21 Day Hunter Valley

Last night I couldn't write anymore. I was too tired. It was a wonderful day, though it started quite differently. At 4:45 in the morning, I was awakened by a terrible thunderstorm. It sounded as if the world was ending. My alarm was set for 5:15 AM. At 5:15 AM, it was still pouring rain, and I thought I wouldn't make it out of the house by 6 o'clock, and even if I did, I would arrive soaking wet at the bus stop. You won't believe it. Right at 6 o'clock, the rain stopped and I arrived at the bus stop dry.

And now onto the tour:

Based on the recommendation of the tourism lady, I booked a boutique tour to Hunter Valley. I have to say, it was a good tip. There were 14 of us plus our driver, whose father came from Scotland. I always find it interesting that Australians always say where their ancestors come from. I noticed that with the winemakers as well. It was always mentioned which country they emigrated from.

Onto the other passengers.

A couple from Chicago. He is 77 years old. She is 72 years old. He sold his business five years ago because none of the children wanted to take over the business. I don't know what kind of business it was. Strangely, I always have trouble understanding when men tell me something. I don't understand the English at all. That's also the case with Gavin. I understand Michelle relatively well. So, back to the couple. They've been traveling the world for five years. They've traveled all over Europe and Asia, and now it's Australia's turn.

The second couple was from Kentucky. They were around 50 years old. I also got into a conversation with her. Her partner, they are not married, has three boys from a previous marriage. I didn't quite understand whether he was a widower or divorced. They were really a lovely couple.

Yes, and then there was a father, around 50 years old, and daughter, around 20 years old, from Bristol. They are visiting the son or brother in Sydney for Christmas and New Year's. The daughter spent the entire bus ride playing with her phone or whatever you do on it during a trip. She didn't even look out at the landscape.

Then there was a Swedish woman, around 25 years old, who backpacked in Australia a year ago. At the moment, she is visiting friends in Sydney. And then there were actually six young people, all from London, two couples and two single young women. All in all, a nice group. Everything was represented. Our driver told a lot of stories during the journey. It must have been very funny because there was a lot of laughter. Unfortunately, I hardly understood anything, see above comment about men speaking English.

Incidentally, the weather was pleasant, almost a bit too humid. We visited four wineries. We were already at the first winery before 10 o'clock in the morning. We actually tasted about seven wines at all four wineries.

White wines: Semillon

                       Verdelho

                       Sauvignon

Rosé or sparkling wine made from different grapes

Red wine: different Shiraz

There was, for example, a Shiraz that tasted exactly like olives.

At the first winery, by the way, there are over 100 wineries in the Hunter Valley region, I made the mistake of drinking the wine, but I think we all did. We were all very cheerful right after the first wine. For me, it felt like being on a ship. Everything was swaying slightly.

What was also interesting during the tasting was that with a red wine, we were supposed to take a sip first, then we got a piece of chocolate, and then we were supposed to drink the red wine again.

Insane, the first sip was terribly sweet. But then, after the chocolate, simply amazing.

So there were several wines, before and after, for example, bread with olives or before cheese. I really had the feeling that I was drinking a completely different wine before and after. Or, what was also interesting. A light Shiraz:

Once at room temperature (not my taste at all)

Then chilled, simply delightful. By the way, I bought the two wines in the picture above. I'm not a Rosé drinker at all, but this Rosé was so refreshing and tasted so much like strawberries, I've never had anything like it. I will drink the wine with Michelle and Gavin. Let's see what they say about it. They always drink Rosé with their meals, and in the evening, there's always a red wine on the table in front of the TV. I've noticed this here in Sydney and the surrounding area anyway. A crazy amount of wine is being consumed. When two people sit in a restaurant or bar, a bottle is always put on the table, even at 11 o'clock in the morning. I assume it's for brunch. But also in the afternoon, around 3 o'clock, no matter where you pass by, wine or coffee is being consumed. I wanted to take the white wine with me as a souvenir to Germany. I'm not really a white wine drinker, but it tastes delicious here in Australia, and of course, you can't drink red wine in this heat. It was really a successful day. I learned a lot about wine, and the valley is truly a dream in terms of landscape. We even saw kangaroos. In the evening, on the bus ride home, it was pouring rain again, and as they say here:

It's raining cats and dogs

But when I got off, thank God, it was all over again.

So, I have to say, after Palm Beach, Parramatta, today was really another highlight.

So, now it's almost noon. The sun is shining, and we have 23 degrees. Let's see what I do with the afternoon. See you later, Roswitha