Loxton

After a trip into Adeliade for an interview with the Voice of Rotary radio program (to be aired in November) our team headed to Loxton, a small country town located on the River Murray. Loxton is surrounded by agriculture including acres of vines (wine grapes), citrus (mostly oranges) and almonds (the newest craze). The original crops of the area included mostly stone fruits (apricots, peaches), and there are still some of those around. In summer months hundreds of trays are laid with fruit and set int the sun to sun-dry.

Today started with a tour through Loxton's Historic Village, which includes many early settlement structures that have been brought to Loxton from the surrounding area to form a replica town. We then headed out for morning tea at The Pines, an historic home in Loxton.

Our mid-day was spent touring Banrock Station, a combination wetland conservation part and winery. May seem like an odd combination, but it was a remarkable place. (www.banrockstation.com.au). Just yesterday they were granted water rights to flood the wetland area, which has been dry for almost 18 months, so the water was just beginning to creep in from the river. We took an eco walk into the wetland area (which was dry at this point) and as we crossed the boardwalk one of our hosts mentined something about trolls. The Aussies have a pretty dry sense of humor. A few minutes later, I pointed out a brown snake just off the boardwalk, about 2 feet below us, and the same host casually says "oh, yeah, that one'd kill you." Considering the joke about the trolls, I asked if he was serious, and as it turns out, it really was a deadly snake. Gotta love Australia.