Biggest Morning Tea and Newman’s Horseradish Farm Visit

7 May 2014

There were 38 people at the Biggest Morning Tea, held in the back yard of the West’ home, of whom about 4 or 5 were visitors brought along by Club members. We had endeavoured to make our carport cosier for our friends, with tarpaulins strung up to offer a little shelter from the cool breeze and/or rain which had graced our days just prior, but it wasn’t too far into the proceedings that all the chairs and tables set up in that area were brought out into the sunshine which was streaming down into the yard. We didn’t blame anyone in the least, as that sunshine was too good to waste. Probably if we hadn’t worried about erecting some shelter, we would have needed it! It was a happy group who enjoyed a chat with fellow Club members while savouring scones with jam and cream and a cuppa. A very big “Thank You” goes to all who donated to the Cancer Council SA, for ongoing research. A total of $182.20 was raised and I feel quite proud of all of you for your generosity.

With the exception of 4 people who came for the Morning Tea only, 34 people continued on towards Langhorne Creek at about 10.15 am in 16 vehicles (2 of which were modern cars). We made our way via Mulgundawah and Brinkley Roads towards Langhorne Creek and turned off on the Milang Road, stopping at Newman’s  Horseradish Farm/Rusticana Wines establishment. It is a very beautiful property with a fine, old homestead. Brian Meakins, proprietor, met us and took our group to a large verandah off a shed and proceeded to give us a talk on the history of his family business and lots of information about how horseradish grows. He showed us some of the plants and demonstrated how to propagate them. He then ushered us inside the shed and explained the workings of the equipment therein and how the horseradish went through several processes before ending up in labelled jars, ready for sale in the shops. Brian also addressed our group on his side-line of growing and bottling their own wines. After Brian was thanked for his time and interesting address, we made our way along ramps to the cafe-come-tasting area where there was a generous and great variety of products (both horseradish and wine) available for tempting our taste buds and I believe that several of our group were impressed enough to purchase some of the goods. At the rear of the cafe is an elevated deck which overlooks the horseradish farm (25 acres which equals thousands of plants) and, to the side, the vineyard.

A little before noon, we began to make our way further along the road to Milang, where we set up tables, chairs, etc on the foreshore of Lake Alexandrina for our picnic lunch. A few chose to patronise the local hotel for their meal. It was extremely warm sitting in the sunshine in the lee of the shelters provided at the site, and some of us even discarded our jackets. It is a very pleasant spot and, on most occasions, exudes a peace and calmness. However, peace and calm were a little threatened by the presence of hundreds and hundreds of white corellas, either adorning the trees en masse or making a white carpet on the grass. We wondered just what they were eating! Happily, they were only noisy if something disturbed them and they took flight, so we were able to enjoy our lunch in the sun and have a social chit-chat without the birds troubling us too much. At about 1.30 pm some o the hotel -diners joined us and some then began to make a move towards heading home. And still some more decided that they hadn’t yet had their fill for the day, despite morning tea and lunch, and opted to head for Strathalbyn for a coffee. I am not sure if Howard Wright has shares in Ruffino’s cafe at Strath, but he is pretty keen on the place! Coffee alone was enough for about half of the considerable contingent which congregated at this venue, but I was amazed that the other 50% could find enough tummy room for the large slices of decadent cakes ande cheesecakes which they eagerly consumed along with their coffees.

After more chit-chat, laughter and camaraderie, we all rolled out of the cafe and headed to our respective homes.

Tom and I would like to thank all those who came along, donated to a good cause and made it such a pleasant, friendly Club Run. And thanks too, for the lovely compliments regarding my scones!

(Report written by Lyn West)