ADELAIDE – 31st JANUARY – 4th FEBRUARY, 2019

We were both eligible for a $400 travel credit with American Express that was due to expire. We didn’t have much free time so we decided to take a short break in the Adelaide Hills. What a good idea that turned out to be! We rented a car at the airport and in 35 minutes we were in the lovely Adelaide Hills. We stayed at the gorgeous Lofty House in Crafters. It was a wonderful escape from city living. With its dominating views and the residual ambience of an affluent free settlers Homestead, the lovingly restored 1850s property was both welcoming and luxurious. Nestled in the famous Adelaide Hills wine region, surrounded by Botanic Gardens, boutique wineries and overlooking the Piccadilly Valley, it was truly idyllic.

1st FEBRUARY, 2019 – HAHNDORF

Barry has long wanted to visit the German settlement of Hahndorf to witness the evidence of the early German settlers, to admire the German inspired buildings, but probably most of all to sample some traditional German food. Sadly, he was sorely disappointed on all counts. The souvenir shops were full of cheap Chinese Goods that could be found in any city of the world and the Hahndorf Inn, proved to be full of other Chinese imports in the way of overly boisterous Chinese tourists. If the atmosphere wasn’t spoiled enough by the din, the restaurant fare was dreadful beyond belief. The staff were pleasant enough but they were helpless in their ability to provide good service. I was told that the Pork Schnitzel was no longer available, but in its place was Veal Schnitzel. That sounded fine but the veal was past pensionable age and was a tough, sinewy piece of old, grey beef that was completely unpalatable. I could only eat a few mouthfuls of it. Barry ordered Schweinshaxe. It was basic but the accompaniments were abysmal. We left before our strudel arrived but we had watched it sitting under the warming lights for 20 minutes until the whipped cream had completely melted. We decided to add a trip to Bavaria in Germany to our wish list in order to get a decent German meal!

2nd FEBRUARY, 2019

We went back to Hahndorf the next morning, this time not bothering to stop in the town, but driving instead to The Cedars, once the home and studio of the famous Australian Artist, Hans Heysen and his also talented painter daughter, Nora. Although her father is a very famous Australian painter, I knew little about Nora other than he had taught her to paint and that she did some lovely floral paintings. So I was very surprised to learn that she was also the first woman to win the prestigious Archibald prize in 1938 and that she was the first Australian woman appointed as an official war artist. Afterward we took a drive to Balhannah and Gumeracha to visit some local vineyards and to sample what they had at the cellar door. Later that evening we had an absolutely fantastic five-course degustation menu at the Mount Lofty house three hatted restaurant. It was a gastronomic delight!

3rd FEBRUARY, 2019

We wished that we could have stayed longer at Mount Lofty House but will certainly return one day. After our short drive down the hill to Adelaide, we set out to explore the ‘City of Churches. We were impressed to see so many well maintained heritage buildings and the diversity of architecture. Our Adelaide hotel had a summer event degustation evening on offer that was extraordinarily inexpensive and so of course, we had to sample that. Although it was excellent, we had been so thoroughly spoiled by the meal at Mount Lofty House that it fell just a little short.

4th FEBRUARY, 2019

A quick trip out to Glenelg on the tram and then it was time to fly back home. It was an absolutely delightful mini break and we enjoyed every moment!