Today was a another preplanned work day. This meant a morning full of Finance Reports, Business Activity Statements and E-mails.
Around lunch time I had made a decision to break for a while in order to have a proper lunch. No pie review today (sorry).
After looking around I settled on a pub called the Boston Hotel. It was by the water, and lacking in patronage for some reason. I didn't mind being the only one there. The bartender/waiter was friendly and we exchanged the standard pleasantries you would expect whilst being away:
Where ya from?
How long are ya gunna be in town for?
Whad are ya goin' be doin' while ya here?
He suggested a local koala sanctuary.
After giving my order I went out to the beer garden.
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| Looking back at the pub |
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| Looking out on the water |
I forgot to take a photo of the entree - Hot honey, crusted chicken tenders. Think KFC but a million times better.
The main course was a prawn dish with cherry tomatoes, some green stuff (kale?) in a garlic cream sauce with rice.
Being Port Lincoln, these prawns are Spencer Gulf Prawns, meaty yet juicy.
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| I counted 16 prawns |
After lunch I had a look around the town. Whilst lacking in murals, Port Lincoln made up for it with statues.
This one is Matthew Flinders, with his cat (Trim). Matthew is a fascinating guy. Everyone will probably know him as the first person (European) to circumnavigate Australia. He was the first person to coin the name Australia for this wide, brown land.
In 1802, as part of his trip around Australia he sailed in to the harbour where Port Lincoln is situated and named it Port Lincoln, after his home area of Lincolnshire.
I could tell you about his run-in with William Bligh, or his professional charting race with French counterpart Nicolas Baudin, or how was detained in what is now Mauritius for 7 years on his way back to England. Instead I am going to say read this book The Great Race by David Hill (or listen to it as an audio book, like I did).
This is a tribute to the fishing industry that has become a key part of the development of Port Lincoln.
Probably one of the greatest racehorses in recent times in Australia. Owned by a local blue fin tuna farmer, Tony Šantić, Makybe Diva won 3 Melbourne Cups, a Cox Plate and numerous other prestigious races.
I spent an hour or so driving around the town and outskirts of Port Lincoln.
Port Lincoln has a population of around 16,000, which puts it between Wangaratta and Horsham by way of size comparison for Victorians. Yet it has the vibes of Warrnambool, or a very large Portland.
It has the largest fishing fleet in Australia.
It prides itself on being the seafood capital of Australia. In addition to tuna fishing it is also a big player in oysters, prawns, abelone, mussels and kingfish.
Whilst a lot of money has been brought in to the region it wasn't how Port Lincoln originally grew. That was wheat.
The Eyre Peninsula is a significant grain growing region in Australia and wheat is the most significant grain grown. The grain silos and processing facility by the water is probably the largest I have seen outside of a capital city.
Tourism has grown significantly in the region as well. A large number of caravan parks, motels and other accommodation is dotted throughout the area. For those brave enough, swimming with sharks seems to be a popular thing to do (no thanks), as well as wineries, breweries, a distillery and lots of places to eat. Did I mention they have some spectacular beaches?
When driving around I couldn't help but notice the new town growing out of the old town. the new money from fishing feeling a little bit out place in a country town. Sort of like the ostentation of the Sunshine Coast smashed against the wholesomeness of Bendigo. or something like that.
I also feel that if I return here in 10 years time things are going to look totally different to the way they look now.
I don't hate it.
I just don't know whether I love it.
I'll have a further look around tomorrow.
PIE REVIEW
On hold for a couple of days.
Sorry.
Podcast of the Day: Tony Martin's Sizzletown
- I am a big fan of Tony Martin, right back to his D-Gen days. This podcast is a parody of a late night call in radio show where all the voices are Tony's. Ably assisted by Matt Dower on sound effects this has been a favourite of mine since it was first conceived back in 2018.
Total km traveled : 2,660
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