Best Western Wine Country Mtr. Cessnock

<br><br>You may be relieved to hear that this entry will be quite short, I could just say went to Hunter Valley admired the scenery, tasted the wine and moved on, however I will try to flesh it out a bit &#8211; sorry! <br><br>The Hunter Valley was settled during a land rush in the early 1820s, the best land and convicts to work it being assigned to those who had the strongest financial position. Convict transportation to the colony stopped in 1840, assisted passage schemes and the ...

... Fererro Rocher ice cream which she still hasn't tried! in the arvo we went to Pepper Tree wines and tasted some more wines (they did have spitoons here) and stumped up the cash for a rather nice Pinot Gris. Spent the afternoom food shopping and checked into our Valley Vineyard Campsite which ran tours from the site so we decided to stay another night so we could both sample some of the yocal grape juice! BBQ for dinner of ...

... we had considered hiring a tandem bike until someone pointed out that this isn't France it is Australia and hence very hot and things a very long way away from each other - for which I will be eternally grateful. Not sure how much I have learnt - something about either drink a semillon in the first two years or leave it for several years - or was that verdilot? oh well it was fun anyway! The last tasting ended with a chilli liquer which ...

if anyone wants to check on the last few days stay on travel pod &amp; type in kevrach they have just written about the same trip&amp; their version might just be slightly diffferent to mine!!!! now this stop after lunch was a bar of shots,yes really!! there where that many it was great,we were then asked who would like to taste the chilli,well i plus a few more not our party i hasten to add decided to take up the challenge,it did ...

... the dog from the film Hook, with Robin Williams!). We all had a quick lesson in how to best sample wines, colour, smell, adehsion to the glass and of course the all important taste test. considering it was only 10.00am when we arrived and 10.45 by the time we had to leave, we managed a good 12 wines, which had already given Ma Prest a slight sway in her step, it didn't bode well for the rest of the day!. Next we popped into the Hunter Olive centre to try and soak up some of ...

... out of the trucks. They are about the size of a snow board, a little larger than a skateboard with no wheels. We got a quick lesson on how to sit on it &amp; keep our hands on the sand behind us to steer and whatever you do...do NOT take your hands off the sand!...lol One by one we took turns sliding down the dune. Once seated &amp; positioned with hands back, they gave a push &amp; off we went....FAST!!!!!! Straight DOWN..lol Totally ...

... a german tourist forgot which side of the road to drive on and smashed head on into us at high speed causing the front of the car to cave in!! Poor Vera!!!!! Tash &amp; I ended up having to spend the day in hospital having various tests done - I almost had a bed for the night, I was going to be kept in for observation with a suspected fractured sternum. But second opinion said I was ok. Rather than camp, we were sore &amp ...

... migh not get very far- tjhough i will admit hreevey moi luv, i have at least rtaken my cards out of the bag! yann- see i promised! im not dead nor have i seen any wee beasties, im being very good and not talking to people who are stranger than me xxx mum i will try and ring tonight so the equivalet of your morning? i have realkly lost track of days- ill try anyway. all my love to everyone, ill drink a cold beer in your honour!

... walking.. In a bit. Okay I'm going to upload some photos right now. Bye! andie. ps. Oh ya, Suzie cut my hair last week. Yikes!! It looks good though, cool stuff. A bit scary! And I'm booking my Magic Bus pass right this very second. $900NZ though, ouch! For JUST transportation. But I'll not eat and stuff. Too bad the buses don't run overnight, cause that way I could have saved on accomodation. Oh well. It shall be great!

... Bangkok!! Said bye to all our buddies at the Palladium - so many wicked funny memories with each and everyone one of ya! Very sad to say bye to everyone! Those of you left - i'm sure you'll enjoy my funny nightsd out together! Dont miss me and Clare too much!?! hee hee! BYE - SE - BYE SYDNEY xxxxxxx Next stop - the East Coast of Australia! Me, Charlotte, Sarah and Anna are heading up on the 9th January! Can't wait to hit the road again!!!! First stop, Byron Bay ............