Many of lifes great pleasures surround food, making the BarossaValley a picturesque and decadent adventure. There are a series of small historic villages clustered around beautiful vineyards and farmland. With my birthday only a week away we had a wonderful excuse to sample all that was on offer and choose our favourites to store away for a little party.
The Barossa had a strong European influence, which I was soon to learn is common for the Adeleide region of South Australia. The Germans were amoungst the first to settle in the Barossa area in the 1840's, escaping religious persecution in their homeland. The tenacity and hardwork of these pioneers is inspiring. We went to visit a tree which was the home of Johann Friedrich Herbig. Very poor he lived in the tree with his wife and two of his sixteen children. With great vision and hard work, he went on to be one the most influential men in his region. One of many amazing stories.
I was suprised how much we enjoyed the Barossa with three litte twinkle stars. Lovely scenic drives and some great family friendly wineries. For those wineries too fancy, I would stay in the car with the kids, watching a dvd on he laptop, while John sampled the fare. Then John sent me off to enjoy a cooking class at Maggie Beers studio kitchen. Totally motivated to cook up a masterpeice on on the two working burners of my caravan stove!
We have come to expect amazing chance encounters on our trip. We ran into a great old friend from Newcastle (Dan Cox) at Maggie Beer's farm who happened to drop into her store in a completely different part of the country at the same time we were. I am sure God just has an amazing sense of humour lining these things up.
Then it was on to Adeleide, a unique city surrounded by parks and mountains. Driving over the hills was a magestic entry to Adeleide. One evening after having dinner with friends just out of town (the inspiring Matt and Kathi Weever), we drove over the hills at night and saw the spectacular city in the valley below covered in lights.
We stayed very close to the centre of town, so John could ride his bike into the city, and took the children in on a bus, which was a great adventure for them. We didn't find the city as family friendly as others we have been too. There was not much for the preschool age in the museum or libraries. And we were stalked by security in the art gallery after Amy climbed up on an 'artwork' which seemed to her like a great chair to sit on.
Our gorgeous Amy had her 2nd birthday in Handhorf to see the fairies at Misty Hollow. Handhorf is Australia's oldest surviving german settlement. Streets lined with shady trees, german cottages, cafe's, bakeries, and german food stores mostly run by the decendents of the original settlers. For lunch we enjoyed a platter of german sausages!
While in South Australia John made connections with the Flow FM radio who have started playing Johns latest album 'Falling Awake' across their nework, reaching the Yarra Ranges, Murrundindi, Barossa, Yorke Peninsula, Limestone Coast, Coober Pedy, Tennant Creek, Jabiru and the list goes on. So greatful for such an amazing opportunity.
From here we journey south to the Great Ocean Road.
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