Adelaide

So finally we get to Adelaide where Leah, Phil and Gribbs are waiting for us with the kettle on and ginger nuts in the biscuit barrel. It was really good to see them again and nice of them to open their home up to us for the week. Spent the rest of the day chatting and just chilling in the garden, we had a lovely chicken dinner that evening, perfect Sunday lunch.
Monday was another chill day, we emptied the van out and gave it a good clean as the inside had a coating of red sand. Leah booked for us all to go to Moana Beach for a 2 hour surf lesson on the Tuesday and kayaking on the following Sunday, living the Aussie dream.
I love surfing, still can't stand up but I nearly made it, the waves last so long and the speed they bring you in is amazing if not a little scary. Only Phil managed a semi stand up but we all had great fun and that's what it's all about.
All the time we have been here in Australia we finally found an Ikea store as we were in need of some cooking bits and they are cheap in Ikea and I wanted a meatball lunch. Here they have some amazing camping stores and I'm like a kid in a sweet shop, I just have to go in and browse. So far I have brought a self inflating pillow, a camping table and a new tee shirt to replace my stolen one.
We managed to book a Haigh's chocolate factory tour for that afternoon, it's a free 20 minute tour of the oldest chocolate factory in Australia. Lots of free samples while we watched the ladies hand make and wrap all their chocolates, they even hand wrap their Easter eggs in foil.
5 minute walk from Leah's home is an 50m open air pool so Sally and I made use of the local amenities a couple of mornings. Leah took us on a guided tour of Adelaide where we watched the
Remembrance service as it was 11am November 11th. We then went to the Botanic Gardens where they have fruit bats living in their trees, strange things to watch. The city library was impressive but we have seen better while we have been here but the museum was impressive and for once I actually enjoyed walking around. The beaches all along are the best we have seen so far, the water is cold but they are great for walking along and ending up in a happy hour pub.
Adelaide Gaol is a infamous prison which only closed in the 80's, it's a small prison with lots of history. The last woman ever hung in Australia was hung and buried there along with other inmates that met their faith within this prison.
Saturday was a weird day as we got up early for the Christmas Parade that lasted a couple of hours which is not right watching this in 30 degree heat. That night we were back in town for the Gay Pride Match which only lasted about 30 minutes, not quite as big as the British parades.
Finally we had a bbq with kangaroo steaks cooked by Phil but as the bbq caught on fire they had to be finished off in the kitchen. Kangaroo steak is a very rich and tender meat and I'm not sure I will have again but at least I've tried it now.
We had a great morning kayaking in Port Adelaide, went into the mangroves and paddled around a couple of ship wrecks. The biggest thrill of the day was seeing some Dolphins just swimming around and not at all worried about us being there. Afterwards Leah took us to a pancake shop where the pancakes are to die for, I think the best I've ever had. Our time is running out in Adelaide so our final day we went to Harbour Town outlet shopping center and then onto Mt Lofty.
Now Mt Lofty was a climb and a half, although it was only 700m it was extremely steep and it wore me out. Once at the top the views were amazing and once I had finished my ice lolly I was ready for the walk down which was just as hard on the knees as going up.
So Tuesday morning it time to say our goodbye's to Leah, Phil and Gribbs, we had such a great time and enjoyed all the home comforts we had in their home.