Trip to Port Pirie Pt. 1

Thursday and the wind died down at 10:30 only to start up again a short few hours later. The second stage was short lived and all was quite until the rain started and that has been going ever since. Because of the high winds battering the state with the resulting dust storms again, a health advice was issued, re asthma, Hay Fever and people with other respiratory concerns to be careful and stay indoors if possible. I’m still getting over my being sick. It took a fair whack out of me. I hate coughing and spluttering. runny eyes and nose – the coughing is irritating. The rain finally stopped at 7:40 last night, so about 6 hours of rain. I do hope this will help break the drought here in South Australia and perhaps give some relief to New South Wales and Queensland. Amazing – has been no rain to speak of in NSW for three years and four years ago we were all fighting floods.

5th Sept. Spring has sprung – the last two days have been lovely – warm with bright blue skies and white clouds – cool to cold in the early morning and evening. I think most people have a similar feeling, that whilst we welcome the warm weather, we are so glad to be over the constant high winds that have been a feature of the last few weeks. I believe that more than heat, the constant high winds of the last weeks have depressed a lot of people. Yesterday, when I went to the Shopping Mall, the place was very busy with lots of young(ish) mums, prams, pushers and babies, so perhaps we are leaving it all behind.

As of yesterday 4th.  the 3000 strong 1st Brigade arrived back for Exercise Predator’s Run, 2018,  which begins today. We have

been pre-warned that live fire will be from 9am to midnight each day. They will be here until mid October, then there  will be a break before the arrival of  the Officer Cadets from the Royal Military Collage at Duntroon  to complete their last exercise before the final exam and their Commission into the Australian Army. That should keep us on our toes for a while.

Went down the Wetlands this afternoon. One moment it was quiet next there were people and dogs everywhere. Decided to  head for the beach instead. Good move as the place was deserted. We had a good walk along the beach for a fair bit, then turned and came back again. By then is was just about 4pm, so time to head for home The Kiosk at the Wetlands is looking fairly good and should be ready for business shortly.

Today (Thursday) the Boy and I left home at 7:45 and header for Port Pirie. Generally I would stop for coffee on the way through but not today. Although we did stop  to have a break and stretch the legs for a bit, but otherwise -170 klms right through to PP. Once there  and parked the car, I checked the time, set my timer , locked the car and set off to get the things I had come for. I got half of my  shopping  and headed back to the car just as my alarm went off. I stick the things in the boot, closed the windows and turned on the A/C for a bit to re-cool the car. After a while I reset my alarm for 15 minutes and went back into the mall to get the rest of the things I wanted. Back to the car. I was intending to go back again and get some food but although Benji was fine, he felt a bit on the warm side for my liking, so I decided  that was it. and we drove back to the main highway. We did stop at the Tin Man Roadhouse and he was cool enough for  lunch ( what am I saying — he’s always “cool enough” for lunch)  so we stayed there for a bit to cool down and have some food.