Today, Matthew, I have been driving again. 442 km to be precise. Left Victor Harbor at 8am (28 degrees), arrived in Wellington at 9.15 am (35 degrees) and took the ferry across the Murray River. This is apparently the 3rd longest river in the world and goes all the way to Queensland. Had to go all the way around Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert on the way. Large volumes of wool and wheat used to be shipped down the river and when the first Europeans first tried to find the mouth of it, they got completely confused by the lakes. Especially as Lake Alexandrina used to be alternately salt and sweet according to how much water was coming down the river. On the way I saw my first snake. Also possibly killed my first snake – it was on the road and I didn’t see it until I was almost on top of it.

Then through the Coorong National Park which is basically a salt lagoon between the Southern Ocean and farmland. During this, I did one of the most stupid (adventurous?) things I have done on this trip. ‘Scenic loop road’ it said. Unmade up road, at least 15 miles long, no one else around and up to 46 degrees. If the car had broken down or the bush had caught fire, no one would have known where I was. And I wasn’t carrying the recommended two gallons of water. ‘Stupid tourist dies in freak accident’ would have been the headline. I did see an emu though!

Finally got to Kingston SE and had lunch at the Giant Lobster.

Then to a place called Rode for an ice cream and now arrived at Penola. Much much driving past flat farmland (38 degrees), dead and living gum trees and pines being farmed for wood.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/18/too-hot-for-humans-first-nations-people-fear-becoming-australias-first-climate-refugees?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other