McCulloch Family Giant Leap: Having some well-deserved R&R in McLaren Vale

Arriving back on the mainland we had a relatively short drive back to McLaren Vale where we planned to just rest and catch up on some much needed jobs. Our original plan was to go to either Rapid Bay or Stringybark campground but due to the weather taking a turn for the worst (windy and rainy) we decided that wasn’t the best idea. Another option was to go up to Hahndorf for a few days but the fires and then he heavy rain threat really didn’t make that sound appealing either. Also Tanya and Wayne who we had met on Kangaroo Island had gone onto McLaren Vale so we thought we might head there and catch up with them again.

Interesting way to unload, but it worked.

The trip from the ferry to the caravan was wet, windy and constantly up and down. The car pulled the caravan nicely but we were “those caravans” on the road who were taking it nice and easy and every now and then there would be a long line up of cars stuck behind us. Not to worry, we soon took a quieter road and they all continued on their speedy trip back to the city. The caravan park at McLaren Vale was beautiful with nice thick green grass and as I had told them we had a long van when we booked they had kindly booked us a double site that we could drive through. We were right down the back of the park with a paddock with sheep and horses next door. I don’t think we could have picked a better spot to relax if we had tried.

The driveway of the caravan park.

That morning when we were attaching the Hayman Reece bars to the car we had noticed that the bearings were starting to really wear out on the driver’s side. By the time we got to McLaren Vale they were really looking worse for wear so Jason headed straight out to a parts store to replace them. I told him to grab six extra ones as they will obviously go again whilst we are travelling and next time we might be somewhere more remote so we should have them in stock. They only had two in stock but said they could have another seven in by the next afternoon for us. That was so kind of them and great service.

Treasure hunting.

Chalk drawing.

The only downside to the site was that the dump point was just there. Nothing major as it didn’t smell or anything like that but it certainly was odd if you were sitting down for dinner outside trying to eat and someone came to empty their toilet cassette! At least we didn’t have to go far to empty ours. Once we were all settled in we sent a text message to Wayne and Tanya to let them know we had decided to join them and what site we were at. Wayne came around to say hello and realised we had some roof racks. It was just what he needed as he had changed the mattress in their van and needed to get rid of the old one. So the boys arranged a date to the tip the next morning to get rid of the mattress

Doing some leave print painting.

The next morning saw Jason and Wayne do their trip to the dump whilst I got the kids ready for the day. We were also meant to be going out with them wine tasting, leaving at 9:30am. However one of our “to do” jobs was to defrost the fridge and we had been eating down all our food so what little we had left in the fridge/freezer could fit in one cooler bag. So in our brilliant wisdom we had run out of food that day and needed to go shopping. This then meant we should defrost the fridge and freezer that morning. It was a bit more built up than we first thought but we did eventually get there and only had to put back the wine tasting by half an hour. At least that is one big job we can tick off for the next few months, or just not let it get as bad.

From there we went out with Wayne, Tanya and their kids to the Information Centre for their recommendation on child friendly wineries. The boys got the names of a few and off we headed. I don’t think I am too bad at reading maps, and had us at the first winery before Wayne and Tanya, even though they pulled out well before us. However then the pressure was put on me to direct to the next place, and as Murphy’s Law would have it, it was a disaster. Okay it wasn’t really that bad, I just took us to the wrong winery as there were a few circled on the map and I had the wrong one in my head, but we eventually got there.

Yes that is our daughter at the cellar door waiting for it to open.

Having a few tastes.

Our third and final stop for the outing was a nice lunch. We pulled up at the winery and there was a playground for the kids to play on (well done to wineries that cater for the kids). However I took one glance at the beautiful, pristine, quiet, glass everywhere restaurant and I could feel my heart pumping a little faster. Luckily Wayne was way ahead of me and had already asked to eat outside. Even though it was a little chilly, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy it inside as I would have felt like my kids would have had to sit still and make no noise, and well we all know they wouldn’t do that. Mind you I don’t think it would be fair as I am pretty sure as a kid I would have hated that too.

Wayne and Jason got themselves in a bit of trouble.

After a delicious lunch we headed back to the vans so the kids could all have a rest. Jason and Wayne ducked out to grab some food for a BBQ dinner over at their van and when they got back I headed out to do our food shopping. If I didn’t do it I wouldn’t have a clue what we would have eaten for breakfast. However, it really wasn’t wise going shopping without having done a meal plan as I of course had bought too much and then had to find homes for it all, not to mention the cost of it was high.

That evening we migrated over to Wayne and Tanya’s van for dinner. By now Kayla was asleep (big day) so we popped her on their bunk bed which didn’t last long as she only slept for an hour. Hamish watched cartoons on the bed with their son Isaac or ran around pretending to shoot things. He was totally smitten with their daughter Emily who is only 6 months old. He wanted to tickle her and flap her arms around. I just had to watch him like a hawk to make sure he wasn’t too rough with her. It was a great night but unfortunately the cold eventually got to us, even though we were all rugged up. So we called it quits and I took the kids back to bed whilst Jason went back for another beer and yarn.

The next day we waved off Wayne, Tanya and the kids with the idea of catching up on Monday at the Monarto Zoo which is just outside Murray Bridge. Once we got moving we headed out to the famers markets in Willunga and stocked up on some more fresh vegies and fruit. So much variety and different products to buy, but I was trying to restrict myself as my ever expanding waistline really needs to be watched so I can still fit in the van. From there we walked the streets of the little town checking out the shops and scenery.

Inside the coffee shop.

It would be a beautiful way to spend a Saturday morning if it wasn’t so cold and windy. Add to that a light shower passing over and you really wouldn’t be wrong for thinking it was winter weather. So naturally to warm ourselves up we called into the Altar Bistro which looks to be an old church that has been converted into a cosy yet refined place for morning tea or lunch. Inside was just stunning but I did worry about the lovely starched white tablecloths. Of course I had no need to worry, the kids were well behaved, be it a bit messy, but well behaved and we enjoyed our beverages and scones before making a quick exit due to a suspicious smell coming from Kayla.

If in Willunga you must stop here.

Stunning lighting inside.

Sunday was not an eventful day at all, yet we managed to catch up on quite a few things that we had been meaning to finish like the Christmas thankyou letters and updating the budget and other spreadsheets. We also managed to clean the caravan, inside and out and also clean the outside of the car. At one stage I had to come out and help distract Jason’s two little helpers as they would accidently drop the cloth on the ground, pick it up and then continue to wash the car! So he wasn’t getting far fast. Mind you by the end of the day I don’t think you would have even been able to tell that the inside of the van had been cleaned. Oh well we tried.

One must earn their keep.

All nice and clean.

Now onto their mode of transport.

We were up nice and early and trying to get organised as we were meeting up with Wayne, Tanya and Tanya’s sister’s family at the Monarto Zoo near Murray Bridge. I had looked the night before and it was just over an hour’s drive away. Of course that is taking the most direct route but for some reason our stupid navigator took us the long way through Adelaide!!! By the time we got there we were over forty-five minutes late and even though we had told them to go on without us they had kindly waited for us. What I didn’t realise was that it isn’t like the Adelaide Zoo where you just walk around. This one is mainly done by buses that take you on a safari sort of feel adventure.

Wouldn't want to get too close to this guy.

It is very much like the Dubbo Zoo, large open paddocks so more space for the animals; however for families with two year olds it was more of a nightmare. Trying to get them to sit still and quietly on a bus whilst the tour guide talk is harder than it looks. A lot of it has to do with the fact they just want to look out the windows and see what is happening. We weren’t the only ones having trouble. Isaac got over it also and so did other young children on the bus. So whilst it is a great zoo, we personally preferred the Adelaide Zoo as we can walk around and if the kids get hungry or need to go to the bathroom you just quickly duck back to the nearest one.

By nearly one o’clock we decided to call it quits and headed back to the main centre. I think people could see how harassed some of the families were looking. I felt a small amount of comfort knowing that we weren’t the only ones, and in fairness Kayla was pretty good, but that is because I let her stand on the seat to see out the window. Here we said goodbye to Wayne and Tanya as it was Tanya’s birthday and they had plans for dinner. We were all starving so we had a massive lunch at the zoo before heading off towards home with the intention to stop in at Hahndorf on the way home.

Guess who wasn't too happy about this photo.

Beautiful old buildings.

I could have spent all day just taking photos.

We just love Hahndorf. We have only been there once before when we came down this way for our first wedding anniversary, but it won us over in the short amount of time we were there. It is such a beautiful town lined with old buildings converted into eating areas or gift shops. You could easily spend a small fortune here and increase the waistline. We walked up and down the main street taking it all in. We bought some treats for the kids and some fudge and German cured meats for us before stopping in at the Hahndorf Inn for afternoon tea. We really shouldn’t have stopped for more food as we were both still very full from lunch, but it just looked so delicious we couldn’t help ourselves. So needless to say we walked out of there even more stuffed then when we entered.

Can you imagine yourself here.

Because this is how you walk down the street.

Inside the Hahndorf Inn.

I think if we hadn’t been leaving McLaren Vale the next day we would have stayed for dinner, and we both agreed that we should have just gone to Hahndorf and skip the zoo. However you don’t know these things unless you try, and we had tried.