We spent today in and around Port Lincoln. We started with a decadent breakfast at LAnse French Bakery & Croissanterie. The staff at the Tourist Information Centre told us that the chef at LAnse used to cook for the French President and the miso scrambled eggs highly, so that was what we had! After our delicious eggs there was no room for any of the sweet treats in the pastry cabinet so we took those ‘to go and ate them later on. Its been a couple of weeks since I devoured an almond croissant, my favourite pastry treat. Hmmn, it was OK, but I prefer the ones that I buy from Publique Bakery at the Preston Market. It should also be noted that Bernie purchased two treats, a Portuguese tart AND a citrus tart on the basis that they were smaller than a croissant and therefore equaled a croissant??!
After breakfast, we drove the tourist route. As we are staying at the marina we has already driven that part of the route several times so we skipped that bit and started at Snapper Rock which is a flat rock in Boston Bay that formed a natural wharf
that was used to load and unload vessels in Port Lincolns early days and explosives for much longer because they didnt want an accident to blow up the town.
A little further along we came to the Kirton Jetty and the Brennen Jetty in the industrial part of town near the Viterra Grain Terminal. Our next stop was at the much more picturesque Town with its swimming pool. Of course we took a quick walk out yet another wooden jetty. I think we are aiming to walk on every wooden jetty on the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas! We also too a quick turn along the foreshore reserve which features a statue of a tuna poler and one of Makybe Diva. We waited and waited for a couple of people with two children to vacate the vicinity of Makybe Divas statue, but they just wouldnt budge! We had to choose another angle to try to take our photos without photo bombers.
Back into the car and up to the Winter Hill Lookout for a view over Port Lincoln. Unfortunately it was very hazy this morning looking out over Port Lincoln and
Boston, Porter and Proper Bays and, of course, the Viterra grain silos looming over everything! The Tourist Drive continued down Happy Valley Road and then back up Valley View Road. Were not sure what was particularly touristy about this part of town, but it did take us past some impressive homes on very large blocks.
After lunch we boarded a boat run by Calypso Star Charters for a two hour Seafood Bay Cruise. Departing from the Port Lincoln Marina, the cruise started in the canals of the Lincoln Cove Marina before proceeding out into Porter Bay and Boston Bay. Out in the bays we visited aquaculture farms and enjoyed tasting local prawns, mussels and sashimi kingfish and Coffin Bay oysters while Brett shared his knowledge of Port Lincolns aquaculture industries.
Brett had his left hand heavily bandaged and it was easy to imagine that it was a boat handling mishap. This was not the case though, it was old household injury following a with a mop! The aluminium shaft snapped and jagged into his hand. OUCH! The worst part for him is that the bandaging is only temporary, he is
Cruising past Boston Island we were able to see the Cape Donington Lighthouse from the sea before we circled around Donington Island which is populated by seagulls, terns, pelicans and cormorants, together with some sea lions and a few New Zealand fur seals. We could seen the seabirds wheeling above the island from the national park yesterday, but couldnt tell what they were so it was interesting to get close enough to identify them.
Back at the marina we tried to book into the Marina Hotel for dinner again, but they were booked out. Fortunately, our second choice, Del Giornos Caf, was able to fit us in. We ate dinner in and bought when we were paying the bill to take with us. Waaaay too many sweet treats today!
