The Manna House: Bush Christmas t'Adelaide

Happy New year everyone and hello 2010!

We enjoyed a very quiet Christmas at the Nuttbush retreat. The lamb was delicious . We had to eat in the camp kitchen as is was too windy outside, unfortunately, as there was a very nice courtyard we could have sat in. Our neighbour Clint was very happy to join us and came over the next day before departing, to give us both a little gift. We slept most of the afternoon, as you do after eating and drinking a bit too much.
We left for Burra the next day, over 200 km away. We had been told we would most likely get into any park away from the water. So, there we stayed for 3 nights. It is a lovely historic copper mining town. Lots of old buildings and antique shops. The info center told us everything would be closed till Tuesday, Monday being Proclamation day and a public holiday. Not quite right. Several shops were open as well as the art gallery. The van park was only 2 minutes walk to the shops and, as it was fairly flat around the back streets, I decided it was time to get back on my bike. Thankfully, I managed, with a little practice and we cycled around for a few kms (without falling off!)
Our neighbours Rose and John, gave us some advice on what to see in the Barossa Valley, The Clare Valley and The Adelaide Hills.
As we drove through the Clare Valley we popped into an art gallery in an old church at Blythe,then stopped in Clare for an over due haircut and on to Seven Hill where there is an old Monastry/vineyard. They still make the alter wine for the Catholic church. We did a little wine tasting here but didnt like anything on offer. Finally pulled into Watervale to see another art gallery before stopping overnight in Auburn. While here, I managed to book us 5 days in the Adelaide caravan park, which is only a 20 minute walk through the botanic gardens, to the CBD.
The town where Mcloud's daughters was filmed (Freeling) was almost on our route and I thought it would be fun to go to the Gungellan Hotel where they filmed some of the scenes. There is not much else there, apart from the, also featured Truck stop, so we had a coffee and chatted to the barmaid. Angaston was another really cute town in the Barossa valley that we stopped at to have lunch, a platter of local produce.....very tasty. We ended up in Williamstown for the night. It has been realy hot for the last 4 days, but on new years eve was over 40C by 10am as we headed for Hahndorf.
Hans Heyson, the famous SA painter, lived in Hahndorf for most of his life. His studio and house are just before you get into the town. We arrived there (at The Cedars) in time for the 11am guided tour, which showed us through his studio and beautiful house and we heard all about his facinating life as an artist. It was a real highlight for us both. His garden is full of heavily scented roses which feature in many of his still life paintings.
We wilted fairly quickly in the heat of 41C and after looking around the georgeous German town of Hahndorf and having lunch, we collapsed in the RV (with the air conditioning on) at the local van park. We had picked up a good bottle of local wine to celebrate the new year in, but were tucked in and asleep well before the old year had finished.
We hit Adelaide before lunch and thankfully it was a much cooler day. Being new years day, most shops were closed but there were plenty of people milling around. The walk into the CBD from here, was an easy 20 minute stroll through the stunning botanical gardens. After looking through the famous Rundle Mall, we went to the movies and saw "Sherlock Holmes".
I am sure we will enjoy our 5 nights in Adelaide. It is a very attractive city and much greener than the rest of SA.
Vicki