We have just spent a week exploring the Clare Valley, tasting wine and generally being quite decadent, although we did manage to do a few of the walking trails and I went for a cycle down the Riesling trail.

The Clare Valley

Don’t see a sheep on patios all the time

We drove as far south as Auburn and out west to Eudunda, eating and drinking along the way. It’s surprising how many places, even restaurants, are pet friendly if you don’t mind sitting outside in a garden to have your meal. We even had lunch at one little place that bought out a dog bowel with water for Bessy with our meals!

I think our favorite place was the Sevenhill winery established by the Jesuit in 1851. They make most of the Alter wine for Australia, but also a dam fine selection of bottled wines. I was quite found of the Merlot and Peter liked the Whites (all of them). The vintage port was pretty good as well.

Sevenhill  winery and St Aloysius Church

Sevenhill cellar door

I asked a friend of mine, Deb Law, what were good wines from the Clare – her response was “anything in a bottle” – and you know what, she was right.

Well in the words of Neil Diamond – “Red, red wine, stay close to me “ – but no after two straight weeks of staying in caravan parks it is time to move on, see a bit more of the country and do a bit of real camping.

We set of from Clare yesterday heading to the Riverland country and hoping to find a place to camp along the Murray River. After a bit of a search we found a place called Hogwash Bend that sounded promising. We had to cross the river on a ferry and travel down a bit of a dirt track, but were not disappointed when we arrived. We are camped right on the river front and there is only one other van about 500mtrs away. It’s a lovely peaceful spot and who knows, we may even catch a 100kg Murray Cod. After spending a few days here the plan is to travel on to Renmark and then a big loop south to the Adelaide Hills. Well that’s the plan, but we do seem to change our minds a bit!

Bessy the wonder dog continues to train us

All tuckered out