Chateau Yaldara

Today was the day for a trip in a minibus to visit a number of places in and around Adelaide. It began in the city with the Haigh chocolate factory where we saw the handmade processes of the extra-expensive choccies. All the prices were sky-high, but the chocs beautifully crafted.

Next we drove steeply uphill to the top of Mount Lofty with great views, if a little hazy in the hot sunshine. Bonus: saw two koalas in the treetops! Back to the city to change drivers and exchange morning half-day tour passengers for afternoon ones, while we stayed aboard for the next half of the trip.

This took us first to Hahndorf, a nineteenth century German village, and then to the heart of the wine-making district in Barossa Valley. Hahndorf (est. 1839) was more interesting than picturesque, with some original buildings still standing and in use. The 19th century settlers were Lutherans escaping religious persecution. They brought their skills and trades with them, building their own houses with traditional long sloping roofs, designed for snow to slide off them. Of course, it doesn't snow in South Australia! (The whole state prides itself on its history of religious and political tolerance, where three families Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Jewish joined together to build a hospital in Adelaide.)

From Hahndorf we drove to the Barossa Valley - crossing Jacobs Creek - and visiting three wineries. The valley is parched as this area is currently suffering a drought. One of the wineries is still a family business, owned and run by sixth generation descendants of the same family.

My main blip shows Chateau Yaldara. This building was originally a bank in Adelaide and was removed, brick by brick, and rebuilt far outside the city in the Barossa Valley for the original owners. Just amazing!

Also added two new bird-sightings to my growing list; both are cockatoos (see Extra):
Left: Long-billed Corella (Cacatus tenuirostris)
Right: Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)