Saturday 15 December 2012

HEADING SOUTHWARDS

We left the Gawler Ranges behind with their interesting rocks and desert landscapes and headed Southward.
The first sign of civilization was this -
We did our usual trick of finding the Tourist Information Centre so we could learn a bit about the town and surrounding area, but found our own interesting 'bits' on the way.  This was one place that could not be mistaken for anything else......
And this was another pretty nice peice of public artwork.
But for all these very interesting, colourful and creative man made structures - Mother Nature is constantly displaying very interesting peices......
And then there are just other 'things' that are just there!  Not pretty, or colourful, but you cannot say they are not creative, and they definitely catch the eye so make their message known......

although not sure what bicycles have to do with dog trials????
The terrain was getting greener and the crops were changing - we must be nearing Wine country....
The Clare Valley.

It was nice to book into a camp ground again for a 'normal' shower and a chance to catch up on washing and computer access....we even got 'adopted' by the camp's labrador Jaz!

Decided to check out one of the wineries nearby at Seven Hills....It is a Jesuit retreat and church as well as a winery with a really interesting history and some of the actual grape vines date back for many many years!
As you explore the property there are still the remains of the original monastry buildings


and also some of the old machinery....


and old people...................

oops sorry - that's Dave!!!

The craftsmanship in some of these old buildings is pretty special and when you entered this prayer chapel the temperature truly dropped about 10'.

Of course we could not leave without a visit inside - the winery itself.....wouldn't mind taking a few of these babies home with us...

As we wandered back to the car we passed through the wonderful smell of the lavender gardens ......now these are plants that you just have to 'brush' past to release the aroma......

and the views over the surrounding valley would make this place a pretty peaceful place for their retreat....


Onwards South to Kapunda where we found a monument to the original miners that came to the area from Cornwall, so I thought it only apt that the son of a Yorkshire Miner should stand alongside.  
They must have had different diets in Cornwall..........magic beans?

Not too far away we had to stop to check out this unusual tree...

We were just impressed its by it's uniqueness but were not prepared for it's history..

Incredible!!!
and there is still someone in there.....

oh it's just me!!! (ho ho)  But seriously, although its big, I can't imagine living in it for 5 years!!!
We continued to travel along some really lovely roads....


from here we decided to head for the water again and detoured towards the Murray....

A beautiful spot for a campsite, but as with all water you can never be too complacent.......it can get nasty here...note the flood level sign from 1956 ------pretty scary thought!!

But we settled in for a relaxing evening....

until we had some guests arrive......not sure if they were there for a feed or to clean the dishes.......don't think they were too concerned either way...

They weren't much help in the end, and all they did was make a mess. Plus Dave was not too impressed with them using his saucepan!!  So after a thorough scrubbing of pots and a good nights sleep it was on down the river....

and then across the river and Southwards towards the coast!!!!

It's a hard life but someone has to do it!!!!

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