Duddles postcard from Port Pirie

Arrived in PP this afternoon after a lovely (short...just over 2 hours) drive from Whyalla – otherwise known as Why NOT alla?
On Dan’s research advice, we stopped for lunch at the Arid Botanical Gardens just out of Port Augusta, which proved to be a delightful experience....excellent lunch, (including lemon myrtle pancakes with quandong ice cream) truly wonderful array of stunning eucalypts and other plants (who knew arid could be so gorgeous?) and excellent gift shop & toilets (the importance of which should not be underestimated).
There was a short video made in the carpark as we left, giving an example of the different interpretations of our stop off. Meg and I offered polarised views, and a rare Arid Botanical Garden male Brolga made an impressive appearance. This video will be passed on to you at some point.
So far, the accom in PP is fine (new rooms with spa baths! Huzzah!!), haven’t seen the theatre yet.

Duddles signing off for now. Xx
(ps: note Duddles has a double “d” so it’s not pronounced as Doodles....)

DUDDLES MUSINGS By Suzanne Dudley

Haven’t been able to put fingers to keyboard now for a while – too busy relaxing and enjoying Margaret River, & too busy trying to NOT kill myself in Adelaide.

It’s all about accommodation.
Margaret River’s “ Comfort Inn Grange on Farrelly” was a pseudo-Victorian design nightmare, with kitsch touches that had to be seen to be believed, plus a shower that went hot & cold constantly for the entire 4 day stay. “Appalling!” I hear you cry, “How did Suzanne cope?!?” Strangely well actually.
The rooms were clean, spacious, lots of fresh air and we all had doors onto a kind of group verandah with a garden in front. There was a sweet little bandicoot occasionally rustling in the garden late at night, popping out to say hello, and it was beautifully quiet with lots of birds too.
Simone organized a couple of barbeques in another very pleasant area at the front and the manager (Richard) was extremely helpful, loved the show, and gave us all a bottle of wine when we left!
Of course the overwhelmingly positive point was Margaret River itself. Beautiful country, vineyards, the most glorious Karri forest, an organic olive oil estate, stunning beaches, and Robyn & I had the MOST perfect lunch with accompanying wines at Leeuwin Estate one day.
I attempted to go down into one of the famous caves, and got down about 200 steps into a large, spooky crater. But when the vile smell intensified at the scary opening crack, with the ladder disappearing through it to God knows what, I decided to politely decline that descent into hell.

Off to Port Lincoln on Sunday 27th in a small plane, so I could only bring 15 kilos of luggage. Port Lincoln’s Limani Motel - It’s classic 80’s, but clean, quite spacious, and we all have a view of the wide bay, with the sound of lapping water from our small balconies.

Had some fabulous Coffin Bay oysters last night for dinner, and tonight’s show went very well with a great response. Had a drink and chat with some locals and checked out the artwork in the adjoining museum after the show...they were thrilled.
One guy I spoke to had interviewed Annie, and he & his wife were deeply moved. He does brekkie radio here & is going to mention the show in the morning to encourage people to travel to Whyalla to catch it if they missed it in PL.

Whyalla here we come.