[Trip to the Barossa Valley]

I had a hair app[ointmen]t, Len did laundry and shopping. Burnside Village quite an impressive shopping centre. Set off for the Barossa and travelled through the Torrens Gorge along the very interesting route Brenton had mapped out for us. Lovely treed-green hills with mainly cattle and sheep farms. Stopped at Lindocks Bakery for a German-style lunch (with Becks beer). Then pressed on to Rowland Flat where we visited the Orlando (Jacobs Creek) Winery for tasting and purchases. Then continued through various parts of the Barossa area. Decided to pass the rest of the wineries (as far as tasting and purchasing was concerned – we spent enough at Orlando and space was limited!).

Continued on the circuitous route through to Seppeltsfield where we visited the Keg Factory briefly and saw them placing the hoops on the top of a couple of kegs – removed from the hot bath (vat) where the timber was softened for shaping. Quite interesting but items for sale a bit gimmicky and pretty expensive. Most appealing to me were the tiny half-kegs made to hang from tops of port kegs as drip trays! Len wouldn’t let me buy one!

Just before this we passed the Whispering Wall – a curved dam which if you talk at one end someone can hear you at the other (if you talk at the curve of the dam). Too bloody cold to bother trying.

Travelled on to Angaston and inspected Collingwood [Collingrove] House. Home of the Angas family, now in the hands of the National Trust. Lovely old homestead with lots of original furnishings and memorabilia.

Then proceeded through Eden Valley towards Adelaide. Again, lovely rolling farming land – more open this time. Nearing Adelaide, we side-tracked and went down to the coast at Glenelg to see the popular beach. Took a quick photo and hot-fooled it back to the car – a freezing wind! Beach looked rather attractive though – a bit like an extensive Manly perhaps. Huge new residential blocks being erected right on the beachfront – supposed to completed by October.

Returned to city and decided to have dinner at Stanley’s Fish Restaurant/Cafe. I had crumbed Deep Sea Perch, Len had battered Deep Sea Perch. Very good. Pleasant service. Then returned home for coffee (tea) a bit of TV and then to bed.

Another really interesting day.

Incidentals (Adelaide): Food $1.95; Laundry $4; $6.35