Another day at Port Lukin, sorry Port Lincoln (borrowed that from The Don). Dean Lukin put this place on the map by winning the Super Heavy Weight – Weight Lifting Gold Medal at the ’84 Olympics. He famously suggested to the press that they should not focus on him but rather they should focus on the up coming Paralympics as those athletes had achieved far more than him.

The early view from our front verandah overlooking the bay this morning is of brooding dark grey clouds over glassy water. Rain showers in the background, in the foreground, is the industrial apparatus with a grey green conveyor belt running out past two tug boats to where the unloading of fertiliser and the loading of grain on to ships takes place. It looks and feels like a scene out of The TV series Shetland.

Last night there were more rain showers, I reckon more rain is on the agenda for the next week.

Breakfast then a coffee at the bakery gets us ready for the Port Lincoln Masters Golf Tournament, being played at Royal Glen-Forest Putt Putt course. A field of 7 with tournament referee and scorer Harve sets off, we know the tees are set right back and pin positions will be challenging, it is after all The Masters. At the 9 hole turn Smurfette leads by one, chased by The Don and Pauolo, one shot behind. The Navigator has threatened, as has Captain Kirk but consistency sees them languishing further back in the field. Wally has pulled out the long drives but hasn’t handled the windy conditions and a couple of out of bounds ruins her chances. Jenzy is a real threat with her consistency enabling her to stay in the hunt but the inclement weather sees the tournament stopped at the 11th tee for health reasons related to cold hands and the generally sooky disposition of most of the golfers.  Travel issues related to the distance of the links from Port Lincoln have clearly affected some players performance as well ( see comment above as well). Despite all this, Smurfette claims the win, but this writer feels it’s a shallow victory when only 10 holes have been completed.

It’s pointed out to this journalist that there has been some recent bad press for the Royal Glen-Forest members related to animal cruelty. Apparently they’ve been shearing wombats, we find evidence in the signs at the course. Frankly I’m appalled! I do notice that I’ve been sneezing a little and suspect some errant wombats hairs have blown up my nose and possibly it’s impacted my golf game. I dunno for sure but……any excuse……Its also noticed that there are gluten free bulls balls for sale, surely this place has an issue that needs addressing by the authorities! Actually, we were very happy with Glen- Forest and the staff, the young lady who looked after us was terrific.

Wally calls for The Don to be swabbed after he’s spotted with a dust pan and brush cleaning up our morning tea crumbs. I suspect he’s been sipping performance enhancing coffee, so it’s a fair call.

The dirt road to Coffin Bay is greasy after the rain, and Nomads 1 and 2 are skilfully piloted over the treacherous sticky pot holed surface. I like the name ” The Dirt Road to Coffin Bay”, somebody should write a poem or song with that name, its sort of catchy.

Coffin Bay is a pretty town, oysters in the estuary right near town. Lovely clear water,  a nice looking National Park that we don’t venture into and  quiet as its 14km off the Flinders Highway. We (some of us) purchase oysters from a machine, an oyster vending machine would you believe, and we drive back to Port Lincoln for a latish lunch, which includes the said oysters and some missing hot water from an errant Thermos. The oysters are super fresh and great, either natural or kilpatrick.

Some laundry work is done, motor vehicular maintenance and refuelling completed before plans for dinner.

I walk with Wally to Makybe Diva’s statue  on the water front. Tony Santic who owned her was from Port Lincoln, I think she won about $13m and 3 Melbourne Cups. Tim looked after her at Coolmore horse stud when she was having her first foal – after Coolmore stallion was the sire.

Dinner is at the Ming Inn Chinese Restaurant just down the road from our accommodation. Food is great and we cover a variety of interesting topics including toilets of the world. Ewww!!!

Tomorrow we leave Port Lincoln heading North West to Ceduna.

Ciao and arrividerci from Port Lincoln

Pauolo