Port Lincoln- Eyre Peninsula-12 272.4kms in the Bank

Dearest Intrepid Reader,

The Loveliness continues to count! She is such a hard worker!

Today, we explored the Eyre Peninsula. For the MOTH and I, it was all discovery and learning as Jenny and John, revisited favourite places.

Just outside Streaky Bay, these standing stones are know as “The Haystacks”. As we approached them the likes of Stonehenge, Picnic at Hanging Rock and Outlander come to mind.

Far from mystery and disappearing into another time, there is a geological explanation.

They are on private property, Murphy’s Farm, however visitors are welcome and just an honesty box and gold coin donation requested. You can also stay overnight for ten dollars, toilets but no showers. That could be risky, the more time here and you may disappear into another dimension.

Venus Bay is named after the two masted schooner Venus that traded around the Eyre Peninsula in 1850s. Today we had coffee while we took in the view.

Coffin Bay was named after Resident Naval Commissioner Sir Issac Coffin by Mathew Flinders in 1802.

Coffin bay oysters are recognised internationally for their size, flavour and quality. Coffin bay is South Australia’s most famous oyster growing location.

This is because the water is constantly being nourished from the nutrient rich sea-water from the southern ocean.

All this being said, we just had to visit Oyster Head Quarters HQ. Apparently you have to book. I did explain we had ridden 12000kms to have an oyster today so they found us a table. 3.5 dozen disappeared very quickly and they lived up to the hype.

Port Lincoln

As we rode down the Esplanade at Port Lincoln we were chatting on our Sennas and I said “ I wonder who that brass statue is”, straight away the MOTH said “oh that’s Mathew Flinders and his cat Trim”.

Now I know he is clever, and he some how knows about explorers and things but to remember the cats name I thought was next level. He is not really even a fan of cats.

He was a bit miffed, I was shocked. Apparently he knows all about Mathew Flinders as he served on the HMAS Flinders, a survey vessel in Cairns.

Now, we were dating at the time, but he never once mentioned the cat. Just shows you have to hang around along time to get all the information out of someone.

On the 25th of February 1802 Mathew Flinders sailed his exploration vessel HMS Investigator in to the harbour which he named Boston Bay. Flinders named the locality Port Lincoln after his native county of Lincolnshire in England.

Port Lincoln has a population of 15 000 and is known as the Seafood Capital of Australia. We all had beef for dinner. Hard to explain that, hey. It was Sunday, we all had roast of the day.

Below.

Trim, the Cat.( Trim, is also what you do with sails when you are sailing ) Hence the name of the cat, I guess.

Grand Tasman Hotel

Tonight we are staying in a Grand Old Pub on the waterfront at Port Lincoln, she was once known as The Grand when she was built in 1906. She is absolutely huge. We have a room with an ensuite for $99.00 as well as top security for the bikes. They are now parked in the Drive thru with their own CCTV Surveillance and Daniel watching over them. As soon as we asked about the room today they offered this option for the bikes.

It was another exemplary riding day, great country roads and incredible scenery. Including pastoral land full of sheep and rocks ( lots made into rock walls) extensive coastline. Red River gums were on both sides of the road at times. Often, it felt like we were the only four out and about, with other traffic non existent.

Community of the road:

We have met the same couple travelling home to Adelaide, about five times. We know a lot about them, and their trip, somehow, all without knowing their names. We do know their number plate. Again hard to explain.

Without any planing we have met up with them in Esperance, Balladonia, Bunda Cliffs, we stayed at the same Motel in Streaky Bay. When we walked into the Oyster HQ today, here they were, there was lots of laughter and high fives all round. They are responsible for a couple of our group photos!

When you ride out to find the way, the way will appear.

Until next time,

MOTH and LOL

The door into the ensuite, so narrow….then below me in a normal size door! Hilarious.

The corridor goes around to another length as long as this, it’s huge up here, can you see a MOTH ? The place is so huge and yet the bathroom doors so narrow! Another mystery of the road.

See below, no shower for John. To big!