Caravanning Diary

Today we are joining a group of fellow Caravaners forumites at the Tanunda CP for a UWE (Unofficial weekend). The weekend was organised a few months ago and this would be our first attendance. The UWE is a way for forumites from the MSN Caravaners forum (Internet forum) to get together and/or meet a couple of times a year in different locations around Australia. Previous UWEs have been held at Hall's Gap Vic, Berri SA and Creswick Vic.

We left home after lunch as the trip to Tanunda was only about 45 minutes. After booking in and selecting our site we set up camp and met some of the other people who had arrived early for the weekend. It was nice to put a face to a name and we greeted each other like long lost friends. We sat with others getting to know them and about 5pm saw the start of the regular late afternoon 'Happy Hours' where everybody came and brought some food and drinks and sat around and talked. In the evening we went to the Weintal Resort in Tanunda for a Curry Night ($12) and got the know each other better. There were couples from Queensland, Victoria, NSW, and the ACT as well as us locals from SA. A great night was had by all.

The Forum Group at Tanunda CP

Today saw some more arrivals and there was the usual meet and greet as they set up camp. The great thing about UWEs is that very little is organised and we could go and do our own thing if we wanted to. We decided to go for a short drive around the Barossa, through Tanunda, Nuriootpa and Angaston. In the evening we had another 'Happy Hour'.

Happy Hour held every evening.

Today some of the participants went on a Cook's Tour of the Barossa Valley organised by Joan, Judy and Ray. We made a quick trip home to collect some items for a drawbar sale to be held Sunday morning after breakfast. In the afternoon we relaxed and spoke with fellow campers. 'Happy Hour ' was held at 5pm.

Yalumba Winery

The Vineyards at Tanunda

Caravan Park management arranged a 'Pancake Breakfast' for all of us this morning which was appreciated by all. After cleanup we set up for the drawbar sale. There was some interest in some floor matting we had and we managed to sell it for the princely sum of $5. The sale lasted about 30 minutes before the rain started. Everybody packed up and headed back to their vans. We took a drive to Yalumba Wineries for a look see and then drove through the 'Valley' back to the CP. In the evening we had another 'Happy Hour'. Some participants left to go home as they had to go to work in the morning.

Geraldine in Maggie Beer's Kitchen

At Seppeltsfield

Today some of the participants left the CP. Some others went and did their own tours and trips into town for shopping. We drove out to Seppeltsfield Winery, Kapunda for lunch and then back to Maggie Beer's Farm for a cooking demo before returning for 'Happy Hour'.

'The Miner' at Kapunda

We departed for home and others who were staying went for a drive to Birdwood and Hahndorf for lunch. We were home and unpacked by lunch time. We enjoyed the UWE and all the people we had met. Over the weekend the group collected $130 for the CFS in donations from participants. Arrangements were made to hand over the money at the Happy Hour on Sunday evening. We have also arranged to join another UWE in April 09 at Kerang, Vic.

The vans that participated this UWE

The Tanunda UWE Oct 08