Day 127 -133 Barossa Area Part 2

As with all of these places there is plenty of the old, unusually and amazing things that are tucked away, almost forgotten but very interesting. This little collection is what is left of a garage and collection of Chevrolet's..the rest has been moved to another location..these three are all that is left, still sitting by the pumps, covered in dust.
This would you believe was at the front of our caravan park at Nuri. The original house on wheels, complete with bed , seats & kitchen....your right we would not have survived in this one either......beautifully restored though!
Talking of surviving in accommodation... this tree was the home of the Herbig family for five years, before they put up a small house in a nearby field. Bear in mind Mr Herbig, married from this tree and from the dates supplied it would appear that at least two children were born while still living in the tree!!!!!!!!!!
You almost wonder if the old nursery rhyme about the family that lived in a shoe came from this type of living accommodation!! And yes we could not do this one either!! 

Day 127 -133 Barossa Area Part 1

As Bassie had to go back to work we pulled up stumps and headed for a few days to the Barossa. We have to admit that the area was not as good for us as far as the wines were concerned when compared to Clare, however, the buildings and small towns were enchanting. This is Seppelts, one of the largest and oldest wineries in Australia. (We found out that this was part purchased by Janet Holmes A'Court, last year...nice to know that a WA member is involved in this historic winery).
This is a picture of Flor Sherry, the yeast grows on the sherry and this produces a very dry effect, the ultimate dry sherry!!!
Stephen has a passion for Clydesdale horses, of which there were many in the area, this pic is of a statue to these lovely beasts in the charming town of Angaston.
Just outside of Angaston is the huge area occupied by Yalumba. We spent a long time here and with luck on our side the cellar hand, Wendy, had had a luncheon the day before and had their beautiful wine Octavius for tasting.... delicious!!!!!!
In the town of Nuriootpa, were we stayed, is also the now famous Maggie Beer's Farm Shop, which also houses the set for the show The Cook and the Chef. We were there while they were filming but did not get to see anything so went back the next day and had a cooking demonstration in the set kitchen... bit of fun, and nice for us as it is one of our favourite programs. 

I have split this area visit into two, so many wineries and so little time!! Next installment to follow.

Day 126 Birdwood National Motor Museum

We found this caravan at the Birdwood Motor Museum. We are thankful that things have advanced so much... I don't think either of us would have survived in this old beauty for the 2 intended years.
Yep, Stephen in seventh heaven, it was a very comprehensive collection of cars, trucks and motor bikes.
And all set in the surrounding area of this old flour mill. Still love these old buildings, and it is part of the reason that Stephen and I like Adelaide so much...we can't get enough of the variety and diversity of the architecture.

Day 122-125 Adelaide and McLaren Vale

The three adventurers managed to get to the Penfold's Winery just as the tour was starting. As we were all members of the Cellar Pass Card (good deal if you are in the area) we enjoyed the thrill of standing in the cellar (above) which contains "Grange" for every year that it had been produced!! Bit mind blowing, especially when we had passed barrels and barrels of 2007 & 8 Grange in the making at a value of $220,000 per barrel!
We also went to Primo Estate.We had a very different wine tasting here, which included wines of an Italian style, bread and parmesan cheese. Nice to have a sitting even if the stool were pathetic!
Proof, Bassie has got something from us!!!! (And from Jess who loves red wine too). Like this photo.
The country side, though drying was fantastic, and we were surprised how much like some of the areas are like English country side. Stephen even teases me about moving here, at least it has got him off the Nimbin joke!!
You never know what you are going to find when you open doors! Stephen found these barrel doors at a small winery called Samuel's Gorge, lovely wine and a shock for Stephen when he tried to get a gorge photo through the barrel doors... low and behold the chook's tried to get out!!!!

Day 119-121 Adelaide

We arrived in Adelaide to catch up with Bassie & Jess, before Bassie goes off to the Middle East in December. Luckily for us Bassie was able to get some time off and we have spent many a happy time with him visiting the area & the wineries. This shot is taken at the Botanic Gardens and if I say so myself not a bad one of the both of us.
Some incredible sculpture, this is actually sheets of glass on glass to make a tunnel, then set in water...very effective.
The two boys doing one of their favorite things, shopping in the market. We have been a few times now and on one occasion we bought Marlin  steaks for our dinner, fabulous!!
On to a winery in the town of Bridgwater. This gorgeous old mill has been used as a cellar door and restaurant, very pucker!!  Remind you of anywhere Debbie (Sis)?
Now there is always a story and this is it. This picture is what happens to bad bears (Clarence). He needed a wash and Stephen say's that he unbalanced our machine so that it would not open. After cutting the door out and replacing it later, Clarence was released to be hung by the ears!!!!!

Day 115-118 Clare Valley

Yes, there is a Maze in Clare...and as the kids will tell you, Maze plus Alison is a must! Even got Stephen to join in this time. Very pretty and well laid out with Gnomes, Mad Hare's, Hercules etc.
The area of Clare is quite historic with some lovely areas to search. Here, we are at Martindale Hall, which we could not get through but was interesting none the less. This great hall was used in the classic Australian film, Picnic at Hanging Rock.
All of the places above are in Mintaro, and the surrounding area. This peaceful village is a classic, with nearly every house and building being on the heritage list,we loved it!
But of course Clare is renowned for it's Riesling and Shiraz, and yes we gave the wineries a jolly good seeing too!
The views and scenery were spectacular with this one showing some of the vines just by the road. However, one of the best from the Winery know as Paulett's (not shown here) well worth a visit if you are in the area..