Sunday 6th August 2023

 Sunday 6^th August

SHE SAID:

We had less than 100km to go to Tozer’s Bush Camp today. It’s a lovely spot that we have been to several times. On our arrival we were quickly invited to join on a short bus trip to the Eastern Queen of Shebas, which are flowering here now. There was another couple about to leave with Rob, the owner, & we were able to join them.

We found a camp spot; there was plenty of choice with only the caretaker taking up one of the 40+ sites!  Then we boarded the mini-bus. There were 8 or 10 Eastern Queen of Shebas flowering & quite a few more budding. They are always great to see, they are so colourful.

On a walk after lunch Geoff managed to spot a single Donkey & I found Greenhoods. We are too early for the main season, by a month!

Archie & me

Camp Kitchen &
walking trails around the park

South Coast Donkey
Mallee Banded Greenhood

Eastern Queen of Sheba

Orchid painting in the camp kitchen
Close up of the different patterns on the Queens

HE SAID:

Apparently we missed an earthquake while we slept. Varena is not sure if she heard something, but I missed the lot. I awoke about 7:30 to my phone displaying a notification that there had been a 5:30am quake, and I didn't even know about the Android alerts system. Now I do, a bit.

The drive to Tozer's was uneventful but I had to go a bit slower than usual due to some buffeting winds. It seems that here is equally behind as elsewhere, with most of the orchids seemingly 2 or 3 weeks later than we expected. This means Varena may miss seeing some orchids, but may some others that she wasn't expecting. Who really knows? It is up to the orchids, not me!