Where the Murray River meets the sea

We spent a lovely day exploring part of the Coorong National Park where the Murray River finally meets the sea after its 2,530 km journey from the Australian Alps.

 We drove to Goolwa then over the Hindmarsh Bridge to Hindmarsh Island, where we drove a further 10kms or so to the river. Here was a large carpark,  a jetty, a caravan declaring itself the Coorong Cafe and a picnic area with chairs and tables. At the end of the jetty a fisherman was preparing for a catch. It was a peaceful coastal scene.

And here is the fisherman in close-up.

We checked out the menu and opted for the specialty - Coorong mulloway.

It was absolutely delicious.

After our lunch, we walked along the river flats where, in the distance, we could see the mouth of the Murray.

Along the way I spotted sea birds fishing in the shallows.

 It was an expansive landscape with the wide sandy stretch of beach, the seemingly endless flat coastal vegetation and a really big sky punctuated by rolling clouds.

 But I did manage to spot these colourful pink plants (which I have been unable to identify). But they certainly brightened up the coastline.

In the distance we could see a man searching for cockles...

 ... a fisherman...

 ... and the dredger that undertakes a 24-hour operation to ensure the mouth of the Murray (where fresh water meets the sea) is kept free of silt and sand in order to maintain a constant two-way flow between the sea and the river. This also ensures a healthy ecosystem in the Coorong.

Here I am looking directly at the mouth and the Southern Ocean. You can just make out the rolling surf in the distance.

 I then looked down to capture some lovely sand designs.

At the end of the beach was an interpretation sign explaining the spiritual significance of this section of the Coorong to the traditional owners of the land: the Ngarrindjeri.

Photo source: Richard Brown DWLBC

On our way back to the car I pondered how this bountiful coast would have looked like when the Ngarrindjeri roamed freely.

Apart from the dredging, not that much different really ...

Kate visits us

I was so excited when daughter Kate said she and her husband Kim were coming to visit for the Tour Down Under in mid-January. It was lovely when they arrived and settled in to our new home (or as Kim says, the Casa De Viejo).

Our excitement quickly turned to despair when we noticed the temperatures forecast for the next five days were all 39 to 43 degrees!!!! Ouch. Luckily our house is airconditioned, but going outside was like stepping into an oven. All our photos show us looking drained and exhausted. In the end I stopped taking photos.

Here is a sample so I can vicariously enjoy the visit once more.

Waiting for the riders to appear at the Tour Down Under.

We look exhausted in the heat as we wait for our cool drinks at the Yilki cafe! 

I know I used the next photo in my Tour Down Under blog but it's one of the few I have of Kate - even though she was embarrassed to be seen posing with the cycling kangaroos.

We drove to nearby Port Elliot for a welcome break from the cycling, hoping there might be some cooling sea breeze there.

Kim is aiming to capture Kate and the steam train which is coming round the bend.

The steam train - the only non-Kate photo - added for variety.

Always time for a selfie!

At the wetlands walk near home.

And a final shot with mum.

The final day saw us in Adelaide watching the criterium with the temperature soaring again into the 40s. It was so hot that, after some shots of the cyclists, I put my phone away and tried to enjoy the remaining moments with Kate.

When I look back, I see that there are no photos of us at home. I guess we were always so hot and bothered we just wanted to relax - and eat ice cream and jelly!