Hahndorf, Adelaide & Barossa

This week has certainly flown by it been hard trying to recall what we got up. I mostly blame the wineries for the recent amnesia, but it could be age or maybe a little of both.

On the way from Cape Jervis to Adelaide we took a detour to a little German village called Hahndorf to satisfy James’ craving for Bratwurst, beer and if he still had room, something sweet  

We decided to spend three nights in Adelaide. Before heading into town to have a stickybeak and get some tourist information we had to walk through the beautiful botanical gardens.  It was a perfect sunny day for a stroll across the gardens, viewing the colourful, vibrant flowers and shady trees along the way. But mainly it  help us burn off some of those sausages we ate early!!!.  With a handful of information and a chat with the friendly staff at information centre at Rundle Mall, we set off to explore the city and checkout the historical buildings.  Katrina also managed to make some news friends (picture below).  On the way back through the gardens we came across the National Wine Centre of Australia.  It would’ve been rude not to go in, have a look around and sample some of the local wines.

 

First stop on day two was Adelaide zoo, where Katrina tried to off load me to the keeper as an endangered, exotic, breed of monkey. Although I had the facial hair and intelligence to be one, I was lacking in hand eye co-ordination and agility.

After convincing the zoo keeper I wasn’t a monkey he released me back into the human population, we continued around the zoo, befriended a black and red cockatoo. Also got up close to the only two giant  pandas in the southern hemisphere, Wang Wang and Funi.  Next on our to-do list was the central markets, before jumping on their only tramline in Adelaide to Glenelg, best know as the city’s favourite beach. There we had a few beers and a walk along the pier before catching the tram back to the Sky city Casino. Whilst checking out the opulent decor and watching people lose their money on the tables we found the buffet. It was amazing and it’s safety to say we over indulged (Katrina had three desserts and I had about seven courses).  Earlier in the day we had been told about The Garden of Unearthly Delights, a mixture of music, circus, cabaret, theatre, comedy and everything in-between.  We managed to get tickets to see Tom Gleeson a comedian we know from TV and radio. So with our bellies full we waddled along to the show and have a look at the side acts.  (The photo’s below show the grounds and tents the acts where in.)

The next day we only had a few things we really wanted to see in town, St Peter’s Cathedral and the city lookout.   St Peter’s Cathedral was fantastic, a really blend of old and new. 

 

 

Barossa Valley

 

We spent a few nights in the Barossa valley and to make it fair one day I drove and the next Katrina did so we both got a chance to sample the vino.  Of course Katrina took full advantage and thought she would try and drink the valley dry of white wine.  However the mixture of heat, lack of time and numerous wineries meant that Katrina could not fulfil her plan, but she had fun trying.

 

To keep James entertained we stoped in at the wooden toy factory which has a giant rocking horse and a smaller one that he couldn’t get the hang of! We also visited a gum tree that was once home to the Herbig family from 1855 to 1860. 

The next day, James got to sample while I did the driving. We did stumble across the farm shop of Margret Beer (from the cook and the chef programme). We stayed to watch a cooking demonstration and taste what they had made. 

Just as we were about to call it a day we came across a boutique winery which not only made wine but Mead and various Ports.  James was in second heaven!  We were there for quiet a while as he worked his was through the tasting list. We left with a bottle of Riesling, chocolate port and a big grin on James red face.  I was lucky, there could have been a lot more bottles.

Some of the wineries we visited were:

Saltram wine estate, Yalumba, Chateau Tanunda estate, Jacob’s Creek, McGuigan Barossa Valley, Barossa Brewing Co, Penfolds, Seppeltsfield, Two Hands Wines, Chateau Dorrien.

I don’t think James wanted to leave……….

 

We left the Barossa for the Yorke Peninsular and………………………………….until next time be safe and don’t ride horses backwards.