Jacobs Creek

Tuesday, 29 May 2018

Rain-swept vineyard

After an amazing thunderstorm yesterday evening (and a very upset television), this morning was clear and cool, but with more rain and storms expected by lunch time.  The morning was spent catching up on household maintenance before doozying ourselves up to “do lunch” at Jacobs Creek Winery.  We have decided this is a good time of the year and a good time of the week to visit the Barossa – not too many people about – and we were able to enjoy a quiet table beside the window and watch the rain storm roll in from the south.  Lunch was a very nice citrus cured salmon with raspberry and orange,  with salt baked potatoes, rosemary and parmesan.  Dessert was quince, rhubarb jelly, almond crumble and lemon ice cream (mine) and blue cheese, apple, walnut and herb lavosh (his), with a nice glass of bubbly each.  A lovely way to finish our stay in the Barossa Valley.

Barossa Valley

Monday, 28 May 2018

Grange anyone?

The boys preferred this!

Fountain at Seppeltsfield

Selfie

Cat is learning to take photos now

Lutheran church

Interestingly pruned gum trees

Coffee at Maggie's

The weather was very mild and very stormy looking when we left Cockatoo Downs and headed for the Barossa Valley.  Travelling was easy, with little traffic and a good road.  We selected a large BP service station that was easy to access the diesel pump, filled up and went Himself went to pay, was told that the complete BP computer network was down, eftpos and the tills were unavailable for use.  Fortunately, there was an ATM available (for a fee, naturally) for people like us who weren’t carry a large quantity of cash and as we couldn’t make up the exact amount, we were given a five cent discount.

We left the Princes Highway at Murray Bridge, crossing the Murray River before travelling across the hills to Nuriootpa and the Big4 Barossa Valley Caravan Park – and our much awaited remote control for the television.  Someone is much happier now he has full control of the remote situation and can channel flick at will.  This is a nice caravan park in the council sports grounds and with plenty of autumn colours on the trees.  Although thunderstorms moved all around us during the afternoon, we only actually received a couple of light showers.

Today was still very mild, but breezy, and a bucket list tick was the first activity for the day for a visit to Penfolds for a Grange tasting.  The wine was poured out very carefully to the millilitre and the salesman did seem a bit disappointed when I didn’t actually buy a bottle or two (so were the children!).  We stopped at Seppeltsfield for a look at the lovely old buildings and craft shops, giving the fortified wine tastings a miss, then continued to Maggie Beer’s Farm for lunch.  Since we had a bit of trouble deciphering/understanding what was on offer, we decided to have a dessert – chocolate, salted caramel and honeycomb!  Honestly, who was want goat cheese and stuff what that was on offer?  One of those desserts that looks a bit small but half way through, one starts to wonder if it is going to be possible to eat it all.  Yes, we did!  Following that, we stayed for the daily cooking demonstration using verjuice and were able to sample some very nice mushrooms, okay pumpkin and yucky eggplant.

A very pleasant day.

Cockatoo Downs Farm Stay

Saturday, 26 May 2018

A frosty and misty sunrise

Where's the fire?

Just us and the birds

and the horse

A paddock and some scrub

Disused rice paddies, now a sheep paddock

We were brought back to earth this morning with the outside temperature hovering around 2 degrees and the inside temperature a balmy 5 degrees!  Frost and mist – nearly twelve months since our last experience.  Hitching up was done quite briskly and we were on our way by 8.30 am, still wearing my down jacket until the car heated up enough to remove the outer layers.  The cold didn’t seem to worry the kangaroos or emus, and we even had a fox lazily cross the road in front of us.  Back on the Western Highway, we continued through Horsham and Nhill on our way to South Australia with short stops to change drivers a couple of times.  We stopped for fuel at Bordertown and after filling up, discovered that the BP computer network was down and we were unable to pay by card and didn’t have enough cash between us.  There was an ATM available but because the cash registers weren’t working, we had to get as near to the correct amount as possible – we ended up with a five cent discount!  Driving was quite easy today, with little traffic and very few trucks – all headed in the opposite direction.

We arrived at Cockatoo Downs Farm Stay shortly after noon, we greeted by the very friendly owner and instructed to select a site anywhere – we are the only caravan here.  There is also a group of about 20 lady quilters, complete with sewing machines, staying in on-site accommodation and enjoying a two day quilting workshop.  Hopefully, they wont party until the small hours.  It is nice and peaceful (obviously) but is also designed for families to spend time on the farm and mix with the farm animals.  There are plenty of campfire areas and we could have had a fire supplied for us tonight if we wished.  Cat has finally been allowed outside and is looking forward to a bit of bunny bashing tonight.

Grampian Mountains

Friday, 25th May 2018

Easy walking

Mackenzie Falls

Hand-free selfie

Grampian Mountains

Reeds Lookout

Grampian Mountains

Leech Central

No snakes!

The Balconies

Rock formation

Our caravan park (enlarge and find us!)

King Kong

Wading wrens

Venus Baths

Reflections in Venus Baths

A beautiful autumn day in the Grampian Mountains – clear, blue skies, chilly and no wind – just right for a bit of exploring (the modern way, naturally!).  Completely ignoring the instructions of the caravan park receptionist, who seemed geographically challenged, we set out to cross the mountains to Mackenzie Falls.  The road was fairly windy and steep, with some magnificent views at times between the trees.  We decided to give the 260 steps down to the base of the falls a miss (this would have meant 260 steps back up) and walked to the lookout instead.  This area suffered badly with bushfires in 2014 but is regenerating really well.  The 2km walk was easy and well worth the little effort, with the sunlight providing some lovely light patterns on the vegetation and there were even a few wildflowers to photograph.

Our next stop was at Reeds Lookout, with spectacular views across the Grampians and then another 1 km walk to The Balconies.  Although only supposed to be 1km, it felt more like 10, being uphill all the way!  The Balconies is the classic photo one always sees in advertising for the Grampians, however the vegetation did conceal the bottom balcony a little.  Some nice scenery along the walk to keep us interested.  Our final stop of the morning was at the Boroka Lookout with its amazing views of Halls Gap and the valley.  Our caravan park was directly below and we were able to spot our caravan without any trouble.

Following a quick visit to the local bakery for some bread, then an alfresco lunch at the caravan, we visited the Venus Baths.  The pathway started in the Halls Gap Botanic Gardens (no need to get excited!!!) and followed the creek until we arrived at the pools.  These were very pretty, with some gorgeous reflections from the sandstone cliffs and a few small wrens enjoying a paddle.

Halls Gap has been a very pleasant place to visit; we have enjoyed the scenery and peacefulness.

Travelling North Again

Wednesday, 23^rd May 2018

If Jezza doesn't look, he wont see us packing

Waiting patiently on board Spirit of Tasmania

Still waiting ...

The time has come for the annual migration north, following the winter sun and warmth.  After say a long farewell to Jezza, who seemed quite happy with his nose in Alison’s food bowl, we set forth on a cold and very, very windy day for the drive to Devonport and the ferry crossing.  It is amazing how much difference a strong trail wind makes to one’s fuel consumption!  After visiting Les’ sister and brother-in-law and inspecting their new premises, we joined the queue at the terminal and were quickly ushered through check-in and security.  However, we did have a bit of a wait before boarding but were assured it would mean a quick exit from the ship next morning.  The crossing was fairly smooth and comfortable, despite the captain warning us of expected rough seas.

All went well on arrival in Melbourne and we were the first vehicle deck to be called to our cars.  We were parked right against the port side wall, immediately behind another caravan, with cars in the two rows beside us underneath a vehicle ramp.  Our row was the first to be called to disembark and we followed the caravan in front of us when he slowly moved forward.  Suddenly there was a load bang and screaming, we all came to a quick halt and left our vehicles to see what had happened.  Unfortunately, a young lady who was sitting in a van in the row immediately to our right decided to open her door when the caravan in front of us moved forward, pushing the door right around to the wheel arch and dragging her out of the van and under the caravan.  Luckily the caravan was going very slowly and was able to stop before the wheels went over her.  Staff immediately appeared, medics and other assistance promptly arrived while we had to wait.  It took about 30 minutes for an ambulance to be called, the van to be moved, details and photographs taken, etc.  The caravan owners were on their way to Darwin and were very lucky not to sustain any damage.

When we finally disembarked, it was to a dreary and drizzly Melbourne morning.  It took us less than half an hour to get to the Discovery Melbourne Caravan Park and we were able to go straight on to our site, which meant not having to wait any longer for breakfast!  All was going well until it was time to tune the television and the PVR – where was the PVR remote?  Back home in the lounge room!  Thank goodness for a daughter and Express Post.

Not having been into the city for a few years, today was a good opportunity to have a wander around, partake of a small amount of retail therapy and do our bit for the car park economy – we will probably be living on toast for the next week!

Thursday, 24th May 2018

Melbourne was grey and dreary, although not raining, when we left this morning heading west towards lunch in Stawell and then to Halls Gap for two nights.  It didn’t take long to remember just how many B-double trucks travel the motorways this side of the water!  The temperature dropped as we climbed towards Ballarat and was a rather chilly 11 degrees when we had a short break.  There were extensive roadworks between Bacchus Marsh and Stawell, which did slow us down a bit, but we arrived at the 1868 Restaurant right on time to join Cousin Kevin and his wife Sandy for a very pleasant lunch.  Following this, we had a quick tour of the town, a look at the Stawell Gold Mine and an inspection of their new house, currently being built not far from the town centre.

It took us less than 30 minutes to drive to Halls Gap, where we are staying at the Big4 Parkgate Resort.  This is a lovely park set among the mountains and bush, although there is plenty of nice grass for the kangaroos to eat!  Our site came equipped with a lawn rake to remove the evidence of said kangaroos.  With plenty of bird life around – including robins and wrens – we are making sure that Cat stays within the caravan at all times!