22—29 Sep—Ironbank, SA
We travelled along the Dukes Highway/A8 then at Tailem Bend we joined the Princes Highway/A1/M1/ South Eastern Freeway which we travelled on until we took a left exit to Stirling then travelled up through the Adelaide hills (very winding and with tight bends) to the Shiloh Hills Park at Ironbank. While we travelled we noticed that there was very little wind and the trip was so much better/easier.
It was great to be able to set up camp in a beautiful bush area, high up on the mountain (400m) with views of a pond and gullies from the front door, it was so inviting. This was the first camp for a while we were able to put the awnings out for most of our time that we were there.
For dinner we travelled 20 minutes into Aberfoyle Park to Karen (Dean’s cousin) & Phil and spent the evening with them, it was great to catch up with them after, we think, around 27 years. It was great to share with them and get along as if it hadn’t been that long. We also went out for dinner to Hub Tandoor on Wednesday with them.
On Thursday on the drive to Karen & Phil’s we stopped at a small lookout to get photos of the Happy Valley Reservoir (474 m) and then drove down to the reservoir (154 m) and took more photos. Karen had contacted lots of cousins for a family get together for dinner and it was great to share the evening there with 14 of us sharing stories and photos. We also had some terrific sunset photos from their back yard which also looks over the reservoir.
On Friday we travelled to Hahndorf, an historic village in the Adelaide hills showing it’s German heritage. We walked along the road taking in the scene, we had morning tea at the German Inn and we met Uncle Ross (Dean’s uncle) and Chrissie at the The Old Mill for lunch and a catch up; it was great to see them again. After lunch we visited Gavin (Dean’s cousin) & Sarah’s home at Kanmantoo (between Mount Barker and Murray Bridge). We thoroughly enjoyed all the views over the fields and valley’s. We had a great day and we were quite exhausted from the busy day.
On Sunday we attended Grace Life Community Church at O’Hallaran Hill with Phil & Karen and got to meet some of their friends. For lunch Karen had arranged for all her kids and families who live in Adelaide, to come and meet us. We had a great time together catching up and even managed to get photos.
See also 2025 “Morisset to Tumby Bay, SA to Granville” trip.
