Fishing at the Southend drain

When I was a kid I remember going fishing here a fair bit. Mainly with my mum, or my Gran. Gran lived in Southend, and we'd spend a lot of time here in the holidays.

It seemed fitting that I ended up here in the afternoon with my daughters on Mothers Day on a whim. I can't remember who's idea that was, but after the idea had stewed around in my brain, I quickly packed the car and we were down the road.

Such a peaceful place despite the sound of motorbikes buzzing about when we got there.

Summer and Brett are not the most patient of fisher people. Isabel and I are kindred spirits when it comes to fishing. As the rain set in around five o'clock, she and I donned our jackets and hoods and would not budge. The other two sitting in the car reminding us it was raining(like we didn't know that), and Summer could be clearly heard complaining in the back seat.

We had already caught two good mullets, and the fish had gone off the bite but I didn't want to spoil Isabel's determination and perseverance. I know that feeling oh so well, she is just like me when it comes to fishing. We could stand there all day. I guess it shows we have hope, faith and persistence. It's not such a bad thing.

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The chair pontoon on the reef

The girls favourite place to play at Pelican Point is at "the chair". A rustic bench set on a pontoon on the sandy reef.

We spent a fair bit of time there recently, exploring the reef. In the afternoon the water is warm, the rockpools deep enough to swim in. Like a spa.

In the evening, we can see steam rising from the water as the night air cools.

In the morning a sea mist blurred the line between sea and sky on the horizon. The water was a little cooler as the tide rose during the night, bringing in the cold water from beyond the reef.

What a fabulous natural playground!

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Yallum Park homestead

Contrary to popular belief, usually those beliefs that go on in my own brain, I do manage to do shit away from the four corners (well six actually) of my home without the shitheads that relentlessly test my sanity. Namely, three kids, one who is an adult, and a equally childish husband. It is rare, and when the opportunity strikes, you can bet, I am jumping in the car like some sort of demented magician and disappearing.

I was under the impression that the Yallum Park open garden day finished at 2pm. So when I finished baking a sourdough loaf at 1pm and googled the actual times of a 4pm finish, I chucked on scarf, grabbed my camera and handbag and said, "hasta luego" to my people and dashed out the door.

Yallum Park is  an eight minute drive from Penola in South Australia's south east, gateway to the Coonawarra wine region.

The Yallum Park homestead is a Victorian mansion, built for John Riddoch between 1878-1880. John Riddoch was a Scotsman who had made it rich in the goldfields. It is one of the best preserved historic houses in Australia, boasting original wallpapers, 500 pounds worth of gold leaf trims, 11 Italian marble mantle pieces, cut glass door knobs and five acres of gardens, including 70 different types of conifers. 

Some of the noted famous people who haved stayed here are English novelist Anthony Trollope, King George V(when still the Duke of Cornwall), Adam Lindsay Gordon, and many other princes and political dignitories.

Along with the five hectares of garden, the house was also open for tours. The open garden day cost $8 per person, with a tour of the house and extra $10. I was not lucky enough to do a tour of the house, but caught a glimpse through the verandah windows of the well preserved bedrooms, with original carpets and furniture.

Yallum Park homestead and the way it has been preserved by the Clifford family is a credit to our region and is well and truly worth the visit if you ever have the opportunity.

I do love the drive to Penola, the trees that line the road are amazing and took a couple of photos along the road, of the gums making a cathedral arch, and the red growth of she-oaks on the way home. The afternoon light that made them more amazing is not justified in the last two photos.

I am ever so glad I took off in the car this day and saw it for myself. As I walked down the driveway and the house came into view, I was awestruck by it beauty. It is a vision and experience that can only be appreciated in real life. Breathtaking!

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