March 5
Adelaide
I slept very well for the first half of the night. How nice not to be rattled around on all the rough bits of track! It didn't last, however, so I rose early, did things on the computer and made unhealthy bacon sandwiches for breakfast.
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I set off for the market at about 08.30. The thermometer outside read 21 degrees as I passed it.
Inside is a cornucopia of things edible. Like the other big city markets in Australia, it is magnificent, selling more or less anything you can eat or drink. Scattered amongst the produce are cafes, which were busy with people seeking breakfast.
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I purchased a few items for breakfasts and suppers and returned to the hotel to store them in the fridge.
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Australia has some wonderful General Post Offices. Many, like the ones in Melbourne and Sydney, have been converted into other things. The one in Adelaide still fulfils its original purpose. I sought and was granted permission to take photos as long as I faced away from the counter. I did.I had hoped to find a post card of Katherine there, but I failed. Post cards of anywhere are becoming increasingly hard to find. |
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The next stage in this quest was a visit to the Tourist Information Office but they don't sell any cards. I commiserated with them about being stuck in a back alley when they did such excellent work. The fake tourist office along the mall had nothing, either.
I took my obligatory photo of the pigs and then stopped in the Adelaide Mall for a coffee. Both of the malls here are splendid, with lovely detailing but are difficult to photograph because of trees, awnings and the narrowness of Rundle Mall. Unfortunately, the quality of the coffee didn't match the quality of the surroundings.
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I finally bought some cards - not the ones I wanted - but I had decided that it was a lost cause. From there, I made my way onto North Terrace, where I walked past the grand museums and took photos of the birds playing in the water features.
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Water feature with bird - 2 |
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The War Memorial was closed for some form of refurbishment so I made my way directly into the park and down the hill towards the river. I photographed the Cathedral and the cricket ground in the distance but walked East, in the opposite direction, along the bank of the River Torrens.
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It was a cool walk, with the 39 degrees not yet putting in an appearance, and peaceful, except for the marauding cyclists. I had seen signs to the zoo and, in the absence of any better ideas, decided to make my way there.
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It isn't an amazing zoo but it manages, in a city centre environment, to offer lots of green space.
Almost as soon as I entered, there was a stupendous noise as several jet planes swooped low over the area. I couldn't see them but I assume they were connected to the big race. The local fruit bats all made a hasty retreat. A little later, I did see some smaller and less noisy planes.
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I wandered hither and thither for a couple of hours, taking loads of photos of the animals, many of which will be complete rubbish. Inevitably in the heat - I'm sure it was nothing like as hot as the forecast - many of the animals were either asleep or trying to hide under water.
It was all good fun. I saw lots and kept myself entertained for a couple of hours. It probably isn't a really good zoo but they do have a nice environment for most of the inmates. It might have been better on a cooler day when more of the inmates might have been awake.
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Frome Street led me to Rundle Street and the Exeter Hotel, an old style pub which I discovered on my last visit. The Coopers was very cold, which was my first requirement, but my second, lunch was a problem as they don't open the kitchen on Saturdays.
Just down the street, however, is wall to wall cafes, in one of which I had a really good squid salad and a just acceptable long black.
I walked back along the side streets, passing nothing wildly exciting. The beach volley ball court was a bit of a shock and the Fire Station was an interesting design.
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At one of the big churches I came upon a very posh wedding. The cars were either Mercedes or Ferraris. Strange for car nuts to get married on the afternoon of the races. The noise from that, incidentally, still blasted all over this end of the city.
Victoria Square has been converted into a party area, The Royal Croquet Club, for the duration of the Fringe. There was a small croquet lawn but most of the venue was devoted to the sale of tickets and drinks.
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By now, it was feeling decidedly warm and the thermometer at the market read 37 degrees. I beat a hasty retreat to the hotel and hid in the air conditioning for the remainder of the afternoon.
When I left the hotel again at 18.10, it was still very hot. The thermometer showed 34 and I would love to know what it reached at its maximum.
Walking in central Adelaide takes time as there are lots of major cross roads and there is a set of traffic lights at each. With jay walking being illegal (almost) in these parts, one has to wait for the lights to change before crossing even if there is no traffic around, and there normally is.
I got slightly lost on the way to Rigoni's but eventually found both it and myself. The tables had spilled out onto the street and there was a guitarist plying his trade to the captive audience. In fairness, he was pretty good.The mixed hors d'oeuvres were interesting if not wildly exciting. Lots of things I could do myself. The Adelaide Hills Chardonnay was crisp, fresh and smooth.The main course, ordered off the specials board, turned out to be pasta. Very good but also a dish I could have made myself. |
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When I received the bill, I pointed out that a glass of wine had been omitted. The waiter said that life was too short to worry about such things. I gave him a good tip and still came out on top in the deal.
I walked home through the crowds. It was now 29 on the thermometer.