Fleurieu Peninsular adventures

Rear view mirror- check! Seat positioning - check! Mix 102.3 FM - check! Transformers DVD- check! Temperature - check! Picnic bag - check!

We're on a road trip to Fleurieu Peninsular, where Victor Harbour and whale watching at Port Elliot awaits us. Our foster baby, the Ford Territory takes us on a delighted adventure. We head down waving the suburban scenario and soon come in one with the green abundance of nature and the panoramic view of the countryside captures our hearts and sights.

The boys are enjoying the fall of Decepticons whilst hubby munches on nuts and I sing to 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. We're in love with Fleurieu! We drive pass McLaren Vale and I am in awe of how close our home is to the vineyards! Note to self : Must sneak out one morning and spend the whole day with a glass of reds..or two...or heck, the whole bottle if I have too! The view is stunning and spectacular. With grapevines forming wire fences lining the vineyards, I can see why many cars were heading into the vineyard. All wanting to get an insight of the cellar door secrets. I almost inched the Territory pretending I needed a pee stop, but hubby reminded me that the whales awaits us at Victor Harbour.

So, with a gentle wave and grim face pressing at the window, I whispered I'll be back to venture the vineyards! As we made our way, it seems that the canteen operations just opened its doors, as the boys beckoned for a snack and drink. So with a packet of cashewnuts and favourite sky juice offered to the princes, they took to their snack happily.

I love how their water bottles hold well by the bottle holder by the sides of the car door and the boys popped their packet of nuts in their activity storage bag with much ease and comfort. Hubby didn't even have to move an inch or wrangle with space to give out the snacks, let alone wipe the boys face and hands. The activity bags provided enough pockets and compartments to store a ready to use wipes! YAY!

The Territory glides smoothly on the wide highways fringed with trees and farms. With hovering trees and branches extending like those from an enchanted willow forest, they welcomed us with galore and cheer. Sheeps and cows grazed in serenity, and gazed at us as we blew kisses to the adorable lambs. The boys spotted some Friersian cows and yoddled to 'Old McDonalds' and soon we were welcomed by showers of rain, first in small droplets then like a gush of a flood, the clouds unveiled their show!

First pit stop- toilet. With raincoats in tow, Tristan who like me, loves visiting and screening public toilets gave a thumbs up from his visit. We continued our journey and soon passed a farm with a huge erected sign, 'Alpacas for sell, take one home'. Oh, we may have found a house pet after all.

We parked the Territory and took in the adorable sights of Alpacas and I soon yelled, ' I want their babies', yes, I am a true fanatic of animals and go weak at any small, furry, milk dripping babies. No I do not come close to Cruella Deville but I like to think myself as the Mother Theresa of Noah's Ark.

Back on the road again, and we come across Alexandrina Cheese Company. A must stop as we love a good cheese tasting and what more in rich resource of South Australia. The farm views offers us a splendid view of rolling hills and we soon keep warm in the cafe. With cheese tasting to galore, and Harriet who delivered an educational cheese tasting tour, we soon bought a delightful slab of cheese and got a complimentary tub of ricotta! How divine.

We tucked in with a homemade Alexandrina Shire tea and homemade baked ricotta cheese cake, with generous dollop of pure Jersey cream, accompanied with towering chocolate milkshakes. I am amused by the display of posters and notices fanned out at the wall.

The owner has a name for each cows on the farm and some were christened after celebrities with the likes of Madonna, Whitney and Kylie. Beryl, Lorna, Cherish and Blaze were some of the other names. Tristan and I made another toilet stop, well why not. We had to check the cute cow-motif themed cafe. The toilet doors had cow signages and a poster of Employee of the month was adorable to bits.

Yes, Alexandrina best employees are its cows!! Every month a new cow is bestowed with a star to commerate the Employee of the Month. Not bad eh?
We waved the cows goodbye and try to spot a 'Material Girl' cow but she must be busy chewing her grass and wondering where Kylie is on her farm tour. We're only about 10mins to Victor Harbour and soon find our way to the main city and arrive at the much talked about Victor Harbour. Oh did I also mention that I finally handed over the car keys to hubby from the cheese stop.

It is stunningly beautiful and very much the seaside town it has to offer. Unfortunately, it rained yet again, and we had to skip the horse tram ride into Granite Island. Being the adventorous lady I am, we armoured the boys with winter jackets and hooded raincoats and me with my gorgeous Kathmandu winter jacket I snatched from my previous clothing swap, and a weak umbrella in tow, almost doing a flip back against the strong wind, we ventured out and explored all of Victor Harbour.

First stop was the famous whale fountain which was a pure Kodak moment. Klauss German Hot Dogs stand was a hot seller! With over 10 different sauces to choose from, we delighted in a mild chilli sauce, with sauerkrat and spicy sausages. What a welcoming feeling from the bitter cold wind.

We soon found our way to the South Australian Whale Centre and the boys had a wonderful experience learning about the whales and sharks conservation. They enjoyed the Kids Zone and we rented an archaeology kit where they soon found themselves digging and locating fossil and bones. Very smart initiative to encourage the young ones to enjoy science and discovery.

Later we were told by the friendly reception that there were at least 15 whales sighting at Bashom Beach at Port Elliot. We soon told our foster baby, ' To Bashom beach we go' , and as a well mannered auto pilot, we soon found ourself with a throng of cars and human traffic with James Bond binoculars.

We see the whales! The most spectacular heavenly sight ever! As we park the Territory on the hill for a better view, the Mother Theresa comes out of me and soon I am screaming, 'We gotta get close! I wanna touch those babies'. So again we go in our runaway raincoats and head down to the beach. Ah, everyone is quiet as we watch two cubs following the mother across us, floating in and out and later the mother graciously poked her head to peer at us.

With jaws dropped, tears streaming down my cheeks and hands outstretched to embrace them..well almost, our Ford Territory adventures hit the top of its pinnacle, with the whales watching. It is truly a sight to behold and I can't help to think that as humans, sharing this same beautiful planet with our fellow creatures, it is our gracious responsibility in preserving them and not encroach on their habitats and environment.

We drove home that night with fond memories of the whales. We remember seeing one flip its tail from afar, another did a loop jump and another almost floating and enjoying an umbrella cladded cocktail. We are surely creating wonderful memories with the Territory.

She does not seem tired or weary and can still pull out a Schumacher stunt breezing across the highway, taking us all home to our warm safe beds.

Another adventure awaits us. Barossa Valley is next on our travel list. Stay tune for more delights.