Day six. Catninga Station to Cleve. 7.7.26

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A very windy night last night with camp setups being buffetted around. I think it sounded worse than it was. Lying awake listening to the wind howling in the hills and trees was pretty amazing. The Tvan was buffeted just the once with the canvas flopping just a bit. So a little less asleep than normal. Payback is that the wind kept it warmer and once again no moisture on the canvas.

We left camp before 10 and headed into Port Augusta through to Whyalla where Col had a look for something to assist his Gas regulation issue [with his camp stove.] problem not solved!

A stop at Hummock Hill lookout with views across the steelworks and out across the bay to the right.

A walk out along the new Whyalla Jetty was a nice way to stretch the legs.

Grabbed a few groceries and lunch then we plodded on across the Peninsula.
Lots of wind farms around Port Augusta today, then out through scrub beside the railway and a low mountain range on our left as we headed into Whyalla. Home of the cuttlefish (which unfortunately this year are not present in their usual numbers) and the steel industry.

After lunch the scenery was changeable from scrub to crops, flowering canola, mining, and Middleback mountain range.

Into Cowell with a curious history captured on the silos and an historic town centre Franklin Harbour sandstone buildings, a lovely little place.

After a quick drive around Cowell we headed out and onto the Birdseye highway towards Cleve. It was quickly away from the mangrovey seaside to green crops again. Some beautiful hilly country driving past old sandstone ruins – quite a picturesque afternoon drive.

We rolled into the Cleve community RV park – highly rated on Apple Maps and we absolutely agree. $20 a site, lovely neat grounds, beautiful toilets and showers and a neat and well appointed camp kitchen.

There was also a pub and once again no argument about eating out. A short 10minute walk through Cleve – a well loved and looked after community oriented town. Old buildings and new. A few fellas doing their reformer Pilates in the shop front. Hairdresser still at work, an actual ANZ bank (popn 950!) some stunning sculptures too.

We landed at the pub – only to be greeted by the waitress who was personality plus. She was quick with a quip and was happy to chat. Tea was lovely and quite a range to choose from. Us and one other fella eating. A few in the bar.
Back home, where some filled hot water bottles and retired, Meg went for a shower Stef, Mary, Phil and I had a game of 5 crowns. Meg and Stef tag teamed once a Meg returned from the shower. This got us to 10:30 and time to fill hot water bottles and retire.Me to finish the blog.

Another good day out and about in sunny South Australia.