Easter Sunday at Port Parham

Port Parham, a small seaside resort is on the eastern side of the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. For decades it's been the weekend escape for people from the Barossa Valley and other nearby towns.

We were fortunate enough to be invited to stay overnight by friends who have a beach shack.

Port Parham has a tide that recedes several hundred metres from the beach, good fishing and especially, good crabbing opportunities.

Fishermen designed a vehicle called a jinker to tow their boats across the sand to the water and back. Crabs could be gotten with rakes that simply scoop them out of the water and of course there are rules regarding the minimum size permitted and how many can be taken daily. Females with eggs are protected and must be thrown back into the water.

I'm not sure how one determines what a female crab looks like, but those who are real fishermen obviously know.

We didn't go crabbing during our overnight stay, but did enjoy a dinner of crabs and prawns and a lovely bottle of McGuigans cabernat-shiraz.

Here you can see our table of crabs and prawns.

We did a tour of the local towns and sights including looking at the Army firing range that adjoins the fishing zone and generally chilled out chatting, had a few beers, cups of coffee and filled in the 24 hours we were there very well.

After living in Central Australia for so long, it's nice to live where we can drive for an hour and be in a totally different place.

I've never been a real beach fan, but it is lovely to visit it occasionally and soak one's feet in warm salt water and walk on the sand. It's not only good for the feet, but good for the inner person.

Robin

Hopeful, Happy New Year

After the challenges of 2020, we all hope for a better year in 2021, however, C19 is still around and promises to keep challenging us in this new year.

Today is Friday and I woke up at 8:13 am after going to bed completely sober at 12:45 am.

As the only drinker in our two-person family, I had consumed a bottle of Carlton Zero which, unlike Heineken's equivalent has NO alcohol, and two glasses of Barefoot Shiraz. The former was a bit gassy and came in a piddling 330 ml bottle. I usually only buy 375 ml or larger but made an exception this time to try the new brew.

The only complaints I have about Carlton Zero is it's small, gassy and doesn't come in cans which are easier to fit into the fridge.

Yeah, I know, there are much more important things to think about like C19, poverty, homelessness, the push to "Reset" us by the UN, the Chinese trade challenge etc.

Whatever, 2021 will bring with it what it brings and there's not much we can do about that.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it is to make the most of your life for the next 12 months. Try to stay healthy, happy and content.

Happy New Year!

Robin

Meredith Visits for Christmas

Meredith and me at Rehn Bier

Meredith drove off at 5:30 am for the 15 hour drive back to Alice Springs after visiting us for a week or so during Christmas.

Max, the camouflage dog came with her and had a couple of nice walks in Tanunda between being spoiled with special foods and plenty of attention from Pop and Nana.

As usual, he had to be drugged to cope with the trip but after worrying all day - as parents do - both arrived home safely at 10 pm and we were relieved.

During her stay Meredith shopped until WE dropped. She's 30 years younger than us and therefore much more energetic and resilient. Not only that, living at Alice Springs, she's deprived of the variety of shopping we have in nearby Adelaide and Ti Tree.

I have a psychological distaste for shopping; I like to know what I want, go get it and come home. None of this swanning around. However, being the great parent I am, I stuck it out although towards the end, I waited in the car listening to music while Christina and Meredith shopped on.

Meredith also likes fine wines - especially sparkling wines and what better place than the wine capital of Australia to do some wine tasting?

We drove to Rockford Winery, 1847 Chateau Yaldara Wines, and Saltrams and gave the other 69 a miss on this occasion. At Yaldara we visited the Vintage Chef Company cafe for lunch which gave Meredith a 20% discount on her purchase.

As "Bob", I resisted the temptation to imbibe so we could get home safely but that was fine, I rarely drink before 5 pm anyway.

Meredith tasting a sparkling white

The old vineyards and wineries are worth visiting if for no other reason than to view the beautiful buildings, wooden furniture and surrounds.

Gardens are well developed and gorgeous in the case of 1847 Chateau Yaldara having had 173 years to be established.

The buildings are largely constructed from bricks or rocks plucked from nearby fields. They'll all be standing well after we're gone.

We also visited Rehn Bier on her last night and each bought a carton of mixed beers. Rehn Bier is conveniently located 200 m from our house and I've become friends with the owners and staff as I visit every so often - but not that often.

Unfortunately, this year, son Dale wasn't able to visit as he had work commitments and grandson Tory decided at the last minute to stay at home.

We had a pleasant Christmas Day lunch with smaller amounts of food than usual, but still sufficient. With only the three of us and Meredith being a vegetarian, there was little point cooking up a whole restaurant full of food.

Next year we plan go all go somewhere together for a family Christmas.

Stay well.

Robin