch.

After lunch I enjoyed scones and a coffee (well the scones were great...) at the Gardens.

The gardens are constantly under development and I was fascinated by this Projection Sundial. I read the instructions at least 4 times before I could figure the time. It is amazing that someone has gone to so much trouble to design this, an Aussie according to Shirley.

The Projection Sundial with Traditional Sundial on the right.

The time was so accurate, both at 10 when I arrived and about 12.55 when I took this shot.

This was an amazing plant (no name) which was quite cottony.

Shirley also pointed out that this is NOT Spinifex, but is accurately known as Triodia irritans or Porcupine Grass. The Gardens also have a lookout on the Stuart Highway, this is the view looking up the road towards Coober Pedy. Sandhills and the flat bit in between, whose name I can't recall.

From the Gardens I went back into town to collect my meat and a few more bits and pieces - walked around the shops for a couple of hours, cos they are fairly spread out and with lots of one way streets, it was easier to park and walk.

I got back to the Motel and rearranged the car again, repacked the fridge etc etc. Then the call from Stef, Meg and Milani...

They have arrived.....ready for a cuppa in my room.

oh and a juice for Milani.

Then we went to the Motel's restaurant for a meal.

Now once again it is blog and bed for this little black duck.

Goodnight all.