Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Following Cherie...
Today we did the biggest part of our drive to Melbourne; from Lyndoch to Warrnambool. Luckily our hire car company (unfortunately this blog has an exclusive sponsorship deal with Cyberoo, so I can't mention the car company's name) gave us a free sattelite navigation system. We can choose whether we want the directions to be given by a male voice or a female voice, however the guy sounded rhather dull and so we opted for the lady and nicknamed her Cherie.
Cherie has got a very calm but commanding voice, obviously used to giving orders. Just the thought of her saying "Please do a u-turn if possible" in her style that extinguishes even the slightest notion of rebellion, led to the fact that we followed each of her directions, even if that meant leaving the main road, driving around the block and then returning to the same spot we started. Yes, even computers have a sense of humour. However we then figured out that she had told us to "bear left" but we had "turned left", so really we can't blame her.
After a short pit stop at the German influenced township of Hahndorf, where they have Australian flags with eagles on them, a "Kaffeehaus" run by ocker Aussies and other perversities.
After buying a take away coffee we departed and Mark dared to do a u-turn without consulting Cherie, who had worked out an alternative scenic route. Her revenge came in form of some bold "nasty" arrows and her leading us through some tiny Hahndorf streets which MB found just beautiful and amazingly idyllic.
We then drove further south at a high speed and almost gave a kangawallpop a ride. Luckily it got scared away by Marcia's "Open Space" music (the sort that's supposed to be relaxing but really makes your teeth go yellow). We then arrived at Kingston SE, which is a village on the coast and famous for its lobster (we don't know what the SE stands for).
MDR had seen it on TV a few days ago and knew exactly which restaurant he wanted to go to. The "Great Lobster Restaurant" is hidden behind a - surprise, surprise - giant lobster, which is approximately 25 metres high. Unfortunately the joint didn't look as spectacular as on TV and in fact was more of a fast food outlet with a drive thru, and as if that wasn't bad enough, it was closed. We therefore consulted our travel guide book, which suggested the fish markets. Cherie guided us there in no time, and while the lights were on the markets were closed, too.
Therefore we decided to give the "Famous" Grand Hotel a visit and indeed got some very nice food (unfortunately they used a lot of garlic which influenced the atmosphere - with that I mean air - on the further journey). However far more spectacular was their jukebox. In addition to playing songs this wondrous machine showed the music videos on a big screen TV. MB and I decided that we just had to try it and put on Pony by Kasey Chambers. It started off really loudly and was greeted with a "Turn it off" from the drunk figures at the bar. The bartender opted for a compromise and turned it down.
An overenthused MB couldn't wait for that song to finish so she could put on another one. Apparently possessed by demons, she decided to play the Sunscreen Song by John Safran. Luckily we had almost finished our meals and were able to escape before being attacked by the locals.
MB then took over the wheel and we almost took another kangawalla-animal with us, however this one didn't dare challenging MB (also see "Trivial Pursuit challenge" - again the odds were clearly on her side).
We made it to Warrnambool safely and checked into a very nice Motel (again, our sponsorship deal with http://www.cyberoo.com.au forbids the mentioning of any business names) where we enjoyed takeaway pizza and are recovering from the day.
SB
Cherie has got a very calm but commanding voice, obviously used to giving orders. Just the thought of her saying "Please do a u-turn if possible" in her style that extinguishes even the slightest notion of rebellion, led to the fact that we followed each of her directions, even if that meant leaving the main road, driving around the block and then returning to the same spot we started. Yes, even computers have a sense of humour. However we then figured out that she had told us to "bear left" but we had "turned left", so really we can't blame her.
After a short pit stop at the German influenced township of Hahndorf, where they have Australian flags with eagles on them, a "Kaffeehaus" run by ocker Aussies and other perversities.
After buying a take away coffee we departed and Mark dared to do a u-turn without consulting Cherie, who had worked out an alternative scenic route. Her revenge came in form of some bold "nasty" arrows and her leading us through some tiny Hahndorf streets which MB found just beautiful and amazingly idyllic.
We then drove further south at a high speed and almost gave a kangawallpop a ride. Luckily it got scared away by Marcia's "Open Space" music (the sort that's supposed to be relaxing but really makes your teeth go yellow). We then arrived at Kingston SE, which is a village on the coast and famous for its lobster (we don't know what the SE stands for).
MDR had seen it on TV a few days ago and knew exactly which restaurant he wanted to go to. The "Great Lobster Restaurant" is hidden behind a - surprise, surprise - giant lobster, which is approximately 25 metres high. Unfortunately the joint didn't look as spectacular as on TV and in fact was more of a fast food outlet with a drive thru, and as if that wasn't bad enough, it was closed. We therefore consulted our travel guide book, which suggested the fish markets. Cherie guided us there in no time, and while the lights were on the markets were closed, too.
Therefore we decided to give the "Famous" Grand Hotel a visit and indeed got some very nice food (unfortunately they used a lot of garlic which influenced the atmosphere - with that I mean air - on the further journey). However far more spectacular was their jukebox. In addition to playing songs this wondrous machine showed the music videos on a big screen TV. MB and I decided that we just had to try it and put on Pony by Kasey Chambers. It started off really loudly and was greeted with a "Turn it off" from the drunk figures at the bar. The bartender opted for a compromise and turned it down.
An overenthused MB couldn't wait for that song to finish so she could put on another one. Apparently possessed by demons, she decided to play the Sunscreen Song by John Safran. Luckily we had almost finished our meals and were able to escape before being attacked by the locals.
MB then took over the wheel and we almost took another kangawalla-animal with us, however this one didn't dare challenging MB (also see "Trivial Pursuit challenge" - again the odds were clearly on her side).
We made it to Warrnambool safely and checked into a very nice Motel (again, our sponsorship deal with http://www.cyberoo.com.au forbids the mentioning of any business names) where we enjoyed takeaway pizza and are recovering from the day.
SB
On the Road - Tuesday May 31
Departing our little rural idyll today. Heading east today, no idea where we will end up tonight, but it will certainly be on the coast somewhere.
The Trivial Pursuit Challenge
We held our second Trivial Pursuit challenge last night and I was again victorious. Although I have to admit that it was mainly due to the easy questions I got. It was quite funny to see the boys struggle with questions about 18th century authors while I had questions like "What happens when you get pepper in your nose"...
Monday, May 30, 2005
Aussie Rules Rulz
MDR is suffering from acute NRL and Super 12's withdrawal. The only rugby league & union news he can get is via SBS. Do the crow eaters think Queensland is overseas?
Days 2 & 3 Barossa Valley - Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Angaston & Bethany
Day 2 - Saturday 28 May 2005 - Gawler & Tanunda
Gawler is the major town just before Lyndoch. Went there for tourist info and supplies. SB, schnappschenjager, checked out Cash Converters for bargains. The tourist centre folks were wonderful.
Next stop was Tanunda for lunch, found a beaut restaurant called 1918, food was superb, and the Sparkling Dry Red was delicious. Lots of German style cafes and bakeries there too. The old houses and buildings are delightful, some of the older houses are so tiny!
Mumsy saw a brochure for Norm's Working Dog Show. 2pm found us at Norm's farm with a bunch of other tourists. Norm's been around the block a few times and puts on a good show, he's a typical laconic bushie type and has this huge collection of coolie dogs living in a bunch of old yellow utes scattered around the property. Norm is unable to disclose details of the breed, but he does export them far and wide. The dogs were amazing, really clever and so cute.
Day 3 - Sunday 29 May 2005.
Hit the wineries today, Wolf Blass, Hamiltons and Chateau Yaldara. There are 60 wineries in the Barossa, amazing how many there are and how accessible they all are. We are finding it quick and easy to get around as the Barossa isn't such a large area at all. SB is the navigator/entertainer and has very thoughtfully brought his country music CD selection for us to listen to in the car, funny how Mumsy's CDs always get left back at the Casa.
A must see for Mumsy was Maggie Beer's gourmet farm at Nuriootpa (saw it on SBS). The food and produce is sensational. She has the most amazing collection of pheasants and quail, which they farm for their gourmet food lines. They also produce and sell Beer Brothers' Wine! We naturally stopped for lunch; Game Pie for MB, Kangaroo Crepinettes for MDR & Barossa Valley chook for SB. Mumsy thought eating outside "al fresco" would be a novel experience, but for some strange reason the sun didn't have any warmth at all... MDR & SB weren't impressed. www.maggiebeer.com
Checked out Angaston and Bethany too, very charming little towns dotted amongst the vineyards. SB loves browsing through second hand stores and found, and bought, a German Bible printed in 1903 for $10.00, in excellent condition, quite a find! MDR enjoyed the blacksmith's shop in Angaston, it was like stepping back in time.
Visited Mengler's Hill Lookout near Bethany, it has panoramic views of the Barossa, which at the moment is really dry, great views though. There is also a sculpture park at the lookout which has these huge modern marble and granite sculptures, SB took a load of photos of these.
Just near Casa Rossa there is this amazing rose garden "Barrosa" which has over 10,000 rose bushes and the fragrance is heavenly.
The fireplace at the Casa was very popular that night, all MDR needed with his glass of red was some NRL on the tele and he would have been in heaven....
Gawler is the major town just before Lyndoch. Went there for tourist info and supplies. SB, schnappschenjager, checked out Cash Converters for bargains. The tourist centre folks were wonderful.
Next stop was Tanunda for lunch, found a beaut restaurant called 1918, food was superb, and the Sparkling Dry Red was delicious. Lots of German style cafes and bakeries there too. The old houses and buildings are delightful, some of the older houses are so tiny!
Mumsy saw a brochure for Norm's Working Dog Show. 2pm found us at Norm's farm with a bunch of other tourists. Norm's been around the block a few times and puts on a good show, he's a typical laconic bushie type and has this huge collection of coolie dogs living in a bunch of old yellow utes scattered around the property. Norm is unable to disclose details of the breed, but he does export them far and wide. The dogs were amazing, really clever and so cute.
Day 3 - Sunday 29 May 2005.
Hit the wineries today, Wolf Blass, Hamiltons and Chateau Yaldara. There are 60 wineries in the Barossa, amazing how many there are and how accessible they all are. We are finding it quick and easy to get around as the Barossa isn't such a large area at all. SB is the navigator/entertainer and has very thoughtfully brought his country music CD selection for us to listen to in the car, funny how Mumsy's CDs always get left back at the Casa.
A must see for Mumsy was Maggie Beer's gourmet farm at Nuriootpa (saw it on SBS). The food and produce is sensational. She has the most amazing collection of pheasants and quail, which they farm for their gourmet food lines. They also produce and sell Beer Brothers' Wine! We naturally stopped for lunch; Game Pie for MB, Kangaroo Crepinettes for MDR & Barossa Valley chook for SB. Mumsy thought eating outside "al fresco" would be a novel experience, but for some strange reason the sun didn't have any warmth at all... MDR & SB weren't impressed. www.maggiebeer.com
Checked out Angaston and Bethany too, very charming little towns dotted amongst the vineyards. SB loves browsing through second hand stores and found, and bought, a German Bible printed in 1903 for $10.00, in excellent condition, quite a find! MDR enjoyed the blacksmith's shop in Angaston, it was like stepping back in time.
Visited Mengler's Hill Lookout near Bethany, it has panoramic views of the Barossa, which at the moment is really dry, great views though. There is also a sculpture park at the lookout which has these huge modern marble and granite sculptures, SB took a load of photos of these.
Just near Casa Rossa there is this amazing rose garden "Barrosa" which has over 10,000 rose bushes and the fragrance is heavenly.
The fireplace at the Casa was very popular that night, all MDR needed with his glass of red was some NRL on the tele and he would have been in heaven....
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Laucke Flour Mill, Angaston, Barossa Valley, SA.
This caught our eye, as Laucke is our favourite bread making flour. It must be like gold, judging by the security around the building!
Day 1 Barossa Valley
Left Cairns 4:30pm on Friday 27th May 2005 via Virgin Airlines and arrived at a chilly Adelaide around 10pm. Collected our car rental from Avis, who were good enough to upgrade us to a Commodore with satellite navigation. Didn't realise how useful these are! SB* programmed it to get us to Lyndoch (about 1 hour nth of Adelaide), MDR didn't have to worry about maps or anything, the nice voice on the satnav, which we've dubbed ''Sheree'' after SB's maths teacher, plotted our route and told us when to turn and the distances we needed to travel, a wonderful tool for sure.
Mumsy booked a 3 bdrm holiday house called 'Casa Rossa', through wotif. Our thoughtful hosts had turned on the central heating for us. The house is in a vineyard and is just perfect for us, not only centally heated, it has an open fire and heaters in the bedrooms. Mumsy loves the bath too, where she can thaw out when required.
*SB - Sebastian Bluemmert
Mumsy - Marcia
MDR - Marc
Mumsy booked a 3 bdrm holiday house called 'Casa Rossa', through wotif. Our thoughtful hosts had turned on the central heating for us. The house is in a vineyard and is just perfect for us, not only centally heated, it has an open fire and heaters in the bedrooms. Mumsy loves the bath too, where she can thaw out when required.
*SB - Sebastian Bluemmert
Mumsy - Marcia
MDR - Marc
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