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Published: April 11th 2013
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Still Morning
At Narrung, a little after Sunrise. Wed 10th.
The morning broke bright and clear, so Marg and I decided to leave David and Mary to watch the grass grow at Narrung, and also to solve a mystery that David and I observed on two occasions.
When David was out on the jetty he saw a semi submerged something swimming at high speed across from the jetty and disappeared into nothing. Some time later I observed the same thing and managed to get a poor photo of the semi-submerged critter. Enough to know it wasn't a snake swimming. I had wondered if it was a coot due to the colour.
More on this mystery later.
Tom Tom advised that the destination we wanted was via a 93k loop road, whereas we knew that there was a free vehicular ferry, and the destination should be about 40ks. He also swore black and blue that it was a gravel road. Enquiries of a local revealed that the road has been sealed for the past 5 years.
So Marg Marg navigated today and got us on the Narrows Ferry, The Pelican. This ferry is part of the road system, so is free, and runs 24x7. The
night operator has a quiet time because Narrung is really no where in particular, unless you are a keen fresh water fisherman.
The ramp down looked too steep for us, but we only just touched the draw bar. We were directed behind another car already on the ferry, and wondered if we would fit. We did, and they got another car behind us as well.
The run from here to Tailem Bend was very easy cruising through dairy country, and then beef country. Just past the ferry drop off point is an old lighthouse (see yesterdays photos) plus the ruins of the original light keepers house.
The origin of the name Tailem Bend proves difficult to understand. The Bend bit isn't too hard as the town is on a bend on the Murray River. Some suggest that the Tailem might originate some what from Pigeon English for lambs having their tails docked.
Tailem grew as the Melbourne Adelaide railway was established, and peaked at around 3000, but now just a little over half of that. Transport was key with river and rail transport merging here.
We were at the Information Centre (The 100 year old
My dream car
Where else but at a winery. Langhorne Railway Station) when the Adelaide Perth express train roared through the station, no stopping here any more. There is a big grain distribution centre here as well, so freight trains come and go all the time.
We then went out to Old Tailem Town which has over 100 old buildings which have been relocated here from around the region. Add to that another 100 old vehicles, 100 old pieces of rural machinery and 10,000 other bits and bobs from 1860 to 1960, and you have a really fun 2 to 3 hours exploring and shooting 100 (or more) photos. I have included a couple of cars that Marg's dad owned. There was an old Ford Prefect, but I missed getting a shot of that. For my Kiwi friends who remember Aunt Molly and her 1950s Ford Prefect that she never mastered the clutch, well there was a couple of those there as well.
There are so many interesting things here. One took my attention. There is a Salvation Army Church from a small town. Monday to Friday it was the local school class room. (One teacher school) Saturday night there was usually a dance held here. Sunday it
was turned into the Salvation Army Church. But it was so small! Two musicians and 10 dancers would have filled the place.
Once we were through Old Tailem Town, we headed for Langhorne Creek to a beaut free camp under the trees. This camp is hugely popular as there are three wineries with cellar door sales within 300 meters. There was a steady trade as campers arrived, set up, walked to the wineries and settled for the night.
David tells me that he saw the high speed semi submerged whatever swimming again. Another observer informed him that it was a large water rat. My blurred pics look more like something with wings, but I will have to bow to other's expert opinion.
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Mum & Dad
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Interesting photos
There is sure old historical stuff where you are travelling makes good reading and viewing. Some people have all the fun!