After the Riverlands 28/1/09

We returned to Adelaide on 14th January as our dear friends from Perth were visiting their relations in the Adelaide area and this allowed us to join them for a social get together and to do some daytrips around the area. This naturally meant a trip over Mt Osmond (the view of the city from the hills is rather hazy these days) and on to Hahndorf for lunch where we (men) gave a slender young girl a hard time over the mountainous plate of chips she put away (fortunately she had a sense of humour). We returned via Woodside as we could hear the chocolate factory calling us. During this trip, and the next week, we had to be alert to mad cyclists as it was the warm up week prior to the Tour Down Under cycling race.

Another trip took us to the Lobethal Market courtesy of our Navman who thought the scenic route taken by most tourists was too mundane, so it took us via every available dirt road in Adelaide Hills even though we had asked it to avoid them. We have now seen more of the Hills than most people. Navman also preferred to take us up Corkscrew Road, rather than down it, but the effect is very similar and much easier on the brakes.

Wednesday was zoo day as there were some kids attached to the group, but this was rather disappointing as so much of the zoo is under redevelopment that it was very limited with a lot closed off. Our previous trip to the zoo in 2000, was really enjoyable so maybe they will get back to that state. One of the big modifications is the Giant Panda enclosure. The other down side to the zoo is the parking bays that provide for 2 or 4 hour parking outside a venue that would normally be an all day outing. We had a 4 hour bay and decided that it was enough for us and left rather than feed the parking ticket machine.

The next day was Ashley only so we hit the Barossa Valley, dodging cyclists, to find some of the local adult attractions, but only sampled a few as Ashley achieved his goal (chocolate flavoured Port) very early. The rest of the day was reduced simply to a pleasant scenic tour with lunch in Tanunda and then on to Nuriootpa, Angaston, and Mt Pleasant.

Saturday morning was another group affair with Ann and her sister Dale, for breakfast at the Adelaide Central Markets for which we used the bus into town as parking would have been a nightmare. This involved a stroll through Victoria Square for a few more photos, but when we reached the top side of the Square we ground to a halt as the entire Adelaide police force charged out of the Tour Down Under holding bay (good time to rob a bank) and blocked off every road to allow the cavalcade of bike carrying cars to charge through town to the start point for that day.

We eventually found the Market, had a good feed and then walked to the Adelaide Oval to try and get tickets for the Australia Day Oz/RSA one day cricket match, only to find they sold out days ago. Not really too surprising, so we headed home with the knowledge that it would be televised in Adelaide due to the sell out and could watch in comfort instead of in the sun.

Sunday 25th (our last day with Ann, Angela and Ashley before they returned to Perth on 27th) was a trip to Victor Harbour for look around town, seafront market, a ride on the Ferris Wheel, lunch (specifically in that order), and then walked across to, and around, Granite Island. This naturally took its toll on the older company so we had a pitstop at the cafe and then reluctantly gave in to the younger generation (Angela) who wanted the excitement of a ride on the horse drawn tram back to the mainland.

We finished of the day by returning to Adelaide via Goolwa so that we could see, and drive over, the Hindmarsh bridge, and then through Strathalbyn and on to Mt Barker.

Monday, Australia Day we had lunch with the local Mormans. We met some lovely people in the caravan park who look after Foxy whenever we need them to. They invited us to a BBQ lunch which we really enjoyed and met some interesting people. In the afternoon we watched the pathetic Ausie display of cricket and were glad we hadn't paid to watch it. The tennis proved to be more interesting.

Yesterday, Tuesday was spent watching tennis as the temperature soared above 43 degrees C and today will be the same as we expect 44. We are now in hybernation in the airconditioning. We thought when we left the north west of WA that we had left the heat behind but it is following us. From tv reports we hear that these temperatures are records for Adelaide.