Well, the first thing I have to tell you is that there were no millipedes in the Renmark motel so I had no nasty dreams of finding any in the bed! And the second thing is something I forgot on yesterday’s blog. When we were leaving Pinaroo, we passed a big sign which Tom misread – he thought it said “Potato Mashers Packing Shed”, so we spent a few moments having a chuckle at the mental images that presented, then a little later on, we passed the actual buildings and the true title is “Potato Masters Packing Shed”, and we’re still no wiser as to who they are or what they really do.
Anyway, back to today. We left the motel and first went in the opposite direction to our final destination. That’s because we went to a scrapbooking shop – oh what joy for Tom! – in Paringa, near the Victoria border. We had to cross the Murray River just outside Renmark,
over an opening bridge which is under repair. The railway used to run down the middle of the bridge but doesn’t look as if it’s run anywhere for some time, and we don’t know if the bridge opens anymore either. The scrapbooking shop has big direction signs on the main road so was very easy to find
and Cheryl, who owns and runs it, was very welcoming. She had quite a lot of Australiana bits and while I browsed, she made us a cuppa. We chatted about all sorts and spent a most enjoyable 40mins or so there. Tom found some cute drawings of Australian creatures by a local artist called Mandy Foot.
Cheryl told us that she did scrapbooking for a while with her and the other ladies, but has diverged into doing her pictures full time and is having an exhibition in Mildura in May. I got a few of her drawings for my scrapbooks, and since we’ve seen them, we’ve come across them in several other places on cards and wrapping paper. We may even have some of her stuff in UK.
After leaving Paringa, we retraced our drive into Renmark, where I’d been told about a patchwork shop (!!I think this is getting to be a habit!!). We found it but weren’t impressed with either the lady there or the stock, which, although extensive, was quite cluttered, so I didn’t buy anything. Having decided to move on, we got back on the Sturt hwy and continued westward. We crossed the Murray River again just to the west of Barmera and, as is our wont, stopped at a “Historic site” sign on Kingston bridge. Well, we couldn’t contain ourselves – and we chuckle now when we remember it – what do you think?
We don’t know the history of the river here, but the width of it and the fact that there are so many trees dead in the middle of the river leads us to believe that there is a dam somewhere near. It’s quite a bizarre sight.
A little further on, the next historic site was a plaque commemorating the deaths of 2 policemen, the first to die in the police service in SA.
As you’ll see from the bottom right corner of the plaque, we were now in the Banrock Station region with the vineyards alongside the road – those wine drinkers among you will recognise the name.
We then drove on to Waikerie (rhymes with bakery) for coffee. We were NOT impressed with the choices, even after being directed to the “best” café in town. Just as an aside while I think about it, we find it very strange that many cafes and even restaurants do not have their own toilet facilities, something that any such business has to have in UK. As we were starving, we had a pie – very tasty but I had indigestion for the rest of the day and night!
There were no more exciting historic sites or even sights after that, although we crossed the Murray again at Blanchetown – it is a very impressive river. And then, all of a sudden, we’re in wine country! Vineyards as far as the eye can see and we know we’ve arrived in the Barossa Valley. Most names we haven’t heard of and some we have. All of the grapes have been picked now so the vines are starting to look a bit dry and unlovely – they must be a fantastic sight when they’re in full bloom.
Our home for the next 6 days is the Vineyards Motel in Angaston, surrounded by vineyards. It’ll be such a pleasure NOT to have to get packed up and on the road by 10.00am every day – we can have a lie-in! We chose it as it has wireless internet – however, we can’t for some reason get into it. The owner is going to try to sort it out tomorrow for us. In the meantime, I’ll wish you all goodnight, and sleep tight!
Anyway, back to today. We left the motel and first went in the opposite direction to our final destination. That’s because we went to a scrapbooking shop – oh what joy for Tom! – in Paringa, near the Victoria border. We had to cross the Murray River just outside Renmark,
over an opening bridge which is under repair. The railway used to run down the middle of the bridge but doesn’t look as if it’s run anywhere for some time, and we don’t know if the bridge opens anymore either. The scrapbooking shop has big direction signs on the main road so was very easy to find and Cheryl, who owns and runs it, was very welcoming. She had quite a lot of Australiana bits and while I browsed, she made us a cuppa. We chatted about all sorts and spent a most enjoyable 40mins or so there. Tom found some cute drawings of Australian creatures by a local artist called Mandy Foot. Cheryl told us that she did scrapbooking for a while with her and the other ladies, but has diverged into doing her pictures full time and is having an exhibition in Mildura in May. I got a few of her drawings for my scrapbooks, and since we’ve seen them, we’ve come across them in several other places on cards and wrapping paper. We may even have some of her stuff in UK.After leaving Paringa, we retraced our drive into Renmark, where I’d been told about a patchwork shop (!!I think this is getting to be a habit!!). We found it but weren’t impressed with either the lady there or the stock, which, although extensive, was quite cluttered, so I didn’t buy anything. Having decided to move on, we got back on the Sturt hwy and continued westward. We crossed the Murray River again just to the west of Barmera and, as is our wont, stopped at a “Historic site” sign on Kingston bridge. Well, we couldn’t contain ourselves – and we chuckle now when we remember it – what do you think?
We don’t know the history of the river here, but the width of it and the fact that there are so many trees dead in the middle of the river leads us to believe that there is a dam somewhere near. It’s quite a bizarre sight.
A little further on, the next historic site was a plaque commemorating the deaths of 2 policemen, the first to die in the police service in SA.
As you’ll see from the bottom right corner of the plaque, we were now in the Banrock Station region with the vineyards alongside the road – those wine drinkers among you will recognise the name.We then drove on to Waikerie (rhymes with bakery) for coffee. We were NOT impressed with the choices, even after being directed to the “best” café in town. Just as an aside while I think about it, we find it very strange that many cafes and even restaurants do not have their own toilet facilities, something that any such business has to have in UK. As we were starving, we had a pie – very tasty but I had indigestion for the rest of the day and night!
There were no more exciting historic sites or even sights after that, although we crossed the Murray again at Blanchetown – it is a very impressive river. And then, all of a sudden, we’re in wine country! Vineyards as far as the eye can see and we know we’ve arrived in the Barossa Valley. Most names we haven’t heard of and some we have. All of the grapes have been picked now so the vines are starting to look a bit dry and unlovely – they must be a fantastic sight when they’re in full bloom.
Our home for the next 6 days is the Vineyards Motel in Angaston, surrounded by vineyards. It’ll be such a pleasure NOT to have to get packed up and on the road by 10.00am every day – we can have a lie-in! We chose it as it has wireless internet – however, we can’t for some reason get into it. The owner is going to try to sort it out tomorrow for us. In the meantime, I’ll wish you all goodnight, and sleep tight!
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