20th March
Alarm at 7.35am but stayed in bed until 8. Shower, breakfast (with the fridge still not working, so really had to chew through the weetbix. Pack a bag and headed out about 10am, stopping at Woolies for some fruit, Subway for lunch and the promo shop to check out the Holden gear. Arrived around 11am and headed for the Holden area, and arrived just as the V8’s came out for their second practice of the day. Found the Bundy Ute (for Cowie) and the Beam and XXXX girls! It was really warm standing in the sun so just before midday I left and headed back to the spot I’d found yesterday, bought a program (and a paper) and sat under the trees in front of the big screen. Failed the sudoku and once the sun moved and I was out of the shade I headed over to the tier seating and popped up my umbrella – laughing! Qualifying was good but the shootout was where it was all going to take place, and with two of the top 10 ending up disqualified (Frosty and Holdsworth) it was lucky there was any red in there at all. Last years champion pulled of the fastest lap, with the adjusted places following with Lowndes, Tander, Courtney and Coulthard. I decided to head back to the hostel and dump some gear. Merch tent again, upstairs to get changed and downstairs for a well earned pint (or two). Somehow got chatting with a couple of old gentlemen who were really nice (and apparently quite pissed) before I bought another drink and headed to the corner. Back to the track, heading to Dominos for pizza, which I’d had a hankering for a few days for. Down to the racetrack, eating on the way (and like normal burning my mouth) before getting in and finding the nearest toilet! Operator Please were playing, and I managed hear Ping Pong just as I entered the arena. I tell you what – you want to make friends with people, take pizza into a crowed area about 6.30pm! A random chick walked past and said how nice my pizza smelled, so I offered her the last piece, which after refusing eventually took. Moved up near the stage (because Aaron had said be in the mosh pit for Presets) and listened to Faker (who didn’t have as many songs that I recognised as I thought they would) before a group happened to squeeze their way in front of me... and low and behold it was the random chick again (who said the pizza was awesome!). Pete Murray came on, and was playing to a hard audience, but eventually won us over I think (although at one stage I thought he was going to cut his set short). I got a stomped foot before the Presets came on (not a good start). So after a lot of pumping up they appeared on stage with no introduction –and the crown went absolutely mental! I survived about 45 minutes before needing to go to the bathroom, and it took a whole song to make my way out, following random people in front who seemed to be making headway. It took almost a whole song, but I eventually made it. Couldn’t be bothered heading back into that mess, so decided to head for a walk around the other end of the track, except that security weren’t letting you past the pits. Back to the main arena, for their last couple of songs (when there was a mass exit) and then headed home after the fireworks, arriving around midnight. Needed a shower (yet again) but decided just to sit on the bath and wash my feet, bed at 12.45am.
21st March – Karlee’s Birthday
7am alarm (why do I bother) and I was eventually up at 8.30. Shower and into the kitchen for breaky – fridge completely stuffed, blowing hot air. Right, no cereal for me then I headed down to Woollies, opting for a breakfast of fruit (banana and apple), calcium (chocolate milk) and some carbs (croissant) along with some grapes for later. Back to Subway for another sub and down past the beer drinkers at every pub and cafe for a 10am entry into the ground. Bit more packed today, and considering I was quite a bit earlier thought I might struggle for a seat. Bought a program and newspaper and managed to squeeze in on the bottom row of the stands with the half step at my back – excellent! Got myself comfortable and set for the day. The weather was really bizarre, with clouds and then the spit of rain – I didn’t think it rained in Adelaide??? I got my umbrella out (which was not the reason I thought I’d need it for) and put it over my legs and bags, but it was humid and it never got heavy enough to be a problem. Unfortunately the clouds disappeared and were replaced by blaring sun, with the temperature reaching mid 30’s it was hot, damb hot! In between races I’m reading through the newspaper and all of a sudden we were all scared shitless with a F18 flying overhead that was well gone when we looked up. He did a few more passes overhead before disappearing into the distance, and with us well and truly awake now we were ready for the main race. They came around for their warm-up laps and then they were off and racing, with Whincup getting stuck and having a slow start and Tander capitalizing into second spot. I called Kel so she could hear the roar of the engines as they came past – love it! So everything appeared to be going smoothly (although most of us were ready to kill a kid in the stands, cheering for Ford) when with 10 laps to go smoke starts billowing out of Tander’s car – oh no! He made another lap before going back to the pits and straight into the shed – race over! So it was Whincup, Lowndes, Holdsworth and Davidson, so the HRT fans started egging Davidson on. 3 laps to go and with cars going everywhere Lowndes ends up in the wall! No way!!! He keeps going after loosing a place, but half a lap later is back in the wall again when Davidson overtakes him! He heads into pits and it’s now Ford, Holden, Holden, Whincup, Holdsworth, Davidson, who with his new team is absolutely rapped! There were two more races on, but most people headed off, so I moved (for the first time since 10am) and headed to the bar for a beer... lesser of the two evils with a TED. Not a good option with it not being cold but I sat on the grass and watched the last races until the screen died, so I headed in to check out the band, who were singing country songs and decided to head off. Back for a shower and changed and headed down to the Garden of Unearthly Delights and picking two shows in the Bosco Theatre, Sammy J – 1999 and The Paradoxical Adventures of Lawrence Leung and Andrew McClelland: Time Ninjas (which was for you Chris). A glass of wine, that I nearly finished before we were let in, as the show running about 20 minutes late starting. So 1999 was rather amusing, taking me back to my school days of tamagotchy’s, computer with dial up internet, land line phones and bad fashion. It had a bit of a sadistic twist to it, but it all came back together and overall wasn’t bad. Ducked off for a pancake in between shows before missing the first two minutes of the next one. The Time Ninjas was a bit all over the place (makes you wonder how much they pay the people to write the comments at the end of the summary) but it was slapstick humour and did improve (or my expectations dropped). Decided to head in for an early night before a big day tomorrow, and passed the massive crowds queuing to get in to the Garden. Arrived at the backpackers around 11.30pm, where The Perfect Storm was on in the TV room, so watched that until it finished about 1am. Went back to my room to find I had a message from Anthony to say he was out and about, so weighed up the options and decided a few hours sleep was definitely the go. After waiting for Katich to get his 50 (which was taking too long) I went to sleep about 2am.
22nd March – Race Day
Up at 8.00am it was time for a shower and to get organised. Missed call from Scotty, but was on the way out by 9am and in Woolies for yet another breakfast of a milk drink, croissant, banana, grapes and a sports drink. Rang Scotty who was not much further down Rundle St having breaky, so ducked into Subway for yet another Vegie Delight foot long for lunch and met them at the Austral Pub – where of course, people were drinking! We walked down past the Rundle St Markets and made our way into the race track just before 10am. Definitely busier than the previous days we headed through the middle and over to Holden Heaven, saying goodbye to Scotty so he could piss it up in the corporate tent. We managed to score a table with umbrella in front of the Harley Davidson stand, with views of the racetrack and XXXX Retreat (with big screen tv, and of course the girls!). So we hung out there (having my first beer – yes a XXXX Gold – just on 11am) for a while, enjoying the shade and the seat! Checked out the girls and the bikes, and occasionally the track. Troy and family came past to say hi and headed off to get back in their seats before the race started. The jets flew over again, but this time we were a little more prepared (that and we saw him before we heard him!). Scotty made his way back shortly afterwards, in time for a beer (or two) and the start of the race. The biggest cheer went up when Lowndesy dropped back to about 10th, and then Tander overtook Whincup on the first lap – magic! We headed back in towards the main screen, checking out the merchandise, which was now discounted (and you know I can’t resist a bargain) and keeping an eye on the race (with Tander being overtaken by Davidson, and Whincup back in the lead). Into the main arena and managed to catch up with Alex and Josh from Bathurst for a bit before they headed off and we relocated to left of stage so we wouldn’t get sandwiched in later. We could still hear the cars zooming around the track, and got to watch the end of the race on the 3 big screen tv’s with the commentary going in the background. Unfortunately Davidson couldn’t make up any ground on Whincup, who took out both races and the weekend. Davidson, Tander and Lowndes followed in what was a close finish. We watched the presentations and then waited for the first band to come on, which was very, very average, and with the second one not much better Kyle and I headed for a walk around the track. Work was already underway to remove the fencing, so we were dodging trucks and machinery. Around to pit lane (‘Watch out for the tires as you drive through, they are bolted down.’ ‘As long as we take entry better than Lowndesy did’ ‘That won’t be hard.’) I started taking photos of the HRT cars, when the bloke next to me called out to Garth, who was wandering around, and then came out for a visit, grabbing his pen out of his pocket. Christ he is skinny!!! In a black shirt I searched for something – anything – that he could sign, and came up with my ticket hanging around my neck. Awesome!!! Got his autograph (whoo hoo!) and some pictures before we moved on and I took some photos of the Vodaphone cars for Aaron. Over the start line and we cut through the ‘restricted area’ to the main arena, following ‘5 Cougars Thanks’, who was attracting a bucket load of attention (no wonder with more of her boobs hanging out of her top than in it!). I grabbed a beer and found the crew, cracked open the biscuits and settled in to listen to The Getaway Plan before Scotty found us just as it was getting really dark. Wolfmother did steal the show though, playing for about 1 ½ hours and doing 3 encores, finishing with Joker and the Thief, which sent the crowd (and the lead singer) absolutely mental! We headed out as the fireworks went off, stopping for the finale (but like a few people said, bit of a waste with no-one paying attention!). Headed down Rundle St and listened to the beep bop rapper and said goodbye to the crew, before taking some photos of their corner lights display. Back to the backpackers and being only 9.30pm I bought a glass of red and took the paper out the front and caught up on next, while laughing at the extremely drunk guy out the front. Headed upstairs, jumped on the computer and went to sleep about midnight, looking forward to a sleep in tomorrow!
23 March
Sleep in – yay! However it was short lived, and once the girl from above me (that I didn’t particularly like) left I got up, changed and headed for Woolies for some milk. Back to the backpackers by 10 and collected my weetbix, teabag and laptop, headed for the kitchen. Breakfast with a soup spoon, out of a cracked bowl and a mug that was freshly washed (because I’m sure the place only has 3 in circulation). On the computer to book tickets to the footy (and to check out the cricket result – onya Mitch, but poor effort Australia!) when my phone started going off, first Scotty, then Aaron, then a message from Anthony – talk about Miss Popular! So the long and the short of that was I was heading to Scotty’s for dinner, Aaron was all go for the footy (which was good as I’d just booked 4 seats) and Anthony had a cancelled appointment and was heading for a walk in Waterfall Gully if I was keen – absolutely! Made some calls and all sorted. Time to send off an e-mail to Chris and head to the room (banging the door against the bunks and waking up the random girl in it – at midday!) packed a backpack and headed downstairs. Found Anthony and we headed off. Stopped for lunch, and the craziest driving you have ever seen in a car park (to the point Anthony was directing from in the car, and I got out to direct in the car park) before we headed up to Waterfall Gully. Slap on some sun cream and we were off – 3.2km walk, 3 hours return – pftt, can’t be that bad! How wrong I was!!! We powered up the hill, but unfortunately having someone fit and male with me meant I was the one taking the followers role. And being typically stubborn didn’t want to stop for a drink or photos until he did... or until I was at the point of throwing up! I eventually caved and used a photo op of the valley and city to take a shot, before Anthony spotted an echidna and I was able to catch my breath while I took some photos and skulled some more sports drink. With 1 ½ k’s to go any opportunity for a drink/breather/photos was certainly welcomed, and the sign at the end was a godsend!!! I have never been so glad to see a lookout in all my life (and that’s a big call!). Turned out 207 years ago today Matthew Flinders named Mount Lofty, so that was kind of momentous. We spend about 10 minutes at the top and started our decent at 3pm, when I was able to resume conversation again (poor Anthony had to do a lot of talking at the top of the hill). So we powered down the hill, stopping for photos of the waterfall and shooting around the bottom to take some more. Sweating like a pig we got back in the car and headed for the city, where I picked up a bag load of stuff (2 minutes flat) and headed north again, ringing Scotty so he could come and pick me up. We didn’t get much chance to talk on the way north though, with both our phones ringing off the hook! Said goodbye and waited in the Bunnings car park for Scotty, just long enough to book a transfer to the airport for tomorrow. Scotty came and got me and we headed back to his place, where Cassey, Ryan and Kyle were waiting. Walked in to the smell of garlic (beautiful) and home cooked roast vegies in the oven. Started on a beer and progressed to wine (just helping out and finishing open bottles in the fridge of course!). Dinner was served and was absolutely amazing – garlic bread, beautiful stir-fry chicken, garlic vegies... absolutely amazing! We chatted and moved into the spa to watch Underbellies, putting the jets on and chatting in the ad breaks. Moving onto red we stayed in until about 10pm, before getting out and I headed for a shower. Said goodnight about 10.30pm and I jumped on the computer until midnight, not wanting to miss a minute of detail from an absolutely superb day! What a way to finish the trip.
24th March – Jody’s Birthday
6.30am wake up call from Scotty and I was up and at em. Cuppa before leaving at 7am, arriving back in the city (through the peak hour traffic) just before 8am. Upstairs to have breakfast and utilise the most of the free internet before packing my bags and checking out. So by 9am I was on my way for a walk through the drizzle – must be time for me to leave with the weather turning average. Down North Terrace and past the museum (which didn’t open until 10am) so I had no choice but to continue onto the National Wine Centre of Australia. Very interesting, giving you a cchance to smell and see the different grape varieties, and you could definitely pick the different aromas. Finished there about 10.30am (without even having a taste of wine) and headed through the Botanic Garden to the Museum, celebrating Palaeontology Week. The museum was huge, and I had to skim through quite a bit of it. Went to the cafe and decided to have one last splurge on chocolate cake and a hot chocolate (yep, this would be my chocolate fix for the rest of the month) before heading back upstairs to see the fossilised shells in opal and giant squid exhibition. Skimmed through the Ancient Egypt and Aboriginal Art displays and was out the door just after 1pm. Down to the river for some photos and through the back of the Arts Centre to Hindley St. A quick wander down there and the last of the souvenir shopping before a walk down Rundle St Mall for photos of the pigs and coins on the paving. Food court for a curried egg sandwich and back to the backpackers to collect my luggage and through the laneway to North Terrace for a 2.37pm pick-up (what a stupid time!) but sure enough, the bus was there at 2.37pm on the dot by my watch (which now actually said 1.07pm, trying to get ahead of the game). Out to the airport, arriving before 3pm and with my flight not due until 4.45 I had some serious time to kill, so I headed for the bar and grabbed a Coopers Lager and jumped on the (free) internet and blog while I waited. Time to go, so I headed out only to find our boarding had been delayed. Made a trip to the bathroom and got back just as they were doing the first boarding call, and made it onto the plane. Ended up next to a (hot) guy from Scarbs, and with my headphones not plugging into the armrest he was kind enough to let me plug into his to watch the movie – although I didn’t have enough nerve to ask him to turn it up. A glass of wine with lunch (which was yum) and then another bottle not long later, followed by and icecream (as they’d run out of wine) and before we knew it we were heading back over land. With mixed feelings we edged closer to civilisation and eventually we were descending into Perth Airport. Touchdown at 6.45pm local time I was home and the trip was over. Wow – how long would it take for reality to set back in????? Until the next major adventure, this is Alisha, signing off, and thanking you for your patronige.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Adelaide - the last Hurrah!
17th March – Wattsy’s Birthday
9am I was up and not again wondered what it is I’m thinking when I organise early morning appearances! Shower and back to the room, only to realise if I was meeting Kell I had to be packed up and checked out of the room before I left – crap! So threw everything into my bags and headed downstairs to check out, locked my bags away and headed into town to be at the Novotel by 10.10am. We headed to a cafe over the road and with Kell not feeling so flash she stayed out in the fresh air while I ordered. We had a leisurely brunch before I headed off about 11.15 back to the backpackers. Cleaned out the fridge and waited for the shuttle to turn up. A round about trip to get to Southern Cross (just because it’s the only way to get there) before loading onto the shuttle to the airport. Checked in, dumped my bags and headed upstairs to wait for the boarding call. On the plane and read my Alpha mag and slept, making it a quick flight. Arrived back in Adelaide and onto the shuttle bus after about a 15 minute wait, and into town... the roundabout way, and avoiding the road closures because of Clipsal setup. Got off, wandered down the street to the backpackers and checked in. Oh My God – yes it was cheep, and obviously with good reason!!! There was no security, the kitchen was a bit of a shambles (to find out later very limited on operating cooking equipment and cutlery) and the bathrooms – I think the shower curtain was standing up without the rings at the top! But a good location and I didn’t have any extra money (no, make that any money) to go anywhere else, so I would just have to deal with it. Jumped on the internet (thought about sleeping but that didn’t happen) before heading out for a walk, and stumbling on the Garden of Unearthly Delights and saw a combination comedy, circus, skit happening, which was interesting. Wandered back and being Tuesday decided as I walked past the cinema to check out the movies, having an hour and a half until the 9pm movie. So I headed back to find some food, and eventually ended up at Wok in a Box over the road from the backpackers before heading up for a change of clothes and back to the cinema, with 30 minutes to spare, so I took my camera for a walk down North Terrace to photograph some of the buildings. Back to the cinema and in to see Slumdog Millionaire, which absolutely shocked me, and seriously put me off any consideration whatsoever on going to India. Very well made, but a real eye opener. Headed back to the room about 11.15pm where the lights were on and people were chatting, but rolled over and didn’t take long for me to drift off to sleep.
18th March
With people scratching around in the room (and doing it very quietly) I eventually rolled over about 8.30am. At 9 I dragged myself up and onto the laptop – still no pay. Bugger (not quite what I said) but I spent about the next 2 hours messing around on it (eating plain bread and eventually making my way to the kitchen for a cuppa) and with still no money I decided a watch bank account doesn’t get paid (along the same theory as a kettle) and so had a shower and headed out for a walk. Past the markets for some fruit and a cheeseymite scroll (and left the mahoosive chocolate crackle for another time) I then headed towards the racetrack, and spent the next 2 hours or so walking around the outside perimeter. Now I was hot, and had run out of water, so headed back to the backpackers, via a Bendigo Bank atm – and still no money! I was no longer worried about eating, I was worried about my mortgage repayment tomorrow! So back up to the room, onto the laptop and bank account and yes, the money had finally arrived! A quick check for tickets before heading back down Rundle St. Got to the ticket outlet – no tickets left. Bugger. Back to the backpackers via some groceries at Woolies and time for a nap. Up again and into the kitchen for dinner. Every intention of heading back out again but got kinda comfortable (in a chair that was broken) watching a tinny tv (but did get to see House and Life). Was then about to head out when I started chatting with a Chinese student, who had lots of questions (it’s amazing what you know that you don’t realise.) attempted to watch some of the swimming. Got a late phone call from Luke, and then a text from Clarky before heading to bed sometime after midnight.
19th March
Didn’t want to get out of bed so rolled around for a bit before reading up on the Clipsal information. Got up around 9am and went for a run along the river – beautiful! Back around 10am and time for breakfast, packed back and made lunches and left around noon. Headed for the Clipsal Office, which I had tried to find the other day, to check out the merch, and scored myself a jacket for $45. Then to find my way into the racetrack – hard work! Got in and decided to suss it all out, walking around to the inside of turn 6, only to find a dead end. Saw the utes come around before heading back and cutting across the inside, and then making my way into the Jim Beam Concert area. Wow – there were merchandise tents, show rides, massive stage with 3 tv’s showing the races, food and drink stalls – it was like being at a country show! So I sussed out what was there and ended up in the Ford Australian Defence Force Oval and had a quick squiz at the ADF displays (and even a walk through a Ford tent!) before ending up in the dusty Support Race Paddock. Saw the cutest little cars (which happen to be Aussie Racing Cars – pint sized Holden or Ford Supercar fibreglass replicas) as they headed out onto the track. Getting out of the dirt and dust (my feet and legs were now black) I tried headed around the inside of Brock Straight and over the Jim Beam bridge to the other side, finding some really nice grassed area under some shade, so I plonked myself down in a spot in the shade, which of course moved, so I relocated. Had a bit of a nanna nap in between races (you don’t get long, and those cars work much better than a phone alarm) and admired the beautiful trees I was sitting under. Moved over to the stands and thought this would be a pretty good spot to set up for the race days, with speakers and a big screen tv. When the racing finished I headed back across the track and sat down in front of the stage. The Butterfly Effect and The Potbelleez were the first two bands, who weren’t bad before I decided to grab some food before it got too dark, and ended up with a stuffed spud and choc milk. Gyroscope were on next, and like the quality Perth band they are didn’t fail to impress the crowd. But we were all hanging out for the headlining act – The Living End. The crowd was packed and they got a huge roar as they took the stage, and didn’t fail to impresses – absolutely awesome. Thanks to Aaron about 10 years ago for playing their album over and over I knew all their old and new stuff – fantastic band! Standing there enjoying the concert I was approached and introduced to a guy named Tim, who was (apparently) single and his mates were trying to set him up. So we chatted (when we weren’t enjoying the music) calling for an encore – which of course they gave, finishing with White Noise and followed with fireworks. So I headed off with Tim and his mates, via the toilets in the park to a pub that was pretty packed. A couple of us bought drinks and headed into a back room, which was somewhat quiet because they were in between bands, before Tim and his mates all headed off to catch the bus home. Being only 10.30pm I headed down to Rundle St and then thought I’d give the Garden of Unearthly Delights a run, so headed back down there and found a table near where a DJ was playing music and people were dancing. Was joined by a Canadian backpacker working at the Garden, looking for a seat so she could eat her pizza – which she gave me a piece of (and was bloody good!). We chatted a little bit, and I left before I turned into a pumpkin at midnight. Walked home down Rundle St and through the mall, lots of police shooting around. Arrived back and there was no way I could get into bed without a shower, so grabbed my gear and watched the black dust run down the (dirty) bath. Back to the room and on the internet for a cricket score it was 1.30am before it was finally lights out.
9am I was up and not again wondered what it is I’m thinking when I organise early morning appearances! Shower and back to the room, only to realise if I was meeting Kell I had to be packed up and checked out of the room before I left – crap! So threw everything into my bags and headed downstairs to check out, locked my bags away and headed into town to be at the Novotel by 10.10am. We headed to a cafe over the road and with Kell not feeling so flash she stayed out in the fresh air while I ordered. We had a leisurely brunch before I headed off about 11.15 back to the backpackers. Cleaned out the fridge and waited for the shuttle to turn up. A round about trip to get to Southern Cross (just because it’s the only way to get there) before loading onto the shuttle to the airport. Checked in, dumped my bags and headed upstairs to wait for the boarding call. On the plane and read my Alpha mag and slept, making it a quick flight. Arrived back in Adelaide and onto the shuttle bus after about a 15 minute wait, and into town... the roundabout way, and avoiding the road closures because of Clipsal setup. Got off, wandered down the street to the backpackers and checked in. Oh My God – yes it was cheep, and obviously with good reason!!! There was no security, the kitchen was a bit of a shambles (to find out later very limited on operating cooking equipment and cutlery) and the bathrooms – I think the shower curtain was standing up without the rings at the top! But a good location and I didn’t have any extra money (no, make that any money) to go anywhere else, so I would just have to deal with it. Jumped on the internet (thought about sleeping but that didn’t happen) before heading out for a walk, and stumbling on the Garden of Unearthly Delights and saw a combination comedy, circus, skit happening, which was interesting. Wandered back and being Tuesday decided as I walked past the cinema to check out the movies, having an hour and a half until the 9pm movie. So I headed back to find some food, and eventually ended up at Wok in a Box over the road from the backpackers before heading up for a change of clothes and back to the cinema, with 30 minutes to spare, so I took my camera for a walk down North Terrace to photograph some of the buildings. Back to the cinema and in to see Slumdog Millionaire, which absolutely shocked me, and seriously put me off any consideration whatsoever on going to India. Very well made, but a real eye opener. Headed back to the room about 11.15pm where the lights were on and people were chatting, but rolled over and didn’t take long for me to drift off to sleep.
18th March
With people scratching around in the room (and doing it very quietly) I eventually rolled over about 8.30am. At 9 I dragged myself up and onto the laptop – still no pay. Bugger (not quite what I said) but I spent about the next 2 hours messing around on it (eating plain bread and eventually making my way to the kitchen for a cuppa) and with still no money I decided a watch bank account doesn’t get paid (along the same theory as a kettle) and so had a shower and headed out for a walk. Past the markets for some fruit and a cheeseymite scroll (and left the mahoosive chocolate crackle for another time) I then headed towards the racetrack, and spent the next 2 hours or so walking around the outside perimeter. Now I was hot, and had run out of water, so headed back to the backpackers, via a Bendigo Bank atm – and still no money! I was no longer worried about eating, I was worried about my mortgage repayment tomorrow! So back up to the room, onto the laptop and bank account and yes, the money had finally arrived! A quick check for tickets before heading back down Rundle St. Got to the ticket outlet – no tickets left. Bugger. Back to the backpackers via some groceries at Woolies and time for a nap. Up again and into the kitchen for dinner. Every intention of heading back out again but got kinda comfortable (in a chair that was broken) watching a tinny tv (but did get to see House and Life). Was then about to head out when I started chatting with a Chinese student, who had lots of questions (it’s amazing what you know that you don’t realise.) attempted to watch some of the swimming. Got a late phone call from Luke, and then a text from Clarky before heading to bed sometime after midnight.
19th March
Didn’t want to get out of bed so rolled around for a bit before reading up on the Clipsal information. Got up around 9am and went for a run along the river – beautiful! Back around 10am and time for breakfast, packed back and made lunches and left around noon. Headed for the Clipsal Office, which I had tried to find the other day, to check out the merch, and scored myself a jacket for $45. Then to find my way into the racetrack – hard work! Got in and decided to suss it all out, walking around to the inside of turn 6, only to find a dead end. Saw the utes come around before heading back and cutting across the inside, and then making my way into the Jim Beam Concert area. Wow – there were merchandise tents, show rides, massive stage with 3 tv’s showing the races, food and drink stalls – it was like being at a country show! So I sussed out what was there and ended up in the Ford Australian Defence Force Oval and had a quick squiz at the ADF displays (and even a walk through a Ford tent!) before ending up in the dusty Support Race Paddock. Saw the cutest little cars (which happen to be Aussie Racing Cars – pint sized Holden or Ford Supercar fibreglass replicas) as they headed out onto the track. Getting out of the dirt and dust (my feet and legs were now black) I tried headed around the inside of Brock Straight and over the Jim Beam bridge to the other side, finding some really nice grassed area under some shade, so I plonked myself down in a spot in the shade, which of course moved, so I relocated. Had a bit of a nanna nap in between races (you don’t get long, and those cars work much better than a phone alarm) and admired the beautiful trees I was sitting under. Moved over to the stands and thought this would be a pretty good spot to set up for the race days, with speakers and a big screen tv. When the racing finished I headed back across the track and sat down in front of the stage. The Butterfly Effect and The Potbelleez were the first two bands, who weren’t bad before I decided to grab some food before it got too dark, and ended up with a stuffed spud and choc milk. Gyroscope were on next, and like the quality Perth band they are didn’t fail to impress the crowd. But we were all hanging out for the headlining act – The Living End. The crowd was packed and they got a huge roar as they took the stage, and didn’t fail to impresses – absolutely awesome. Thanks to Aaron about 10 years ago for playing their album over and over I knew all their old and new stuff – fantastic band! Standing there enjoying the concert I was approached and introduced to a guy named Tim, who was (apparently) single and his mates were trying to set him up. So we chatted (when we weren’t enjoying the music) calling for an encore – which of course they gave, finishing with White Noise and followed with fireworks. So I headed off with Tim and his mates, via the toilets in the park to a pub that was pretty packed. A couple of us bought drinks and headed into a back room, which was somewhat quiet because they were in between bands, before Tim and his mates all headed off to catch the bus home. Being only 10.30pm I headed down to Rundle St and then thought I’d give the Garden of Unearthly Delights a run, so headed back down there and found a table near where a DJ was playing music and people were dancing. Was joined by a Canadian backpacker working at the Garden, looking for a seat so she could eat her pizza – which she gave me a piece of (and was bloody good!). We chatted a little bit, and I left before I turned into a pumpkin at midnight. Walked home down Rundle St and through the mall, lots of police shooting around. Arrived back and there was no way I could get into bed without a shower, so grabbed my gear and watched the black dust run down the (dirty) bath. Back to the room and on the internet for a cricket score it was 1.30am before it was finally lights out.
Marvelous Melbourne for Sound Relief and flying food!
11 March
How many times can you tell yourself to get up and still stay lying down? A few as it turns out. Even got to the point of throwing the blanket off to get up and my head crashed back down again. Time to get moving however, there was a plane to catch. With the room looking like a bomb had gone off (I had only been there 3 days hadn’t I?) I found it hard to find a place to start, but eventually got going and we were out of the apartment all packed up just after 10am. Dad took off to return the hire car while mum and I tried to find parking, and drove around and around and around, eventually getting a bay outside Adelaide Oval (with some impressive parallel parking too I might add). Walked into town and met Dad, heading down Rundle Street Mall and in to buy a replacement Millie. Lunch at the food court (bloody yummy stuffed spuds) and it was down the other side and back to George – for the final time. Off to the airport and with a quick lesson on ipods to mum and then setting up Millie 2 we made our way there an hour ahead of my flight – perfect. Easy check-in, through to the departure lounge (and free internet) and it wasn’t long before I was saying goodbye to Adelaide. Filled in my driving diary as I tried to re-piece together what had happened when. Decent was rather unpleasant, with my ears not equalizing and a head full of cotton wool I could barely hear anything by the time we had landed. Gathered my bags and onto the skybus into Southern Cross Station, then to Urban Central – Home Sweet Home! And typical Melbourne, raining! Upstairs (and a top bunk – blah) and blogged for a bit before taking a nap... Woke up thinking ‘what the, where am I, have I missed the plane’ when someone opened the door, but quickly recovered to say ‘how’s it going’. Phone rang not much later (Frank from the dive shop) and I decided to head out for a walk to suss out dinner. Along Southbank and into Fed Square to see if anything was happening (nope) and back across to Southbank where a light rain was falling. Into the food court – nothing of interest and was heading back when I found the rain had gotten quite heavy. So with nowhere in particular to go I sat and watched for probably half an hour. The people, the river, the rain. Really interesting. Points of interest/conversation starters: Do people with big noses kiss differently? Can two guys stand under one umbrella and look (or feel for that matter) comfortable? When do we stop wanting to kick the puddles in the street when it’s raining? How to people still acquire milk cartons (because they appear to be the universal chair for buskers)? How did anyone ever meet up with anyone before mobile phones? How many guys are chivalrous enough to still give their jacket to their partner (and therefore get wet)? Enough of that the rain had stopped and I ambled my way back home... until I spotted a group off guys on the corner (hmmm perhaps I should follow them...) and realised I knew one of them, no two, no three! So I went over and said hi to Scotty, who couldn’t believe someone was actually calling him, not some other random bloke, and walked with the guys to Steakout where they were going for dinner (all the time I had been there and never clicked they actually served food!). So I ended up joining them, thus ending any chance of my early night. Dinner was OK (I went el cheapo) and the beers went down easier than I expected. They headed off to the tables and I went home to change – I was not doing sneakers and shorts in the Cas (although they had let me in!). Half an hour later I was back, flabbergasting the boys with the tiniest bit of make-up. A drink (or two?) while they played golf before jumping in a maxi taxi and heading for St Jeromes, a hidden bar near Myers. Small, outside, unisex toilets, graffiti walls, anything goes – pretty cool! I ended up on Wild Turkey (don’t ask) and had a bit of a dance before we left there and Scotty, Dave and I headed back to the casino. Back to the sports bar for more drinks and Scotty found a table of randoms from Brisbane to sit with, so we joined them until about 3am when we walked home.
12 March
8.15ish and I start wondering why oh why did I say yes to a beer last night? What time is breakfast – the thought process to work out it was 9.30 finish was hard work. Phone call from a private number that I apparently called at 8.45am (which I thought was a prank) got me up and going. Shower, made breaky by 9.30 and internet to suss some stuff out. Raining outside put a dampener (pardon the pun) on the planned events for the day, as did finding out the wine and cheese festival was not exactly what I thought it was going to be. Back upstairs for some blog (and a nap) before heading out for a walk and to sort out my internet connection. Stopped at Subway for lunch, then at my favourite internet cafe 3four2 to update the blog. Back at the backpackers in time to order curry for dinner and found the Firey’s in the bar (surprise surprise). Got my dinner as they left and it was hot... really hot. And then I clicked – think I have the spicy chicken, not the butter chicken. So now I don’t want to eat it, because my mouth is on fire, but can you take back a meal after you’ve moved a few pieces of chicken around. Thought I’d try my luck, and after a bit of waiting we sorted out that I had been given the wrong one, and the other guy was nice enough to swap. So I ate my butter chicken (although did hope like hell that I didn’t give him my cold) and then headed back upstairs where I spent the night on my computer uploading photos and blogging. Went to bed about 10.30, my earliest night in as long as I could remember!!!
13 March – Black Friday!
People going in and out mean for interrupted sleep, but I guess you get that in a backpackers. The aircon that was on was doing shit all, so I was hot and got up about 8.45am. Down to breaky with my Alpha (that I’ve had for about 5 months) and then back upstairs to change for a run. Went over to Docklands (with Aircraft Carrier flying overhead) and the run turned into a walk/run while I read the signs (and caught my breath back). Back for a shower and onto the laptop again, waiting for a reasonable time to call Aaron and Kell. Just after midday I sent through a message and met them over at their hotel about 1.30pm, heading past the Longest Lunch on the Casino Waterfront – over 1150 chairs! We headed out for a walk around the streets and laneways, finding a small cafe for lunch. Then we met Matt (Kell’s brother) and Ash and headed to Young and Jackson for a beer and to visit Chloe. We parted ways and I headed home to get changed (and a quick nap) before the footy. Got back to Aaron’s hotel, and Alf, Kel, Aaron and I headed to the Telstra Dome, which is now something else (Etihad Stadium - stupid if you ask me) for the NAB Cup final between Geelong and Collingwood. Stopped for a drink and some food in Southern Cross Station, so didn’t arrive at Telstra Dome until the start of the second half. Good seats behind the goals on the second level the game that was all tied up at quarter time became a blowout. Had a couple of beers but we kind of lost interest. In fact the Auskick Kids were more entertaining! Headed out of the Dome after the presentations to Geelong and down to the Casino. Sports bar, tables and then Steakout for some dancing (and creepy men – no youngins out tonight! With Aaron and Kel needing a real night’s sleep we left about 1.30am, wanting to be refreshed for the big day tomorrow.
14 March
Started scratching around about 8.30am, down for breakfast just after 9am and then back up for a shower and to get ready. I never feel quite right putting make-up on at that time of the morning! Left just after 10.30 and it was raining. Crap! On with my wet weather jacket... no wait, that’s not my jacket, that’s my pants! Bugger. Put them on (which turned out to be a blessing) and walked down to Aaron and Kells, stopping at about 5 different stores looking for a poncho. Found them in the food court next door where we bought muffins and caught up with Alf (who went to find ponchos, and did) before we caught a taxi over to the MCG. Arrived (still raining) and found out gate (with Kell not very impresses, and Aaron hogging my umbrella) and made it through security just as Molly was introducing the first act – Jet. Found our seats (under cover –thank goodness!) and settled in for what was to be a completely awesome day. In between our bands we saw the best of what was happening at Sydney, so on top of Jet, Gabriella Cilmi, Kings of Leon (very cool), Wolfmother, Bliss and Esso (also very cool), Augie March, Liam Finn (where Pop’s (Tim Finn) came out and sung with Crowded House – love it), Split Endz, Hunters and Collectors (what a band), Jack Johnson (which mellowed things out, but he is amazing), Paul Kelly (great) and the headline of Midnight Oil, which completely rocked the ‘G, we also got Cold Play (twice, with John Farnham making an appearance), Hoodo Gurus, Presets and the mighty Icehouse singing Great Southern Land. On top of that there was film clips of the devastating destruction which brought it all back home as to why we were here, Kylie Minogue who sung I Still Call Australia Home and Toni Colette who announced the minute silence, which were both so moving. We had Mexican waves, rain and sunshine, lots of red wine (to keep us warm) and Aaron and I danced along to Holy Grail and Midnight Oil. It was purely sensational! Thankfully the rain had stopped by the time it was over, and we walked back into Melbourne and with a queue at The Transport we went to the Novotel to drop off gear before heading into China Town for a feed (of good chinese), having to wait to be seated because they were so busy (at midnight – go figure!). So we ate up and Alf took us down a back street and past a dumpster or two to a back alley (Croft Alley actually, off Paynes Place) to The Croft Institute, where an $8 cover charge (and no band) made we wonder what we were getting into. Happening to make one of the 52 bars in my pack I blew the mind of Aaron, Kell and Rob, but after being at St Jeromes wasn’t so much of a slap in the face. With more bottles of alcohol you would care to pay for, and laboratory apparatus (complete with stretcher and lamps in the ladies bathroom) scattered throughout. A drink downstairs (the red was only $6 which I was quite surprised about) and we headed upstairs to the music (and just in time to see some guy wake up from being passed out and puke). A tiger lay inside (not literally laying...) on his bucks night. About 2pm I was falling asleep on the couch (never a good look) so decided to head home. The walk took just over 35 minutes and I made sure I kept to the main streets. Arrived back, changed and fell into bed about 3am.
15 March
10.30 seemed like a reasonable time to find out how the head was... not too bad considering! Showered and back for bread (as I’d missed breakfast) and some internet before heading out to Fed Square for the Food and Wine Festival. Lots of coffee, not so much wine! Did the stalls and watched a couple of cooking demos (as it was raining) before venturing over to Southbank and the markets. Admired some beautiful photos (which gave me some inspiration) and watched the street performer, who was very good, quite funny (and not that hard on the eyes!). It had started raining just before he finished so I headed back to Urban Central (busting my umbrella) for a cuppa, chocolates and some blog. Decided to head out for some food, which is tough when you’re shopping on a really tight budget (I had $55 in cash, $3 in my savings account and $8 on my credit card). However along with the free pasta my $8.55 would buy me enough food to last me until I was a bit more financial, although my diet would not be good! Back to cook dinner and the kitchen was packed so I headed upstairs for half an hour or so before heading back down to cook my makeshift dinner (pasta, frozen veg and bolognaise sauce). Getting square eyes I went with a cuppa to the 2nd floor to watch the movie of choice, today being Employee of the Month, which was ok. They have quite a collection though (over 150 I imagine). Finally got my blog completely up to date and called it a night just after 11.30pm.
16th March
So I woke up a couple of times, but the one I distinctly remember was waking up at 4.34. Why was that time so memorable, because I woke up and it was light – yes light, and it wasn’t 4.34am it was 4.34pm. How the hell did I sleep ..... too many hours for me to even think about??? And how could I possibly still be tired? There’s not enough time now to do anything with Kell before Aaron gets back from work. Maybe he’s already back. How does that happen when I seem to wake every time the door opens, and the guy below me definitely goes to work early. Then the door opens (which must have woken me in the first place) and she turns the light out, and it goes pitch black, and I take a third look at my watch (and phone) and realise it’s actually 4.34am. Oh. Back to sleep, or was it all just a dream.......
So I do wake up for the guy downstairs to go to work, and I do wake up when the guys from the other beds get up, and eventually sometime around 9am I get up and open the curtains. Head down for breaky (no milk – AGHHHH) and have toast and read Alpha. Phone call from Kell gets me moving and I head upstairs to check my bank account (nothing – crap!) and head for a shower. No shopping for me today! A quick e-mail to (hopefully) find attain some more moolah and I met Kell just on 11am where she was having breaky. Onto the tram and into Richmond – Bridge Road. We started at one end and whilst Kell was most impressive in not spending, we definitely went into a lota stores! I grabbed some bargain undies (who doesn’t need more undies) and Kelly got a nice dress, we met Matt and Ash. More shopping before we stopped at a cafe for some lunch and then caught the tram back into town. A walk down China Town to suss out somewhere for dinner and with my feet killing me we headed back and I caught the tram back to the backpackers. Collapsing on the bed I played on the internet and sent Aaron a text about dinner (and my severe lack of moolah). No problem, and by 7pm I was on my way to meet them (missing the first tram even though I was standing at the doorway when the door started closing). Met Aaron and Kell at Section 8 Container bar which was also one of the places on the Graffiti Art tour and had a drink before heading to Ginza Teppanyaki and meeting Leroy, Rob and Alf. Kell, Aaron and I started on a bottle of white wine while we waited for Reid, Ash and Matt to turn up and then were seated around the booth and hotplate. Well, we all began to worry when we were given bibs to wear (and I was slightly concerned about the fact I was in a really good top!). Aaron picked on Matt and said it was his birthday, and sitting next to him I felt slightly more concerned than anyone else. The food, which is all prepared on a hotplate in front of you, is delicious (and coated in copious amount of garlic or soy sauce). The waitresses kept topping up our wine (it took a while to realise we were onto our second bottle) while the waiter kept cooking (and throwing) food. Egg went everywhere (Aaron and Kell ended up coated in it) and it turns out while I have a big mouth can’t catch anything in it for quids. Next it was bowl catching, which there is a definite art to, and I did ok at that. I had some extra fried rice (it’s flied rice you idiot!) while the others ate the meat and again was very grateful I’m good with chopsticks! We headed back to the waiting area and finished our drinks before taking off to explore some more pubs. We tried the Traders Bar, but it only operates on a Thursday night, so we headed down Swanston St and found 3 Below. Aaron lent me some money and I grabbed another glass of white wine and we sat under the heaters enjoying a quiet drink... well at least it was quiet until the guy at the table next to us fell asleep and off his stool, cracking his head open on the ground behind us. Blood absolutely everywhere, and he didn’t get up in a hurry! I asked for some gloves but don’t think they had any, while Kell called for an ambulance. Eventually he got up and the cut wasn’t too bad, although he still didn’t look all there! I suggested they get some detergent in a bucket (after coming out with just a glass full) and soon it was good as new, and time for us to move on. Next stop was St Jeromes, and after losing a few (poor guys did have to work tomorrow) we got in and bought our drinks – more wine (sooo didn’t need it) in a plastic cup –all class!) Outside and the music was quite a bit different to last Thursday, far more commercial and old school, so Aaron and I loved it. They closed and kicked us our around 1am, when it was time to say goodbye to Aaron while the 5 of us followed two Melbournites (who sounded anything but local) around the city, making a random stop at a toilet block in the middle of the road (there was actually one there, we weren’t just randomly pissing on trees) and eventually around 2.30 decided it was time to call it quits with nothing apparently open. I said goodbye and arranged to meet them all for brunch at 10am the next day. We were obviously drunk to agree to that! So I walked home along the river, getting a text message from Kel Twight which took ages to reply to (again, alcohol affected) and then decided to check out what was going on in the casino, as you do. So a quick walk through (how I looked sober enough to be let in is beyond me) and then decided to play the pokies (a woman had won $170 the other night we walked passed), so pulled out $1 and popped it in the machine. Not having much of a clue, I pushed random buttons and eventually just wanted my $1 spent (as I couldn’t work out how to cash out). Got back to the backpackers and again made a random decision to use up the rest of my internet on the computers there, so jumped on Facebook and sent a few random messages off (which also took me forever to write) before that ran out and I headed upstairs. Tried to find my toothpaste (probably waking up everyone in the process) and eventually gave up and brushed my teeth without. In bed at 3.30am.
How many times can you tell yourself to get up and still stay lying down? A few as it turns out. Even got to the point of throwing the blanket off to get up and my head crashed back down again. Time to get moving however, there was a plane to catch. With the room looking like a bomb had gone off (I had only been there 3 days hadn’t I?) I found it hard to find a place to start, but eventually got going and we were out of the apartment all packed up just after 10am. Dad took off to return the hire car while mum and I tried to find parking, and drove around and around and around, eventually getting a bay outside Adelaide Oval (with some impressive parallel parking too I might add). Walked into town and met Dad, heading down Rundle Street Mall and in to buy a replacement Millie. Lunch at the food court (bloody yummy stuffed spuds) and it was down the other side and back to George – for the final time. Off to the airport and with a quick lesson on ipods to mum and then setting up Millie 2 we made our way there an hour ahead of my flight – perfect. Easy check-in, through to the departure lounge (and free internet) and it wasn’t long before I was saying goodbye to Adelaide. Filled in my driving diary as I tried to re-piece together what had happened when. Decent was rather unpleasant, with my ears not equalizing and a head full of cotton wool I could barely hear anything by the time we had landed. Gathered my bags and onto the skybus into Southern Cross Station, then to Urban Central – Home Sweet Home! And typical Melbourne, raining! Upstairs (and a top bunk – blah) and blogged for a bit before taking a nap... Woke up thinking ‘what the, where am I, have I missed the plane’ when someone opened the door, but quickly recovered to say ‘how’s it going’. Phone rang not much later (Frank from the dive shop) and I decided to head out for a walk to suss out dinner. Along Southbank and into Fed Square to see if anything was happening (nope) and back across to Southbank where a light rain was falling. Into the food court – nothing of interest and was heading back when I found the rain had gotten quite heavy. So with nowhere in particular to go I sat and watched for probably half an hour. The people, the river, the rain. Really interesting. Points of interest/conversation starters: Do people with big noses kiss differently? Can two guys stand under one umbrella and look (or feel for that matter) comfortable? When do we stop wanting to kick the puddles in the street when it’s raining? How to people still acquire milk cartons (because they appear to be the universal chair for buskers)? How did anyone ever meet up with anyone before mobile phones? How many guys are chivalrous enough to still give their jacket to their partner (and therefore get wet)? Enough of that the rain had stopped and I ambled my way back home... until I spotted a group off guys on the corner (hmmm perhaps I should follow them...) and realised I knew one of them, no two, no three! So I went over and said hi to Scotty, who couldn’t believe someone was actually calling him, not some other random bloke, and walked with the guys to Steakout where they were going for dinner (all the time I had been there and never clicked they actually served food!). So I ended up joining them, thus ending any chance of my early night. Dinner was OK (I went el cheapo) and the beers went down easier than I expected. They headed off to the tables and I went home to change – I was not doing sneakers and shorts in the Cas (although they had let me in!). Half an hour later I was back, flabbergasting the boys with the tiniest bit of make-up. A drink (or two?) while they played golf before jumping in a maxi taxi and heading for St Jeromes, a hidden bar near Myers. Small, outside, unisex toilets, graffiti walls, anything goes – pretty cool! I ended up on Wild Turkey (don’t ask) and had a bit of a dance before we left there and Scotty, Dave and I headed back to the casino. Back to the sports bar for more drinks and Scotty found a table of randoms from Brisbane to sit with, so we joined them until about 3am when we walked home.
12 March
8.15ish and I start wondering why oh why did I say yes to a beer last night? What time is breakfast – the thought process to work out it was 9.30 finish was hard work. Phone call from a private number that I apparently called at 8.45am (which I thought was a prank) got me up and going. Shower, made breaky by 9.30 and internet to suss some stuff out. Raining outside put a dampener (pardon the pun) on the planned events for the day, as did finding out the wine and cheese festival was not exactly what I thought it was going to be. Back upstairs for some blog (and a nap) before heading out for a walk and to sort out my internet connection. Stopped at Subway for lunch, then at my favourite internet cafe 3four2 to update the blog. Back at the backpackers in time to order curry for dinner and found the Firey’s in the bar (surprise surprise). Got my dinner as they left and it was hot... really hot. And then I clicked – think I have the spicy chicken, not the butter chicken. So now I don’t want to eat it, because my mouth is on fire, but can you take back a meal after you’ve moved a few pieces of chicken around. Thought I’d try my luck, and after a bit of waiting we sorted out that I had been given the wrong one, and the other guy was nice enough to swap. So I ate my butter chicken (although did hope like hell that I didn’t give him my cold) and then headed back upstairs where I spent the night on my computer uploading photos and blogging. Went to bed about 10.30, my earliest night in as long as I could remember!!!
13 March – Black Friday!
People going in and out mean for interrupted sleep, but I guess you get that in a backpackers. The aircon that was on was doing shit all, so I was hot and got up about 8.45am. Down to breaky with my Alpha (that I’ve had for about 5 months) and then back upstairs to change for a run. Went over to Docklands (with Aircraft Carrier flying overhead) and the run turned into a walk/run while I read the signs (and caught my breath back). Back for a shower and onto the laptop again, waiting for a reasonable time to call Aaron and Kell. Just after midday I sent through a message and met them over at their hotel about 1.30pm, heading past the Longest Lunch on the Casino Waterfront – over 1150 chairs! We headed out for a walk around the streets and laneways, finding a small cafe for lunch. Then we met Matt (Kell’s brother) and Ash and headed to Young and Jackson for a beer and to visit Chloe. We parted ways and I headed home to get changed (and a quick nap) before the footy. Got back to Aaron’s hotel, and Alf, Kel, Aaron and I headed to the Telstra Dome, which is now something else (Etihad Stadium - stupid if you ask me) for the NAB Cup final between Geelong and Collingwood. Stopped for a drink and some food in Southern Cross Station, so didn’t arrive at Telstra Dome until the start of the second half. Good seats behind the goals on the second level the game that was all tied up at quarter time became a blowout. Had a couple of beers but we kind of lost interest. In fact the Auskick Kids were more entertaining! Headed out of the Dome after the presentations to Geelong and down to the Casino. Sports bar, tables and then Steakout for some dancing (and creepy men – no youngins out tonight! With Aaron and Kel needing a real night’s sleep we left about 1.30am, wanting to be refreshed for the big day tomorrow.
14 March
Started scratching around about 8.30am, down for breakfast just after 9am and then back up for a shower and to get ready. I never feel quite right putting make-up on at that time of the morning! Left just after 10.30 and it was raining. Crap! On with my wet weather jacket... no wait, that’s not my jacket, that’s my pants! Bugger. Put them on (which turned out to be a blessing) and walked down to Aaron and Kells, stopping at about 5 different stores looking for a poncho. Found them in the food court next door where we bought muffins and caught up with Alf (who went to find ponchos, and did) before we caught a taxi over to the MCG. Arrived (still raining) and found out gate (with Kell not very impresses, and Aaron hogging my umbrella) and made it through security just as Molly was introducing the first act – Jet. Found our seats (under cover –thank goodness!) and settled in for what was to be a completely awesome day. In between our bands we saw the best of what was happening at Sydney, so on top of Jet, Gabriella Cilmi, Kings of Leon (very cool), Wolfmother, Bliss and Esso (also very cool), Augie March, Liam Finn (where Pop’s (Tim Finn) came out and sung with Crowded House – love it), Split Endz, Hunters and Collectors (what a band), Jack Johnson (which mellowed things out, but he is amazing), Paul Kelly (great) and the headline of Midnight Oil, which completely rocked the ‘G, we also got Cold Play (twice, with John Farnham making an appearance), Hoodo Gurus, Presets and the mighty Icehouse singing Great Southern Land. On top of that there was film clips of the devastating destruction which brought it all back home as to why we were here, Kylie Minogue who sung I Still Call Australia Home and Toni Colette who announced the minute silence, which were both so moving. We had Mexican waves, rain and sunshine, lots of red wine (to keep us warm) and Aaron and I danced along to Holy Grail and Midnight Oil. It was purely sensational! Thankfully the rain had stopped by the time it was over, and we walked back into Melbourne and with a queue at The Transport we went to the Novotel to drop off gear before heading into China Town for a feed (of good chinese), having to wait to be seated because they were so busy (at midnight – go figure!). So we ate up and Alf took us down a back street and past a dumpster or two to a back alley (Croft Alley actually, off Paynes Place) to The Croft Institute, where an $8 cover charge (and no band) made we wonder what we were getting into. Happening to make one of the 52 bars in my pack I blew the mind of Aaron, Kell and Rob, but after being at St Jeromes wasn’t so much of a slap in the face. With more bottles of alcohol you would care to pay for, and laboratory apparatus (complete with stretcher and lamps in the ladies bathroom) scattered throughout. A drink downstairs (the red was only $6 which I was quite surprised about) and we headed upstairs to the music (and just in time to see some guy wake up from being passed out and puke). A tiger lay inside (not literally laying...) on his bucks night. About 2pm I was falling asleep on the couch (never a good look) so decided to head home. The walk took just over 35 minutes and I made sure I kept to the main streets. Arrived back, changed and fell into bed about 3am.
15 March
10.30 seemed like a reasonable time to find out how the head was... not too bad considering! Showered and back for bread (as I’d missed breakfast) and some internet before heading out to Fed Square for the Food and Wine Festival. Lots of coffee, not so much wine! Did the stalls and watched a couple of cooking demos (as it was raining) before venturing over to Southbank and the markets. Admired some beautiful photos (which gave me some inspiration) and watched the street performer, who was very good, quite funny (and not that hard on the eyes!). It had started raining just before he finished so I headed back to Urban Central (busting my umbrella) for a cuppa, chocolates and some blog. Decided to head out for some food, which is tough when you’re shopping on a really tight budget (I had $55 in cash, $3 in my savings account and $8 on my credit card). However along with the free pasta my $8.55 would buy me enough food to last me until I was a bit more financial, although my diet would not be good! Back to cook dinner and the kitchen was packed so I headed upstairs for half an hour or so before heading back down to cook my makeshift dinner (pasta, frozen veg and bolognaise sauce). Getting square eyes I went with a cuppa to the 2nd floor to watch the movie of choice, today being Employee of the Month, which was ok. They have quite a collection though (over 150 I imagine). Finally got my blog completely up to date and called it a night just after 11.30pm.
16th March
So I woke up a couple of times, but the one I distinctly remember was waking up at 4.34. Why was that time so memorable, because I woke up and it was light – yes light, and it wasn’t 4.34am it was 4.34pm. How the hell did I sleep ..... too many hours for me to even think about??? And how could I possibly still be tired? There’s not enough time now to do anything with Kell before Aaron gets back from work. Maybe he’s already back. How does that happen when I seem to wake every time the door opens, and the guy below me definitely goes to work early. Then the door opens (which must have woken me in the first place) and she turns the light out, and it goes pitch black, and I take a third look at my watch (and phone) and realise it’s actually 4.34am. Oh. Back to sleep, or was it all just a dream.......
So I do wake up for the guy downstairs to go to work, and I do wake up when the guys from the other beds get up, and eventually sometime around 9am I get up and open the curtains. Head down for breaky (no milk – AGHHHH) and have toast and read Alpha. Phone call from Kell gets me moving and I head upstairs to check my bank account (nothing – crap!) and head for a shower. No shopping for me today! A quick e-mail to (hopefully) find attain some more moolah and I met Kell just on 11am where she was having breaky. Onto the tram and into Richmond – Bridge Road. We started at one end and whilst Kell was most impressive in not spending, we definitely went into a lota stores! I grabbed some bargain undies (who doesn’t need more undies) and Kelly got a nice dress, we met Matt and Ash. More shopping before we stopped at a cafe for some lunch and then caught the tram back into town. A walk down China Town to suss out somewhere for dinner and with my feet killing me we headed back and I caught the tram back to the backpackers. Collapsing on the bed I played on the internet and sent Aaron a text about dinner (and my severe lack of moolah). No problem, and by 7pm I was on my way to meet them (missing the first tram even though I was standing at the doorway when the door started closing). Met Aaron and Kell at Section 8 Container bar which was also one of the places on the Graffiti Art tour and had a drink before heading to Ginza Teppanyaki and meeting Leroy, Rob and Alf. Kell, Aaron and I started on a bottle of white wine while we waited for Reid, Ash and Matt to turn up and then were seated around the booth and hotplate. Well, we all began to worry when we were given bibs to wear (and I was slightly concerned about the fact I was in a really good top!). Aaron picked on Matt and said it was his birthday, and sitting next to him I felt slightly more concerned than anyone else. The food, which is all prepared on a hotplate in front of you, is delicious (and coated in copious amount of garlic or soy sauce). The waitresses kept topping up our wine (it took a while to realise we were onto our second bottle) while the waiter kept cooking (and throwing) food. Egg went everywhere (Aaron and Kell ended up coated in it) and it turns out while I have a big mouth can’t catch anything in it for quids. Next it was bowl catching, which there is a definite art to, and I did ok at that. I had some extra fried rice (it’s flied rice you idiot!) while the others ate the meat and again was very grateful I’m good with chopsticks! We headed back to the waiting area and finished our drinks before taking off to explore some more pubs. We tried the Traders Bar, but it only operates on a Thursday night, so we headed down Swanston St and found 3 Below. Aaron lent me some money and I grabbed another glass of white wine and we sat under the heaters enjoying a quiet drink... well at least it was quiet until the guy at the table next to us fell asleep and off his stool, cracking his head open on the ground behind us. Blood absolutely everywhere, and he didn’t get up in a hurry! I asked for some gloves but don’t think they had any, while Kell called for an ambulance. Eventually he got up and the cut wasn’t too bad, although he still didn’t look all there! I suggested they get some detergent in a bucket (after coming out with just a glass full) and soon it was good as new, and time for us to move on. Next stop was St Jeromes, and after losing a few (poor guys did have to work tomorrow) we got in and bought our drinks – more wine (sooo didn’t need it) in a plastic cup –all class!) Outside and the music was quite a bit different to last Thursday, far more commercial and old school, so Aaron and I loved it. They closed and kicked us our around 1am, when it was time to say goodbye to Aaron while the 5 of us followed two Melbournites (who sounded anything but local) around the city, making a random stop at a toilet block in the middle of the road (there was actually one there, we weren’t just randomly pissing on trees) and eventually around 2.30 decided it was time to call it quits with nothing apparently open. I said goodbye and arranged to meet them all for brunch at 10am the next day. We were obviously drunk to agree to that! So I walked home along the river, getting a text message from Kel Twight which took ages to reply to (again, alcohol affected) and then decided to check out what was going on in the casino, as you do. So a quick walk through (how I looked sober enough to be let in is beyond me) and then decided to play the pokies (a woman had won $170 the other night we walked passed), so pulled out $1 and popped it in the machine. Not having much of a clue, I pushed random buttons and eventually just wanted my $1 spent (as I couldn’t work out how to cash out). Got back to the backpackers and again made a random decision to use up the rest of my internet on the computers there, so jumped on Facebook and sent a few random messages off (which also took me forever to write) before that ran out and I headed upstairs. Tried to find my toothpaste (probably waking up everyone in the process) and eventually gave up and brushed my teeth without. In bed at 3.30am.
Adelaide here I come... again!
8 March
Alarm at 7am and dozing until 7.30. Walked out the bathrooms and the cloud was really low... and full of rain! Really interesting. So much so that half the camp were on top of the hill (above where we had slept) taking photos of the cloud and two beautiful rainbows. Changed (wearing two odd socks – I was that desperate for clothes!) and down to pack up my swag, collect my food from the caretaker, breakfast and photos before driving out just before 9am. Arrived at the Old Timers Mine for a self guided tour of what life was like working and living in an opal mine. Although they produce 90% of the world’s opals, apparently there are very few people actually mining. From there I headed to the visitors centre (via the servo’s to check out the cheapest fuel) to find a church that wasn’t going to be in service. Now – the make or break part of the day – hole in the wall to find out if I was going to have to wash dishes on my way back to Adelaide. After finding my Bendigo card I plugged it in for $150 withdrawal – no problem, and $150 still to my name I was laughing. Over to BP and paid for the fuel on credit (which must now have about $2 left) and headed out to the Serbian Orthodox Church. It was rather impressive, the way they’d been able to carve the roof to match the stain glass window. OK on the road – Adelaide here I come. Got to Bon Bon, the rest stop from my way up and cooked up some spag bol and found the Women’s World Cup Cricket on the radio. Red bull and I was on my way again. Now I had made it up to Coober Pedy from Port Augusta on one tank of fuel with a roaring headwind, so I figured I would be pretty right to make it back. Last servo for 170kms – nah, she’ll be right. But with 120kms to go the red light came on - whoops! Mum rang to find out what I was up to – heading your way, if I make it! No rolling into Port Augusta like we did Launceston! 100kms out thought I’d give RAC a call – don’t want to know unless you’re broken down (bloody good if there doesn’t happen to be any mobile service then!) Down to 90kms an hour, and the count started – 60kms to go, 30kms to go. Over yet another cattle grid Bbbbrrrrr clang clang clang.... Rim had come off and was rolling down the road. CRAP. Turn around (if I fall short by a kilometre I’m not going to be happy) picked it up, accelerate nice and slow.... 27 kms, then I started to lose power. Was it just the wind – no. Turned off the ignition, and rolled along the side of the road, and very nicely found a gravel pit/rest bay. Call to the RAC, feeling like a goose. She was going to call me back with a time. So I took photos of the Ghan as it went past, and the mountains (I decided not to take one of the dead billy goat on the other side of the road). Half an hour went past and still no phone call so I called back, would be another hour – 7.30pm. Then she called back, same deal, an hour. So on the laptop for some blog, stuck the cricket on and sat back and relaxed. Decided now would be a good time to organise dinner, so heated up some spag bol and started digging in – for the mechanic to turn up, half an hour early – damb him!!! Put his $20 in the tank, here we go. Turned over but wouldn’t start, so he primed it and after a second go George was back up and running. Right. Got into Port Augusta and filled up at Shell, some refreshments (chocolate) and I was on my way at 7.45pm – 300kms to Adelaide. Now I got to see a beautiful sunset and rainbows across the Flinders Ranges on my way south. The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful, except for some beautiful batting from Hughes to continue rubbing it into the Saffas. Arrived at 11pm (because the 300kms was actually 314) with mum and dad very glad to see me. Upstairs to their room to say hi to Uncle Ray and Aunty Debbie, and to watch Hughes bring up his second 100 while we caught up. Managed to get my Men of Cricket calendar just before heading to bed, with a cough that I wasn’t all that happy about......
9 March
7.30am and I was hot and blocked up. Was up before everyone else and on the laptop to see how the boys finished up yesterday. Breakfast and said goodbye to the olds as they headed off to Clare and I sorted out George. Did some washing and enjoyed being in a room by myself for a change! Left for Mount Lofty for a look over Adelaide before getting to Hahndorf, which I thought was like a big version of Olinda (and coincidently, overheard someone while I was having lunch at the bakery say the same thing!). A German town it was absolutely pumping on the Adelaide Cup public holiday. Walked up and down both sides of the street, finding a chemist for cold and flu tablets along the way. Then headed out of town and back to Bridgewater and the Petaluma Bridgewater Mill, which was beautiful! Went into look at the artwork and had my arm twisted to taste some of their wines, which were nice, but I must have been off-colour as I wasn’t even interested in flirting with the bar staff! Back to the car and headed back home, I jumped on the net and then had a shower before the rest of the crew arrived. Wine, cheese and biscuits with the cricket before leaving just after 8pm for dinner. Found the pub on the corner open and with some great service ordered our meals. Unfortunately dad’s garlic bread never turned up, and the service slid a bit when it got busy, but the meals were delivered and most were impressed, with ‘holey crap’ my expression on receiving the biggest snitzel ever – Mexicana style with salsa and corn chips! Headed home for more cricket and the smallest birthday cake in the world – a lamington with 6 candles – yay me! Presents and cards, cricket and wine, it was a great evening for my last day at 28 – give or take the cold! The folks drifted off to bed, and I managed to stay up til just after midnight, watching the Saffa’s score too many runs and wishing myself a happy birthday.
10 March – my birthday (and Jakes, and Josh’s)
Who has a cold on their birthday? Having not been able to breathe for most of the night (you know the whole ‘my mouth is like sandpaper’ feeling) when I woke at 5.45am hot and quite uncomfortable I wasn’t too upset in knowing the apartment was going to be up and going at 6am. Sure enough alarms started going off and it wasn’t long before there was movement at the station. Cuppa helped and with the crew leaving just after 6.30am I had the place to myself. My phone started going off and didn’t stop all day! We got ready to head out and left at 9.30pm, heading north but not really sure where, and needing to drop George off at long term parking for the day. Found a cricket/tennis club and then started heading for Port Wakefield, when we decided it would be too far and did an about face and went to Port Adelaide instead. Squeezed into a parking lot and started on their historic walk. Found an average bakery for lunch and headed back to the Maritime Museum to have a look. Free entry to the lighthouse lookout so we headed there first, but the view wasn’t all that spectacular over the city and river. Back to the museum which was completely the opposite – absolutely amazing! Over 3 floors the building, where the bottom floor was originally the street level of Port Adelaide, they had set up replica rooms of the cabins from 3 different eras of migrants to Australia, along with info on shipwrecks, marine life, explorers and heaps more. Awesome. We spent probably 2 hours in there and were all really impressed – best museum I think I’d been into. Back to the car and headed to the shops before trekking back to George and heading home. Glass of wine while I got ready to head out to dinner and we arrived at the Wellington Hotel just as Scotty, Cassey and kids did. Had a really great meal and some good laughs (and one or two... or three more glasses of wine...) leaving there about 9.30pm. Got home and with a glass of port to round out the night we watched Katich tear through the tail enders and win the second game against the Saffas, also securing the series (and regaining the Number 1 World Ranking). What an end to my birthday!
Alarm at 7am and dozing until 7.30. Walked out the bathrooms and the cloud was really low... and full of rain! Really interesting. So much so that half the camp were on top of the hill (above where we had slept) taking photos of the cloud and two beautiful rainbows. Changed (wearing two odd socks – I was that desperate for clothes!) and down to pack up my swag, collect my food from the caretaker, breakfast and photos before driving out just before 9am. Arrived at the Old Timers Mine for a self guided tour of what life was like working and living in an opal mine. Although they produce 90% of the world’s opals, apparently there are very few people actually mining. From there I headed to the visitors centre (via the servo’s to check out the cheapest fuel) to find a church that wasn’t going to be in service. Now – the make or break part of the day – hole in the wall to find out if I was going to have to wash dishes on my way back to Adelaide. After finding my Bendigo card I plugged it in for $150 withdrawal – no problem, and $150 still to my name I was laughing. Over to BP and paid for the fuel on credit (which must now have about $2 left) and headed out to the Serbian Orthodox Church. It was rather impressive, the way they’d been able to carve the roof to match the stain glass window. OK on the road – Adelaide here I come. Got to Bon Bon, the rest stop from my way up and cooked up some spag bol and found the Women’s World Cup Cricket on the radio. Red bull and I was on my way again. Now I had made it up to Coober Pedy from Port Augusta on one tank of fuel with a roaring headwind, so I figured I would be pretty right to make it back. Last servo for 170kms – nah, she’ll be right. But with 120kms to go the red light came on - whoops! Mum rang to find out what I was up to – heading your way, if I make it! No rolling into Port Augusta like we did Launceston! 100kms out thought I’d give RAC a call – don’t want to know unless you’re broken down (bloody good if there doesn’t happen to be any mobile service then!) Down to 90kms an hour, and the count started – 60kms to go, 30kms to go. Over yet another cattle grid Bbbbrrrrr clang clang clang.... Rim had come off and was rolling down the road. CRAP. Turn around (if I fall short by a kilometre I’m not going to be happy) picked it up, accelerate nice and slow.... 27 kms, then I started to lose power. Was it just the wind – no. Turned off the ignition, and rolled along the side of the road, and very nicely found a gravel pit/rest bay. Call to the RAC, feeling like a goose. She was going to call me back with a time. So I took photos of the Ghan as it went past, and the mountains (I decided not to take one of the dead billy goat on the other side of the road). Half an hour went past and still no phone call so I called back, would be another hour – 7.30pm. Then she called back, same deal, an hour. So on the laptop for some blog, stuck the cricket on and sat back and relaxed. Decided now would be a good time to organise dinner, so heated up some spag bol and started digging in – for the mechanic to turn up, half an hour early – damb him!!! Put his $20 in the tank, here we go. Turned over but wouldn’t start, so he primed it and after a second go George was back up and running. Right. Got into Port Augusta and filled up at Shell, some refreshments (chocolate) and I was on my way at 7.45pm – 300kms to Adelaide. Now I got to see a beautiful sunset and rainbows across the Flinders Ranges on my way south. The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful, except for some beautiful batting from Hughes to continue rubbing it into the Saffas. Arrived at 11pm (because the 300kms was actually 314) with mum and dad very glad to see me. Upstairs to their room to say hi to Uncle Ray and Aunty Debbie, and to watch Hughes bring up his second 100 while we caught up. Managed to get my Men of Cricket calendar just before heading to bed, with a cough that I wasn’t all that happy about......
9 March
7.30am and I was hot and blocked up. Was up before everyone else and on the laptop to see how the boys finished up yesterday. Breakfast and said goodbye to the olds as they headed off to Clare and I sorted out George. Did some washing and enjoyed being in a room by myself for a change! Left for Mount Lofty for a look over Adelaide before getting to Hahndorf, which I thought was like a big version of Olinda (and coincidently, overheard someone while I was having lunch at the bakery say the same thing!). A German town it was absolutely pumping on the Adelaide Cup public holiday. Walked up and down both sides of the street, finding a chemist for cold and flu tablets along the way. Then headed out of town and back to Bridgewater and the Petaluma Bridgewater Mill, which was beautiful! Went into look at the artwork and had my arm twisted to taste some of their wines, which were nice, but I must have been off-colour as I wasn’t even interested in flirting with the bar staff! Back to the car and headed back home, I jumped on the net and then had a shower before the rest of the crew arrived. Wine, cheese and biscuits with the cricket before leaving just after 8pm for dinner. Found the pub on the corner open and with some great service ordered our meals. Unfortunately dad’s garlic bread never turned up, and the service slid a bit when it got busy, but the meals were delivered and most were impressed, with ‘holey crap’ my expression on receiving the biggest snitzel ever – Mexicana style with salsa and corn chips! Headed home for more cricket and the smallest birthday cake in the world – a lamington with 6 candles – yay me! Presents and cards, cricket and wine, it was a great evening for my last day at 28 – give or take the cold! The folks drifted off to bed, and I managed to stay up til just after midnight, watching the Saffa’s score too many runs and wishing myself a happy birthday.
10 March – my birthday (and Jakes, and Josh’s)
Who has a cold on their birthday? Having not been able to breathe for most of the night (you know the whole ‘my mouth is like sandpaper’ feeling) when I woke at 5.45am hot and quite uncomfortable I wasn’t too upset in knowing the apartment was going to be up and going at 6am. Sure enough alarms started going off and it wasn’t long before there was movement at the station. Cuppa helped and with the crew leaving just after 6.30am I had the place to myself. My phone started going off and didn’t stop all day! We got ready to head out and left at 9.30pm, heading north but not really sure where, and needing to drop George off at long term parking for the day. Found a cricket/tennis club and then started heading for Port Wakefield, when we decided it would be too far and did an about face and went to Port Adelaide instead. Squeezed into a parking lot and started on their historic walk. Found an average bakery for lunch and headed back to the Maritime Museum to have a look. Free entry to the lighthouse lookout so we headed there first, but the view wasn’t all that spectacular over the city and river. Back to the museum which was completely the opposite – absolutely amazing! Over 3 floors the building, where the bottom floor was originally the street level of Port Adelaide, they had set up replica rooms of the cabins from 3 different eras of migrants to Australia, along with info on shipwrecks, marine life, explorers and heaps more. Awesome. We spent probably 2 hours in there and were all really impressed – best museum I think I’d been into. Back to the car and headed to the shops before trekking back to George and heading home. Glass of wine while I got ready to head out to dinner and we arrived at the Wellington Hotel just as Scotty, Cassey and kids did. Had a really great meal and some good laughs (and one or two... or three more glasses of wine...) leaving there about 9.30pm. Got home and with a glass of port to round out the night we watched Katich tear through the tail enders and win the second game against the Saffas, also securing the series (and regaining the Number 1 World Ranking). What an end to my birthday!
Alice, Alice, who the.......
2 March
Alarm at 6.45am and like normal I slept until 7.30, when someone else started up their car and left. Felt like I’d been run over by a truck, and then reversed back over again. Not hungry I couldn’t even be bothered looking for clothes, grabbing a tank top and shorts that were out. Gone by 7.50 and on my way to Coober Pedy. The 168kms were pretty smooth sailing, although I was glad I didn’t go any further in the dark. Arrived to the Port Adelaide truck entrance so stopped for photos and decided on breakfast aswell. Into town and to the visitors centre for some more paraphernalia and then back in the car, deciding that I wasn’t up to wandering around in the heat today, so would be much better off sitting and driving instead. Filled up, or pretty close to it with a dodgy pump, and on I went, stopping around noon needing a sleep. But once the aircon went off it got warm quick, so my nap was about 2 minutes with my eyes closed instead. Into the roadhouse for a cuppa tea (even though it was stinking hot) and some chips (as the longer I ate the more I’d stay awake) and back to the car for a red bull. Driving on and I seemed to be chewing through the diesel, either that or it was a long way off full, so I drove on another 80kms and stopped for more fuel - $1.54, and the attendant asked which way I was going – North I said – oh, into the wind then. And it dawned on me – not only was it hot, but I was driving straight into probably a Northerly wind, and running the air conditioner at the same time – poor George!!! Checked the tire pressure (I’d done the water and oil not long ago) and with the window down I set off for the border. Out with the tripod for a photo of the last state or territory to do in my Australia trip – awesome! But I tell you what, along with a new state came a thousand flies – they were everywhere! Back in, drinking hot water because it was warming up so much in the front. Next stop was a servo 200kms from Alice for a Frosty Fruit and Poweraide - $7.30 – ouch, but I didn’t care. Even the emu’s looked hot. Onwards, not having a clue about what time it was in the NT, I was due in to Alice just after 7pm (SA time). Made the last turn off, and with 7kms to go the oil light came on. CRAP!!! Pulled over, not sure whether to stop and fill it up or find a servo and do it there, or find accommodation and let poor George cool down a bit. Luckily while I was deliberating the oil light went off, so I slowly drove on, reaching the caravan park and checking in for the night, and lucky George started again when I went back out, with the oil light flicking on and off again. Into a site, power in and food into the camp kitchen fridge (as mine wasn’t coping all that well!). Opened him up for a look in the engine but so stinking hot I left it and went for a swim, in a warm pool – and found out later the air temp was still 37°c at 8.30pm. Back and onto the net (with the bugs) before heating the rest of the chicken stir-fry, having a shower (more bugs) and blogging, listening to us (hopefully) win the first game against the Saffas in the series. Bed at 11pm, with it hot and still, and still feeling very lightheaded, but with a win to our cricketers – onya Mitch!
3 March 2009
So I slept on and off, with the bugs and the drone of the fan until about 7.30am – real time as NT people say. Still not all quite there I sussed out my book and jumped on the net to work out accommodation for the next couple of nights. Dishes (which I had from a few days, and with beetroot juice everywhere), sort out the van and shower (because it was already over 30 degrees, if it happened to get below it last night). Out of the park by 9.30am and up to Anzac Hill for a quick look before heading to the info centre, but stopping at the Women’s Pioneer Museum, situated in the old prison, on the way. She was still opening up so I got a bit of a guided tour before reading all about the missionaries, conflict over whether to demolish or keep the gaol (obviously it was kept) and about the women who pioneered the outback. Very good, although I kinda skimmed through a lot of it. Then down to the Royal Fly Doctors Service, to read about John Flynn and his amazing forethought to set it up, and get a radio communication in operation (albeit using pedal power). We then saw a 10 minute flick and saw the control room for the Alice base, which covers 600km radius. It’s been over 5 years since they had a day without a service having to go out. Into town and checked out the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and got stuck chatting with Damien and Keith about a whole lot of stuff (including the Eagles v Adelaide game that was here on Friday – that the Eagles won!). 2pm and time for lunch so headed back to the caravan park (that was looking after my food in their fridge) and chicken sandwiches before taking off to the Telegraph Station and finding it set up in a whole heap of different buildings, and with lots of walking tracks, so decided to give it a miss. Back through town to the Araluen Arts Centre and a tour of indigenous artwork (including a heap by Albert Namatjira and his children and grandchildren) and a look at the Afghans and their camels, and the massive impact they had on developing the outback (including the mail runs, overland telegraph line and general exploration). Ran out of time (they closed at 4pm) so jumped in the car (phone call from mum – where are you gonna be on Thursday – ummm Uluru – WHAT???) and headed back to pick up my stuff from the caravan park and head to the backpackers. Checked in and time for a SWIM (43 degrees it had at least gotten to today) and got chatting to Simon from Melbourne. Sat by the pool and blogged, listening to a couple of guys on a didgeridoo and bongo drums. Just about to head in for another dip when a massive breeze came through out of nowhere! Showered and headed for dinner at the restaurant/bar at the front of the backpackers. Found myself a table amongst the tour groups and drank my wine. Was in at the bar when a guy found the same table and sat in the spot next to mine, also by himself, so we got chatting. Hans, from Denmark, was doing 4 months of NZ and Aus, and heading north to go barramundi fishing (although he couldn’t remember the name of the fish). So we got drinking (and I got him off the XXXX and onto James Squire) and we chatted until the 10.30pm shuttle bus into town arrived and he left, with me heading for an early night. Just quietly finishing my beer when Simon down at the other end of the table called me over, so I went and drank with him, Eddie, Karl (bar manager), Nick and a couple others. Well, my quiet night then went crazy, deciding to head into Bojangles, only to hear the finishing songs on the radio as we got into Karl’s car, so headed to his place instead. Karl’s housemate was there and couldn’t sleep, so he got up and the 5 of us sat talking and drinking (nice Margaret River red) and listening to music. Karl had some grappa which was bloody potent shit (and that is the only way to describe it!), and all being smokers they smoked inside. He had 4 dogs and a snake, and by the end of the night we had the snake out and around our shoulders – talk about firsts! We were there until about 3am when Simon called a cab and took us home, via the 24 hour servo (an experience in itself) while the cabbie sneezed his guts up (apparently didn’t like my perfume). We arrived home and still didn’t get to bed, chatting some more before Simon headed off about 4am with ‘If you’re up for some loving I’m in room 65’. Classy. I told Nick to knock on his door before I made it into the room.
4 March
8am and I was in no state to be leaving Alice today! Up to make breakfast for 8.30 (it was getting earlier and earlier!). Met Hans in there (did you have a nice early night he asked – pftt!). Laughed at the Swiss girl who decided to sample some chocolate topping (vegemite) and proceeded to spit it straight back up again. Offered Hans a lift to the Desert Wildlife Park, so we got ready and met at 9.30, after paying for an extra night. Were just in time to see the bird show, with everything from magpies (who apparently don’t swoop in the outback) to black breasted buzzards, tawny frogmouths and cockies. Wandered around the park, checking out the birds (beautiful black cockies) and the roo’s, reptiles and amphibians. flora and the mountains. Stopped for a drink and a nibble before going to the midday video. Left just on 1pm, stopping back at the art shop on the way back to book in for an session later. Back to my rooms for a quick check of the e-mail before heading back to the art shop. Keith took us through aboriginal art, the symbols, tribes, history of his people and their love of the land. There were definitely times Hans wasn’t sure what I’d got him into I’m sure! His drawings in the sand were amazing, the way they could imitate animals footprints in different ways. It was then our turn to tell our story, so we grabbed paint and paper and tried to create a story. We took a while to get started but once on a roll we did OK, both having our own unique painting and story, and Hans entertaining us with his questions – ‘how do you draw a boat/fish/drink, what colour should I paint this’. We finished our masterpieces and then took photos before heading back out to the car, well over 2 hours after we arrived and we were both really pleased to have gone. Time for a drive with lots of light still, so we took off out to Emily & Jessie Gap, which had aboriginal artwork. It also had flies, thousands of flies. To see the artwork we had to cross a raging river (hardly) so off with the shoes and we trekked out to take some photos and back into the car, along with about 50 flies. Same at the next stop until finally we decided we’d had enough of that and headed back. Arrived about 5.30 and I headed off for some internet and a shower, heading back to Toddy’s Bar just after 7pm for a drink before Hans arrived and we walked into town, seeing more white than black people to my surprise. Bojangles had a few tables of people eating, but we headed out the back and checked out the menu, both deciding to go with the barramundi, and Hans buying a bottle of Mad Fish as a thanks for driving him around. I got some garlic bread, and the whole lot was bloody delicious, with the fish done with the most amazing coating and cooked in paperbark. Unbelievably good. We finished and headed into the bar area, for some beers , dancing and a snake. Yes, apparently not only can you smoke in NT pubs you can bring your pet snake along too. Creepy, but kinda cool, and after getting some dutch courage last night I was all up for another hold, as creepy as it was. So we drank beer, talked, took photos of the snake and danced to the awesome music that they were playing. 2, no 3 jugs later and expecting the pub to shut around midnight they seemed to be cranking on. Phone call at 12.30 and I thought Simon might be up for coming out – wrong. By the time I made it outside so I could actually hear him I found out that George had been the subject of a break-in. My whole world then came crashing down, as I raced back inside to say goodbye to Hans and caught a taxi back to Toddys. I managed to keep it together for the drive, but on arriving I ran and cried my way through the carpark until I reached him and the open door. I wrenched it open (not a smart move) and the remainder of the glass that was in it fell to the floor. Luckily Simon found me then and I recovered a bit after discovering my laptop was still in the back of the car, and I had fortunately left my backpack with camera in the hostel room. Shaken but ok we went up to Eddie’s room for a relaxing cuppa and chat to calm my nerves. A phone call to the police who were supposedly on their way at 1.30pm and I found them not much later. Went through the events of the evening and what had looked like it had been touch/stolen. Made a statement and signed it, making sure I read the section at the bottom of the form (although for the life of me could not remember what it said afterwards). There were some randoms who had booked a room at Toddys but there was no key for them, so they ended up crashing in my room (with only 1 other person in there.). I moved George (which I probably shouldn’t have) next to the vehicle in the carpark so that no-one could be back in and said goodnight to Simon, who offered to come out if I heard anything else. Opened the window in the room and got on the internet, needing to do something. Chris had sent an e-mail through which was as usual hilarious so I replied to that until I was literally typing with my eyes closed and fell asleep without pushing the send button about 3.30am...
5 march
My alarm was set for 6.45 but on waking up and realising there wasn’t going to be a lot I could do until it got a bit later I drifted back to sleep. Around 8 I headed over to reception to let them know and then breakfast, in no mood for talking I grabbed my toast and cuppa and headed back to start making phone calls. Mum, insurance, mum, insurance, dad, windscreen pretty much filled up my next hour, along with slicing my knee when I tried to get the papers out of the back seat of the car. Finally got sorted, packed up and checked out by 10.30 and set off to have the window fixed. Dropped off George and was taken out to the Telegraph Station to have a look around. Some beautiful old buildings, the first of inland Australia in some cases. Made you appreciate the lengths they had to go to to connect themselves with the rest of Australia and the world! It also has the spring of Alice Springs. Finished just after noon (complete with frog in the dunny!) and called the repairers, but they had all gone to lunch so I had no option but to chill (and get some more rest). Picked up not long after 1pm paid the bill and headed off for an ipod. Kmart, Harvey Norman and Target where I bought a new shuffle, Subway and then Coles for some food. At some point I realised I could actually make headway on the drive tomorrow, and as I really didn’t want to stay in Alice that was what I did – set off at 5pm heading south, via the backpackers for my food and a thanks to Eddie for last night. The FM radio lasted a little bit before it had to go to AM, and thank goodness I hadn’t had to do that all trip! And then, tragedy struck – a little bird on the road decided it was going to play chicken with George, and lost. Only the second death this trip though, which wasn’t too bad. Made it to Erldunda where I booked into the caravan park and got a gorgeous sunset over the land. Finished off the subway and the leftover chicken in the fridge and spent the night trying to sort out my ipod.
6 March
8am I was up and it was time to get moving. Sorted out the ipod over breaky (because any music is better than no music!) and shower and when I was leaving around 9.30am I was the last one to go. Filled up with fuel (even asked another tour bus driver where the cheapest fuel would be on the way to the rock, and apparently it was here). Drive out to King Canyon was pretty uneventful, arriving there just before 1pm. Had some lunch, stocked up on water, packed my backpack and tried to work out how I’d be going for time, considering it was a 3 hour walk, so perhaps I could do it in 2 ½. That being ok I set off. Well the first section was definitely the hardest, where you climb 100m in about 50 m distance. Not for the fainthearted! But the views were quite spectacular, and the further I went the more I was glad I’d done the walk. Really awesome canyon with so many different features. A warm day but certain sections had a really nice cool breeze blowing across. I’d taken far too much water (after running out at Cradle Mountain I wasn’t taking any chances). Natural steps everywhere, beautiful green trees growing through the rock, marks where the water had once flowed (which seemed downright impossible). Really worth the effort, and only took 2 hours. Back to the car and onto Uluru, stopping for fuel and to check the oil – all good! 70kms from the turn off and I came across an accident, with a vehicle on its roof, well sort of, as the roof was actually separated from the van. Two Asians had both walked out of the car, and a family was hanging around to help them. It was an awful sight and they were so lucky to have gotten out, as I never saw a police car before I turned off towards Uluru. So I drove on, cursing the sun for being so low, until I saw it, and it literally took my breath away. So much so I grabbed out the video camera (perhaps while I was still driving...) to shoot it. But it didn’t look like I imagined it to, and it wasn’t until further down the road I realised that was because it wasn’t. Uluru that is, it’s another great big rock sticking out of the ground - I went past the resort and then to the gates of Uluru to find out there is a park entry fee of $25 – what the hell? It did last for 3 days (fat lot of good that was going to do me!) but you just gotta lump it I guess. Paid the fees and saw the rock, and again gasped (still cursing the sun, although I think it had slowed down for me). I found the car park (I certainly wasn’t the only one there) and then a parking spot, grabbed my camera and tripod and went for a trek for the best viewing spot, which turned out to be right near where I’d parked (and very similar to the jigsaw puzzle I had). So I took way too many photos, and messed around with the exposure, and then offered the tripod to someone else to take their photos on. Oh, and somewhere along the line I found my phone, which I had dropped on my walk back from the end of the car park, thanks to a backpacker walking the other way. I tried to get photos of the rock with the stars but no such luck, so sometime after 9pm I headed out to find the campground, stopping to check with the police on the way. Got into the resort and found the petrol station (cheaper than Erldunda, not happy Jan!) and filled up before rolling into the caravan park, which was closed. A slow drive around to the back and I found a nice empty section near the ablution block. Got a message from Wayne about the cricket and found that on ABC radio (bonza) and then spent the next few hours cooking up spag bol, trying to take photos off the starts, having a shower and setting up my swag to sleep outside. It was very cool!
7 March
Awake just before 5.45am it was still pitch black and I decided I could afford to wait until my alarm went off. Unfortunately by 6am it was getting light, so an extra 15 minutes probably would have helped. Up and changed, threw the swag into George and had left by 6.20am. The sunrise was at 6.40am (apparently) so again I was trying to tell the sun to slow down. Through the checkpoint and around to the other side of the rock (which I hadn’t allowed for when considering time) where there were probably 100+ people already waiting, and getting quite light. Found a parking bay (way down the end) and trekked back with my tripod, video and camera. Past all the ‘tourists’ and to a quiet spot without much bush to interfere, just as the sun started poking it’s head up from behind us, casting it’s rays over the rock. Quite impressive, and the change in colour was quite astounding. I was there for quite a while (the second last car in the car park) before realising I could probably get a shot of the sun coming up over the back of the rock, so I hightailed it back to the car and around pas the visitors centre to get a shot just before it peaked it’s head over. Beautiful, best of both worlds! Back to the Visitors centre where I had breakfast and then headed over for a look. Changed my mind on the walk I was going to do and drove around to the Mala car park where the guided walk was taking place, but on overhearing part of it decided that I would be better off just doing the walk. So I set off, up nice and close and careful to avoid the sacred sections where you can’t take photos, which was quite a bit. Reading about the dreamtime stories of the aboriginals you could see in the rock how they can tell their story. Concerned about time I ran a couple of sections (it wasn’t far) and made the 10+ kms in just under 2 hours, which considering the stops for photos was OK. Back to George and off to Kata Tjuta which I figured I could afford a quick look of. About 7kms down the road I came across a broken down Ford and an aboriginal man trying to flag me down. Now for some unknown reason I decided that I should stop. I have never stopped for a broken down car before (car accidents, but not broken down cars) and after my recent run-in with the ‘locals’ I’m still have absolutely no idea what possessed me to slow down George and turn back around. I mean of all the places, the middle of the outback was not a good place for a single female to get out of her vehicle where there was probably no mobile service to help someone out. But I did, and wound down my window to find out what the problem was, thinking it may have overheated. No, flat battery (how do you get a flat battery when you’re driving the car???), although it was pretty broken English, and he wanted a jump start. Not particularly keen but now feeling obliged (was I the only one who had stopped, or come along this road today?) I turned around but realised I wasn’t going to be able to get off the road for him to jump start it, and not particularly wanting to leave George parked across the road I told him the jumper leads wouldn’t reach. Any water he asked, and I gave him a 1 ½ litre bottle of water I wouldn’t have drunk unless I was desperate (it was filled up for the windscreen wipers, and I don’t think it was drinkable) and ‘a sandwich’. I had a quick look, found some Rivita biscuits that had been open for a while and gave them to him (and realised later they could have had the tomatoes too, give them a bit of flavour as I would have to throw them out over the border.) I drove on, and made Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) lookout for some photos and decided against going around for a closer look in an effort to get going south. So out of the national park (with a quick stop to the check point to advise of the broken down car, so I didn’t feel quite so guilty) and refill of petrol in the resort. Thought I’d be smart and take some money out, but the card declined (strange?) so I paid cash. OK – here we come SA and Ceduna. Made a stop at Mt Connor for some photos just as a tour bus was leaving, which was good because I headed up the hill to overlook a salt lake and the real read dirt you expect to see in the outback. Not so good as they had stunk out the toilets though (perhaps they stunk before they got there...)and I realised I was missing yet another thong – probably from when I tried help that bloke out – damb it! Drove on, past the tree with the bottles and back to Erldunda, where I managed to sweet-talk my way into plugging into a power point so I could charge my phone (really to heat up my lunch!). So spag bol and back out I headed. Down the Stuart Highway and a lot of the big animals I’d been spotting were replaced with lizards and mice, although there was still the odd few horses and cows littering the road/countryside. Pulled into Kulger on the NT side of the border for fuel and got $50 worth. Went into pay, and they arse of a cashier (who was on the phone when I arrived and in no hurry to serve me) said their EFTPOS machine wasn’t working and I needed to pay in cash. I had close to the right amount, but I wasn’t going to tell him that (especially as my card had been declined earlier). Turns out the whole thing was his idea of a bad joke, and eventually he put my credit card through. So I left the Northern Territory with a very sour taste in my mouth, and that border couldn’t come quick enough. In fact I was so fuming I wasn’t even paying attention to the quality music that was on. Eventually I let it go, decided to leave it in the NT. That is a beautiful thing about long drives, it gives you a chance go get over feeling stressed/upset/frustrated before you get out of the car. The clouds had started to appear as I was leaving Kata Tjuta, and what had started as Simpson look-alikes were now getting bigger and darker, until eventually you could see the rain falling in the distance. Other than slowing down for toilet stops (and the cows crossing) I drove on until the sunset stopped me (and someone else) and I pulled over for more photos. On I drove again, finding the cricket on ABC and listening to Australia collapse similar to they way they had in the first test when I turned the radio on at Bon Bon. Concerned about roos after dusk I drove fairly carefully, however didn’t see an animal of any description (actually I think there may have been a mouse) until I reached Coober Pedy and found the caravan park at 9.45pm (they closed at 10pm.) What a drive! So I went into reception and decided to sleep underground on one of their ‘sites’. With no fridges I emptied the spag bol and yoghurt into a bag for him to refrigerate. Parking nice and close I headed down the ramp and underground. Cool! The floor was a gravelly substance and quite noisy to walk on, that and it was echoing underground. So I finally found a long corridor and plonked my swag in there. Over to the camp kitchen to cook up some soup, and listen to the backpackers try and decipher different words (what is the difference between a bloke, mate and a guy?) No hot water so I boiled the kettle to wash the dishes and played on the laptop while I ate. Then the rains started, so luckily I was in the middle of the room and only got a fine mist. Finished in there I headed back to George and decided a bit of a clean and sort out would be a good idea, so with port the only drinkable alcohol in the van I had a glass (or 2) of that while I listened to the cricket and cleaned up. It was 1am in the morning and I hadn’t thought to charge my ipod, so I headed to the bathroom for a shower and then my laptop to charge it while I did my legs. It was 2am before I made it into my swag, and listened to the echos of someone snoring before I drifted off to sleep.
Alarm at 6.45am and like normal I slept until 7.30, when someone else started up their car and left. Felt like I’d been run over by a truck, and then reversed back over again. Not hungry I couldn’t even be bothered looking for clothes, grabbing a tank top and shorts that were out. Gone by 7.50 and on my way to Coober Pedy. The 168kms were pretty smooth sailing, although I was glad I didn’t go any further in the dark. Arrived to the Port Adelaide truck entrance so stopped for photos and decided on breakfast aswell. Into town and to the visitors centre for some more paraphernalia and then back in the car, deciding that I wasn’t up to wandering around in the heat today, so would be much better off sitting and driving instead. Filled up, or pretty close to it with a dodgy pump, and on I went, stopping around noon needing a sleep. But once the aircon went off it got warm quick, so my nap was about 2 minutes with my eyes closed instead. Into the roadhouse for a cuppa tea (even though it was stinking hot) and some chips (as the longer I ate the more I’d stay awake) and back to the car for a red bull. Driving on and I seemed to be chewing through the diesel, either that or it was a long way off full, so I drove on another 80kms and stopped for more fuel - $1.54, and the attendant asked which way I was going – North I said – oh, into the wind then. And it dawned on me – not only was it hot, but I was driving straight into probably a Northerly wind, and running the air conditioner at the same time – poor George!!! Checked the tire pressure (I’d done the water and oil not long ago) and with the window down I set off for the border. Out with the tripod for a photo of the last state or territory to do in my Australia trip – awesome! But I tell you what, along with a new state came a thousand flies – they were everywhere! Back in, drinking hot water because it was warming up so much in the front. Next stop was a servo 200kms from Alice for a Frosty Fruit and Poweraide - $7.30 – ouch, but I didn’t care. Even the emu’s looked hot. Onwards, not having a clue about what time it was in the NT, I was due in to Alice just after 7pm (SA time). Made the last turn off, and with 7kms to go the oil light came on. CRAP!!! Pulled over, not sure whether to stop and fill it up or find a servo and do it there, or find accommodation and let poor George cool down a bit. Luckily while I was deliberating the oil light went off, so I slowly drove on, reaching the caravan park and checking in for the night, and lucky George started again when I went back out, with the oil light flicking on and off again. Into a site, power in and food into the camp kitchen fridge (as mine wasn’t coping all that well!). Opened him up for a look in the engine but so stinking hot I left it and went for a swim, in a warm pool – and found out later the air temp was still 37°c at 8.30pm. Back and onto the net (with the bugs) before heating the rest of the chicken stir-fry, having a shower (more bugs) and blogging, listening to us (hopefully) win the first game against the Saffas in the series. Bed at 11pm, with it hot and still, and still feeling very lightheaded, but with a win to our cricketers – onya Mitch!
3 March 2009
So I slept on and off, with the bugs and the drone of the fan until about 7.30am – real time as NT people say. Still not all quite there I sussed out my book and jumped on the net to work out accommodation for the next couple of nights. Dishes (which I had from a few days, and with beetroot juice everywhere), sort out the van and shower (because it was already over 30 degrees, if it happened to get below it last night). Out of the park by 9.30am and up to Anzac Hill for a quick look before heading to the info centre, but stopping at the Women’s Pioneer Museum, situated in the old prison, on the way. She was still opening up so I got a bit of a guided tour before reading all about the missionaries, conflict over whether to demolish or keep the gaol (obviously it was kept) and about the women who pioneered the outback. Very good, although I kinda skimmed through a lot of it. Then down to the Royal Fly Doctors Service, to read about John Flynn and his amazing forethought to set it up, and get a radio communication in operation (albeit using pedal power). We then saw a 10 minute flick and saw the control room for the Alice base, which covers 600km radius. It’s been over 5 years since they had a day without a service having to go out. Into town and checked out the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and got stuck chatting with Damien and Keith about a whole lot of stuff (including the Eagles v Adelaide game that was here on Friday – that the Eagles won!). 2pm and time for lunch so headed back to the caravan park (that was looking after my food in their fridge) and chicken sandwiches before taking off to the Telegraph Station and finding it set up in a whole heap of different buildings, and with lots of walking tracks, so decided to give it a miss. Back through town to the Araluen Arts Centre and a tour of indigenous artwork (including a heap by Albert Namatjira and his children and grandchildren) and a look at the Afghans and their camels, and the massive impact they had on developing the outback (including the mail runs, overland telegraph line and general exploration). Ran out of time (they closed at 4pm) so jumped in the car (phone call from mum – where are you gonna be on Thursday – ummm Uluru – WHAT???) and headed back to pick up my stuff from the caravan park and head to the backpackers. Checked in and time for a SWIM (43 degrees it had at least gotten to today) and got chatting to Simon from Melbourne. Sat by the pool and blogged, listening to a couple of guys on a didgeridoo and bongo drums. Just about to head in for another dip when a massive breeze came through out of nowhere! Showered and headed for dinner at the restaurant/bar at the front of the backpackers. Found myself a table amongst the tour groups and drank my wine. Was in at the bar when a guy found the same table and sat in the spot next to mine, also by himself, so we got chatting. Hans, from Denmark, was doing 4 months of NZ and Aus, and heading north to go barramundi fishing (although he couldn’t remember the name of the fish). So we got drinking (and I got him off the XXXX and onto James Squire) and we chatted until the 10.30pm shuttle bus into town arrived and he left, with me heading for an early night. Just quietly finishing my beer when Simon down at the other end of the table called me over, so I went and drank with him, Eddie, Karl (bar manager), Nick and a couple others. Well, my quiet night then went crazy, deciding to head into Bojangles, only to hear the finishing songs on the radio as we got into Karl’s car, so headed to his place instead. Karl’s housemate was there and couldn’t sleep, so he got up and the 5 of us sat talking and drinking (nice Margaret River red) and listening to music. Karl had some grappa which was bloody potent shit (and that is the only way to describe it!), and all being smokers they smoked inside. He had 4 dogs and a snake, and by the end of the night we had the snake out and around our shoulders – talk about firsts! We were there until about 3am when Simon called a cab and took us home, via the 24 hour servo (an experience in itself) while the cabbie sneezed his guts up (apparently didn’t like my perfume). We arrived home and still didn’t get to bed, chatting some more before Simon headed off about 4am with ‘If you’re up for some loving I’m in room 65’. Classy. I told Nick to knock on his door before I made it into the room.
4 March
8am and I was in no state to be leaving Alice today! Up to make breakfast for 8.30 (it was getting earlier and earlier!). Met Hans in there (did you have a nice early night he asked – pftt!). Laughed at the Swiss girl who decided to sample some chocolate topping (vegemite) and proceeded to spit it straight back up again. Offered Hans a lift to the Desert Wildlife Park, so we got ready and met at 9.30, after paying for an extra night. Were just in time to see the bird show, with everything from magpies (who apparently don’t swoop in the outback) to black breasted buzzards, tawny frogmouths and cockies. Wandered around the park, checking out the birds (beautiful black cockies) and the roo’s, reptiles and amphibians. flora and the mountains. Stopped for a drink and a nibble before going to the midday video. Left just on 1pm, stopping back at the art shop on the way back to book in for an session later. Back to my rooms for a quick check of the e-mail before heading back to the art shop. Keith took us through aboriginal art, the symbols, tribes, history of his people and their love of the land. There were definitely times Hans wasn’t sure what I’d got him into I’m sure! His drawings in the sand were amazing, the way they could imitate animals footprints in different ways. It was then our turn to tell our story, so we grabbed paint and paper and tried to create a story. We took a while to get started but once on a roll we did OK, both having our own unique painting and story, and Hans entertaining us with his questions – ‘how do you draw a boat/fish/drink, what colour should I paint this’. We finished our masterpieces and then took photos before heading back out to the car, well over 2 hours after we arrived and we were both really pleased to have gone. Time for a drive with lots of light still, so we took off out to Emily & Jessie Gap, which had aboriginal artwork. It also had flies, thousands of flies. To see the artwork we had to cross a raging river (hardly) so off with the shoes and we trekked out to take some photos and back into the car, along with about 50 flies. Same at the next stop until finally we decided we’d had enough of that and headed back. Arrived about 5.30 and I headed off for some internet and a shower, heading back to Toddy’s Bar just after 7pm for a drink before Hans arrived and we walked into town, seeing more white than black people to my surprise. Bojangles had a few tables of people eating, but we headed out the back and checked out the menu, both deciding to go with the barramundi, and Hans buying a bottle of Mad Fish as a thanks for driving him around. I got some garlic bread, and the whole lot was bloody delicious, with the fish done with the most amazing coating and cooked in paperbark. Unbelievably good. We finished and headed into the bar area, for some beers , dancing and a snake. Yes, apparently not only can you smoke in NT pubs you can bring your pet snake along too. Creepy, but kinda cool, and after getting some dutch courage last night I was all up for another hold, as creepy as it was. So we drank beer, talked, took photos of the snake and danced to the awesome music that they were playing. 2, no 3 jugs later and expecting the pub to shut around midnight they seemed to be cranking on. Phone call at 12.30 and I thought Simon might be up for coming out – wrong. By the time I made it outside so I could actually hear him I found out that George had been the subject of a break-in. My whole world then came crashing down, as I raced back inside to say goodbye to Hans and caught a taxi back to Toddys. I managed to keep it together for the drive, but on arriving I ran and cried my way through the carpark until I reached him and the open door. I wrenched it open (not a smart move) and the remainder of the glass that was in it fell to the floor. Luckily Simon found me then and I recovered a bit after discovering my laptop was still in the back of the car, and I had fortunately left my backpack with camera in the hostel room. Shaken but ok we went up to Eddie’s room for a relaxing cuppa and chat to calm my nerves. A phone call to the police who were supposedly on their way at 1.30pm and I found them not much later. Went through the events of the evening and what had looked like it had been touch/stolen. Made a statement and signed it, making sure I read the section at the bottom of the form (although for the life of me could not remember what it said afterwards). There were some randoms who had booked a room at Toddys but there was no key for them, so they ended up crashing in my room (with only 1 other person in there.). I moved George (which I probably shouldn’t have) next to the vehicle in the carpark so that no-one could be back in and said goodnight to Simon, who offered to come out if I heard anything else. Opened the window in the room and got on the internet, needing to do something. Chris had sent an e-mail through which was as usual hilarious so I replied to that until I was literally typing with my eyes closed and fell asleep without pushing the send button about 3.30am...
5 march
My alarm was set for 6.45 but on waking up and realising there wasn’t going to be a lot I could do until it got a bit later I drifted back to sleep. Around 8 I headed over to reception to let them know and then breakfast, in no mood for talking I grabbed my toast and cuppa and headed back to start making phone calls. Mum, insurance, mum, insurance, dad, windscreen pretty much filled up my next hour, along with slicing my knee when I tried to get the papers out of the back seat of the car. Finally got sorted, packed up and checked out by 10.30 and set off to have the window fixed. Dropped off George and was taken out to the Telegraph Station to have a look around. Some beautiful old buildings, the first of inland Australia in some cases. Made you appreciate the lengths they had to go to to connect themselves with the rest of Australia and the world! It also has the spring of Alice Springs. Finished just after noon (complete with frog in the dunny!) and called the repairers, but they had all gone to lunch so I had no option but to chill (and get some more rest). Picked up not long after 1pm paid the bill and headed off for an ipod. Kmart, Harvey Norman and Target where I bought a new shuffle, Subway and then Coles for some food. At some point I realised I could actually make headway on the drive tomorrow, and as I really didn’t want to stay in Alice that was what I did – set off at 5pm heading south, via the backpackers for my food and a thanks to Eddie for last night. The FM radio lasted a little bit before it had to go to AM, and thank goodness I hadn’t had to do that all trip! And then, tragedy struck – a little bird on the road decided it was going to play chicken with George, and lost. Only the second death this trip though, which wasn’t too bad. Made it to Erldunda where I booked into the caravan park and got a gorgeous sunset over the land. Finished off the subway and the leftover chicken in the fridge and spent the night trying to sort out my ipod.
6 March
8am I was up and it was time to get moving. Sorted out the ipod over breaky (because any music is better than no music!) and shower and when I was leaving around 9.30am I was the last one to go. Filled up with fuel (even asked another tour bus driver where the cheapest fuel would be on the way to the rock, and apparently it was here). Drive out to King Canyon was pretty uneventful, arriving there just before 1pm. Had some lunch, stocked up on water, packed my backpack and tried to work out how I’d be going for time, considering it was a 3 hour walk, so perhaps I could do it in 2 ½. That being ok I set off. Well the first section was definitely the hardest, where you climb 100m in about 50 m distance. Not for the fainthearted! But the views were quite spectacular, and the further I went the more I was glad I’d done the walk. Really awesome canyon with so many different features. A warm day but certain sections had a really nice cool breeze blowing across. I’d taken far too much water (after running out at Cradle Mountain I wasn’t taking any chances). Natural steps everywhere, beautiful green trees growing through the rock, marks where the water had once flowed (which seemed downright impossible). Really worth the effort, and only took 2 hours. Back to the car and onto Uluru, stopping for fuel and to check the oil – all good! 70kms from the turn off and I came across an accident, with a vehicle on its roof, well sort of, as the roof was actually separated from the van. Two Asians had both walked out of the car, and a family was hanging around to help them. It was an awful sight and they were so lucky to have gotten out, as I never saw a police car before I turned off towards Uluru. So I drove on, cursing the sun for being so low, until I saw it, and it literally took my breath away. So much so I grabbed out the video camera (perhaps while I was still driving...) to shoot it. But it didn’t look like I imagined it to, and it wasn’t until further down the road I realised that was because it wasn’t. Uluru that is, it’s another great big rock sticking out of the ground - I went past the resort and then to the gates of Uluru to find out there is a park entry fee of $25 – what the hell? It did last for 3 days (fat lot of good that was going to do me!) but you just gotta lump it I guess. Paid the fees and saw the rock, and again gasped (still cursing the sun, although I think it had slowed down for me). I found the car park (I certainly wasn’t the only one there) and then a parking spot, grabbed my camera and tripod and went for a trek for the best viewing spot, which turned out to be right near where I’d parked (and very similar to the jigsaw puzzle I had). So I took way too many photos, and messed around with the exposure, and then offered the tripod to someone else to take their photos on. Oh, and somewhere along the line I found my phone, which I had dropped on my walk back from the end of the car park, thanks to a backpacker walking the other way. I tried to get photos of the rock with the stars but no such luck, so sometime after 9pm I headed out to find the campground, stopping to check with the police on the way. Got into the resort and found the petrol station (cheaper than Erldunda, not happy Jan!) and filled up before rolling into the caravan park, which was closed. A slow drive around to the back and I found a nice empty section near the ablution block. Got a message from Wayne about the cricket and found that on ABC radio (bonza) and then spent the next few hours cooking up spag bol, trying to take photos off the starts, having a shower and setting up my swag to sleep outside. It was very cool!
7 March
Awake just before 5.45am it was still pitch black and I decided I could afford to wait until my alarm went off. Unfortunately by 6am it was getting light, so an extra 15 minutes probably would have helped. Up and changed, threw the swag into George and had left by 6.20am. The sunrise was at 6.40am (apparently) so again I was trying to tell the sun to slow down. Through the checkpoint and around to the other side of the rock (which I hadn’t allowed for when considering time) where there were probably 100+ people already waiting, and getting quite light. Found a parking bay (way down the end) and trekked back with my tripod, video and camera. Past all the ‘tourists’ and to a quiet spot without much bush to interfere, just as the sun started poking it’s head up from behind us, casting it’s rays over the rock. Quite impressive, and the change in colour was quite astounding. I was there for quite a while (the second last car in the car park) before realising I could probably get a shot of the sun coming up over the back of the rock, so I hightailed it back to the car and around pas the visitors centre to get a shot just before it peaked it’s head over. Beautiful, best of both worlds! Back to the Visitors centre where I had breakfast and then headed over for a look. Changed my mind on the walk I was going to do and drove around to the Mala car park where the guided walk was taking place, but on overhearing part of it decided that I would be better off just doing the walk. So I set off, up nice and close and careful to avoid the sacred sections where you can’t take photos, which was quite a bit. Reading about the dreamtime stories of the aboriginals you could see in the rock how they can tell their story. Concerned about time I ran a couple of sections (it wasn’t far) and made the 10+ kms in just under 2 hours, which considering the stops for photos was OK. Back to George and off to Kata Tjuta which I figured I could afford a quick look of. About 7kms down the road I came across a broken down Ford and an aboriginal man trying to flag me down. Now for some unknown reason I decided that I should stop. I have never stopped for a broken down car before (car accidents, but not broken down cars) and after my recent run-in with the ‘locals’ I’m still have absolutely no idea what possessed me to slow down George and turn back around. I mean of all the places, the middle of the outback was not a good place for a single female to get out of her vehicle where there was probably no mobile service to help someone out. But I did, and wound down my window to find out what the problem was, thinking it may have overheated. No, flat battery (how do you get a flat battery when you’re driving the car???), although it was pretty broken English, and he wanted a jump start. Not particularly keen but now feeling obliged (was I the only one who had stopped, or come along this road today?) I turned around but realised I wasn’t going to be able to get off the road for him to jump start it, and not particularly wanting to leave George parked across the road I told him the jumper leads wouldn’t reach. Any water he asked, and I gave him a 1 ½ litre bottle of water I wouldn’t have drunk unless I was desperate (it was filled up for the windscreen wipers, and I don’t think it was drinkable) and ‘a sandwich’. I had a quick look, found some Rivita biscuits that had been open for a while and gave them to him (and realised later they could have had the tomatoes too, give them a bit of flavour as I would have to throw them out over the border.) I drove on, and made Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) lookout for some photos and decided against going around for a closer look in an effort to get going south. So out of the national park (with a quick stop to the check point to advise of the broken down car, so I didn’t feel quite so guilty) and refill of petrol in the resort. Thought I’d be smart and take some money out, but the card declined (strange?) so I paid cash. OK – here we come SA and Ceduna. Made a stop at Mt Connor for some photos just as a tour bus was leaving, which was good because I headed up the hill to overlook a salt lake and the real read dirt you expect to see in the outback. Not so good as they had stunk out the toilets though (perhaps they stunk before they got there...)and I realised I was missing yet another thong – probably from when I tried help that bloke out – damb it! Drove on, past the tree with the bottles and back to Erldunda, where I managed to sweet-talk my way into plugging into a power point so I could charge my phone (really to heat up my lunch!). So spag bol and back out I headed. Down the Stuart Highway and a lot of the big animals I’d been spotting were replaced with lizards and mice, although there was still the odd few horses and cows littering the road/countryside. Pulled into Kulger on the NT side of the border for fuel and got $50 worth. Went into pay, and they arse of a cashier (who was on the phone when I arrived and in no hurry to serve me) said their EFTPOS machine wasn’t working and I needed to pay in cash. I had close to the right amount, but I wasn’t going to tell him that (especially as my card had been declined earlier). Turns out the whole thing was his idea of a bad joke, and eventually he put my credit card through. So I left the Northern Territory with a very sour taste in my mouth, and that border couldn’t come quick enough. In fact I was so fuming I wasn’t even paying attention to the quality music that was on. Eventually I let it go, decided to leave it in the NT. That is a beautiful thing about long drives, it gives you a chance go get over feeling stressed/upset/frustrated before you get out of the car. The clouds had started to appear as I was leaving Kata Tjuta, and what had started as Simpson look-alikes were now getting bigger and darker, until eventually you could see the rain falling in the distance. Other than slowing down for toilet stops (and the cows crossing) I drove on until the sunset stopped me (and someone else) and I pulled over for more photos. On I drove again, finding the cricket on ABC and listening to Australia collapse similar to they way they had in the first test when I turned the radio on at Bon Bon. Concerned about roos after dusk I drove fairly carefully, however didn’t see an animal of any description (actually I think there may have been a mouse) until I reached Coober Pedy and found the caravan park at 9.45pm (they closed at 10pm.) What a drive! So I went into reception and decided to sleep underground on one of their ‘sites’. With no fridges I emptied the spag bol and yoghurt into a bag for him to refrigerate. Parking nice and close I headed down the ramp and underground. Cool! The floor was a gravelly substance and quite noisy to walk on, that and it was echoing underground. So I finally found a long corridor and plonked my swag in there. Over to the camp kitchen to cook up some soup, and listen to the backpackers try and decipher different words (what is the difference between a bloke, mate and a guy?) No hot water so I boiled the kettle to wash the dishes and played on the laptop while I ate. Then the rains started, so luckily I was in the middle of the room and only got a fine mist. Finished in there I headed back to George and decided a bit of a clean and sort out would be a good idea, so with port the only drinkable alcohol in the van I had a glass (or 2) of that while I listened to the cricket and cleaned up. It was 1am in the morning and I hadn’t thought to charge my ipod, so I headed to the bathroom for a shower and then my laptop to charge it while I did my legs. It was 2am before I made it into my swag, and listened to the echos of someone snoring before I drifted off to sleep.
On the 'Fringe' - Adelaide
27 February
Down to the beach for a run and a swim. Amazing, absolutely
beautiful. Lots of people out and about, but not many in the water. Swim was so nice, and no stingers in sight. Back to George and it was time for breakfast. Internet and a shower, filled the van with water (may well need that in the next week) and headed off just before midday, slightly overstaying my welcome (as my code wouldn’t open the gate). Time to head to Adelaide, past Noarlunga (where I stopped on the waterfront and ate lunch). Arrived in Adelaide just before 2pm, getting a phone call from Scotty and organising some 
socializing Saturday night. Took a while to find parking, before getting a 30 minute spot and filling in some cards before heading to the visitors centre to sort out accommodation and diving on the ex-HMAS Hobart (and checking the website...). Back to the van it was rather warm so made some phone calls and found a backpackers. Need to kill 3 hours though, so out to Adelaide Oval, and home to Sir Don Bradman. Managed to find some internet before heading into the oval and the Don Bradman Museum –very interesting. Have you tried to hit a golf ball with a cricket wicket against a corrugated water tank? I headed for a walk around the oval, stopping to watch the game that was on, enjoying the sun and the grass. Left just before 5.30pm 
and headed for the backpackers, checked in and organised some dinner. Got changed and headed back downstairs for a drink before a whole group of us headed off to the Fringe Festival Opening down the streets of Adelaide. There were people everywhere – it was bloody amazing! We missed the first couple of floats but there were plenty more to come, all giving out brochures and wristbands, rulers and balloons. The kids were loving it, and the adults didn’t mind it either. Loads of colour and music it was really very good. We followed the last of the float down towards Rundle St where the stage and food stalls were set up. I decided to go for a walk for some food (God only knows why I was hungry) and had to squeeze my way past people for probably 300m! It was ridiculous – half of Adelaide must have been there! Past the street performers I decided on Hungry Jacks, with no idea why, and then went with a meal deal that came with a sundae – how very very naughty! Read the paper while I ate before deciding on an early night before diving tomorrow and found my way home. Crawled in upstairs and blogged until probably midnight.
1 March – Cousin Stev’s birthday
Awake at 8.30 threw myself into the shower. Back to pack up my stuff and check out, getting into trouble with reception. Rang Scotty, setting the GPS for his place and arriving around 10.30am. Had a cuppa (which I so needed) and stayed a bit longer than expected, leaving just after midday. Petrol and a magic chicken pie and I was off. Struggled for a bit, eventually pulling over about 60kms from Port Augusta and had a nap. Ding
Dong was my phone getting a message from Troy. My powernap was almost 20 minutes, which was good. Into Port Augusta (which looked completely different to how I’d remembered it) and a stop at Coles for some food before petrol on the way out of town, which should get me all the way to Coober Pedy at 550kms. The drive was good, making a couple of stops for photos and wildlife, which was amazing. 
Cows, sheep, 2 emus (that were running rather fast) and the highlight being a heap of wedge tail eagles, probably 6 in total. Very cool. Odd spots of rain along the way were interesting, along with how green everything was – in fact, it’s probably the greenest country I’ve seen since some parts of Tassie (or Wilson’s Prom!). Turned the ipod off and found the cricket, and then lost 4 wickets in 3 overs! With it getting dark I pulled into the rest-stop about 168kms from Coober Pedy at 8.30pm, with the sky’s dark about 10 minutes later. Chicken breast and salad for dinner, clean up the van and sort myself out. Blogged until the computer died, asleep by 11pm with a lovely breeze blowing through the windows.
Down to the beach for a run and a swim. Amazing, absolutely
beautiful. Lots of people out and about, but not many in the water. Swim was so nice, and no stingers in sight. Back to George and it was time for breakfast. Internet and a shower, filled the van with water (may well need that in the next week) and headed off just before midday, slightly overstaying my welcome (as my code wouldn’t open the gate). Time to head to Adelaide, past Noarlunga (where I stopped on the waterfront and ate lunch). Arrived in Adelaide just before 2pm, getting a phone call from Scotty and organising some 
socializing Saturday night. Took a while to find parking, before getting a 30 minute spot and filling in some cards before heading to the visitors centre to sort out accommodation and diving on the ex-HMAS Hobart (and checking the website...). Back to the van it was rather warm so made some phone calls and found a backpackers. Need to kill 3 hours though, so out to Adelaide Oval, and home to Sir Don Bradman. Managed to find some internet before heading into the oval and the Don Bradman Museum –very interesting. Have you tried to hit a golf ball with a cricket wicket against a corrugated water tank? I headed for a walk around the oval, stopping to watch the game that was on, enjoying the sun and the grass. Left just before 5.30pm 
and headed for the backpackers, checked in and organised some dinner. Got changed and headed back downstairs for a drink before a whole group of us headed off to the Fringe Festival Opening down the streets of Adelaide. There were people everywhere – it was bloody amazing! We missed the first couple of floats but there were plenty more to come, all giving out brochures and wristbands, rulers and balloons. The kids were loving it, and the adults didn’t mind it either. Loads of colour and music it was really very good. We followed the last of the float down towards Rundle St where the stage and food stalls were set up. I decided to go for a walk for some food (God only knows why I was hungry) and had to squeeze my way past people for probably 300m! It was ridiculous – half of Adelaide must have been there! Past the street performers I decided on Hungry Jacks, with no idea why, and then went with a meal deal that came with a sundae – how very very naughty! Read the paper while I ate before deciding on an early night before diving tomorrow and found my way home. Crawled in upstairs and blogged until probably midnight. 28 February – Clarky’s birthday
Up early for a quick shower, breakfast and then sort out the van a bit. Phone call about 9am to the dive shop to get directions, leaving a message, but when she rang back just after 9 and asked if I’d left already because it would take between 1 ½ and 2 hours to get there. Pftt – no worries. Finished on the net and left about 9.20am, realizing when I plugged in the address I was going to be cutting it very fine. Off I went, through road works and detours, having to make a quick pit stop about 45 minutes away. Found the turnoff, and the marina, arriving just before 11am – beautiful! Gear sorted, half a sea sick tablet and at 11.30 we were off, across beautiful flat water with gorgeous cliffs. Arrived and took ages to get onto the buoy, and then sat and waited for the current to die down a bit, and became very thankful I’d taken that half tablet! Pre-dive brief (which considering how lax they were with paperwork was quite thorough) and the four of us were in the water – glad to be wet! Down we dropped to the beautiful ex-HMAS Hobart. Absolutely glorious dive (except that one of the girls didn’t want to go into the engine room, so we spent some time sitting there before heading out). Massive pink snapper, sweep, big flathead and just the beauty of a magnificent ship. Into the captains room and up onto the birds nest before our safety stop. Really really cool – best dive since the GBR. Back into the boat and it was time for lunch – sausage sizzle (so tomato sauce on bread for me) before a drive into Rapid Bay to sit a bit longer around the jetties before heading back in for dive 2. Hoping for weedy or leafy sea dragons we were disappointed, but did manage a nudibranch and a couple of impressive squid. Following the DM around and all of a sudden there was someone behind me – no there wasn’t. Oh wait – bloody fishing line, and they were yanking away. Grabbed the line trying to get them to ease off but they kept yanking until I snapped it. Plop. Trying to get the hooks out and I now had hooks in my camera strap – the second plop. Crap!!! Trying to break the line (and seriously worried that I was going to shoot to the surface – great way to get the bends after a 30 metre dive!) and I swam my way over to a pylon and realized that although I was blowing out copious amount of air I had kept my depth, but couldn’t hold onto the pylon and break the line with my left hand. Eventually one of the Spanish guys with us came over and snapped it (our DM had disappeared) and then tried to unhook the line in my leg until I passed him my knife (and that is definitely not a knife...) and cut the extra hooks off, just leaving one in my leg and one embedded in the camera strap. DM came back, and we headed off again, him knowing none the wiser. We searched for the sea dragons but no luck, and I was getting cold and no longer interested in being down, so around the 50 minute mark was glad he signalled return to the boat. Onboard and the skipper got his pliers out and cut me free! Waited for the last two to return before heading back along the beautiful coast, arriving just after 4.15pm (over an hour later than I’d been told we would.) Pack up the gear, quick rinse out and exchanging phone numbers with Dave who was going to be in Perth in May before I sped off, at 4.45pm and needing to be back for 6 – never going to happen. Arrived and got my gear organised and then the quickest shower, change, makeup, hair ever had be back down at George 20 minutes later – nothing like being under pressure. Sorting out a couple of things when this bright orange Chevy pulls up – Troy, my date for the night (and Scotty’s nephew). Wow – talked about impressed!!! Troy took me for a cruise (and I felt like royalty, with everyone looking and cheering or tooting) as we drove from Glenelg, West Beach, Semaphore and up to Port Adelaide, with the sun setting over the water. Bloody awesome. Stopped at the club (there weren’t many) before we left for wok in a box and a beer back at his place while we waited for his mate Anthony. Watched Sister Act 2 (always good for a light hearted flick) before Anthony arrived (and backed into the gate) along with the taxi. Headed into town to Hotel Tivoli where Anthony’s friend was having birthday drinks and stayed until they kicked us out around midnight. We then headed for the casino, but made it into the Swish Bar first, having a couple of drinks and a bit of a dance before heading off again, this time into a nightclub ($5 cover charge) and more drinks.... and by this time I was seriously regretting drinking wine. Switched back to beer but it was too late, with the following details becoming very blury, like when Troy left or how I got back to the backpackers – although I think it was by taxi. Somehow made it up the stairs, thankful I was on the bottom bunk!!!
Up early for a quick shower, breakfast and then sort out the van a bit. Phone call about 9am to the dive shop to get directions, leaving a message, but when she rang back just after 9 and asked if I’d left already because it would take between 1 ½ and 2 hours to get there. Pftt – no worries. Finished on the net and left about 9.20am, realizing when I plugged in the address I was going to be cutting it very fine. Off I went, through road works and detours, having to make a quick pit stop about 45 minutes away. Found the turnoff, and the marina, arriving just before 11am – beautiful! Gear sorted, half a sea sick tablet and at 11.30 we were off, across beautiful flat water with gorgeous cliffs. Arrived and took ages to get onto the buoy, and then sat and waited for the current to die down a bit, and became very thankful I’d taken that half tablet! Pre-dive brief (which considering how lax they were with paperwork was quite thorough) and the four of us were in the water – glad to be wet! Down we dropped to the beautiful ex-HMAS Hobart. Absolutely glorious dive (except that one of the girls didn’t want to go into the engine room, so we spent some time sitting there before heading out). Massive pink snapper, sweep, big flathead and just the beauty of a magnificent ship. Into the captains room and up onto the birds nest before our safety stop. Really really cool – best dive since the GBR. Back into the boat and it was time for lunch – sausage sizzle (so tomato sauce on bread for me) before a drive into Rapid Bay to sit a bit longer around the jetties before heading back in for dive 2. Hoping for weedy or leafy sea dragons we were disappointed, but did manage a nudibranch and a couple of impressive squid. Following the DM around and all of a sudden there was someone behind me – no there wasn’t. Oh wait – bloody fishing line, and they were yanking away. Grabbed the line trying to get them to ease off but they kept yanking until I snapped it. Plop. Trying to get the hooks out and I now had hooks in my camera strap – the second plop. Crap!!! Trying to break the line (and seriously worried that I was going to shoot to the surface – great way to get the bends after a 30 metre dive!) and I swam my way over to a pylon and realized that although I was blowing out copious amount of air I had kept my depth, but couldn’t hold onto the pylon and break the line with my left hand. Eventually one of the Spanish guys with us came over and snapped it (our DM had disappeared) and then tried to unhook the line in my leg until I passed him my knife (and that is definitely not a knife...) and cut the extra hooks off, just leaving one in my leg and one embedded in the camera strap. DM came back, and we headed off again, him knowing none the wiser. We searched for the sea dragons but no luck, and I was getting cold and no longer interested in being down, so around the 50 minute mark was glad he signalled return to the boat. Onboard and the skipper got his pliers out and cut me free! Waited for the last two to return before heading back along the beautiful coast, arriving just after 4.15pm (over an hour later than I’d been told we would.) Pack up the gear, quick rinse out and exchanging phone numbers with Dave who was going to be in Perth in May before I sped off, at 4.45pm and needing to be back for 6 – never going to happen. Arrived and got my gear organised and then the quickest shower, change, makeup, hair ever had be back down at George 20 minutes later – nothing like being under pressure. Sorting out a couple of things when this bright orange Chevy pulls up – Troy, my date for the night (and Scotty’s nephew). Wow – talked about impressed!!! Troy took me for a cruise (and I felt like royalty, with everyone looking and cheering or tooting) as we drove from Glenelg, West Beach, Semaphore and up to Port Adelaide, with the sun setting over the water. Bloody awesome. Stopped at the club (there weren’t many) before we left for wok in a box and a beer back at his place while we waited for his mate Anthony. Watched Sister Act 2 (always good for a light hearted flick) before Anthony arrived (and backed into the gate) along with the taxi. Headed into town to Hotel Tivoli where Anthony’s friend was having birthday drinks and stayed until they kicked us out around midnight. We then headed for the casino, but made it into the Swish Bar first, having a couple of drinks and a bit of a dance before heading off again, this time into a nightclub ($5 cover charge) and more drinks.... and by this time I was seriously regretting drinking wine. Switched back to beer but it was too late, with the following details becoming very blury, like when Troy left or how I got back to the backpackers – although I think it was by taxi. Somehow made it up the stairs, thankful I was on the bottom bunk!!!
1 March – Cousin Stev’s birthday
Awake at 8.30 threw myself into the shower. Back to pack up my stuff and check out, getting into trouble with reception. Rang Scotty, setting the GPS for his place and arriving around 10.30am. Had a cuppa (which I so needed) and stayed a bit longer than expected, leaving just after midday. Petrol and a magic chicken pie and I was off. Struggled for a bit, eventually pulling over about 60kms from Port Augusta and had a nap. Ding
Dong was my phone getting a message from Troy. My powernap was almost 20 minutes, which was good. Into Port Augusta (which looked completely different to how I’d remembered it) and a stop at Coles for some food before petrol on the way out of town, which should get me all the way to Coober Pedy at 550kms. The drive was good, making a couple of stops for photos and wildlife, which was amazing. 
Cows, sheep, 2 emus (that were running rather fast) and the highlight being a heap of wedge tail eagles, probably 6 in total. Very cool. Odd spots of rain along the way were interesting, along with how green everything was – in fact, it’s probably the greenest country I’ve seen since some parts of Tassie (or Wilson’s Prom!). Turned the ipod off and found the cricket, and then lost 4 wickets in 3 overs! With it getting dark I pulled into the rest-stop about 168kms from Coober Pedy at 8.30pm, with the sky’s dark about 10 minutes later. Chicken breast and salad for dinner, clean up the van and sort myself out. Blogged until the computer died, asleep by 11pm with a lovely breeze blowing through the windows.Lakes, Caves, and 'the other Red Centre'
23 February – Monday 5 weeks til work!!!!!!
6.30am and I woke up kinda cold. Put a long sleave top on, but then I sorta
felt like I had to go to the toilet.... could I deal with it for an hour or so... no I decided, so I got up. Back to bed and slept in til nearly 9am, rolled over and woke at 9.45am – that wasn’t on the cards!!! Luckily in my favour was I was still in Vic time, so it was really 9.15am, but still, the run I’d intended wasn’t seeming likely. Breakfast, pack up the van, no chance of a run, shower, boil some water, out of 
the park by 11.15am, no 10.45am. Into town (there wasn’t much of it) for some photos (the mural, court house and German bomb) and a bit of a walk before there was a sun shower (with really big drops of rain) so I headed back to the car. Out to Mount Gambier, and past yet another volcano, which it turned out I should have stopped at, being the most recent to erupt in Australia. Oh well. Off to the Centenary Castle, which was up a nice steep hill, and got distracted from the view talking to a couple from Sydney.. and then a voice from the castle boomed out, wanting to know if we wanted any information on the area. He was on smoke patrol, making sure there were no fires. So he told us about the lake, and that there’s been no water in a couple of them for 20 years, and the fires of Ash Wednesday burnt $20 million dollars worth of pine plantation, hence the reason they pay him to keep watch. Wandered down the hill, chatting with the couple who’d done WA and were on their way to the Great Ocean Road, 
so gave them a couple of tips, had a good laugh and said goodbye. Went for a walk through the wildlife sanctuary (and saw none with the weather) and then stopped at the Blue Lake, which was really blue, and wished the sun had been out for better photos. Into town and the visitors centre to find a post office, laughing at the sign that they were open from 9 til 5pm SA time (what other time would they go by???). Post office, grocers (with the slowest checkout chick), Coles, back to the grocers (where another cashier saved me from going insane waiting), petrol and out of town, trying to make Coonawarra and the wineries before they shut for the day. Arrived at Coonawarra Wines with 15 minutes to spare, and sampled their Jamison’s Run and Penfolds Port (yummo) and found two other wineries open past 5pm – score! Onto The Poplars, who did wine and cheese! Selected a few to sample (and bought the merlot) and loved their cheeses but resisted temptation (however bought a melting moment when I paid for the merlot). Tossed a coin to decide whether to head back to Penola or onto Naracoorte and heads won so I went right. Arrived at the campsite near the Naracoorte Caves and found really nice facilities and powered site – awesome! Time for some more wine, quick internet and cook tacos for dinner. All done by 9.30pm I blogged and facebooked until 11.30pm, deciding on an early night! Oh, and that was all in Vic time too!
6.30am and I woke up kinda cold. Put a long sleave top on, but then I sorta
felt like I had to go to the toilet.... could I deal with it for an hour or so... no I decided, so I got up. Back to bed and slept in til nearly 9am, rolled over and woke at 9.45am – that wasn’t on the cards!!! Luckily in my favour was I was still in Vic time, so it was really 9.15am, but still, the run I’d intended wasn’t seeming likely. Breakfast, pack up the van, no chance of a run, shower, boil some water, out of 
the park by 11.15am, no 10.45am. Into town (there wasn’t much of it) for some photos (the mural, court house and German bomb) and a bit of a walk before there was a sun shower (with really big drops of rain) so I headed back to the car. Out to Mount Gambier, and past yet another volcano, which it turned out I should have stopped at, being the most recent to erupt in Australia. Oh well. Off to the Centenary Castle, which was up a nice steep hill, and got distracted from the view talking to a couple from Sydney.. and then a voice from the castle boomed out, wanting to know if we wanted any information on the area. He was on smoke patrol, making sure there were no fires. So he told us about the lake, and that there’s been no water in a couple of them for 20 years, and the fires of Ash Wednesday burnt $20 million dollars worth of pine plantation, hence the reason they pay him to keep watch. Wandered down the hill, chatting with the couple who’d done WA and were on their way to the Great Ocean Road, 
so gave them a couple of tips, had a good laugh and said goodbye. Went for a walk through the wildlife sanctuary (and saw none with the weather) and then stopped at the Blue Lake, which was really blue, and wished the sun had been out for better photos. Into town and the visitors centre to find a post office, laughing at the sign that they were open from 9 til 5pm SA time (what other time would they go by???). Post office, grocers (with the slowest checkout chick), Coles, back to the grocers (where another cashier saved me from going insane waiting), petrol and out of town, trying to make Coonawarra and the wineries before they shut for the day. Arrived at Coonawarra Wines with 15 minutes to spare, and sampled their Jamison’s Run and Penfolds Port (yummo) and found two other wineries open past 5pm – score! Onto The Poplars, who did wine and cheese! Selected a few to sample (and bought the merlot) and loved their cheeses but resisted temptation (however bought a melting moment when I paid for the merlot). Tossed a coin to decide whether to head back to Penola or onto Naracoorte and heads won so I went right. Arrived at the campsite near the Naracoorte Caves and found really nice facilities and powered site – awesome! Time for some more wine, quick internet and cook tacos for dinner. All done by 9.30pm I blogged and facebooked until 11.30pm, deciding on an early night! Oh, and that was all in Vic time too!24 February
So 6.30ish and I woke up cold... what’s the saying, an idiot is someone who does the same thing
an expecting a different result? So I grabbed my long sleeve shirt (again) and after lying there for about 15 minutes decided that I may as well get up and go to the bathroom, and then realised it was actually half an hour earlier, when I saw the sun coming up. So camera out, made my bed, procrastinated about going for this run until eventually I did... sorta. Made it as far as the Caves (a kilometre and a half maybe?) when I stopped to read the info and find out opening times. Headed back along the track to the campsite, which had be back about 8.30 (not even half an hour). Stretch, breakfast, shower and then sort out some photos before getting to the caves entrance just before 9.30am, which is when the first tour left. Bonza. So underground we went, checking out a few fossils 
and more cave formations. Then it was down the road to Victoria Fossil Cave, which was very similar until we got to the actual fossils, which were very, very cool. Extinct animals that they had pieced back together and had to establish what they were. Very interesting!!! Out of the cave and a quick swing past the campground (where they were emptying the bins) so I drove back to the caves entry and did the Wet Cave, racing through it. Back to the campground (for power and water) to cook up lunch (the rest of the tacos) before doing the dishes (so hopefully the van would stop smelling like Mexican) and took off, through Naracoorte and then out to the coast to Robe, missing the turn off and having 
to do a U-turn, when all hell broke loose in the back with draws flying open. So I jumped out and threw the sliding door open, to crack my chopping board! Crap Crap Crap! On the road again, arriving at Robe just before 3pm. A quick look from the viewing platform, some photos on the waterfront and 
I was off, onto Kingston. The strangest lighthouse I had ever seen, until I read that it had been relocated, from the middle of the channel! A quick walk out on the jetty and then a chat to Clarky before setting off again, this time for the Coorong National Park, a 130km strip of coastline. I stopped to read about the Chinese immigrants who’d walked 800kms to the goldfields in the 1850’s hoping to strike it rich. So in the process of reading all about it there was a sign pointing off towards the ocean, pointing out the sand dunes. All right – let’s go for a walk down there. Bad idea. The path was more like tracks, and there were multiples of them. So eventually I decided all this was going to get me was lost and headed back, and found myself lost! So I took a stab at a direction and ended up at the salt lake – overshot it somewhere. Luckily I have a fairly good sense of direction, and knew if I followed the lake south I would eventually end up back at the road, if not finding the path beforehand. So I walked for a bit before tracking back through the bush and came out about 75 metres down the path from where George was. A bit more of the track before heading back and taking off, finding out at Salt Creek that the first mine for oil was in South Australia (although it wasn’t actually oil) and kept driving. Stopping at the photograph points and then Jacks Point, which overlooks the pelican breeding islands. I was now racing time (which I was still half an hour out by) to get somewhere before dark (although on the long straight roads it was unlikely to be a whole lotta wildlife) and petrol (as I had done 450kms since Warrnambool). So I had to keep at 100 clicks, for fuel consumption – the much more important factor (I could drive all night if I needed to, that would however be fuel dependant!). Made Wellington without the red light coming on and knew with 35 odd kms to go I’d be ok. Then had to cross the river, which I assumed would be by a bridge, however a free ferry was waiting to take us across so the truck in front of me and I got straight on – magic! With the sun setting fast I was off again, red light now on. 12kms out from Strathalbyn came across a stop with a toilet, and half a dozen vehicles that were set up for the night, so decided that was the go. Pulled in, had spaghetti toasted sandwiches in the fry pan for dinner (with the rest of the bottle of red) and sent e-mails, blogged and updated my ipod again (it’ll be a cracker by the time I’m ready to go home). Bed at 11.30 (11pm) and vowing to fix the clocks tomorrow!
So 6.30ish and I woke up cold... what’s the saying, an idiot is someone who does the same thing
an expecting a different result? So I grabbed my long sleeve shirt (again) and after lying there for about 15 minutes decided that I may as well get up and go to the bathroom, and then realised it was actually half an hour earlier, when I saw the sun coming up. So camera out, made my bed, procrastinated about going for this run until eventually I did... sorta. Made it as far as the Caves (a kilometre and a half maybe?) when I stopped to read the info and find out opening times. Headed back along the track to the campsite, which had be back about 8.30 (not even half an hour). Stretch, breakfast, shower and then sort out some photos before getting to the caves entrance just before 9.30am, which is when the first tour left. Bonza. So underground we went, checking out a few fossils 
and more cave formations. Then it was down the road to Victoria Fossil Cave, which was very similar until we got to the actual fossils, which were very, very cool. Extinct animals that they had pieced back together and had to establish what they were. Very interesting!!! Out of the cave and a quick swing past the campground (where they were emptying the bins) so I drove back to the caves entry and did the Wet Cave, racing through it. Back to the campground (for power and water) to cook up lunch (the rest of the tacos) before doing the dishes (so hopefully the van would stop smelling like Mexican) and took off, through Naracoorte and then out to the coast to Robe, missing the turn off and having 
to do a U-turn, when all hell broke loose in the back with draws flying open. So I jumped out and threw the sliding door open, to crack my chopping board! Crap Crap Crap! On the road again, arriving at Robe just before 3pm. A quick look from the viewing platform, some photos on the waterfront and 
I was off, onto Kingston. The strangest lighthouse I had ever seen, until I read that it had been relocated, from the middle of the channel! A quick walk out on the jetty and then a chat to Clarky before setting off again, this time for the Coorong National Park, a 130km strip of coastline. I stopped to read about the Chinese immigrants who’d walked 800kms to the goldfields in the 1850’s hoping to strike it rich. So in the process of reading all about it there was a sign pointing off towards the ocean, pointing out the sand dunes. All right – let’s go for a walk down there. Bad idea. The path was more like tracks, and there were multiples of them. So eventually I decided all this was going to get me was lost and headed back, and found myself lost! So I took a stab at a direction and ended up at the salt lake – overshot it somewhere. Luckily I have a fairly good sense of direction, and knew if I followed the lake south I would eventually end up back at the road, if not finding the path beforehand. So I walked for a bit before tracking back through the bush and came out about 75 metres down the path from where George was. A bit more of the track before heading back and taking off, finding out at Salt Creek that the first mine for oil was in South Australia (although it wasn’t actually oil) and kept driving. Stopping at the photograph points and then Jacks Point, which overlooks the pelican breeding islands. I was now racing time (which I was still half an hour out by) to get somewhere before dark (although on the long straight roads it was unlikely to be a whole lotta wildlife) and petrol (as I had done 450kms since Warrnambool). So I had to keep at 100 clicks, for fuel consumption – the much more important factor (I could drive all night if I needed to, that would however be fuel dependant!). Made Wellington without the red light coming on and knew with 35 odd kms to go I’d be ok. Then had to cross the river, which I assumed would be by a bridge, however a free ferry was waiting to take us across so the truck in front of me and I got straight on – magic! With the sun setting fast I was off again, red light now on. 12kms out from Strathalbyn came across a stop with a toilet, and half a dozen vehicles that were set up for the night, so decided that was the go. Pulled in, had spaghetti toasted sandwiches in the fry pan for dinner (with the rest of the bottle of red) and sent e-mails, blogged and updated my ipod again (it’ll be a cracker by the time I’m ready to go home). Bed at 11.30 (11pm) and vowing to fix the clocks tomorrow!25th February
4.30am and I was prepared with my warm clothes, so not much messing around before I was back asleep... too asleep, as 7.30 and then 9.15 rocked around. Crap! Decided it was time to change my clocks (gain back that half hour) so it was then only 8.45am. The other 6 vehicles were still there, so I didn’t feel quite so bad. Driving out by 9.30am and into town where I got petrol (yay) and paid a visit to the visitors centre. Pointed out where to go, and said you could basically avoid driving around the bottom point unless you were going to Kangaroo Island – excellent! A quick trip down High Street and onto Goolwa, where the Murray River hits the
ocean. Through town and over the bridge to the river mouth, which they are dredging because of the lack of water, to keep the Coorong alive. Back out to the Marina, where I decided to treat myself to a cuppa... and cake – carrot cake (so there’s vegies in it, so it can’t be that bad right? Pitty about the cream....) and looked out over the harbour. Back to the car and over the bridge, stopping for a quick pic before heading to the beach, but without knowing which way to go I decided to follow the car infront... towing a boat. Not a bad theory, except the boat ramp was quite a way away, and the strip of land between the river and the ocean was probably at its widest point where I tried to cross it, on a very narrow make-shift path. So I trudged through the hills and eventually made it to the beach, which was beautiful, reminded me of Bremmer, white sand and miles wide. Lots of waves rolling in though. Back through the sand and George and I set off for Victor Harbour, arriving just after 2pm. Into the visitors centre, and then on the internet for a bit (which turned into an hour) but I did manage to book my flights to Melbourne – yee haa! Quick sandwich before jumping on the 3.20pm horse drawn tram, the only one still operating in the world. 
So Jock (the horse) took us over to Granite Island, probably at walking pace, but it was rather enjoyable. We arrived and I spotted icecreams... and was naughty enough to buy one, which was rather delicious. It was then up the steps (to work off the icecream) and do the loop around the island. Walked back across the bridge, stopping for photos as Jock went back past (posing as he did). 4.40pm and I headed over to the Maritime Museum, which was to close at 5pm, but the lovely lady said I could go through for a quick look, and it 
was really good (although sad with the declining numbers, increasing water temperature, melting polarcaps.....). Time to head north, and the caravan park at Brighton looked like the go. Except that they close early, and it was 6.30pm before I got there, so I was then headed to Belair instead, but they closed at 7pm, so I screamed out, grazing a bird on my way (which the council boys in their truck thought was amusing). Checked in (which took a while as the lady was learning) before ducking to Coles and making some calls to those folk in Adelaide to say Hi. Back to the park, chicken stirfry (with some improvisation) before buying two hours of internet, heading for a shower about 11.30pm and bed at midnight.
4.30am and I was prepared with my warm clothes, so not much messing around before I was back asleep... too asleep, as 7.30 and then 9.15 rocked around. Crap! Decided it was time to change my clocks (gain back that half hour) so it was then only 8.45am. The other 6 vehicles were still there, so I didn’t feel quite so bad. Driving out by 9.30am and into town where I got petrol (yay) and paid a visit to the visitors centre. Pointed out where to go, and said you could basically avoid driving around the bottom point unless you were going to Kangaroo Island – excellent! A quick trip down High Street and onto Goolwa, where the Murray River hits the
ocean. Through town and over the bridge to the river mouth, which they are dredging because of the lack of water, to keep the Coorong alive. Back out to the Marina, where I decided to treat myself to a cuppa... and cake – carrot cake (so there’s vegies in it, so it can’t be that bad right? Pitty about the cream....) and looked out over the harbour. Back to the car and over the bridge, stopping for a quick pic before heading to the beach, but without knowing which way to go I decided to follow the car infront... towing a boat. Not a bad theory, except the boat ramp was quite a way away, and the strip of land between the river and the ocean was probably at its widest point where I tried to cross it, on a very narrow make-shift path. So I trudged through the hills and eventually made it to the beach, which was beautiful, reminded me of Bremmer, white sand and miles wide. Lots of waves rolling in though. Back through the sand and George and I set off for Victor Harbour, arriving just after 2pm. Into the visitors centre, and then on the internet for a bit (which turned into an hour) but I did manage to book my flights to Melbourne – yee haa! Quick sandwich before jumping on the 3.20pm horse drawn tram, the only one still operating in the world. 
So Jock (the horse) took us over to Granite Island, probably at walking pace, but it was rather enjoyable. We arrived and I spotted icecreams... and was naughty enough to buy one, which was rather delicious. It was then up the steps (to work off the icecream) and do the loop around the island. Walked back across the bridge, stopping for photos as Jock went back past (posing as he did). 4.40pm and I headed over to the Maritime Museum, which was to close at 5pm, but the lovely lady said I could go through for a quick look, and it 
was really good (although sad with the declining numbers, increasing water temperature, melting polarcaps.....). Time to head north, and the caravan park at Brighton looked like the go. Except that they close early, and it was 6.30pm before I got there, so I was then headed to Belair instead, but they closed at 7pm, so I screamed out, grazing a bird on my way (which the council boys in their truck thought was amusing). Checked in (which took a while as the lady was learning) before ducking to Coles and making some calls to those folk in Adelaide to say Hi. Back to the park, chicken stirfry (with some improvisation) before buying two hours of internet, heading for a shower about 11.30pm and bed at midnight. 26 February
Alarm at 7am, snooze, 15 minutes alarm, up at 7.30am before it got too hot – forecast for 39 degrees! Breakfast and decided on a ride through the national park, which was right next door. Checked and pumped the tires, sprayed the chain and then to get the padlock off.... where was the key? Looked in all the likely spots and eventually gave up, going for a run instead. Into the park, around the lake, up a hill and back down again before heading home, just over 30 minutes. A quick swim (and chat with a caretaker) before having a shower, doing the dishes and
leaving about 11am. I hadn’t even gotten to the end of the road in before I changed my mind on where I was going, heading to McLaren Vale instead of north to the city. Found the information centre and after getting my map found they had free wireless internet, so as it was nice and cool inside I set up there for a bit. It was 2.30pm before I left, making a quick stop at the shops for a pastie and chock milk and hitting the wineries. First was Primo Estate, which was a really modern cellar door (a place you could have an awesome party or reception). In no hurry to leave (the longer I took the more spaced my drinks would be) so was quite happy to have a chat, buying a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. Then around to 
Chapel Hill, a winery built in an old chapel, which was a very well awarded winery (even being judged to have the best winemaker in the world previously) so I sampled their wines and port before having a look at the old photographs. Last stop was Rosemount, and not a scheduled one, but I figured I had to visit... bank account would have preferred otherwise! I spent probably an hour there, enjoying probably too many wines (he just kept pouring them) and eventually buying two bottles of ‘O’, the last 3 bottles of Chardonnay and a bottle of SA’s best Merlot. He also recommended a nice stretch of coastline to spend the night, so I checked my books and found one at Moana on the beachfront. Arrived, plugged in and down to the beach. Absolutely beautiful, the weather was magic, there were people and cars and the surf life saving guys training. Oh, and a team of footballers, so between them and the SLS who later ran past in their Speedos there was certainly plenty of eye candy!!! Went for a swim and felt really good, until I was stung on the ribs by a stinger, which ended that! Up to the beach to read for a bit (and watch the boys training) before heading back to George for my camera and a drink. Arrived back for some great shots of the sun setting over the water (and I suddenly missed home...). Back in for another dip and more reading/pervin... 
watching of the footy boys, who were absolutely being tortured! All these ball activities in the sand, and then flag races, and then plant, tri dips, push-ups, extreme sit-ups, jumps... it was insane! Eventually they headed in for a swim, and followed not long after (but kept my distance). They left and I read until it got a bit dark and headed back to George to open him up, cook some stir-fry and head to the games room for Grey’s Anatomy and Richmond v Collingwood and Benny’s first game back – and did he look good! Locked out at 9.30pm it was time for a shower before listening to the cricket and blogging with a beautiful breeze blowing through the van. Yet another midnight bedtime!
Alarm at 7am, snooze, 15 minutes alarm, up at 7.30am before it got too hot – forecast for 39 degrees! Breakfast and decided on a ride through the national park, which was right next door. Checked and pumped the tires, sprayed the chain and then to get the padlock off.... where was the key? Looked in all the likely spots and eventually gave up, going for a run instead. Into the park, around the lake, up a hill and back down again before heading home, just over 30 minutes. A quick swim (and chat with a caretaker) before having a shower, doing the dishes and
leaving about 11am. I hadn’t even gotten to the end of the road in before I changed my mind on where I was going, heading to McLaren Vale instead of north to the city. Found the information centre and after getting my map found they had free wireless internet, so as it was nice and cool inside I set up there for a bit. It was 2.30pm before I left, making a quick stop at the shops for a pastie and chock milk and hitting the wineries. First was Primo Estate, which was a really modern cellar door (a place you could have an awesome party or reception). In no hurry to leave (the longer I took the more spaced my drinks would be) so was quite happy to have a chat, buying a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. Then around to 
Chapel Hill, a winery built in an old chapel, which was a very well awarded winery (even being judged to have the best winemaker in the world previously) so I sampled their wines and port before having a look at the old photographs. Last stop was Rosemount, and not a scheduled one, but I figured I had to visit... bank account would have preferred otherwise! I spent probably an hour there, enjoying probably too many wines (he just kept pouring them) and eventually buying two bottles of ‘O’, the last 3 bottles of Chardonnay and a bottle of SA’s best Merlot. He also recommended a nice stretch of coastline to spend the night, so I checked my books and found one at Moana on the beachfront. Arrived, plugged in and down to the beach. Absolutely beautiful, the weather was magic, there were people and cars and the surf life saving guys training. Oh, and a team of footballers, so between them and the SLS who later ran past in their Speedos there was certainly plenty of eye candy!!! Went for a swim and felt really good, until I was stung on the ribs by a stinger, which ended that! Up to the beach to read for a bit (and watch the boys training) before heading back to George for my camera and a drink. Arrived back for some great shots of the sun setting over the water (and I suddenly missed home...). Back in for another dip and more reading/pervin... 
watching of the footy boys, who were absolutely being tortured! All these ball activities in the sand, and then flag races, and then plant, tri dips, push-ups, extreme sit-ups, jumps... it was insane! Eventually they headed in for a swim, and followed not long after (but kept my distance). They left and I read until it got a bit dark and headed back to George to open him up, cook some stir-fry and head to the games room for Grey’s Anatomy and Richmond v Collingwood and Benny’s first game back – and did he look good! Locked out at 9.30pm it was time for a shower before listening to the cricket and blogging with a beautiful breeze blowing through the van. Yet another midnight bedtime!
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