20230512 SA Mt Barker

20230512 Now to find Drew and Jane’s home in Mt Barker and to take over their footpath for a few days. We last saw these guys in 2012 when we were travelling through and Dan and Lou were still living at home so it’s really exciting to catch up with them once again.

Captain Charles Sturt first sighted Mt Barker in 1831 from Lake Alexandrina and named it after Captain Collet Barker who had been killed by Aborigines near the mouth of the Murray River. The town over the years is now surrounded by many vineyards and mixed farming and if you’re keen there is a heritage walk with over 60 historical buildings.

We have all got older as you can see and the kids have certainly grown, even Dan’s taller than his Dad and Des which isn’t really surprising, and Lou has turned into lovely young lady who likes to challenge herself by jumping from plains.

Our first night here and after a warm welcome we were marched to the shed where we sat around one of Drews own creations, the pot belly heaters, why aren’t you a handy man Des.

While downing some of our favourite ales Jane orders one of the best pizza’s we’ve ever had, so with our bellies full, the beers flowed, even though Drew looked awfully tired but he stuck it out and kept us amused while we laughed the night away.

The next day Jane and I walked down the road to the Shopping Mall and found some really unusual mushrooms along the way, we took many photo's then strolled past an Historical House before checking out the markets then onto some more interesting shops were I got my retail fix, we were good though and didn’t buy anything.

I googled the mushrooms we found in the park:Coprinopsis atramentaria, commonly known as the common ink cap or inky cap, is an edible (although poisonous when combined with alcohol), we might pass on the mushrooms.

Auchendarroch House was originally opened in 1860 by Scottish migrant Lachlan MacFarlane as the Oakfield Hotel, it became Robert Barr Smith’s family’s summer retreat from 1878-1922 and then a convalescent home and Air Force hospital, it was restored in 2002 and turned into a function centre.

What it was first like when built in 1860 by Scottish immigrant, Lachlan McFarlane, Auchendarroch House began its life in Mt Barker as the Oakfield Hotel, and remained as such until 1878 when it was sold to another Scotsman, Robert Barr Smith, for the sum of 3000 pounds.

The Main Street is lined with many striking trees that gives the street a cosy appearance.

The Main Street has lots of cafes and historic buildings with many interesting stores to keep us out of trouble for hours.

We arrived home and I did some blogging before preparing dinner for the crew and lucky for them I recently found a new recipe that I’m just dying to try out and Drew and Jane are the perfect guinea pigs.

Drew’s shed where he spends hours tinkering on his bike’s or creating weird and wonderful things, our Drew is certainly a handy man to have around and we love the man cave.

My Fetta, Bacon & Sweet Potato Frittata with Slaw and I’m pretty sure it was a success going by Drew and Des going back for seconds and I think even Jane snuck another piece.

Drew’s collection of bikes, but you can only ride one at a time Drew.

One of Drews collection that intrigued me:

An ebulliometer will provide one of the easiest, fastest, most accurate methods of determining the alcohol content in dry wines. The test is based on the difference in boiling points of water and wine. Not well suited for very sweet wines like Icewine. Electric thermometer for easy reading.

It was in Tassie Des first meet Dan who was about 15, Des tells the story of when they were throwing rock along the road to make them spark, probably not a good idea Des but they were happy to see each other again.

Then Lou turns up to make us our Mother’s Day breakfast and to show off her new parachute, it seem our Lou is a bit of a dar devil and has taken to Skydiving. I tried to lift her new parachute and couldn’t believe how bloody heavy it was, not funny Lou.

These days Dan is married and has a baby girl due to enter the world in the next month or so, congratulations Dan.

It’s happy hour again, Drew get that fire going as we head to the shed with our supplies and a plate of nibbles to keep us going, it’s now 9:30, time for some pic boys.

These pair of nutters meet at the Isle of Man years ago and have been friends since, I never realised just how alike they are, anyone would think they are related because they have the same sense of humour.

We had an awesome time chatting about what ever popped into our head and laughed heaps but you can stick your bloody chilly weather.

Drew’s work shed where he does most of his thinking while creating but I think he’s running out of room, time for a new shed Drew.

Check out Drew’s pot belly he made special for his work shed, if I could fit it in the van it would have disappeared. 

After a fabulous few days of catching up it was time to move on and besides Drew and Jane needed to get back to work and I’m pretty sure our Drew need to dry out after all the ales we consumed. Thanks guys for your hospitality, the use of your washing machine and all the laughs, we will miss you all.

Lou’s big jump on Mother’s, she’s much braver than me that’s for sure.

By From Mt Barker