Stephanie's Words: SIMPLY STUNNING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Come Drive With Us

Good Crops This Year

What can I tell you? Once again I am under the powerful spell of South Australia. This is such a beautiful state. Admittedly, the countryside around Morgan is a little on the ordinary side with red soil, scrubby trees and a littering of salt-bush. It does of course, have its own stark sort of beauty. The countryside as you approach the Clare Valley however, opens up into an enormous Hans Heysen painting – truly, you could swear you had done the proverbial Alice Through The Looking Glass and simply stepped into one of his paintings.

Sun Drenched

Crop Lines!?

The vistas of distant blue hills, massive and marbled old gums, sleepy sheep and cattle grazing on sun drenched hills and of wheat fields interspersed with rows of budding vines are just awe-inspiring. Due to our very timely trip thru’ SA, the fields of wheat and hay range from deep emerald green, limes, silvers golds and red. It is so incredibly beautiful I am just in constant wonder and awe. I must drive DD nuts with my constant exclamations and exaltations.

One exclamation was as a result of a huge bucking bronco and rider suddenly appearing on a lonely corner in the tiny 'town' of Marrabel. The horse was it seems, a brumby mare called Curio – a legend in the area, having bucked every rider off her back for 8 long years. She was eventually ridden for 10 long seconds by the rider depicted in the 2 tonne cold pressed bronze statue. For the horse prone amongst you, don’t be too upset for poor old Curio. She lived to be 28 years old and was a proud mum several times during that time. Her memory is revered in this region.

Curio - first successful 10 second rider Alan Woods
Curio was the feature horse at the rodeo from 1947 - this ride was in 1953

This does look uncomfortable - perhaps that's why she bucked everyone off!

LUCKY AT LEASINGHAM

I don’t know if I mentioned it, but it is still school holidays here in SA. That fact combined with a long week-end this past Saturday and Sunday meant, we found, that it was hard to find a little nook for Jezzy over that particular 3 day period. We were compelled to leave Morgan as they were expecting an influx of folk, due we thought, to being right on the Murray River. Surely the inland country towns, without the benefit of rivers would be free and easy! Hmmm, it seems we were wrong on that count. We did try a couple only to be told in no uncertain terms that they would be filled to capacity over the long week-end. We knew that we would be welcome at a certain home in Clare, but really didn’t wish to impose ourselves on a long weekend, thinking that our good friends would be involved with family and bowls. What to do? Well after a bit of a ring around, we found a delightful tiny little caravan park at Leasingham in the Clare Valley, just a few miles from Clare. What a delightful little spot this turned out to be. The place was called, I think, Leasingham Cabin Village and is on the corner of Wakefield Road and Main North Road. They only have a small number of powered sites, tiny but pretty amenities and the cutest little laundry you are ever likely to find in a CP. The park even boasted a Dump Point (most important). We booked into this park for the long weekend. I think every van other than ours boasted a very well behaved pooch and all the neighbours were friendly as were the natives.

Spectacular Vineyards of The Clare Valley

Ordered Beauty

One of our objectives while relatively close to Adelaide was for DD to catch up with his old mate Harry. To this end, we took the scenic route thru’ Gawler and down to Virginia where Harry lives. I was intending to stay away from this male reunion but ended up taking the trip south with DD in order to see an otherwise unseen area and to possibly do the skipper thing on the way back. As it turned out, I didn’t need to skipper as DD was impeccably behaved and I did indeed enjoy the very scenic drive thru’ Gawler on the way down and thru’ Balaklava on the way back. Most importantly tho’, I am so pleased to have met DD’s old friend.

Harry and DD used to be work-mates and I had heard many stories about the antics and travels these two blokes were involved in back in the good old days. Harry is a dapper ‘mature’ gentleman, and yes he definitely is a gentleman, of English birth. What a delight. He lives in what would most likely be described as a Retirement Village, amongst like-minded individuals. His home was both beautifully appointed and maintained. I was super-impressed by the state of the home. Harry quite puts me to shame with his house-work. The place was immaculate.

Harry’s hospitality was impeccable and he made us very welcome with cuppas which we enjoyed on his back patio. I sat back and enjoyed the friendly ambiance as the two men relived much of their past working life. It was lovely just sitting back and enjoying the ambiance created by old friendship.

Leaving Harry’s delightful home, we made our way back via Port Wakefield and Balaclava. The countryside around the Balaklava area was quite beautiful displaying, like in the old song, 40 Shades of Green.

Amazing Contrasts

Sleeping Beauty

OLD FRIENDS AT OCHRE RIDGE

Monday morning arrived and we hitched up at a lovely leisurely pace and trundled along Main North Road the whole 15 or so kilometres to our mates’ home in Clare. We met Zan and Peter in Melrose earlier this year when we were just starting out on our 2013 journey. It was kismet at first glance. We have Zed and Jezabelle, they have Jethro and Elly Mae. Obviously a marriage made in heaven. These lovely folk practically insisted that we stay with them on our way thru’. We had it in mind to stay in Clare and simply visit, but they wouldn’t hear of this. We pulled into the front driveway of their wonderful country home late Monday morning and all sanity ceased from the moment we saw Pete in his front yard, obsequiously bowing and touching his forelock as we dragged Jezzy into the appointed spot.

Site of Ancient Fire Ritual

Views Forever

I have to say that as Caravan Parks go, the Ochre Ridge CP is the best we have ever stayed in. We were not allowed to lift a finger nor provide a bite. Zan and Peter completely spoiled us and we loved it. The home is on top of a largish hill, from where you can see for proverbial miles and miles. As the weather looked promising, they planned a bonfire for Monday evening. As foretold, the flames drew neighbours from near and far and a rip-roaring time was had by all as we sat around the primitive flames performing the age old rite of fire worship. This ancient practice was, as is the custom, performed with the aid of abundant fermented grape juice, both the red and white variety. I believe at some time, these juices were supplanted by the deep ruby red of port-wine. A most fitting homage to spring and the harvest of the vines! Of course all this grape juice was accompanied by a veritable BBQ feast of juicy steaks and tasty snaggers and all the trimmings.

Statuary Modeled on Zan

Modeled on Peter?

Remarkably Tuesday morning saw us all hale and hearty and ready for whatever. Zan is a super accomplished cook and absolutely surpassed herself on Tuesday evening presenting an enormous succulent port roast with lashings of the best crackling we have ever tasted. The conversations around the dining table were varied and absorbing. Between the four of us we share a variety of political bents and it was wonderful to be able to discuss, albeit quite excitedly, without any vitriol, our varying perspectives.

Before dinner, Peter and DD went off to visit a neighbour who has a decided passion for powerful, fast and super-everything motor-cars. DD was blown away, not only by the number of highly powered shiny vehicles in the garages, but the absolute spic and span condition of everything in and around that extensive garage! Even the white German Sheppard dog was immaculate. Even a non petrol head like my bloke had to be impressed with this vehicular display.

Power Plus

What a difference 50 odd years can make.

Sadly our short stay finished all too soon and Wednesday morning we bid farewell to Zan, Peter and their lovely 3 silver poodles and headed off to Melrose where we first met this delightful couple.

Gardens at the Ochre Ridge CP

Elly Mae, Jezzy and Zed all at the Ochre Ridge CP

MELTING AT MELROSE

We were fortunate to be only travelling some 150 or so kilometres yesterday as the winds were ferocious and generally almost in our face. In addition to the severe winds it was hot! I do mean hot! The temps were up around the 37 mark and it was, despite the winds, quite humid. We pushed our way thru’ to arrive in Melrose early afternoon. We have only really semi-unpacked as we will be off from here first thing tomorrow morning.

What Can I Say?

We feel that we now have the bit between our teeth and are looking forward to crossing the Nullarbor and reaching good old WA again. Our current plan is roughly along the lines of, Penong at the beginning of the Nullarbor tomorrow afternoon and Eucla the following day. We may stay a couple of days in Eucla depending on the prevailing winds – just because we spent Christmas there and have a fondness for the place. From Eucla we should reach somewhere like Fraser Range and then a jump to Southern Cross. From there we will head in a north-westerly direction arriving in our beloved Kalbarri somewhere around Saturday week. There we will sit for at least 2 – 3 weeks. Boy, am I looking forward to that! We see some amazing scenery, meet wonderful people and have amazing experiences, but after pretty much 10 months of being constantly on the move, I am really looking forward to “just settin’ a spell you all”. Sorry, it’s the Elly Mae influence!!

Well, that it for me this time. I will see if I can find some ‘road-trip’ style photos to show you. DD has asked me to mention that if you click on any of the photos, they enlarge and simplify the viewing procedure. I should mention here that DD’s leg is all better now and he is in much better humour!