Friday 27 November 2015

What On Earth is an Obelisk?

 
"What on Earth is an Obelisk?" Andrea asked.
The only response I could come up with was...  "A rock".
The picture in my mind's eye was that of the cartoon character 'Obelix' of the French series "Asterix the Gaul", which some of you might remember from the 70's.
Obelix was the best friend of Asterix and he carried a large rock called an obelisk on his back.  So I went with that.  A rock.

What we discovered the local Tourist Information Center guide in Mount Gambier
was talking about was actually a very cool but a somewhat freaky-looking seaside shipping marker. 


The Obelisk had a very unusual, out of place look about it for some reason.  But it was equally beautiful to see.  It was constructed in 1855 as a guide to ships traversing the rugged coastline, which has a dark history of shipwrecks.  The Obelisk can be seen from twenty miles so nowadays if you crash your ship onto the rocks you have some serious basic sailing and navigation issues to deal with I would suggest.  The Obelisk has no lighting - for that they have a lighthouse just 'round the corner.

We wandered along the cliff top trail, peeking tentatively over the edge of the sheer cliffs to watch the angry Southern Ocean pounding the white water into the rocks far below.  The whole cliff top walk was probably no longer than 2 kms, a stroll in the park really, in comparison to some treks we've done.  Even so, we were feeling a little bit of resistance from the boys. 
 
Jarrah had to have a little lay down to re-energise.

I believe that the lethargy was caused not by the long run of late nights, but by the amount of energy expended on the jumping pillow earlier in the day.  As  expected Jack, Jarrah and Fletcher have been having non stop fun since we arrived. 

 Jarrah can do a full forward somersault! 
 
 Jack is just getting there.
There is an ambulance station in town.


Fletcher just likes to play in the sand that surrounds the bouncy pillow
and sit like a Mexican in the sun.
    
Charles, Vinnie, Harvey, Jack, Jarrah
 
When we got back to the caravan park it was time to light the campfire and enjoy a nice cold beer.  The boys made the most of the camp kitchen and taught their new friends how to bake Mark's Mixed Fruit Slice.  
 
The day finished off with the boys watching Puss In Boots in the TV room while we got to know some of the members of the caravanning club that had descended on the park for the weekend.  A lovely bunch of South Aussie folks who enjoy a drink and a chat around the campfire and were most welcoming of our little family into their midst.
 
All in all it was a wonderful day - sometimes I don't know how we shovel it all in!  But a good rest tonight and we'll be back into it again tomorrow.

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