McCulloch Family Giant Leap: Merry Christmas from Aldinga Beach

We took the punt that we might be able to check into the caravan park at Aldinga Beach early but still didn’t get there until 11am. Luckily the lady at reception was fine with it and when we drove in I worked out why – it was pretty much empty. Hard to believe that in six days’ time it is going to be packed out (as we couldn’t stay a full seven nights). Our site I think was more designed for tents, camper trailers or small vans, but we managed to get in easily with only breaking off one branch so it didn’t scratch the van. We were a bit off the matting but that was actually what we wanted so we could get the awning fully out.

It was nice setting up and putting up all the battery operated Christmas lights that we have been lugging around for the last 2 months just so we could light up the caravan. Another family with a very nice Ultimate camper trailer arrived and were also setting up. It really is designed for off road but was quite big when they finished setting it all up, but we didn’t envy the time it took. They were lucky though as her father was there to help and watch their two young kids so they could get it up faster.

After lunch we went for a drive to just check out the area and when we came to Aldinga beach I was quite surprised by all the cars on it. I knew it was one of the few beaches that could be driven on in the area, but I didn’t think it would be a carpark. Unfortunately we didn’t get a photo of it at that point in time as there was cars parked both sides and they just drove down the middle. I kind of felt it ruined it as it did just look more like a carpark. We headed back to the van as Kayla had fallen asleep so there really wasn’t much point in being out.

Now imagine another row of cars on low tide.

That afternoon we decided to head back down to Aldinga Beach to try a bit of fishing. We chose not to park on the beach as there was a perfectly good and pretty much empty bitumen carpark just before it. It was beautiful down by the beach but I didn’t feel like I could fully relax as on one side you had to watch your kids with the water and the other side you had to watch for all the cars driving past. I did get a laugh when one little boy stopped in the middle of what was like the road and started to dig a hole. The car had seen him and was patiently waiting but the kids were in no hurry until his Dad started to come to move him, then he took off.

The boys do a spot of fishing.

Kayla having a play in the cold water.

It wasn’t just 4WDs that were on the beach, it was anything and everything, from Toyota Corollas to Holden Commodores. After not having much luck with the fishing and hardly getting any bites we decided to call it quits and head back for dinner and some warmth in the van. Our van park is a twenty minute walk from the ocean but it is great that way as we are really sheltered from the winds and it is nice and quiet and not the slightest bit packed. After coming through the red centre I think we seemed to like the more empty parks with just a few fellow travellers.

They say Sunday is a day of rest but we decided to make it Monday. As that is exactly what we did and not a bit more. We made the use of the playground amenities and I ducked out to get my hair done as the regrowth was rather embarrassing. I missed my old hairdresser as she knew exactly what I like and I could just go in and sit down and she would work her magic. Not that I had a bad hairdresser, she was lovely and did everything I asked, or just kept it how it was as that works. Whilst I was enjoying my peace time Jason was texting me with updates and it looks like Hamish has a new friend that seems to be making himself at home in our van. Sure enough he was still there when I got home, but it was great for Hamish to have a mate to run around with.

We ended the day by going for a drive beside the beach and pulling up for ice creams whilst waiting for the sun to set. The plan was to go looking at Christmas lights but we got just a tad bit impatient waiting for the sun to go down and Kayla had fallen asleep. So instead we went looking whilst it was still partially daylight which is really not the same before heading back to the van.

Going for a drive around the area - these sheep have a great view.

Watching the sun go behind the clouds.

Well we held off for two days but it was time to cross the highway and discover the wonderful McLaren Vale wine region. This is the sort of place you could easily lose yourself in or hide away in to never return. Our first stop was the information centre to obtain a map and find out all the options we had. Well weren’t we overwhelmed, there is so much that it would take you weeks to do them all so we would just have to pick out a few that interested us. The centre also happened to have a scenic coffee shop with a large lawn overlooking grape vines and a playground out to the side. So naturally we stayed for morning tea.

The view from the information centre café.

Great place to relax.

The kids enjoyed it too.

From here we had to rush off as Jason had booked in for a wine tasting at Sellicks Hill Wines that an old work colleague of Jason’s had recommended. He was really looking forward to it as he would get to sample the wines straight out of the barrel which is really rare and a special treat. I opted to stay out and look after the kids as I really didn’t think that it was the best place to take them as they would want to touch everything and I would hate for them to ruin some good quality wine. Instead we stayed back at the main tasting area and checked out their wonderful variety of fruit trees and impressive vegetable patch. I could picture wonderful family meals occurring with beautiful wine and freshly home grown food. Especially as the owner was currently in the process of building a wood fired oven.

Another beautiful view.

Our haul for the day.

I had to laugh as Jason told me it would only take ten minutes! As if wine tasting is going to only take ten minutes! One and a half hours later though I did have to hint that the kids were getting a bit over it and were hungry. I joked that he was quite happy when we left but honestly he didn’t really have much at all. Still the knowledge he shared with me as to what he learnt not just about the wine but also the area was so interesting. It just goes to show that you learn the most from talking to locals rather than reading pamphlets. Thank you very much Shane for all of your recommendations on which vineyards to visit. We are planning to save a couple upon our return to Adelaide in the middle of next month.

We made our way back to the town of McLaren Vale for lunch as we had spotted an old train carriage that had been converted into a café and thought it would be great for lunch. Unfortunately it was closed so we popped into the nut shop next door which is also inside an old train carriage and bought a few yummy local produce before going in search of something for lunch. That task was a little harder than we first expected as places were either very crowded with long line ups or quite expensive with no kids meals. Eventually we came across the Tin Shed Café which had beautiful meals and even a toy box to keep the kids entertained whilst we waited for our meals to be bought out.

Love places with that added bit of character.

That afternoon I had do some re-arranging in the van as the majority of Hamish’s first term prep books had arrived and needed a home. I worked my magic and succeeded. We also met some fellow families who were staying at the park. They had come across for a family Christmas as their parents lived there. Lovely families and we sat down and had a drink together before Jason went and cooked on the BBQ with them. It is so nice how people are always so welcoming and invite us to join them.

I had to fit all this in somewhere.

Hamish has been playing with his new mate who whilst some time annoyed us a bit, we felt sorry for him as he told us he was staying with his Grandparents and that his Mum was on holidays in Perth and his Dad lived in Sydney and his Mum wouldn’t be back until Boxing day. I felt sorry that he wasn’t included on the holiday and that he wouldn’t be with either parent on Christmas day. So I could never send him away and was happy to include him in all the craft activities that we did. Though I have to admit we were happy when Hamish started playing more with the younger boy of fellow campers as he wasn’t as rough and had the most beautiful manners.

Wednesday saw us return to knock of a few more wineries in McLaren Vale, but this time it was I who got to do the tasting. Being an organised person I had neatly mapped out the route to all the wineries I wanted to go to, and had carefully selected them in the only way I know how – what interests me! One had sheep on the label so that was the first stop! Unfortunately in my planning I had not noted the opening hours and it was closed. We were only half an hour early, so instead we moved on to my next choice, a brewery, but again it was closed. I really wasn’t having much success here.

We took a detour from my crappy itinerary to check out what this big massive wine bottle that was appearing on our navigator. Yep true to the navigator there was a big wine bottle and on closer inspection we discovered it was made out of old corks. The winery itself had beautiful grounds and was open but didn’t taste any of the wines as realistically we had limited space for wine and a limited budget.

The big win bottle.

Pretty impressive effort.

Kayla is heading to the cellar door.

Random boat amongst the vines.

We finally made our way to the Kay Brothers/Amery winery which is another one Jason’s friend had recommended. The view was outstanding and so were their wines. We ended up getting the Block 6 Shiraz and Rare Liqueur Muscat which we will save for a special occasion (does 3 months on the road count). At the winery they had an old diary there that could show you what they did over 100 years ago. It has been in the family for a very long time and that is what made it extra special. They also had a toy box full of all different toys which easily entertained the kids whilst I tasted the wine.

The kids are happy.

I could live here.

The cellar door.

The diary from 100 years ago - impressive.

Since it was Christmas Eve we did the tradition photo under the tree with the kids and their presents from us. I love modern technology and how things like Facebook allow you to instantly share everything in private group messages. I could upload the pictures for my family to see and they could then share theirs with my nieces and nephews. Even on Christmas day it made it feel more like we were closer than what we really were.

Christmas Eve photo.

Then it was Christmas Day, and what a magical day it was. We had no intention at all and did have a great chuckle watching people madly get ready and duck out to see all the family. Hamish woke up ever so excited and called out to us. Luckily Santa had been organised and filled the Santa sacks the night before, but had left them inside so nothing would get stolen. So as Jason distracted Hamish, I rushed them back outside. Gosh kids make Christmas so magical and Hamish really loved going through it all, whilst Kayla woke up grumpy and took quite a while to get into it but when she eventually woke up properly she was more excited.

Yep someone is still waking up.

Batman is all ready to go.

After a massive big breakfast we got started on the present opening which took a while in between phone calls. Jason then fired up the weber again and started on perfecting the pork crackling for lunch. I wasn’t too fussed but he took his job very, very seriously and it was all he could talk about all morning. It was delicious though and we finished with Kayla having a nap and the rest of us finishing off our food coma with dessert.

Cooking up a delicious breaky.

Happy campers.

Present opening time.

Another big meal - too cold to eat outside.

Dessert.

The rest of our day saw the kids playing with their new toys whilst I worked out where on earth we would keep them all whilst packing away the old ones to be mailed to Jason’s mum to be placed into storage. That is the downside in that we have to keep the toys limited to just one tub. Once I had completed this task we sat down with our books to read with a drink each and just chilled for the afternoon. By now the caravan park seemed really empty so we had the run of the place and the kids really enjoyed jumping on the jumping pillow without any bigger kids and we even squeezed in a game of T-ball.

Oh Boxing Day, the day most people wake up with a sore head or tummy, depending on what you over-indulged in. We wanted to make the most of our last day so went for a drive along the beaches to the north. We found a beautiful beach with a pier and walked along to the end and watched crazy people out snorkelling in the waters. We were cold and wearing jumpers so the thought of swimming in the ocean was really not appealing. Instead we went for a quick walk along the beach before going back to the shore for an ice cream, because that is what you do when you are cold!

Two happy kids.

The pier out to a rocky ledge.

Someone loves her ice cream.

Looks like a great place to snorkel.

On the way home we stopped at an awesome playground we saw on our way in. The kids loved it and could have easily stayed there until the sun set for the day. We eventually pulled them away from it as we had to make our way back and cook dinner. On the way home we did discover another beautiful beach with the stunning cliffs. We also saw a random sign on the way home but neither of us got a chance to read it properly but it was for a beach. Jason offered to turn around and go back to it but I said not to bother and that we should get home to cook dinner for the kids. In the end Jason had to go back to Big W to get a few odds and ends and re-read the sign as the first unofficial unclad (which we assume means nudist) beach. So we are lucky we didn’t go down there as that would have been a great one to explain to the kids.