Went for free showers this morning at Ocean Baths. I had been bitten on the side of my face and it had swollen so I looked like Minnie Driver from one side. Had coffee, then set off for heaven. Hunter Valey, home of wineries! About 40km west of Newcastle there are about 90 wineries; the region is the oldest wine region in Australia. We wen to the info centre first to get a booklet and our first tasting. Although the guy in the info place who gave us a taste of two expensive Shirazs seemed none too pleased when he asked Dan wha he thought of it and received the answer, "Erm, not keen really, it was a bit acidic." He acted like he'd crushed the grapes himself! But everyone else we met was lovely. We went to quite a few wineries including a small winemakers place where there were wines from many vinyards. The staff were lovely and told us all about the different wines, they weren't stuffy at all, like I expected. We couldn't afford to buy unfortunatley but they were pretty cheap for wha they were. Also went to a cheese making place and had the most delicious cheeses. We tasted about 6 but the best was a feta marinated in capers, onion, tomato, oil and garlic. Also tasted olive oil, jams and pate. Delicious!! The area is gorgeou too, flat compared to driving up here, and golden. So next time you're in the supermarket I'd reccomend a Hunter Valley 2003 Shiraz... Stopped a a second hand book shop and bought 3 books. Had some cheese and ham sandwiches for tea as it was too windy to cook, then read by torch light.