Scenic Adelaide, Sites And Stories of South Australia

Open Your Eyes To The World With Zenni

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 at 7:39 pm

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I’ve always found Adelaide to be a beautiful city as are it’s surroundings which is why I started this photo blog, so that I could share it with you all. There was a time though when I wasn’t able to admire just how beautiful it was and it was all because of my vanity.

You see, I’ve always suffered from poor eyesight and because I wasn’t willing to do something about it I was missing out on just how beautiful everything around me truly was. It wasn’t until I went out and got my eyeglasses that this beautiful new world opened up to me. What was blurred and indistinct now had a brilliant clarity to it.

This beautiful Lilly can be found at the Botanical Gardens

I have to admit in those days I was young and insecure an the thought of having to wear some ugly glasses and having to put up with all the name calling, like four eyes and stuff, was pretty daunting. These days though glasses have pretty well become a fashion statement and no one even thinks twice about having to wear glasses.

Also because of today’s technology you can actually buy them online at sites like Zenni Optical where you can save a whole heap of money.m The reason for this is clear when you read what they explain why their eyeglasses are so inexpensive.

Using the latest modern materials, manufacturing and marketing systems we bring our product direct from our factories to you. No middlemen, no retail overhead, and practically no advertising budget,(we leave it to you, our satisfied customers to spread the word), we do not pay for or sell expensive, or even inexpensive, brand names, but only our own manufactured brand ZENNI. Eyeglasses are definitely a personal fashion and style item, and to that end we strive to provide a fashionable and stylish product. More importantly, we feel prescription eyeglasses are a health item necessity for most wearers, and to that end we take considerable pride in being able to bring to all a very high quality product of great durability, safety and comfort at truly reasonable and affordable prices.

Although I have purchased a pair from them yet, having only just bought some previously, I would consider getting a pair from them. The only thing I’d have to clear up is that, being a US company, they were able to understand the prescription values that our Aussie optometrists give out. If they’re able to do that then I would love to give them a try, especially considering that I would be able to choose from over 3000 designs, only two of which you see here.

Honestly, if you love to shop without having someone looking over your shoulder then online shopping is the way to go and if you have some time to kill then you will love Zenni. Don’t just take my word for it, go and check them out and then come back and tell me which of their eyeglasses you like the best. Check out their prices and you may even want to include in your comment what Christmas present you would buy with your savings.

Make my day and shout me a beer.

The Trinity Lutheran Church Rowland Flat

Thursday, November 24th, 2011 at 6:38 pm

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On the way back from the Barossa we were passing through Rowland Flat just west of Tanunda when I had to pull over to take a photo of this church. The reason I pulled over is because I liked the look of the church and I thought the readers of this blog would appreciate it as well.

It’s the Trinity Lutheran Church and was built in 1956 replacing the original one of 1867. Personally I think they did a great job of retaining the view of the times, even though that may not have been their intention.

The church really is in a picturesque setting. It may not have the same quality as those basking in the sun during their st lucia holidays but it does have a charm all of its own. Standing in front of this lovely church you are presented with a breathtaking view of vineyards, serenity and all that you have become accustomed to while visiting the Barossa.

A few things you may not know about Rowland Flat.

Its the winemaking centre for the giant Orlando wine group, the oldest winery in the Barossa Valley. Must make a point of stopping by there and trialling their restaurant and interactive winemaking display next time I’m driving through.
Its close to Jacobs Creek which also happens to be the one of our favourite wine labels. It was Johann Gramp who planted the first commercial vines at nearby Jacob’s Creek in 1847, and forty years later his son expanded the winery and moved its current location which happens to be in, you guessed it, Rowland Flat.

Honestly, there is so much to see in the Barossa that I reckon the family and I will have to take a long weekend break there first chance we get.

Make my day and shout me a beer.

A Barossa Valley Vineyard & A Joke From Sire ;)

Saturday, November 19th, 2011 at 6:46 pm

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This post is going to be a little different. I know many of you are probably wandering about the man behind the camera who takes these photos. Naturally I’m an Aussie, that goes without saying :lol_ee: I’m a father of two who loves telling jokes. I actually did a YouTube video of one of my favourite jokes that I thought just might amuse you.

The Old Man, The Ferrari And The Maserati

Unlike those people who make Last Minute Holidays plan I’ve been thinking about doing a series of videos for awhile now. Whether or not I continue to paste them on this blog all depends on the comments I get from my readers. If you happen to like the video I’d really appreciate it if you would pass it on to all your mates by either Facebook liking it or maybe even giving it a tweet or something.

Still, let’s not forget that this is a photo blog and so I can’t really write a post without including a photo of South Australia.

A Barossa Valley Vineyard

As my regular readers would know I’ve recently visited the Barossa Valley and as one os want to do when visiting that beautiful place you tend to take a lot of photos. This one is a photo of just one of the many vineyards you will see in the Barossa.

It’s just a matter of parking the car, getting out, admiring the view and then selecting the photo, or photos, that you want to take.

Make my day and shout me a beer.

The View From Mengler Hill Lookout

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011 at 6:05 pm

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The Barossa Valley is such a beautiful place that one could easily dedicate a blog to it. You shouldn’t be surprised then to see quite a few posts about it right here on Scenic Adelaide. One thing you have to know about the Barossa is that it can be well suited for those looking for cheaper holidays. There is so much to see and do, way more than just visiting the bountiful supply of wineries. I will be covering some of them in future posts.

If you’re just wanting to have a bit of peace and quiet then the Barossa is a great place to be. Full of quiet towns and surrounded by plentiful supply of photographic subjects. If it takes you a little longer to get from one destination to the next it’s only because you keep pulling over to take a photo of something that caught your eye.

While on the road from Angaston to the Tanunda Chateau I noticed a sign that said Mengler’s Hill Lookout and so I had no choice but to make a little detour. It only took a couple of minutes to arrive there and I’m glad I took the time to go and check it out.

The View From Mengler Hill

As you can see from the photo below it is a really panoramic view.

You really want to make sure you take your camera because your bound to want to take some photos of the view. The problem is that many people as so take with the view that they fail to miss the park below them that has many sculptures made from local marble and black granite during the 1988 Barossa International Sculpture Symposium. In case you’re wandering the lookout was named after an early vine grower in the area :smoke_tb:

Unfortunately we didn’t have time to wander through the park as it was getting late and we really wanted to see Chateau Tanunda. Believe it or not we just exited the lookout when, only seconds later, I had to pull over once again to take this shot.

It’s like I said earlier, there’s lots that will captivate your attention when you’re driving around the Barossa Valley. :drunk_tb:

Make my day and shout me a beer.

Chateau Tanunda, Barossa’s Largest Chateau

Monday, November 14th, 2011 at 6:46 pm

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After having lunch in Angaston and viewing the scrumptious dried fruit merchandise at Angas Park we popped into Chateau Tanunda on the way home. It really is a quite remarkable place, one with a lot of charm and heritage, not surprising considering it has been around since 1890. If you like old buildings, as I do, you will love this one and believe me you will want to bring your camera for this one. This first shot is of the front of the establishment. Pretty impressive huh?

I absolutely love these old buildings, the ones that use the old traditional bluestone in it’s construction rather than bricks as it gives them so much more character. As you walk around the grounds you will be impressed at how meticulously kept they are. This is probably why many wish to hold their special functions here like weddings or perhaps even that important boardroom meeting, even though you’re more likely to hold the boardroom meetings in the ballroom or something.

The place is really spectacular complete with it’s own international standard cricket oval as well as a lovely croquet green. You actually have to walk past the croquet green on the way to the cellar door and if you’re visiting on a particularly warm day, which we were, you be surprised at the sudden change of temperature one you walk into the cellar area. I don’t think it was due to air conditioners being on either. If anything it’s because of the thick stone walls and the immensely tall ceilings.

Once inside you will see a huge tasting area on the left and lot’s of barrels as well as displays trying to entice you to spend your money while your there. And why not, that’s the whole reason for them being there in the first place isn’t it? They even have a special tasting room for the elite. :drunk_tb:

If you only ever get the time to visit one winery it would have to be this one as it’s the birthplace of the Barossan wine industry as the first plantings were in 1845 and the first winery was established in 1848. While there you have to walk around the back and take in the true spend our of this remarkable building as well as the grounds around it.

Many people who choose to holiday in this beautiful state of ours prefer to car hire in Australia as it allows them a greater sense of freedom. However, if you plan on going on a wine tour of the Barossa and imbibing in a selection of all the wines on offer then you should have a designated drink free driver or better still take advantage of the many winery tours that are on offer. That way you all get to have some fun.

Wine Tools For The Connoisseur

Metrokane Rabbit Wine Opener Tool Kit, Silver
Average Rating:

108 total customer reviews...

Vacu Vin Stainless Steel Wine Saver Gift Set
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90 total customer reviews...

Metrokane Wine Shower Funnel
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8 total customer reviews...

While there I actually bought the Metrokane Wine Shower Funnel and I paid $45 for it. If I only knew I could get it from Amazon for less than twenty bucks. Oh well, we live and learn.

Make my day and shout me a beer.