Getting our Concrete (Painted Silos) on in country Victoria.

[Denali]

Earlier this year, I saw this post from @Geegeela and suggested it to my husband as something different for us to do and he, of course, said lets do it!

I didn’t exactly suggest doing it for my 50th birthday trip in the middle of winter but he heard me say Alaska and thanks to the Babel fish up his bum and not in his ear, he heard Adelaide so Adelaide it is for this milestone birthday. As the drive from Melb or Adelaide to the Silos would be about the same, we decided to go via Adelaide as we’ve only be there for a single night stopover previously and we get to visit the Haighs Chocolate factory.

You can drive the Painted Silo trail in a day but we rarely travel in Australia so thought we would take the opportunity to see if we’re adventurous (we’re not) and do it over 4 days because hubby likes to take photos, lots of photos. Sunrise, sunset, lots of photos.

This is the basic plan, subject to change due to weather, arguments or fear of having a Wolf Creek moment.

We prepared for this by watching the 1971 classic, Duel.



Tomorrow its SYD-ADL via VA J reward seats, car hire was a double points deal with Europcar and our usual driver Bruce, from limousinehire, is booked for our early morning pickup so see you tomorrow, Adelaide!

 

[Milboo]

Happy birthday! I’ve had a milestone birthday this week too and I’m nowhere -3 years ago I was in Lima and 4 years ago I was in Victoria Falls.

 

[drron]

Happy birthday! I’ve had a milestone birthday this week too and I’m nowhere -3 years ago I was in Lima and 4 years ago I was in Victoria Falls.

Happy Birthday and congratulations.
But you are celebrating your birthday in the best country in the world.

 

[love_the_life]

Has it been a bit wet for the start of the great silo sage?

 

[Pushka]

Adelaide turned on very wet weather today. Tomorrow will be better. But then Sunday......

 

[UP4014]

Grain will be a shocking season in NSW this year. 100 wagon grain trains are running from South Australia to Sydney.

So all you South Ozzies, stand by for a price hike on bread as us Sydney siders suck it up.

 

[VPS]

Happy Birthday. Welcome to sunny Adelaide (oh whoops sorry). Have a great trip I'm looking forward to the photos

 

[kermatu]

Strapping in to the roof rack for this TR.

 

[Denali]

Driver pick up and delivery was excellent as per usual, we checked in at priority counter and then exited the building, turning left towards VA curbside lounge entry. Quick pat down and explosive test and we are in so hubby can enjoy his 2nd breakfast before boarding the plane for his 3rd breakfast, hes a bit of a Hobbit.

Flight was full, inc J, but good flight, ok meal, easy car collection and we are off! To Coles.

Did a Click & Collect order for lots of water, some fruit and snacks and a wheel of Camembert cheese, in case the car conks out mid trip and we have to resort to King Island Dairy to survive or fight off John Jarratt. And then we are off... again...

It was approx 2hrs from Adelaide to Coonalpyn and we had rain from the side, rain pouring down and then there was the wind. Oi the wind, yeah not loving SA a lot so far but the pastures and farmers need the rain so thats the plus side. We did do a wee side trip through Hahndorf and looking forward to the return trip in a couple of days.

And then finally.... you see in the distance, a silo and then you stop on the side of the road and see this.

Took the artist approx 6 weeks to complete, would have loved to have seen that and wondered what the locals thought at the time.




Pity someone stuck a whopping great big "We're hiring" sign at the front of it.





Directly opposite this is the Silo Cafe, where they serve yummy sausage rolls and meat pies - open 6.30am so will be checking out the bacon & egg rolls tomorrow and about 30mtrs away is a bakery and a waffle & jaffle cafe.

As we have been up since 4.30am, we’re staying the night at the Coonalpyn Hotel. Room is $120 (no online booking, no points!) but we did indulge and booked the family room for 2 people. There are rooms that are cheaper but hey, its my 50th, Im doing the Painted Silo Trail, I BYO’d my own wheel of cheese, Im worth it!

Jonesy, the publican, is a really nice guy and he and his lovely wife, Winnie, have been here for about 3 years - two crazy kids in love that thought owning a pub in the middle of whoop whoop was a great idea. God bless them, they're nuts.

The room is clean but its the kind of place you can throw a million dollars at and still need another million but Jonesy is tackling one room at a time, removing old carpet, refinishing hardwood floors, redoing bathrooms, he showed me one of the rooms mid reno.

This was not that room, this is our room. The aircon/heater sounds like a tractor idling.





Dinner is at the pub and it didnt disappoint, chicken schnitzel for me and surf and turf for hubby - huge meal on huge plate, very tasty but we are also very tired so to bed where we will baracade the door and hope tomorrow the skies are slightly bluer.

 

[LadyC]

Happy birthday and have a great trip!

 

[VPS]

I've driven through Coonalpyn more times than I can remember and apart from a stop at the BP to get petrol and some pretty ordinary food I have never had a desire to stay there. Hope John Jarrett doesn't turn up

 

[love_the_life]

When is the actual ‘big day’? Planning anything special?

 

[Denali]

Friday and the Adelaide city hotel has a spa bath, my bag is packed with Lush bubble bars and hubby booked a massage, inc reflexology, and pedicure

Coonalpyn hotel bed is comfy but the aircon/heater is terrible, I feel for parents whose children cry every 20mins. Turned off eventually.

Currently being serenaded by the sounds of trains across the road, my knowledge via Railway Australia makes me think they are heading to Melbourne.

 

[Denali]

Some goodies from Hahndorf fruits market, I would shop here all the time if I could.

The figs made me laugh as I give away trays of them at work from our tree at home

 

[Pushka]

Some goodies from Hahndorf fruits market, I would shop here all the time if I could.

The figs made me laugh as I give away trays of them at work from our tree at home

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Fortunately we have a greengrocer just up the road who stocks a lot of this produce from Hahndorf/SA. While you are here you should sample a Farmers Union Iced coffee, and some flavoured milks from the Fleurieu Milk Company and organic produce from Paris Creek.

 

[Denali]

Paris Creek, check

I noticed a more earthy smell and flavor, very yummy.

 

[Pushka]

Paris Creek, check

I noticed a more earthy smell and flavor, very yummy.

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Our milk is always Paris Creek. Stocked in most stores here.

 

[Denali]

Hrs of driving and nothing to see or view, just hectares of farms and then we see the magic words, Bakery.

Current view, enjoying yummy steak pie and sausage roll. Don't get these at home.




Edit. He went back for a cherry ripe.

 

[Denali]

Finally made it to Patchewollock.

 

[love_the_life]

Finally made it to Patchewollock.

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It is quite impressive, the silo not the cherry ripe!