Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
We are back in Adelaide and tonight we are back in our 'Home on Wheels', staying at the Windsor Gardens Caravan Park, near the Adelaide suburb of 'Holden Hill'. There has been a little planning this afternoon for 'Stage Two' as Jase called it, of our 'Travelling Oz Holiday'.
Mostly though, the day has been spent unpacking, food shopping and getting organised again. All done now and we did come back with an extra bag, that I have been able to find a home for everything! Wally and Clara have taken good care of the van, but we are not sure what they have been up to while they have had the van to themselves! Clara is all over Wally tonight! I'm also not sure that I think, Wally can handle her!
We had a good flight, both from Geraldton to Perth, and then the two and half hour flight to our neighbouring State. Saying goodbye to Tammy, Nathaniel and Isabella was hard. We didn't prolong the 'goodbyes' and three of us departed with tears in our eyes. As Fiona said on Sunday "The first five months have gone pretty quickly, so the next will probably be the same"!
Although at times, I have struggled over the last three weeks with my feelings about breaking our holiday for the trip home, it has been the best decision. We are refreshed now and ready for part two of our 'Big Adventure'. We also needed to have some cuddles with Isabella and hugs with the other seven grandchildren.
We also watched them play their sport on two of the weekends. Great to have the family around as well for Peter's special day and to catch up with family and friends during the three weeks. A drink with Kevin and Val was a bonus on Sunday evening, as was afternoon tea with some Champion Bay CWA members on Saturday afternoon. I also managed a visit to Jenny and Bob MacKay on Saturday and Jenny got my IT problems sorted for me. Of course there were a couple of visits to the farm to see it looking at it's very best for May, and some jobs were even completed around our Bluff Point home. On reflection we did fit in a fair bit. Even managed to get the final display board for the Museum almost completed with Delma's help and Jess' expertise.
We caught up with Peter's Yuna Primary School friend, John Turner during our three hour wait at Perth airport. John and his partner Maureen came and had morning tea with us. It was great to see John so happy. We hope John and Maureen's relationship continues to grow.
We were in Row 29 on the Quantas flight to Adelaide and I was tucked in the back corner. Never been that far back in a plane of that size. Now we know there are 175 seats in Economy Class and there was no point in thinking there was any rush to get off the plane. We were nearly last! Had great views though, as we came over Yorke Peninsula and into the airport. We could see the Fleurieu Peninsula, the cliffs at Port Willunga and Kangaroo Island. Landing at Adelaide airport brought a whole new feeling, having visited some of these places we could see from the air. We had travelled 2,177 kms in 2 hours and 28 minutes and had our lunch at 3.30pm! We lost one and a half hours somewhere over the Great Australian Bight.
We caught a taxi to the Mercure Grovenor Hotel which is opposite the huge Intercontinental Hotel and the Railway Station. The Casino was also opposite the hotel and that was where we went for a meal last night. Neither of us helped increase or decrease their surplus for this financial year though! The Casino is in the old heritage listed Railway Station and was opened in December 1985. There are gaming tables on the three levels. No upmarket restaurants, just a cafeteria. But that was all we needed after our long day! There are plenty of very nice restaurants on the street opposite.
This morning we walked through the railway station to check out the recently upgraded Adelaide Oval. The whole precinct on the Torrens River is very, very nice. So much so we promised ourselves another visit to Adelaide, in the not too distant future. We had a budget breakfast in a historic cafe at the Railway Station. The bacon and egg toastie for $4.90 kept the worms away until we had morning tea at Port Adelaide. There were lots of photos and information on the history of the building, on the walls of the cafe. I was soon in clicking mode and back into being 'Tommy Tourist'.
I had a plan for a detour on the way out to pick up the caravan. I reckon there is a pretty good chance that I will get a photograph of all the South Australian 'Big Aussie Icons'. All eight of them! There was a 'Big Scotsman' at the Comfort Inn in North Adelaide. While Peter was asking the taxi driver if it was too far out of our way, I was saying "We are going there Peter"!
I had studied the map and knew it wasn't far away and I knew only too well, Peter wouldn't take me there. Well when he saw it, he was definitely shaking his head! I couldn't get that good a photo as there was traffic everywhere and it was right on the street. Right at a set of traffic lights too! I naturally managed a photo or two, and even got one of under his kilt!
My book does say that the 'Big Scotsman' is a tribute to Scottish culture in Australia and 5% of the convicts brought to Australia were Scots. He stands 5 metres tall and has been there since 1963. This 'Aussie Icon' is the first 'BIG' icon to be built in Australia. I also now know why the book says "That the Big Scotsman has managed to retain his dignity all these years as the temptation for tourists to look under his kilt has been strong"! It says that you can hear him thinking "Aye lass, thar's nothin wrong down there. Everything is in first class workin' order".
After dropping our bags at the van and checking on everything, we decided to take a drive to the Port of Adelaide. Very historic buildings there and it was obvious you could spend a full day visiting the three Museums - Maritime, Railway and Aviation. So we have wet our appetite for another visit. There is the hull of a huge old ship on the wharf of the old port. It is a Scottish ship and was named 'The City of Adelaide'. I knew it was important that we visited the 'BIG Scotsman' first up!
The ship brought many migrants to Adelaide and it actually sunk on the river Clyde in Scotland. It cost $700,000 to ship it to South Austrialia and it sat at the Maritime Museum for many years and nothing happened with it. We had seen the story of its history on the news last night. A South Australian gentleman had been awarded an OAM in the weekends honour announcements, for his work with the ship. There he was today, volunteering again, telling people about the ship and endeavouring to raise funds for the restoration. So we were able to congratulate him and make a donation.
With shopping done and fridge restocked, we said goodbye to Epic Storage and were 'On the Road Again'. This park is another with not too many bays and probably has quite a few permanents. Interesting finding it, as we drove through a few residential, narrow streets to get here. Pete's find and we have about a 30 minute drive in the morning to where Peter has the van booked in for a brake and wheel bearing service. At the latest we should be heading north by 2.30pm. Till the next blog. Cheers! 20 photos
Mostly though, the day has been spent unpacking, food shopping and getting organised again. All done now and we did come back with an extra bag, that I have been able to find a home for everything! Wally and Clara have taken good care of the van, but we are not sure what they have been up to while they have had the van to themselves! Clara is all over Wally tonight! I'm also not sure that I think, Wally can handle her!
We had a good flight, both from Geraldton to Perth, and then the two and half hour flight to our neighbouring State. Saying goodbye to Tammy, Nathaniel and Isabella was hard. We didn't prolong the 'goodbyes' and three of us departed with tears in our eyes. As Fiona said on Sunday "The first five months have gone pretty quickly, so the next will probably be the same"!
Although at times, I have struggled over the last three weeks with my feelings about breaking our holiday for the trip home, it has been the best decision. We are refreshed now and ready for part two of our 'Big Adventure'. We also needed to have some cuddles with Isabella and hugs with the other seven grandchildren.
We also watched them play their sport on two of the weekends. Great to have the family around as well for Peter's special day and to catch up with family and friends during the three weeks. A drink with Kevin and Val was a bonus on Sunday evening, as was afternoon tea with some Champion Bay CWA members on Saturday afternoon. I also managed a visit to Jenny and Bob MacKay on Saturday and Jenny got my IT problems sorted for me. Of course there were a couple of visits to the farm to see it looking at it's very best for May, and some jobs were even completed around our Bluff Point home. On reflection we did fit in a fair bit. Even managed to get the final display board for the Museum almost completed with Delma's help and Jess' expertise.
We caught up with Peter's Yuna Primary School friend, John Turner during our three hour wait at Perth airport. John and his partner Maureen came and had morning tea with us. It was great to see John so happy. We hope John and Maureen's relationship continues to grow.
We were in Row 29 on the Quantas flight to Adelaide and I was tucked in the back corner. Never been that far back in a plane of that size. Now we know there are 175 seats in Economy Class and there was no point in thinking there was any rush to get off the plane. We were nearly last! Had great views though, as we came over Yorke Peninsula and into the airport. We could see the Fleurieu Peninsula, the cliffs at Port Willunga and Kangaroo Island. Landing at Adelaide airport brought a whole new feeling, having visited some of these places we could see from the air. We had travelled 2,177 kms in 2 hours and 28 minutes and had our lunch at 3.30pm! We lost one and a half hours somewhere over the Great Australian Bight.
We caught a taxi to the Mercure Grovenor Hotel which is opposite the huge Intercontinental Hotel and the Railway Station. The Casino was also opposite the hotel and that was where we went for a meal last night. Neither of us helped increase or decrease their surplus for this financial year though! The Casino is in the old heritage listed Railway Station and was opened in December 1985. There are gaming tables on the three levels. No upmarket restaurants, just a cafeteria. But that was all we needed after our long day! There are plenty of very nice restaurants on the street opposite.
This morning we walked through the railway station to check out the recently upgraded Adelaide Oval. The whole precinct on the Torrens River is very, very nice. So much so we promised ourselves another visit to Adelaide, in the not too distant future. We had a budget breakfast in a historic cafe at the Railway Station. The bacon and egg toastie for $4.90 kept the worms away until we had morning tea at Port Adelaide. There were lots of photos and information on the history of the building, on the walls of the cafe. I was soon in clicking mode and back into being 'Tommy Tourist'.
I had a plan for a detour on the way out to pick up the caravan. I reckon there is a pretty good chance that I will get a photograph of all the South Australian 'Big Aussie Icons'. All eight of them! There was a 'Big Scotsman' at the Comfort Inn in North Adelaide. While Peter was asking the taxi driver if it was too far out of our way, I was saying "We are going there Peter"!
I had studied the map and knew it wasn't far away and I knew only too well, Peter wouldn't take me there. Well when he saw it, he was definitely shaking his head! I couldn't get that good a photo as there was traffic everywhere and it was right on the street. Right at a set of traffic lights too! I naturally managed a photo or two, and even got one of under his kilt!
My book does say that the 'Big Scotsman' is a tribute to Scottish culture in Australia and 5% of the convicts brought to Australia were Scots. He stands 5 metres tall and has been there since 1963. This 'Aussie Icon' is the first 'BIG' icon to be built in Australia. I also now know why the book says "That the Big Scotsman has managed to retain his dignity all these years as the temptation for tourists to look under his kilt has been strong"! It says that you can hear him thinking "Aye lass, thar's nothin wrong down there. Everything is in first class workin' order".
After dropping our bags at the van and checking on everything, we decided to take a drive to the Port of Adelaide. Very historic buildings there and it was obvious you could spend a full day visiting the three Museums - Maritime, Railway and Aviation. So we have wet our appetite for another visit. There is the hull of a huge old ship on the wharf of the old port. It is a Scottish ship and was named 'The City of Adelaide'. I knew it was important that we visited the 'BIG Scotsman' first up!
The ship brought many migrants to Adelaide and it actually sunk on the river Clyde in Scotland. It cost $700,000 to ship it to South Austrialia and it sat at the Maritime Museum for many years and nothing happened with it. We had seen the story of its history on the news last night. A South Australian gentleman had been awarded an OAM in the weekends honour announcements, for his work with the ship. There he was today, volunteering again, telling people about the ship and endeavouring to raise funds for the restoration. So we were able to congratulate him and make a donation.
With shopping done and fridge restocked, we said goodbye to Epic Storage and were 'On the Road Again'. This park is another with not too many bays and probably has quite a few permanents. Interesting finding it, as we drove through a few residential, narrow streets to get here. Pete's find and we have about a 30 minute drive in the morning to where Peter has the van booked in for a brake and wheel bearing service. At the latest we should be heading north by 2.30pm. Till the next blog. Cheers! 20 photos
2025-05-22