Change of plans

Post-Christmas, we have been wonderfully indolent. Lazy days reading, eating, chatting with friends, dozing. This weekend we felt it was time to do something more energetic. So Steve planned a trip that would take us north along the Fleurieu Peninsula coast to Blanche Point on the Gulf St Vincent where we would explore the beach and generally do a lot of walking.  Here's a glimpse of our destination, courtesy of David Shang photos.

Well ... we reckoned without the Tour Down Under women's cycling race. We arrived at Aldinga then went to turn further north to our destination only to be greeted by signs that said Event and Road Closed. Disappointed, we did what anyone else would do - we went over the road to the cafe and ordered coffee and cakes (hot chocolate for me). I have to say the orange and almond cake I had was the best ever! So all was not lost. We then explored the beach in front of the cafe. While not the golden sands we were expecting, the beach offered the chance for a bit of a stroll after our one-hour car trip.

Hmm. A change of plan was needed. We headed east to Wilunga, a lovely town we have often visited, not far from McLaren Vale. Settled in 1839, the town still has a goodly amount of buildings that evoke memories of days long gone.

I enjoyed strolling along popping into the shops that held some gorgeous items...

... and some quirky ones.

Captions read' Life is a cabernet' and 'Good things come to those who bake'. 

Next, I decided to concentrate on things I saw that give Wilunga its special character. 

A seat on the footpath embellished with broken pottery.

A 'sunny' spot.

A watchful owl.

Because the men's Tour Down Under cycling race was set to start in a day or so, there were lots of local cyclists about. 

I got quite excited when I spotted the international Ineos team clad in their distinctive orange gear, cycling up the hill with coach in tow. So excited, I forgot I had my camera. But Steve was ready when a rider from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rode by! 


And now for some nature: a gorgeous crepe myrtle, scarlet geraniums, and a photo that Steve took that I rather like.

So it was a lovely day out after all, although not quite as energetic as we had planned.