We have shifted camp to Port Vincent and what a great camp! It feels so good to be beside the ocean after a couple of months away from it. Our van is parked literally metres from the ocean. Clare however was great even though the weather was bitterly cold and wet towards the end of our stay but we take away a great lot of memories.
On the second last night before we left we drove 20km to Terroir Restaurant (pronounced Ta-Wha) in Auburn, once again on a recommendation. It was probably one of the best meals I have ever eaten, or at least up there in the top 5. This restaurant, run by Dan, is a Locavore, meaning that he only sources locally grown products. Hence his restaurant is not multiple choice. We were there for "locals appreciation" night that meant we had a choice of two items from each of the three courses. Other nights are set menu with no choice. We chose all the items from the menu so we could sample everything and we were not disappointed.
Our drive to the Yorke Peninsular from Clare (around 170km) is beautiful with rolling hills and thousands of acres of cropping and farming. We are now out of the wine growing region for the time being. But the drive down the Yorke Peninsular left us speechless. It is not at all what we expected. It is so photographic. There are crops of wheat, barley, canola and lentils! Who would have thought. There is also lots of sheep and cattle. There are seaside villages scattered all the way down the coast, some bigger than others, and where we are at Port Vincent, with a population of around 550, it is a retirees paradise. Yesterday we walked around 4k to the brand new marina that is going to be further developed into apartments and restaurants. We see that only one apartment has been sold so it may be sometime before the development moves ahead.
Today we drove to the western side of the Peninsular to a (very) small village called Balgowan where I had found a Cliff Top Coastal Trail that would take us to Tippara Rocks. The drive took around an hour via lots of lovely country towns and any one of them you could have stopped and explored. At one little town they were setting up a fathers day (happy fathers day to all the dads, past, present and future) brunch with a big sign that said all were welcome. Country hospitality at its best.
But we had a walk in mind and as soon as we arrived at Balgowan we set sail down the trail. This tiny little town with a population of around 100 is full of millionaires by the look of the homes that sit along the walkway. They are massive homes. It wasn't far down the track before the winds picked up and we were walking headlong into them. My god it was hard going but we pushed on because the cliff top views from the trail were stunning. At around the 3km mark I suggested to Philip that we turn back but as he so rightly pointed out, the walk back with the wind at our backs will be much easier, which it was.
To say we were underwhelmed by Tippara Rocks would be an understatement. As far as we could make it out, it was just a could place to throw in your fishing line as there were lots of fisherman lined up along the rocks. We stopped only long enough to have a drink of water and a piece of fruit before we started the return journey.
It was around midday when we returned to the car and we decided to head to Ardrossan for lunch and a walk along their popular jetty. We pulled into the local hotel for lunch and although the meals were expensive they were large and delicious. Philip ordered the rib fillet on a bed of mash and spinach with a topping of prawns, prosciutto and a rich creamy sauce and I chose the local crab fettuccine. We started a conversation with a couple seated beside us and it turns out that they were from Eidsvold (Qld) and had just moved to a retirement village in Ardrossan. They loved the Yorke Peninsular because they could experience the whole four seasons.
After the large meals we were looking forward to the jetty walk but unfortunately the wind made the walk quite difficult so it was a bit of a rushed walk that was unfortunate because looking back towards Ardrossan and the soaring red cliffs it was quite spectacular.
Back in the car and it was one more stop at the dolomite mine that Philip had spotted on the drive over to Port Vincent. It is one helluva large hole in the ground! The views from the lookout were spectacular but once again the wind forced us back into the comfort of our car.
It was a lovely day with a little bit of everything. I think we walked almost 12km so we are feeling a little bone weary. Tomorrow is a day of scenic driving. There are so many interesting places to visit in this area and I doubt we will be able to see them all. Who would have thought Yorke Peninsular had so much to offer....
No comments:
Post a Comment