Day 32 Sorting out mechanical van issues

We had a serious conversation this morning about what we think we should do about some issues with braking and suspension with the van.

We decided since we were going to be passing through Adelaide that we should see if we could either get some parts that Bill could use to fix the problems with the brakes or alternatively to see if there was an AOR recommended repair place that could carry out the work for us.

So the first thing we did was to ring AOR to get information about the places in Adelaide that they recommended.

All they could do for us was send an email with a list of all their recommended places within Australia so I then had to sift through the list and pick out the ones in Adelaide. There were three that I looked on the AOR website and I contacted  the one that they favoured. Unfortunately they could not do anything for us until next March. So undaunted I contacted the Adelaide Brake and Mechanical specialists that were also on their list. I could  not believe it when John from there said he would see what he could do if we brought it in first thing next morning. 

So we then set about looking for a campsite close to his business to stay the night. Contacted West Beach Big4 and they said they had space for us on the grassed area where we did not need to unhitch.

Relieved so far with the outcomes so we set about enjoying the day on the journey to West Beach

I had wanted to visit Hahndorf because I had heard so much about it and looking at the map it looked like there would be enough time to head that way…

Driving out north from the caravan park passed through some beautiful green hilly countryside

With the wind turbines on the hill to our left



Continuing on Fleurieu Way









We came across this look out



Where we stopped and Bill checked the wheel nuts having had the wheel off the day before

Interesting story about the Hobart

This anchor is positioned facing the ocean where the HMAS Hobart has been sunk as a diving site



The view down from the lookout

And the row of Norfolk pines that have obviously been planted along the road side here

Passing over the river Yankalilla I had seen on WikiCamps that there was a place here where we could go on an interesting walk

The walk started at this little park that was interesting in itself

Bit of history about the area





And information about the Red River gum in this park



This is the row of Pinetrees referred to on the information board

Passing the old Big Gorge Bridge



We reached the gate at the entrance to the gorge where Bill noticed this large huntsman on the sign



The view back to the old bridge from the start of the walk

The walk started out in the open to begin with

The walk was well signposted

Of course Bill at this point couldn’t resist walking over the rocks

 at this little bridge across the creek

Lots of pretty wildflowers







Didn’t see any lambing ewes and in fact didn’t see any sheep at all







Came across another one of these skinks 





The walk continued along past the river amongst the beautiful red River gums



With some historical information signs along the way











Path got a little muddy and waterlogged due to the recent rains

We did continue on a little way



Spotted and heard some kids having fun sliding down the big hill

Bill took a photo of this private property sign



The path got a bit too wet and I didn’t have the appropriate shoes on so Bill continued on and took a photo of this sign

I continued on a little way along the path

Whilst Bill went round and took photos of the ruins that were explained on the sign





I took this photo to show the path that we were walking on some of the time

Certainly some beautiful scenery in this area and a lovely day too











Spotted this white faced heron

Couple of gates that we went through that we needed to open and close after us





The spot image showing where we were

and my AllTrails track of the walk


On the road again passing the turn off to Normanville



Taking the turn off to Myponga



Past the Myponga reservoir



Heading towards Willunga









Turning off towards Meadows

And then finally a sign for a turn off to Hahndorf



Passing through the Adelaide hills wine region

Along pretty country roads

And past pine forests







Passing through the town of Meadows











And finally reaching Harndorf where we had to drive right through the town before we could find somewhere to pull up with the van

After parking we walked along the Main Street.

I took this photo because I had read up that before this town was called Hahndorf it was called Ambleside and there was mention of the fact that some places would still refer to the word Ambleside

We walked along a short way until we found somewhere we felt was suitable to have a drink and a typical German lunch

Bill had a Hoffbrau session ale

And I had Hahndorf Hill GRU

We had a share plate with a variety of German sausages with some mustard and sauerkraut and a pretzel

Just hit the spot





This was the beer that Bill had

Information about the Hahndorf Inn where we had our drinks and lunch



We wandered through the town looking at all the buildings and interesting sites























Until we found a cafe that sold traditional German desert

We found one that advertised strudel and bee sting but unfortunately they didn’t have any strudel however we did order a bee sting and a cherry pie to share

However further on in the town we found another cafe that sold bee sting with the correct German name next to the name

And they also sold Apple strudel which we bought to take back with us and we also bought some sauerkraut locally made and some almond fingers

This was the front of the bakery that we bought the deserts from



Spotted this on the way back to the car so had to take a photo of it

Beautiful tree lined streets as we drove away from Hahndorf



On the way in towards Adelaide we passed olive tree Groves

We headed towards the South eastern freeway

And merged onto the M1

And then began the very steep descent down into Adelaide we had not realised how high up we were



We also had not realised that we would be going through a tunnel







Then started the stressful time of driving through Adelaide in rush-hour not knowing where we needed to turn and when we needed to turn

Lots of waiting around at traffic lights

We were concerned that we were arriving at the caravan park later than when we had said we would arrive

Finally arrived at the waterfront at South Glenelg







And eventually found the entrance to the West Beach Caravan Park



This is our image of our HEMA tracking for the day

After we had set up the van at our allotted place I went for a walk around the park to work out where the amenities were where the kitchen was etc

And I came across this Aussie swag I checked it out to see if it was our old one but it wasn’t

Took photos of some of what was available within the park



This is where we were set up for the night

I went and bought some takeaway food for dinner from the cafe just outside the park

And then headed down to the beach to watch a beautiful sunset



















Bill came down and joined me

We walked along the beach as far as the West Beach boat ramp





















Saw a few planes taking off from the nearby airport













Took lots of photos of the sunset as it was so stunning before heading back to our van to have showers and then bed