20TH - 25TH MARCH 2013 – ADELAIDE HILLS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

 

We need no introduction to this area having visited our friends here in 2011. We love all the little villages with their stone buildings & avenues of autumn trees, not into changing mode just yet. They, like Paparoa, have had no rain & the current weather is quiet grey & cool. After a day or two there are a few showers & a terrible tornado ripped through Victoria causing a lot of damage & injuries. It was in the area close to where we cycled for 12 days last trip. It’s lovely to catch up with our friends , have a break from being on the road & for Stu to do a few little jobs on the van. One day Stu & I took a drive out to the coast through more little rural villages who no matter how small seem to have a cafe or two. The temperature was only 13deg en route so we actually had the heater on in the car for a short time – a change from the aircon. Traffic is practically non existent but there are plenty of wineries advertising tastings. Lunch at McLaren Vale which is a delightful area, then we do a 14km ride along their rail trail through lots of grape growing & other little villages.

Along the Rail Trail Bike Track
 

Rail Traiil

We passed a high school which fascinated us. There were children caring for farm animals, sawing trees, caring for vegetables etc which we thought was wonderful. Everything is so tidy & well cared for. On our return trip to base we do call into a winery recommended to us & Stu stocks up for the weeks ahead (if he can contain himself from drinking it beforehand). Ruth & Doug usually ride on Sundays so another rail trail from their local shopping area is chosen – I suspect more to suit me than anything else as I am just getting back into the hang of it. Must say I am quite pleased, no sore muscles. Next day just so we don’t forget what work is we shift some mulch for Ruth, payment for their hospitality & the lovely meals we have had together. It’s sad to say goodbye not knowing when we will see them again. I think next time it will probably be a ‘fly-in’ holiday. Time will tell.

Flowering Gum
 

Port Wallunga