Let’s talk about wine

Let’s talk about wine, the Barossa Valley, and the Dirty Angel

On Tuesday morning…our days usually start around 7 or so and it isn’t till after nine when we hit the road on most days. Liz patiently waits for me to get all my gear on and help me take my stuff to the motorbike. (What am I going to do without her and the car?) So we had skated into Warrnambool with the rain mostly behind us but still damp and ready for a meal. The hotel we picked, The Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs, actually had hot springs that you could bathe in if you paid more for it and were available before closing time.

Let’s take a minute and talk about closing times here. Every town we have been in, from the big cities to the small blips on the map roll up the carpet by 8-830. The pubs stay open a bit later, but finding food after 7 is tricky. Needless to say, we didn’t get to partake in the hot springs. Time is something that isn’t in our favor most of the time. Most of the hotels we have stayed at do have pools…outside…less than 30 degrees Celsius. They are quite frigid and not suitable for two forty something year old women whose backs and bottoms are sore after a day of riding and or driving. Trust me, a hot shower is blissful at the end of the day.

Back to Warrnambool, we arrive just as things are closing down and rush to have a video check in call with Graeme and Katrina! We were both excited that people actually wanted to check on us outside of immediate family. (Sad but true) We have learned a lot about the area from our two friends and Graeme mentioned that Warrnambool’s claim to fame was the dirty angel that was built as a war memorial in the center of town. Yes it is still there, yes the locals love it, and no they aren’t taking it down. Meet the Wanking Angel! LOL!

It is actually a wreath the angel is holding but shhhh, we won’t take a picture of the front!

After finding a decent meal, back to the room for r&r and plan out the next day.

The Next Day Adelaide

There are quite a few kilometers between the Warrnambool and Adalaide, but you simply push forward and keep going. The end goal to Liz’s trip is sharks and we have just a few days to make that happen. So 599 kilometers and a few rain showers later, we come rolling into Adelaide. Now the signs proclaimed Adelaide to be the city of music. I looked and finally found an Asian busker playing the guitar. We will come back to him. Adelaide is the most populous city of South Australia we passed a nice uni campus (university) along with many rich and historic buildings.

So we check into the hotel, have a meal that was way to expensive, but delicious and FINALLY found a hot tub that was hot! Let the soaking commence. We were joined by two ladies, one who worked on Kangaroo Island and new tons about the local wildlife and a 19 year old flight assistant. Both ladies were a joy to laugh with and inquire about the areas of Australia they are familiar with and giving us pointers about the surrounding areas.

*Side note* Absolutely everyone here we have talked to has been an extreme joy. We/I strike up conversations with everyone and anyone about anything! We both enjoy hearing each other talk and to be honest, sometimes I have to cock my head to the side like a dullard and wonder what words just came out of their mouth, but it has been amazing the amount of friendly people I have met, and chin wagged with.

Back to Adelaide. The following morning, we leap from the bed, not really and get ready to head to Barossa Valley. Ever heard of it? No? Then you aren’t a wine junkie like I am. It’s ok, it’s lesson time! Barossa Vally wine is some of the most decadent and delicious in the world. They are mostly know for their Shiraz but they also grow Riesling, Grenache and Semillon. There are mile and miles of vineyards. (It isn’t acres here it’s hectors) Wine production makes the majority of employment in the valley. There are so many vineyards to have tastings at, I had to be responsible, so I chose two The Barossa Valley Estate and Yalumba. The Barossa Valley Estate set up a five glass tasting of their reds. Trust me, they were all delicious and I walked away with a silky black pepper shiraz. It is sooo good! We asked our tasting guide, where to go for a delicious white sampling and she suggested Yalumba. We are so grateful she did!

The next few pictures are of the Barossa Valley Estate. The beginning of the journey to their tasting room took many years of thought and planning. The first picture is the entryway to the barrel room and tasting room. It reminded me of a secret corridor that opens up into extreme beauty! These people work very hard to provide a special place for you to find absolute comfort with some really good wine.

After a brief history lesson of the vineyard and a tasty sampling of wine, it was off to Yalumba. Y’all it was one of the best recommendations I have received in regards to wine. The Viognier is the best white wine I have ever drank! It is so smooth and heavy in taste. It doesn’t leave you wanting more! Needless to say I bought a bottle!

I mentioned that I don’t really fit in when I open my mouth and everyone asks where I am from. I automatically answer Texas! Now some people say, “Oh, the United States!” to which I reply, “No, Texas”. I am then met with a quizzical expression and people remark that they are the same place. I am quick to joke and say “No ma’am or sir, it is Texas and it’s 49 bitches!” People laugh and conversation starts. Saying this, let me tell you about Stephie. Stephie was our tasting guide at Yalumba. Stephie is a young and very charismatic lady who was excited to have Texans at her table. Conversation makes its rounds and Stephie runs back behind the bar to assist a customer and all of the sudden she makes a chuckle noise. I die laughing and remark, “you sounded just like Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) from “Wolf Creek”! Stephie and her fellow barmaid died laughing and Stephie returns to our table with a story.

Let me explain, (spoiler alert) Wolf Creek is an awesome Australian movie about a fella who kidnaps tourists and does horrible things to them and he, Mick Taylor, played by John Jarratt has this certain giggle that is creepy and unnerving. He plays the role perfectly!

Here is a condensed version of Stephie’s story.

“So I was going to travel from here (Barrosa Valley) to Brisbane on a streak of independence. The one thing my dad said was don’t run out of fuel, don’t run out of fuel. I was about 40 kilometers from the next town when I ran out of fuel. I was stuck on the side of the road crying and snot running down my nose wondering what to do when this truck pulled in behind me. The same kind of truck from the movie with hooks and chains all over the place. A hairy man gets out with a mouth full of gold teeth and comes up to my car and knocks on the window. I am sitting there with snot and crying, and he asks, “Did you run out of gas, love?” I shook my head yes and he says, “hop in the back of the truck, I know a lady up the road who can help you out.” As I (Stephie) climbed into the back of the truck I said to myself “This is how I am going to die”. We get to a ramshackle house and this older woman in a nightie, curlers in her hair and a ciggy in her mouth comes out and says, “Ran out of gas, didn’t ya?” This is where I made my mistake, I said yes and I’ll pay anything to get some from you. 100 dollars later and 5 liters of gas later, I survived and made it to the next station to fill up.”

I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face! No snot though!

Stephie was a joy to talk to and she referred us to Melba Chocolate which was right up the road for the best hot chocolate I have ever drank, and of course I bought treats to take home. Never tell a chocoholic where to buy the best chocolate ever. I spent to much but to justify, it is to take home to my family.

The day ended with another meal in the hotel and more hot tub time before passing out for the next day and ride!

I didn’t forget the busker. I promise you will see him tomorrow!