Emerging from our non-air conditioned bedroom (but there was a ceiling fan), we jumped into our shiny new car to drive north (ultimately the wrong way) for coffee and to head closer towards our mornings destination - the Whispering Wall (aka. The Barossa Valley Dam).

On our way to Lyndoch, our coffee stop, we drove through Gawler, and it was quite nice. We didn't stop, so that's all I have to say about it. Using the Barossa Valley Way, we notice just how parched South Australia is. It is markedly drier and arid than both Queensland or New South Wales. You can certainly see for yourself that this is the driest state on the driest continent. ...and this is only an hour or so out of Adelaide.

Grabbing our morning coffee (see other blog for details), we pop into the German bakery next door. Yes, a German bakery. Our interest here piqued by the topsy turvy situation of it all. We've just travelled through what almost feels like the 'outback', it's already 32 degrees at 10.30, and we're in a bakery that is selling apple strudel. What's that all about? So we now decide to fully experience this strange Germanic vibe in the Barossa, by later visiting Handorf, the epicentre of it all.

Arriving at the Barossa Dam for the 'Whispering Wall' (apparently you can hear someone speak plainly 120m away on the other side), we experience an early setback as the Dam has today been closed due to the local fire risk. Boo! But this isn't wholly surprising however, considering the arid nature of the close surroundings.

Moving on, we head for the toy factory in Gumeraca. Why? Because they have a Big Rocking Horse of course! This particular 'big thing' was built in 1981. It is 18.3m high, and weighs in at 80 tonnes. We pay $2 each to climb it, and we reckon it's our best big thing yet! The locals clearly also agree, as the whole place is really quite busy with a packed car park. We particularly enjoy the normal sized rocking horse that is placed nearby... As if you needed the perspective!

Alice then enjoyed the scenic, twisty Torrens Valley Road onwards to Hahndorf, but feeling peckish, we stopped at the Birdwood Motor Museum in the hope of eating sarnies in their picnic area. However, we discover we have to pay to get in, and decide it is too expensive for a flying visit. So we spot a bakery nearby, grab a loaf and find a field to make lunch.

...and the field we picked, we soon discovered, HAD 2 BABY GOATS THAT WERE JUST BORN TO THIS WORLD, AND THEY COULD HARDLY WALK, AND THEIR TINY LITTLE TAILS WERE WAGGING FURIOUSLY AS THEY FELL OVER AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Alice was quite happy. I WAS DELIRIOUS.

After lunch, Alice saw a straw teddy, which we stopped to look at, as she was driving.

Arriving in Handorf, we were taken aback at how busy it was. Handorf is one long street that has all sorts of art and crafts, bookshops and German eateries to ensure that you part with your cash. Kind of like a German Winter Market, but in an area that has no water, no real winter, and definitely no snow. Indeed it's quite a surreal experience to see people eating heavy schnitzel and kartofel, washed down by a stein of beer in 32 degrees!

Wanting answers, we find the local museum. And here comes the history bit.

We discover that Handorf was founded by German Lutherans. These Lutherans, were fleeing King Wilhelm III's decree that united the Lutheran and United churches. In protest, they then emigrated to Adelaide thanks to a deal with a British philanthropist, George Fife Angas (details unclear). Travelling in 1838 on the good ship 'Zebra' (amongst others), the captain of the Zebra, Dirk Meinertz Hahn (a Danish chap), impressed with the Lutherans' character helped these first settlers by brokering a land deal with the local British land owners. In thanks to Captain Hahn, the Lutherans then named their new settlement, Handorf. And there you have it.

Imbued with this local historical knowledge, we imbue ourselves again with local South Australian wine. This time, it's the Magpie Springs winery. A winery with a lovely vista, the chap who leads the tastings here is a real character. With a growly, 100 a day voice, he takes great delight in introducing all his wines to us. Almost in thanks to this entertaining patter, we buy his 2015 Riesling for later. Just $22 / £11.

Finally, we drive on to our next air bnb with David. His bungalow is lovely, and fully furnished with his wood cutting creations (he's really quite skilled). However, he goes to bed at 20.00, at which point we discover we can't get our clothes out of the washing machine. It's stuck. Who knows if we will get them out tomorrow?!

Oh and once Dave goes to bed, we play darts. Nobody wins.

AF