We left Coober Pedy and after a night at Port Augusta continued on our journey to Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre of mountains situated in the heart of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.
Along the way we saw what looked liked lemons on the side of the highway and thought a truck must have lost its load. However, upon seeing these 'lemons' regularly our curiosity peaked and Penny took some close-up photos. Turns out they are naturally occurring vine-growing gourds!
We arrived at the Wilpena Pound Resort and checked in for the night. We discovered that all the bush walks were multiple kilometre/hour walks, and since we only had a few hours until nightfall we just took a relatively short walk within the resort and then relaxed - perhaps another visit is called for in the future, to take full advantage of the history and beauty of this place.
We also drove a few kilometres to the Old Woolshed and viewed a wonderful landscape art exhibition by local artists. On the way back we passed a mob of emus and a father emu (the fathers always care for the chicks) and his eight chicks crossed the road in front of us. Very cute.
That night we enjoyed the resort's bar and restaurant facilities, and the next morning we left early for Adelaide, calling in to the charming village of Hawker for coffee. At Goodwood, in Adelaide's south, we located our apartment for the next two nights.
A few days earlier, Penny had received an email from reception requesting she download an app on her mobile phone that would be used as the 'key' to the apartment. Once we arrived, she had to activate the app and press a big green button on her mobile each time we needed access to the driveway gates, the doors into the unit block, the lift to the first floor, and unit itself. It took some getting used to... Turns out reception isn't even at the block but at another unit block in another suburb, but thankfully only a phone-call away. Maybe this is the way of the future for accommodation, but a good old door key would have sufficed! In any case the apartment was lovely and only a short walk to an IGA for supplies.
The next morning we drove out to historic Hahndorf, walked the main street with its quirky stores (and even an op shop) and brunched at a lovely traditional German cafe. The weather had turned to cold and grey, and the cafe had two open wood fires, which were very welcome. From Hahndorf we drove across Adelaide to Glenelg on the beach. Our beach walk was short because of a howling gale, but we found a wonderful little museum that chronicled the history of Adelaide and Australia's federation. Later that afternoon we drove to the northern suburbs of Adelaide where we caught up with ex-Gold Coast friends Norma and Peter for a delightful local tavern dinner.
And then it was on to the wine district of McLaren Vale for two nights at the Serafino Winery. We had stayed in the town years ago but in the interim a 'cube' had been installed. So, after a walk through town we drove to the well-known D'arenberg Winery to see what it was all about. The four-storey structure houses their wine tasting area and hosts special events: at present an exhibition of some of Salvador Dali's sculptures. Fascinating. And we came away with half a dozen different bottles of their red wine.
And then we lunched in style at another well-known winery, Wirra Wirra.
Then it was onwards to Robe for a night. Along the way we drove through the village of Meadows and Penny recognised the church we had seen there on our last trip to South Australia. And the reason she remembered it is because her great-great-great-great grandparents are buried there.
In the small town of Meningie where we stopped for lunch, we discovered a wonderful craft and collectables store within the old town hall.
A night at Warrnambool followed and then a long drive along the Great Ocean Road which is always spectacular.
London Bridge - Penny walked across it in the 1980s when it was still joined to the land.
Razorback
Once there were 12 Apostles, now there are only 8
After a very long and winding but picturesque drive we arrived in Geelong and boarded the Spirit of Tasmania for our 10pm crossing. After arriving at Devonport we had breakfast in Latrobe and then drove to Launceston and checked into our accommodation for the next five nights. What followed was a string of social catch-ups!
Jim with some of the Skemps guys (14 all up) at the annual AFL Grand Final weekend. This year Jim's team, the Brisbane Lions not only won, but thrashed the Sydney Swans. 🦁🍾🎉
More of the Skemps guys enjoying coffee at The House Paddock cafe at Scottsdale.
Penny at coffee with Janny, Jill, Anne, Dianne and Jenny from the HASH group at the Silo Hotel. She then spent the afternoon with friends Pat, Karen and Grant at their home watching the game.
Some of Launceston's beautiful old buildings
On the Sunday night we were woken well after midnight to the extremely loud Emergency/Evacuation call and spent 20 minutes in the carpark along with other guests including some in pyjamas with bare feet... A false alarm, of course.
Penny enjoyed a glass of (non-alcoholic) champagne with friend Narelle whilst Jim caught up with mate Raffaele (Raffy). He cooked up a batch of his famous spaghetti napolitana and complemented it with a glass or two of pinot noir from his own grapes. Penny later joined them for coffee.
Penny at lunch with her Coffee, Chat and Craft ladies Jill, Eleanor, Pat J, Pat H, Nella, Carol and Nellie at Links at the Country Club.
Penny with her oldest friend from high school, Nan, who lives with her husband Ted and a menagerie of animals on their property at Longford.
Jim at coffee with his morning walking group Phil, Brian, Peter P, Al, Chris, Geoff, Peter E, Alan and Tommo at Liv Eat in Launceston.
On our last night in Launceston we dined with the HASH group at Spice Indian Restaurant at Seaport and left the next morning for Cradle Mountain. We stopped in at Sheffield to check out last year's entries in the International Mural Fest. This year's competition will be held from 3-9 November.
2023 People's Choice First Prize
At Cradle Mountain we caught the Cradle Discoverer shuttle to Dove Lake and hiked partway around the lake, past the famous boathouse.
Wombats were definitely about (as evidenced above by the 'cubed' poo) and Penny was very keen to see them up close. Fortunately, one was eating lunch beside the road on our way back to the cabin, where a pademelon appeared to greet us!
Fungi beside our cabin
Then it was on to the big smoke, Hobart, for a couple of nights. On the way we called into the famous Deloraine Deli for takeaway coffee. Penny couldn't believe her eyes when our friend Linda got up from a table and came over. Penny and Linda met in Launceston many years ago through the Launceston Writers Group, both of them from Brisbane. Linda relocated to Melbourne a few years ago but has just moved back to Brisbane and was in Tassie briefly to catch up with family. So, we were very pleasantly surprised to see her!
Salamanca Market was bustling as always as we made our way around. We couldn't get over the increase in the number of stalls selling boutique whiskeys and gins, but since Tasmania has more distilleries than any other state in Australia, it's not really surprising. We also walked up to the city for a spot of retail therapy and Penny's favourite bar Evolve is always on the itinerary. This trip we ate at Irish Murphys pub, which was excellent.
We then made our way north to Devonport and boarded the Spirit of Tasmania for our return voyage to Geelong. Shortly after we departed the Captain announced there was a lot of wind out in Bass Strait and that the journey was likely to be 'bumpy'. He wasn't wrong! 🫢 And unfortunately, Penny's NRL Team the Melbourne Storm lost the Grand Final, which we watched on board 😔.
But, there is always next year - and the opportunity to visit our second home again then too!
