Autumn's last hurrah

Late last week it was a gorgeous Autumnal day - about 18C with a slight crispness to the air, so I took a drive 1.5 hrs north to the lovely Clare Valley - one of the top wine-growing regions of South Australia.

Won't you join me on a brief tour? ......

This was the view looking back towards the Mt Lofty Ranges

.... pity about the pylons !

This pub was established in 1860

There was an abundance of new lambs

Mintaro - former slate mining town with a delightful historic "feel"

Attractive entry to one of the B&B's in the town

The Teapot Inn - sadly now on the market, but a visit there a few years back with a friend for Devonshire tea was a charming experience

I bet the walls within this homestead have some stories to tell !

Stockpiling feed for possible harsh days to come

A tragic story behind this headstone no doubt...

A wide brown land indeed . . .

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Back to the beautiful Clare Valley

Although this shot isn't as sharp as I would have liked, I couldn't resist posting it; there's nothing quite like a drive in the country to elevate one's awareness of the beauty that surrounds us. Here, at the southern end of the Clare Valley, we are looking across one of many vineyards that typefy the region - noted for its white wines.

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Loss of power ...

On my recent brief stay in the Clare Valley, the weather was quite stormy on our last night there, resulting in loss of power between 7pm and midnight. With trusty torches we found some candles & holders in a drawer, together with a pack of playing cards, so by candlelight and the glow from the open fire we entertained ourselves with games from our (long-past!) youth.  It all added to a memorable 4 day trip away.

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A country pond

A pond in the Clare Valley on a Winter's day

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Sunset over Clare

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Clare Valley again...

Here, in the Southern Hemisphere, our Winter is drawing to a close and Spring is in the air. This collage comprises more images taken in and around the beautiful Clare Valley in South Australia's mid-North.

Although it seems to have been the coldest Winter I can recall for many years, it's also mild compared with our European counterparts.  Wherever you are in this amazing world, may you find something every day that lifts your spirits and fills your heart with gratitude.

Thank you, fellow bloggers, for your inspirational captures.

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Clare Valley blossoms

These are just some of the glorious blossoms that filled our senses in and around Auburn, Mintaro and Clare.

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Clare Valley

The beautiful Clare Valley in South Australia - about 1.5 hours' drive north of Adelaide.

A region rich in agriculture and viticulture

 If you've not yet visited this delightful part of South Australia with it's welcoming and friendly residents, I can thoroughly recommend it.

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Further north still

Have just returned from a marvellous 4-day visit to South Australia's beautiful Clare Valley, where we stayed in a stone cottage with open fires and loads of charm. The weather was kind to us and the countryside wonderfully green. It was a refreshing time of "recharging the batteries".

Joining in with James' Weekend Reflections

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