On the road.....again

Today we drove from Hahndorf to Maryborough, a distance of 575km. The trip took 6 and a half hours with the last two hundred kilometres being on narrow country roads through the very flat wheat fields of the Mallee region. It is so terribly dry. Not one of the many dams we drove passed had a drop of water in them and many of the houses were deserted. 

We stopped for lunch in Nhill at a little cafe named Olivia Rose. The food was absolutely delicious. I had a corned beef stack and Stephen a chicken and chilli wrap. What a little gem of a place!

We arrived in Maryborough at 5.30pm to find that out accommodation is directly across the road from the track. Big tick. Our room is beautifully appointed and cool. We had a bit of a walk around the track and the boys did a short training session. Unfortunately there is very little shade around so if it reaches the predicted 38 degrees it could get a little uncomfortable tomorrow, especially seeing that the program starts at 10.00am but the boys don't run until late in the afternoon. 

Tea was pizza from the funniest pizza shop I have ever come across. It was literally set up in the converted garage of a house. That said.....it was delicious. Pizza, a Weiss Bar and the Big Bash cricket.....what a way to end 2015. 

Amble B&B, Hahndorf

We have spent the past two nights at Amble which is a very comfortable place to stay within walking distance of Hahndorf's Main Street. Our room was called Amble Wren. There are three different apartments within a very leafy garden that is full of beautiful birds of all varieties. Roger, our host, provided a large basket of provisions, which were all sourced from local producers.

Beautiful Hahndorf

Hahndorf is classified as Australia's oldest surviving German settlement. The first families arrived in 1839. Hahndorf is regarded as the jewel of the Adelaide Hills and one of South Australia's most popular towns. A mere 20 minute drive from the Adelaide CBD, Hahndorf can be easily accessed via the Southern Eastern Freeway. The town is immensely popular with visitors from all over the world as well as locals and many new businesses have set up their shops in this iconic town.

When visiting Hahndorf, the most striking features that greet visitors are the over 100 year old elm and plane trees that line the Main Street and the original 'Fachwerk' buildings, many beautifully maintained or restored to original conditions. The town has retained its strong German heritage  and village feel, with a number of shops, pubs and other eateries offering authentic German fare and products.

Even though it was quite overcast it was still very warm today. After a lazy morning Stephen and I spent a few hours walking the length of the street (which is very long) before returning to our little house for a lunch of cheese, small goods, dips, etc.

Adelaide City

We had a few hours to spare after dropping the boys off at the airport so we made our way into the city. We wandered Rundle Mall and had a bite to eat before driving the short distance to the town of Hahndorf, which is situated in the Adelaide Hills. 

Bay Sheffield - Day 2

Another great day of racing at the 129th running of the Bay Sheffield. Lach and Cal competed credibly in the 120m and 550m respectively. No finals but I think they both thoroughly enjoyed their first trip to SA.

The Bay was won by a local, Sam Osmond. His mum Deb works for SA Athletics so it was a very popular win. The Women's Gift was won by Kobi Evans, a school teacher and former heptathlete from WA. 

In and around Glenelg

It is pretty easy to see why so many people flock to Glenelg during the summer months. The beach is wide, the sand is soft and white, the water is warm (22 degrees today) and the Jetty Road area has a great array of shops and restaurants. It also helps that the weather today is absolutely perfect - 30 degrees with a mild sea breeze. 

Bay Sheffield - Day 1

The ground is really unique as it sits between blocks of holiday apartments. It is long and thin with very tight bends at each end. The area is beautiful - the beach, the stands of Norfolk Island pines, the marina and the pier. There are lots of people around the area which adds to the atmosphere. 

Lach and Steph competed today. Lach in the 70m heats and Steph making her way through to the 550m Women's final where she ran third.

Different Boxing Day travels

For the past seven years we have headed to Tassie on Boxing Day for the Christmas Carnivals. This year we are making our way west to Adelaide for the Bay Sheffield, which is held at Colley Reserve, Glenelg. We are then staying in and around Adelaide until 31 December when we will head home via Maryborough for the famous Gift which is held on 1 January each year. 

Beautiful Victoria, BC

It is called the City of Flowers and it is easy to see why. Victoria is a very beautiful city and the inner harbour area where we stayed just spectacular. The hanging baskets that adorn each lamp post are colourful and the gardens and flower boxes throughout the city well maintained and simply beautiful.

This morning we visited the Butchart Gardens. WOW!!! As you wandered around you were treated to endless colour and the most glorious scents filled the air. The different areas of the gardens showcased plants from all over the world. We had heard so many good reports from other travellers and we weren't disappointed. 

In the afternoon we climbed aboard a float plane for an aerial tour around the island. It was a very different experience and the views just fabulous.

Unfortunately our tour finishes with dinner tonight. Six of us are either returning home or setting off on individual tours while the other 30 board a cruise ship for a 7 day trip up the inside passage to Alaska. It really has been a terrific tour with a great group of people. We have a long journey home with long waits at both Vancouver and Los Angeles airports. It seems funny that we leave here on Wednesday but won't be home until Friday. We have loved our time in both the USA and Canada and while we are happy to be heading home we are not looking forward to the cold winter weather in Melbourne.