David Around the World: December 13, 2014 Drive to Angaston, Strathlyn Coach House

Today is when I drive the south Australian highways to the Barossa Valley, specifically the village of Angaston. I call down from my room at the Hilton about 10AM to have them bring my right side drivers seat car. I get loaded up and I have maps just in case my GPS I rented from Hertz doesn’t do the job. And of course, the damn thing won’t even recognize the address that I’m attempting to travel, two hours from Adelaide. Okay, so I had already highlighted my route on the paper map, so off I go. Just remember follow the cars in front of you and be aware way ahead of time any turn that you need to make. If I can just get through central Adelaide I should be in good shape. After about an hour, and no roundabouts to confuse me, I’ve managed to stay on the right path, clear of the busy streets. It’s all highways to Angaston. The route signs are very good along the highway and I make it into Angaston with any problems. The address of the winery where I will be staying is clearly marked.

I drive off the main road and drive a few hundred yards through a curvy tree and grapevine lined gravel path. I came up to an old but well maintained farmhouse front porch where I meet Heather, who will be my guesthouse manager. I find her Scottish and Australian dialect as charming as she is. She walks me up the road to the most wonderful old stone and timber coach house that sits at the bottom of an orchard, that has been made into a one bedroom cottage. The floors are hardwood and the décor matches the area expectations…a winery and its farmland. Everything is downstairs except for the loft bedroom. The king size bedroom opens up outside to a deck and chairs that look out over the perfectly rowed grapevines that seem to go on forever over the horizon. The scenery is breath taking. It is a little warm out today, almost 100 degrees but it very dry, which I’m surprised since I was expecting a little less heat for raising grapes. But it must work because Shiraz comes from here and is widely recognized throughout the world as a special wine selection. I’ll come back later this evening when the sun goes down and cools off a bit. The kitchen downstairs refrigerator is already stuffed with milk, OJ, eggs, bacon, butter and jams/jellies. There is also a fresh loaf of multi-grain bread that I can’t wait to toast and try some of the spreads that are in the frig. This place is ….perfect.