Remodeling, Spring has Sprung

We're wrapping up the remodeling projects on the house just in time to start in on the outside landscaping. The floors and fireplace came out real nice and Marianne got her butcher block table for the kitchen. With the weather starting to improve we took a walk up the hill behind our house and took some pictures of our neighborhood.

Sydney

After the last day of the bike trip we flew to Sydney with Spence and Amy to explore the big city. The town just like the country was clean and neat and the people absurdly friendly. The first morning we went for a run out to the opera house and botanical gardens, then took the ferry across the harbor to the zoo. The next day before flying out we swam laps in a sweet pool right on the harbor. The whole trip was amazing and we're already talking about cycling in Canada in 2012

McClaren vale

After a few days by the Southern ocean, we turned North towards McClaren vale and the Chapel hill winery and retreat. Another outstanding property in the middle of vineyards. Many of the Australian wines we buy in the states come from this region. One constant reminder that we were in a new environment was the big flocks of cockatoos screeching and flying around.

Hahndorf

Our next stop was a town named Hahndorf. We did a few good climbing days and ate like kings every night. Our guides Dave and Dianne had great spots picked out for lunch and dinner everyday and we always had social hour were we would taste the days finds at the winerys.

Riding 50-55 miles a day and drinking wine every night became the routine and with temps in the 80's and lot's of sunshine it was a routine I could get used to.

Just returned from 2 weeks of cycling and wine tasting (drinking) in South Australia. We started in Adelaide and I knew it was going to be a good trip when the Thai restaurant we tried the first night served kangaroo. Yes it was delicious. After a short shakedown ride we spent the next two days in Marananga at The Louise which is a beautiful hotel out in the middle of the Barossa vineyards