Off we go to Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, the Barossa Valley, Broken Hill and across the top of NSW via Cobar and Moree to the Sunshine Coast of Queensland. From two weeks in our favourite resort there, we work our way down the coast, staying in places such as Kingscliff, Clunes, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie to visit lovely family and friends before landing in Newcastle for a few days to see more loved ones, including my wonderful mother.

This trip is for Jon and me– tailor made for us, by us, starting 4 days after Jon’s 60th birthday. We will no doubt miss ‘Rockview’, our friends in Cooma and especially our darlings, Charlie and Jeni, but we are more than ready to hit the road and get outta town!

Tuesday 29 May 2012

Barossa Valley, I love you.


Everything seems easier here. The light is softer and warmer, and everyone goes about their daily activities with seemingly little effort, but with a hidden efficiency. The pace of life is slower. Sure, there are tourists like us everywhere, but no-one is in a hurry. Businesses are definitely set up to sell, but they seem to do it in such an easy going way. Softly professional.
 
It’s a joy to drive through such lovely countryside, taking in hills covered in grapevines and olive trees. There’s something about vineyards and olive farms that both Jon and I find attractive, and no, it’s not just because we enjoy their produce. It might be the symmetry of the rows, the colours, or the way they seem to stretch on forever, or maybe it’s the promise they hold. Ah, yes, perhaps it is because we enjoy olives and wine after all.








 And we love our resort hotel here. Our balcony overlooks the hills, as does the restaurant. Having breakfast near an open fire looking out over the countryside covered in vineyards is a perfect way to start each day, the only problem being that we don’t want to get up and leave.







We’d been so looking forward to going to Maggie Beer’s farm shop and it didn’t disappoint. I loved stepping inside to another room warmed by an open fire, and with all the products out for tasting, it was a wakeup for the senses. I’d been joking that we were off to see Maggie and Jon actually did. He spied her for about 3 seconds as she walked down a corridor and disappeared into a ‘Staff Only’ room. I sauntered down that way just in case, but all I heard was her voice, unmistakably rich and deep, saying “I just don’t seem to have enough time.” (I know how you feel, Maggie.)  I think I tasted nearly everything in the shop, particularly loving her dukkah blend and her fig pino cotto.
 

The food during our stay here has been an ongoing delight - with special mention going to Jacob’s Restaurant at Jacob’s Creek Winery. The 1st course grazing plate looked and tasted delicious, but when our 2nd courses arrived, we were stunned. My salsa verde chicken was the best chicken dish I have ever had. Not exaggerating.





We had lunch another day at the Grant Burge Winery – simpler fare, but still very tasty, especially when washed down with samples of wine we later bought.




 
Perhaps that’s why life is easier here. Good food, good wine, happy people, beautiful scenery – What’s not to love?
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Oh, it’s so quiet at night. Just like home. Perfect for sleeping. No sounds of drunks yelling and swearing and fighting just outside and below our room, as we had in Adelaide.  People here walk around with a soft smile and a warm glow about them. It’s obvious that we have a better class of drunks!
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6 comments:

  1. Mxxx30 May 2012 at 12:28

    So so jealous! Sounds like you two are having the BEST time! The afternoon countryside photo could have been Rockview. Maybe that's why you areb feeling so much at home.
    Keep having fun. Mxxxx

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  2. Jan30 May 2012 at 18:42

    Yes SSM, there may be something in what you say. definitely felt at home in the Barossa. Have enjoyed Broken Hill too, for different reasons of course.xxx

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  3. Mark Isme Friend1 June 2012 at 13:55

    oh how this all brings back memories of the singapore protocol and my week camping in nuriootpa. indeed, pixie. i think you've placed your finger on the very thing about the barrossa valley that makes it smashing. the pace of it all, or the lack of it... how I long to return my dreamy days of TSP. thanks for the flashback.

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  4. Jan1 June 2012 at 18:16

    You're very welcome, my friend. Jon asks if you've considered transferring to S.A.?? I love the word 'smashing' too. It really is, isn't it? And it is comforting to think that you and I have travelled some of the same roads and sat in the same cafes!But had different experiences, but with similar results. A whole week in Nuriootpa would indeed be something ....as long as it wasn't camping :)) Our resort hotel was exactly our sort of place. Very relaxed, comfortable, not too up itself, great food - AND wine tastings at 5pm!! xx

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  5. Mark Isme Friend2 June 2012 at 09:28

    pixie, you tell Jon I certainly gave nurioopta high a good looking over, chatted to a few locals about the school and the chance of casual work and even went as far as looking up applications with S.A Ed. apparently a high demand location. go figure? I was very smitten with the barossa and I certainly entertained the nurioopta dream for a few brief days in 2009. now I just delight in the chance, the reason to celebrate that name, nurioopta, again.

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  6. Jan4 June 2012 at 10:40

    Yes It's a great name Biro, where I feel someone of the family Tomodachi would certainly feel welcome. Always nice to entertain notions such as these isn't it? I always want to buy a house overlooking water. Where we are now at Twin Waters will do very nicely thanks very much xx

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