The weather has not been cooperating at all — it was another rainy summer day. But I’ve never known a vineyard to close in the event of showers, so Will decided to take us up to the Hunter Valley and the vineyards there. But the first stop was at Will’s cousin’s house, adjacent to the Shortland Wetlands at Newscastle. Because it’s egret breeding time, there were hundreds of fledglings in the trees, guarded by their mums. And the very top, a great white egret, with a plume and a long neck. Along the ground and at the water, some Ibis. It was bird paradise, as long as the eagles left them alone, and none fell out of the nests! I’d never seen so many lovely birds nesting together.
From there it was an hour’s drive up to the Hunter Valley, which, like Napa and Santa Ynez has dozens of wineries and tasting rooms along a few beautiful roads. We stopped into a couple of them for tastes (and it was nice to not have to pay for it like you must do in Cali), and we admired the gardens and architecture along the way. I hadn’t seen this before — roses planted at the end of the rows of vines — done so that if the roses get diseased, proper care can be taken of the vines before it overtakes the grapes. The primary grapes are semillion and Shiraz, and the wineries are beautiful, wih the Watagan mountains in the background. While the rain prevented gorgeous photos, the day was delightful just the same.
On the way back I spotted a big male buck Kangaroo along the side of the road, and while I know I will see more further on in my adventure, we stopped so I might get a photo — sorta hard to see, but he was likely 6 foot tall!
After a load of laundry, we enjoyed dinner at home with Will’s sister Maureen, and had a chance to look at Will’s pictures from the Camino and compare notes on the various people and places we had both experienced. I leave tomorrow for Auckland, so it’s an early night and some dreams of sunshine.
In awe. I want to see the video of you boxing with the ‘roo!!!!