A holiday, a wedding and what we learnt

WE were so pleased to arrive at Renmark Big 4

A very friendly welcome on arrival was just what we needed after quite a few hours driving.
We were guided to our nicely grassed ensuite site, and we were pleased to be able to look across the park to the mighty Murray River.
Setting up does not take long and we  are both happy with what each other does, whether it be inside or outside. As the sooner it is done, the sooner the relaxation begins.

All set up and ready to relax

After we were organised we really needed to go for a walk , the legs needed to be exercised and the back needed to be stretched out. Yes, it is a sign of age ! 
The gardens in this caravan park are so well maintained and who can ever resist a walk along the banks of a river, any river. Picnic tables and seats are dotted along the bank, or if you like there is plenty of green grass to loll around on.

The sunset along the Murray River was just stunning and a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a drink and talk about the days travels.

Renmark is such a lovely town. There were long parking bays at the shopping centre  so  shopping for groceries whilst on the road can be done with ease. We also found a great green grocers to stock up on our fruit and vegetables.   And if you are lucky you may  find a roadside stall selling their produce. We found one selling fresh watermelons.
Angove's winery was most certainly worth the visit. The only problem we have is finding storage space in the ute , for our purchases that we cannot resist . We do not have a canopy on the ute and have found that it does create a bit of a restriction when out shopping.  Oh well, just something to aim for in the future.
A walk around the town reveals some lovely old buildings and some great places for a snack. The Renmark Club was our eatery of choice to sit outside at the tables beside the river and have a drink . I wish we could have stayed for longer but more tourist sites were calling.
There were interesting walking paths around the town, but they will have to wait until next time.
The view of the Murray is really breathtaking and you can see it from water level or from standing high above on the cliffs. Paddle steamers and houseboats quietly and peacefully move slowly along .
There are so many interesting places to explore around the Renmark area. It is a place that I really want to return to as our few days there did not seem to be long enough.
The Renmark Big 4 is quite a large caravan park with plenty of  facilities for families.   The barbecues and  swimming pool were all very popular. The caravan park  sits just below the main road and near the opening bridge  so you do get some traffic noise but it did not impact on my sleeping .

After our few days in Renmark it was time to head off to Blanchetown and it was closer to catching up with family and celebrating the much looked forward to wedding.
We decided to travel the long way to Blanchetown. Was it a good idea? Yes and no !
So we visited Berri, Loxton, Moorook, Overland Corner, Waikerie , Morgon  and on to Blanchetown. It was a very long day. And there were towns that I would love to go back too.

The pub at Overland Corner

Lunch at Lake Bonney

We used a few ferry crossings

The Murray River, so may great vistas along the way

It was so wonderful to have such awesome  views of the Murray along the way.
But finally we saw the bridge that crosses the river at Blanchetown.
So now just to find our caravan park.
Driving down the hill  to  river level was where the Blanchetown caravan park was situated.




What a contrast to Renmark Big 4
This was a much smaller caravan park.
Gravel sites.
No boom gate.
Ensuite was quite suitable.
No modern facilities for kids.
But wow !! Look at all those pelicans on the river. I love looking at pelicans. And photographing them as well. I may add I did take an awful lot of photos of pelicans in various flight patterns.

So we set up the van and had a look around the park.

A barbecue area near the river, some seats along the bank where you can  just sit and  enjoy the view and a pontoon if you want to go and have a spot of fishing. So the park may not be set up with all the whizz bang stuff that kids love to use but for adults who want to relax , it is quite suitable.

The next day we emptied our pockets and found enough coins to use the washing machine. This was something that we had not planned to do, but thought we would take the opportunity while we had time.  A makeshift clothes line strung around the awning worked wonders. And yes, I had the foresight to throw some pegs in before we left home. Just in case.
So our clothes were nicely dry when we returned from a drive down to Swan Reach. So many ferry crossings along the river and this town  had another great one with a very chatty ferry operator.

Friday has arrived and we need  to be up  early so we could  organise ourselves for the wedding which was to be held in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens on the Saturday afternoon.
We would lock our van up and leave it all alone in the caravan park. We had notified the park manager that we would be away for two nights ( yes moteling it in North Adelaide ) and we have insurance.  So I was telling myself, Do not stress Lyn, just enjoy the family gathering.

We carry a large toolbox on the back of the ute so hubby had screwed in a hook so his suit could hang. And we had soft sided carry bags so everything fitted easily.
We met the mother of the groom in Nuriootpa, about one and a half hours from Blanchetown. So after lunch we headed in to find our motel in North Adelaide. We opted for this option as the grooms family live not far from the Barossa and the Wedding was in Adelaide so we had to cover both bases.  Two nights away from the van was needed as after a reception at the Adelaide Wine centre we most certainly needed to make use of taxis.
Sunday was a family lunch before we headed back to the quiet caravan park and the pelicans at Blanchetown and our little Roma van , just sitting there the same as we had left it.
Monday meant another lunch catch up back in Nuriootpa and a chauffeured tour around the Barossa , courtesy of our cousin. It really was a fitting end to our lovely holiday.

Wolf Blass winery

And yes we are planning to return .
So we packed up and headed home on the Tuesday morning.
We had no real plans on the direction that we would head. We did travel across some quiet country roads and saw some parts of the state that we had never seen before.
The amazing Coonalpyn silos were a worthwhile stop. There were many people just like us, with cameras or mobile phones in hand trying to get a great photo.

Coonalpyn Silos

We have travelled this highway quite a few times so it did not feel too far from home.
Every small town was getting us closer to our final destination. We did call in to Moliagul to catch up with a friend and stretch the legs the final stop before home.

In hindsight we should have stayed overnight  somewhere just to break up the final trip.

If any of you are doing the tourist thing around the Adelaide area then all these places I have mentioned are a must see.

It was so wonderful to be able to manage to include a family wedding with a caravan holiday.

And what did we learn :
a canopy or cage and tarp is a much needed addition to the ute.
We need to try and alter the table , maybe try and round the corners or make a drop down section.
You can manage to carry a man's suit in a caravan.
Looks don't matter. The Blanchetown Big 4 was a great place to stay. And we will return one day.
Set up your caravan  to suit yourselves and no one else.
Plan your meals. We did , but we ate out too much so brought quite a bit back home.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
You don't need fancy equipment , just comfortable equipment that suits you.
Relax and unwind
Don't travel for too many hours at a time.

                    www.cilinsurance.com.au
                    www.big4.com.au
                    www.southaustralia.com.au
                    www.tourism.sa.gov.au
                    www.barossa.com
                    www.murrayriver.com.au