First stop yesterday morning was Mount Barker. We went looking for the Mount Barker Bakery as it is famous for its range of goodies. And while we did stop in Mount Barker for morning tea, it was not at the (famous) bakery – my guides could not find it. Regardless, we left the little township feeling satiated and eager for our next activity….wine tasting in Denmark.

Our son Edward had told us about how good the wines were at Harewood Estate; a small family-run winery about 15 minutes from the township of Denmark. Plus, they are very reasonably priced, particularly if you are a club member (20% discount and free postage). We joined the club late last year and had already sampled 4 of their 5 rieslings at home in Queensland.

Today, we got to try other wines on their list with Derek and Helen. Derek had told us all week that he does not like riesling, but we felt sure we could change his mind. Or, that these wines would change his mind. And, they did.

We left here with a few bottles of wine plus a 2012 museum riesling to take to Edward as a farewell gift as he is a big fan of aged wines. Mick is also keen to try it, as we learnt during a visit to a winery in Tasmania that aged rieslings can have a strong smell of kerosene. Something that is strived for apparently.

Mick also spotted an apple cider, made in the style of Normandy cider that he purchased for himself and Derek to try when we were back in our Denmark accommodation. At 7.5% it was probably something that is better (or safer) shared.

We were lucky to have the wine maker’s wife Karina take us through the tasting experience. She was very knowledgeable, and both generous with her time and the number of wines she poured for tasting. As the driver, I simply watched the happy faces and made notes about which ones to add to a box to be delivered to us in Queensland. The decision was too hard, so Mick and I ended up buying 2 cases.

Harewood’s wine maker and owner is James Kellie, and he also makes the wine for The Lake House, which happened to be the next place we were to visit. I had booked us into lunch by the lake with a glass of wine included.

We could choose from any wine on the menu, as that was included in our luncheon price, so of course we all went for their premium label wines. Dessert was also included in our ‘deal’, but there was no way we could fit it in after this…..

There was a platter like this, plus homemade breads for each couple to share for lunch. We moved a few hundred metres from the restaurant to the tasting shed, after having our desserts securely packaged for us to enjoy at a later time.

Derek and Mick were keen to try some of the wines here before we headed into the township of Denmark and to our accommodation (for a little rest). They were trying to discern the difference between the wines made here with the ones tasted before lunch using the same variety of grapes, and made by the same wine maker.

To be fair, they could not manage more than a few sips, so they agreed they had had a very good go, and we departed.

After settling into our Airbnb accommodation, Derek and Helen and Mick explored the little township – on the lookout for possible restaurants and interesting places to visit. Many places are not open during our 2 night stay, as they usually cater for the long weekend crowds.

The verdict on the cider was very positive. It was not to my liking however – as it was a very flat cider.

This morning, I went for a walk along the Mokare Trail, which follows the river to Wilsons Inlet.

I spotted these people getting into this boat for a row down to the mouth of the river and back. In the second photo you may be able to see them in the distance.

The trail was a real treat. There were a few locals also enjoying the area, and something I saw that reminded me very much of my time in Vietnam.

There was a group of four people practising yoga on the river bank, but what surprised me was that the group was all men, with two of them in their high-visibility gear – not the usual ‘outfit’ for such exercise. I was pretty sure they were all heading to work straight after they finished. They were driving a truck advertising concreting services and I thought that this must be a way they take care of their backs for such a tough job.

I didn’t like to make myself too obvious while taking these photos, but this next photo shows the bridge that takes you from one side of the river to the other so you can walk the loop back into town.

Wilson’s Inlet is found a few hundred metres on past this bridge. I read a sign there that said it was home to 29 species of birds, with 21 of those species being migratory birds protected by International laws.

Today we intend to visit 4 different wineries. It is a hard lif, but someone has to do it.