McLaren Vale June 2011
– We had Ethan overnight on Friday, as Carly had a minor Operation “to clear her head”. At about 9:30 we set out over to Des’s to pick up the van. While we were there, some people we sold some furniture to arrived and packed up a whole lot of stuff to take away, it was so good to see it go and the house empty out.
We finished off there and hitched up the van late morning and headed down to McLaren Vale Lakeside Caravan Park via Carly’s place. We dropped Ethan off, Carly was asleep (she hadn’t had a good night). We said our goodbyes and headed out.
It is interesting taking a large caravan through narrow suburban streets and Saturday morning shopping traffic!!! Dam you people, don’t you know I am dragging 2 ½ tonne of lethal weapon behind me!!! (and I am sure that they were all cursing the “ Grey Nomads” in front of them!!)
We arrived in McLaren Vale around 1pm (an easy 40 min drive from home. (Yes Craig, we took your advice and went a long way from home this time, must be at least 45km). It’s a neat little park located just behind the centre of McLaren Vale, at the bottom of a hill that leads to some of the best wineries around.
It took next to no time to be all set-up. I even managed to reverse park our 8+m long van without any problems. Power and hoses all connected – no problem, still have to work a bit on getting the whole thing level, I think it’s a bit of “Grey Nomad” magic I still need to learn.
It wasn’t long before our neighbour came over to check out our “Rig”. (Note to self, brush up on Grey Nomad speak!). He was a harmless sort of guy, Apparently he and his wife were part of an Adelaide Caravan Club that goes to little towns within a few hours of Adelaide once a month. There must have been about 10 Vans in the group and they were having a dangerous game of Croquet, the way some were swinging the mallets was scary.
We spent the early afternoon sorting out the Van. Lining shelves and cupboards with non-slip stuff, and packing away/resorting stuff. And generally finding our way around the van and where we have put everything. It seems we have so much space, but I am sure it will all be full before we know it.
Brian and Eileen came around for a visit and a look at the van and Pizza from Oscar’s in McLaren Vale. Brian and I drove there and got a glass of wine while we waited for our order. It was relaxing sitting, chatting and laughing with Brian. It was all good timing, just as our glasses ran dry the pizza was ready.
We had a good night of Pizza and Red wine, and lots of laughs. A very enjoyable night we will have to do again.
Sunday morning came around all too soon, especially for Deb, who woke at 3:00am and decided her day had started when she was still awake at 3:30am (she is going to be a very tired girl later on tonight!!). After breakfast we did a bit more work in the van, then headed to Vonnie’s place. We left Aiko there and went for lunch with Von and Tom to the Star of Greece in Port Willunga. One of our nieces, Tara, works there it was so good to see her, and she gave us all a very big hug before we all sat down at our table. Tara had organised a very good table by the window for us. The restaurant looks out over the rugged local coastline. The food was fantastic, from Whitebait to squid, King George Whiting and twice cooked Duck. Yummmmmm
Von and Tom came back to the Caravan park with us (after we picked up Aiko) for a look at our Van and a cup of coffee. They were both suitably impressed and we spent a couple of hours talking about holidays past and future, always lots of fun.
Von and Tom left around 4pm and I went out to Tinlin’s Winery to get some port for my barrel at home. I walked into the cellar door with 6 empty flagons, put them on the counter and got them filled with their Tawny Port. The guy serving me asked if I’d like a tasting while I was waiting, I said yes, and he handed me a bottle of 10 year old Tawny Port and a glass and said “Help yourself!!” 🙂 What a fine chap he was 🙂 . Unfortunately he was also a very fast worker and was back before I had finished my first “tasting”.
I was back at the Van by 4:30, with 12 litres of “nectar” in the back of the car. I was one happy boy!
We left the park at about 5 for Ben’s place and dinner with Ben, Sarah and Dante, Tessa and Sophia. Roast chicken done on a Webber, and magnificent roast vegies. We had a very relaxing time with them all, and we both got some good quality time cuddling Sophia, she is growing up way to quickly!!
We eventually left them in peace at about 8:30pm and headed back to our Van and settled in for the night.
Monday
With a bit of encouragement from Aiko, we woke at about 6am. Deb grabbed the remote and turned on the A/C and we lay in bed until it was warm enough to get out.
Now here is one thing they don’t tell you about portable toilets, when they are full it is best to empty them, the thought of over capacity isn’t a good thing!! So seeing the full red light on, I had the great privilege of an early morning visit to the “Dump Point”. The guy who named such a place had a very limited imagination, very direct I would say!! Not the most pleasant task at the best of times but at this hour of the day it’s a bit “rich”!!.
The things you gotta do, if you want to do the things ya gotta do!
Anyway, the morning all looked up from that moment, after cleaning up I got the kettle on and a coffee underway to start the day. We took our time and after breakfast stowed a few things away and packed the car.
We both loved the weekend away and have found that the caravan life is going to be so easy to take when we get out on the road heading west. We look like we are going to be in pretty good shape by the time we leave, with everything we will need neatly packed away in the van ready for wherever we stop.
We got away at about 9:30am and were at Des’s place (my uncles place, where we are temporarily keeping the Van) in Adelaide 50 mins later. We secured the van and headed off around to see how Carly was doing. Amazingly, after having a sinus operation she didn’t look like she had been out street brawling, no visible bruising at all! She looked and sounded very rested and well on the way to a full recovery.
We eventually got home at about midday, after a quick call in at the local Pastry shop for some lunch. It’s always nice to get home but we are both getting VERY itchy feet and are sooo looking forward to hitching the van up for our 2 month “Cultural Pilgrimage” of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Come on the 8th of July!!
We are having a couple of issues loading pictures here, so see our Flickr Page for a couple of pics of us and the Van, if you want!?
PS It was good timing for the call into Tinlin’s for the Port, my barrel took almost 10 litres of Port and a cup of Cognac. By the time I fill a couple of travelers for the pilgrimage it might be time for another refill trip. 🙂
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