The day started again with a chorus of corellas which woke us all and got us up relatively early. Trev was very thankful for the healthy pancakes I cooked..and the green juice!

As it was Sunday we had our own “church service” at the vans and started a series on Titus listening to a sermon on the first part of chapter one by Simon Manchester – a great way to begin the day.

We then left the campsite and drove for 22 mins to the Tantanoola Cave, our first stop for the day. The cave had been discovered in the 1930’s by the son of a local farmer on whose land it was. He had been chasing rabbits with his ferret which went down what he thought was a rabbit hole but did not return. The teenager threw a couple of rocks inside and heard loud noises – he then crawled in and discovered the amazing cave below. The family started charging for cave tours about 2 weeks after that!

National Parks bought the area later on and have cared for it to ensure it is well preserved. We entered the cave (with our COVID masks on of course!) and it was the most beautiful cave we had ever seen – with the most formations packed into the one cave….spectacular!

The tour lasted for half an hour with plenty of photo opportunities.

Once back outside we did the short cliff walk above the cave which gave us a great panoramic view of the local area. The cave guide had told Klaus that the pine forests around the area were owned by Kimberley Clark – and used for making toilet paper (a COVID lockdown essential!!) No shortage around here!

There was another sinkhole next to the cave area as well…and then we returned to the front where Klaus found what he thought was a quandong tree and decided to take some closeup pics….Rosie mentioned to Dave that Klaus was taking pics of a Condom Tree…Dave was very confused by this understandably so but we set him straight….and it actually was not a quandong – it was a Kangaroo Apple!

We then drove on for 40 mins past Penola back to the Coonawarra wine area to a winery recommended to us by the caravan park owner – Brand’s Laira Winery.

It was a beautiful winery with the oldest vines in the district planted in 1893 by Captain Henry Stentiford the first owner of the vineyard. Eric Brand took over the vineyard in 1952.

The grounds were well kept and manicured with beautiful rose gardens among the vines.

We entered into the cellar door area and enjoyed a fantastic Ploughman’s lunch and wine tasting. Kerry and Dave were in their element!

After lunch and purchasing a few bottle we toured the old cellar full of a huge collection of old wines, ports and a motley collection of other beverages including a Darwin Stubby!

Driving home we stopped for a coffee at Sorrento’s then back to the caravans for dinner….and a visit by Branch to assist McGyver with the ongoing issue of the left blinker on the Loveday van….will it be fixed is the question??