Australia – 19th Dec 2008 - Day 57

We both felt somewhat jaded this morning after yesterdays leach infested forest walk. Today was the day of our Wine tour of the hunter valley.

We walked down to the main gates where a chap picked us up by mini van. We drove to the starting point, picking up another couple of the way.

We met our driver, a portly lady called Marilyn and our horse, Fred. Fred was a large chap who looked very well looked after. We boarded our open top coach and began our tour. Nice way to travel.

Our companions were from near Darwin. He was only 24 but already a barrister. She was a recently divorced police officer with two young children at home.

We stopped at three vineyards in the morning. The wines were very good indeed, although the Organic wines were disappointing. We also tasted local olives and cheeses.

Our driver was happy to let both of us take a turn at driving Fred.

An enormous lunch was put in front of us. We hardly made a dent in it. After lunch the other couple left us. We travelled onto a few more vineyards before begin picked up by the mini van and begin taken back to out cottage.

It had been a very enjoyable wine tasting day. Today was also our last day in Australia and the last day abroad of our year long trip. Wow. We felt glad and sad all at the some time.

We chilled out in the hot tub. Fiona cooked a nice meal. We watched a DVD and then crashed.