Definitely on the homeward stretch now.Up early again with Mildura in sight, we detoured through the Clare Valley.

Clare is a very picturesque town and gives its name to the Clare Valley.
" The Clare Valley wine region continues within the same line of hills as the famous Barossa Valley, and also produces some excellent wine". Wikipedia.

 We stopped at the Sevenhill winery for some wine tasting. This is  where most of the altar wine is produced for the Catholic Church. It is also the oldest winery in the area.

 Sevenhill's celebrated old stone winery and cellar door, stately St Aloysius' Church, the College building, spacious gardens and the surrounding vineyards provide visitors with a memorable experience of a welcoming and tranquil place.

Sevenhill was established in 1851 when the Jesuits who settled in the area planted vines to produce sacramental wine. From these modest beginnings, the Jesuits' focus on wine has remained, with Sevenhill adding to its sacramental wine production with an extensive range of table wines that are highly regarded throughout Australia and overseas.

Sevenhill's reputation reflects a commitment to the creation of distinctive wines that express the authentic styles and flavours of the Clare Valley. Integral to this philosophy are our modern winemaking skills and highly prized vineyards that provide high-quality, estate-grown fruit, some of which is sourced from vines among the oldest in the Clare Valley.

As the only remaining Jesuit-owned winery in Australia, residing Jesuits are actively involved in Sevenhill's ongoing development in partnership with lay staff who share the ethos of building the Jesuit Mission to support works of charity and compassion throughout Australia. www.sevenhill.com.au

The local cat.

It seems Mary MacKillop also had a connection with the place.

We stepped inside the crypt. Still used, it is only for Jesuits who die whilst living here on the property at the time.

The Grotto was in lovely surroundings.

The Anglican Church at Saddleworth.

CURIO
Australia's most famous buckjumper

Written by Fred Hausler and printed in Rural Press

Australian race goers remember Phar Lap as the greatest of them all, and Garryowen is just as famous in the show ring, but when the men who battle the buckjumpers gather to discuss the best that ever was, a little strawberry roan mare's raw courage and talent places her well above all others in the hall of fame. Anyone who saw Keith steven's famous photo of the first time Curio was ever ridden wondered how Alan Woods ever managed to get back in the saddle.

The statue of Curio is to be found in Marrabel.

Still a number of deserted homesteads to be seen.

Abandoned building at Eudunda.
The well known author, Colin Thiele, was born here.

"Colin Thiele, one of Australia’s most prolific, distinguished, popular writers and renowned children’s author was born in Eudunda, South Australia. One of his best known books was “Storm Boy”, he had around 90 books published in his life time from fiction, drama, poetry, history , prose, environmental and educational. His first books was “The sun of the Stubble” in 1961 was commended by the Miles Franklin Judges. In his books he often described life in rural Australia and several of his books have been made into TV Series and also into movies. " http://www.equitainment.com.au/

 Various views of the streets of Eudunda. 

A quick look around the place and we were off to Mildura for our last night.