Birthday Roadtrip!

This year for my birthday David absolutely spoiled me with a planned road trip to South Australia!

We both woke up to his alarm the day of my birthday, I got up, had a shower while David turned the heater on and got my clothes and towel ready.

We packed the car with clothes, bathers, books, laptops and chargers.

The kissed the kids, still both in bed and said I'd call them later!

We got petrol, checked the tires and got some snacks and a drink before we set of..

The drive was a long one, I played a mix of 90's and 2000's in which included Backstreet Boys! 

2 hours in I had to lay the seat back and switch positions as my knees where getting sore.

I fell asleep a few towns before the border, but woke up two small towns prior.

This photo was snapped of David and I at the SA/VIC border!

From the border it was I think less than a half our to our hotel.

Our first look at South Australia was a beautiful wall of Pine Forest on both sides of the road.

It was a pinch me moment, I was in South Australia!

Upon arriving at our hotel, a big beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky.

David went to check us in and this is what our room looked like for the night..

After settling in, watching a bit of the Olympics opening ceremony and reading the hotel's Recommendations and things to do in the area we went to The Eastern Hotel where I won over $1000

Returning to the hotel, I convinced David to come with me to the indoor pool and spa facilities on the other side of the Hotel.

Two point five seconds later, I regretted that decision, with the temperature in Mount Gambier being 1 degrees.

The pool was a little cooler than luke warm and the spa was luke warm but the drops from the roof that were coming down were freezing us.

Deciding to pull the plug on that brilliant Idea we headed back to our room and had a hot shower.

The highlight of the hotel for me was the shower. It was an old shower head with amazing water pressure which just soaked/saturated my hear and skin within seconds.

David and I ordered from coles for dinner, drinks and snacks.

I had Pumpkin Soup and David had English Ham Rolls.

Later I had my fave, Chocolate Eclairs before I again fell asleep for an hour as David watched AFL.

I woke up at around 12am and decided to grab my book and head into the spa.

How relaxing!!

Day Two

Before dinner on day one I recieved a message from and Elder from up north telling me that Lorbrey (my grandfather) and therefore I, have family in Mount Gambier. 

The night before I spoke to Aunty Jessie’s Brother, Jack Sailor and on the morning of day two, I went to meet him at the cemetery! 

We got along so well, laughing and sharing stories and photos before the rains came and we parted ways.

But before we did, he gave me this photo of my mothers father, my grandfather whom is now passed and whom my Mum never met before she passed.

I feel so privileged to have this piece of family history and to have beautiful connections I do with my family. 

I plan to visit with Jack again someday soon!

So after our meet up, we went and got some brunch at McDonalds (my fave!) and then headed for the famous Blue Lake! 

Who would have thought that the blue lake would be that blue..

David enjoyed climbing “the rook” tower for a better look where as a blue lake is a blue lake to me.. 

Our final destination for our trip was a look at the sink hole..

We stayed here a little longer as it really was incredible.

After a conversation with a friend back home, I also found out that there is nightly possum feeding here with hundreds of possums coming out at sunset!

This will definitely be something we will have to do next visit.

Soon we were back on the road but not before we purchased a key ring for David’s mum. 

I drove over the border on the way back, but didn’t last long in the drivers seat with my sleep apnea making me drowsy.

We did stop to admire these beautiful mountains on the way home though..

I had a nap, we made a pit stop in a small little town to stretch our legs and use the restroom before the long stretch home.. 

Not feeling like cooking or more so cleaning the kitchen upon our return home, we opted for the Bacchus Marsh Golf Club all-you-can-eat Sunday night Calvary for $28.

It was by far the best decision after driving over 700ks in two days!