Driving in the Adelaide Hills
This morning we did a few jobs around our daughter’s house and garden before heading home to Murray Bridge. We left after lunch. A short distance out of Clare we stopped at a native plant nursery at the little town of Watervale. I like indulging my wife in this way as she always enjoys looking at what is for sale and searching out some little treasure that she needs to add to her collection.
Perfect Autumn Day
It was a perfect South Australian autumn day today. Bright sunshine, no clouds, gentle breeze and a temperature of about 19 degrees. And I didn’t have to go to work. Actually, the trip meant little writing time was available today, but the relaxation factor was of paramount importance. Along the way we enjoyed the beautiful scenery. The green pastures springing up along the way promise a good year for the farmers. The changing colours of the autumn leaves in the fruit orchards and vineyards of the Barossa Valley wine growing area add massive splashes of colour everywhere. The ever present towering River Red Gums throughout the journey complete the idyllic setting.
Different Route
One aspect of visiting our daughter in the Clare Valley is the choices one has about the route taken. On most occasions we travel one route on the way and a completely different one on the way home. We have a choice of four main routes, each with several little variations. When we have time to spare we choose to go a different route each way. Distance and time are not always the determining factors; we usually choose variety.
This time we came home via Greenock, Tanunda, Angaston and Springton, one of the most beautiful drives in the Adelaide Hills. At Mt. Pleasant we turned off to take the Walker Flat road. This is an interesting variation on the route home. The road meanders through sheep and cattle grazing land and follows the ridge-top of the hills in that area. About half way along the road quickly drops down to the plains that surround the Murray River valley. Here there is still sheep and cattle farming, but far more cereal grain production, especially wheat.