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Published: January 9th 2010
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Day 255 - Naracoorte to Eden Valley
We wake up feeling very pleased with ourselves this morning after a blissfully peaceful night’s sleep. The sun is already high in the sky and the only drama we’re faced with is where we should head to next as yet again we’re undecided.
Our spot here at Naracoorte is just great, nice views over the countryside and plenty of walks to do on our doorstep but the location of this little haven is miles from anywhere else we had planned to visit at this moment in time so really we should move on.
It seems we did a good, thorough job of unpacking the caravan yesterday so it takes us a bit longer to put everything back where it belongs before we hop into the glorious showers and then get back on the open road.
Making the decision to leave is one thing, deciding where we’re going is another! I sit with the Camps 5 book on my lap and position Tom Tom within easy reach. By the time we get to the main highway and the town of Keith I’m still looking at the options which is testament to
The scene at Patchway, Bristol in the Uk
Nick swings the webcam through the 'white' window how appealing South Australia is, there are so many interesting places to explore.
We consider Swan Reach on the Murray River as it offers free camping, or perhaps the national park at Belair but a phone call to them confirms the campground isn’t covered under our Holiday Pass so it would cost us dearly to stay there. We start to think about going straight towards the Barrosa Valley but again I’m concerned about the cost of staying in a caravan park so start to search for alternatives. I find a showground facility in Eden Valley & a quick call confirms they have room, shade and it’s only $15 per night with power and all amenities thrown in. That sounds perfect so we chuck the new destination into Tom Tom and let it calculate the route.
There are some big hills to navigate and we get quite a queue forming behind us but only because we were stuck behind a lorry ourselves. We drive through beautiful little villages and eventually arrive at the showground.
We would have to admit we weren’t sure about the place to begin with but the friendliness of the camp ground caretaker sucks us
in and we’re set up in no time. ‘Siggy’ is just the perfect caretaker, very funny, very friendly and we’ve nestled in with the permanent residents very quickly. The mosquitoes are a bit of a nuisance, we’ll have to remember to put our deterrent mix on, the dettol and baby oil usually works a treat.
We get given the run down on the local area and find that the worlds ‘best red wine’ is grown just up the road, literally. Irvine Wines have won the ‘Worlds best Red’ and the ‘Worlds best wine maker’ awards in recent years. We’d never even heard of Eden Valley before today but it’s another of the amazing secrets Australia keeps so well.
It looks like we’ll be here for a few days at least enjoying the sun while back home the weather throws snow everywhere. We had an interesting chat with Dar’s brother Nick tonight over Skype and couldn’t believe it when he pointed the web cam out of the window, there’s nothing but white and he tells us Bristol is at a stand still. Luckily Mum and Dad H are fine all snuggled in the bungalow and Mum & Dad K
The chalets first snow!
Our beautiful 'new' back garden at home in Moira covered in snow for the first time in 2010 made the journey back up to the Midlands with no problems where Dad is making steady progress in his recovery. His scars are impressive and he is being very careful at the moment not to over do things but he’s coming along quietly which, as you can imagine, we’re over the moon about.
We’ve nearly caught back up with the blogs now, yippee, so normal activities of reading and Rummikub will shortly be on the cards. There wasn’t much left of today when we packed up the laptop, just time to catch the news and sit in horror watching the Sea Shepherd vessel of Ady Gil be rammed by a Japanese Whaling boat...although it does depend on which angle you watch the footage from as to who got in the way of who. However what is blatant is the water cannon action of the Japanese Whaling crew after the Ady Gil had been struck and was sinking in open water. Now that is abhorrent behaviour no matter what angle it’s seen from. It seems to have been pure luck there were no injuries or fatalities. We’re quickly into a discussion about why whaling is even permitted within Australian waters
(this was in the Southern Ocean) when so much tourism is centred and encouraged around watching them. It’s a bit odd really and something which was promised to be addressed by the government but as yet has not been. Thankfully there are people in this world who feel so strongly about this cruel, disgusting activity that is being undertaken in the name of ‘scientific research’ that care more about the beautiful whales being saved than their own lives. It’s appalling it has to come to that but good on Paul Watson and all the crews on board the various Sea Shepherd vessels who get our support every time. The team may have lost a one million dollar vessel but it’s got the subject in the headlines again so you never know, the Rudd government may just take the opportunity to put things right and ban whaling forever in Australian waters.
There’s nothing like the TV to get you on a rant is there!!
Much love to all
Dar and Sar
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Jan Kettle
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Which wine to choose? - cheers!
I've just been checking the map and realise where you are at the moment - lovely countryside and great choice of vineyards - we stayed at Nuriootpa for a couple of nights which can't be too far from where you are now. Beautiful blue sky here but sadly it's freezing outside. xxx Mum