Well we’re back in Oz. Left Williams Lake, Canada on the 18th March. Took a tiny plane to Vancouver – had to nearly bend over double to get to your seat – very squashy but lots of fun! Had planned to check out Vancouver – but it didn’t happen. Grey windy day!! Just had a quiet chill out evening at our motel. Caught a shuttle to the Vancouver Airport lunch time the next day – did a bit of duty free shopping before boarding our Westjet flight to LA. Lots to see as we flew south – the coast on one side, the Rockies on the other. Mt Rainier in Washington State was a stand out! Brief stopover in LA before the next leg of our journey – 16 hour flight to Melbourne. This time with Qantas. Very uneventful – movies, snoozing, eating. Customs at Melbourne airport before catching a domestic flight to Adelaide. Lots of brown flat land before reaching the coast of South Australia – then north over the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula to Adelaide. Greeted at the airport by Reg’s daughter Ginny – she had “volunteered” to take in the homeless nomads for a few days! Caught up that evening with my son Ben and family – wife Komala and children Will and Molly. Also another granddaughter Ocea. You may remember Ocea from our visits with her in London. She is now back in Australia studying Medical Science at uni. We had a lovely time together – lots of catching up.
We ended up spending a week in Adelaide. Did manage the odd quiet day but overall pretty busy. Caught the train to the McLaren Vale region to see Reg’s sister and partner Charles. Ended up having lunch with Sharryn – a friend of theirs who lives in Kangarilla. Lovely little town in the Adelaide Hills. We’re planning to stay with her for a few weeks in May. Lovely farmhouse – lots of animals. Enjoyed meeting her four very friendly dogs – Peaches, in particular, was keen for a pat. We also enjoyed some special “Nan and Papa Reg duties”. Had coffee one afternoon with Ocea before visiting Will and Molly’s school. Molly was speaking at their school assembly – very excited to see us there. Also watched Will play basketball later that afternoon. The absentee grandparents are home again! Need to make up for lost time.
It was soon time to move on. Ginny took us to the Adelaide Bus Station to catch our bus to the Riverland – about a 3 hour drive east of Adelaide. It tends to be our base when we’re back in Oz. Had brunch at a Spanish café in the vibrant and busy Adelaide Market before we left. One of my favourite markets! Interesting to leave the city and coast behind and travel up through the very famous Barossa Valley – lots of vineyards and wineries. Pretty hills. But it doesn’t take long in South Australia to leave all that behind. The land quickly becomes very flat and dry – the vistas vast in every direction. Lots to see as we drove along. Rows and rows of yellow wheat stubble still standing to attention – reminded me of a buzz cut! Mallee scrub lining the roads. The odd solitary tree sitting in the middle of a field – nothing to keep it company. Skies so blue, clouds like cotton wool. So Australian! It’s only when you reach the irrigation area of the Riverland that things change – you actually get to see some green! Vineyards and orchards appear in the dessert, manicured lawns line the riverbanks of the local towns. Quite beautiful. Reg’s Mum was there to greet us at the Berri bus stop – the look on her face said it all!!
Love
Di and Reg
This entry was posted in Australia, Canada
Hi Di and Reg, it is great to hear you are back in South Australia again. It must be so good catching up with family and friends that you have not seen for a while.
We have really enjoyed reading about your adventures and travels around the world.
Our big trip away recently has been to Thailand for a nephew’s wedding. It was very nice, with all the bells & whistles because things are so affordable over there.
Annette and I were wondering if you would like to catch up for a coffee or lunch, if you are in Adelaide or Willunga sometime. It would be great to see you.
Please contact us if you would like to catch up or just a chat on the phone (Phil’s phone: 0439421121).
Cheers Phil and Annette
Hi Phil and Annette……lovely to hear from you. Would love to catch up sometime. We’re planning to be in Kangarilla all of May – so maybe we could get together then? xxxx