After 3 blogs in 3 days – our road trip to Victoria – I’ve been rather slack!! Time to catch up again!
We spent nearly a week in Adelaide after our road trip – lovely to catch up with family. Lots of grandparent duties but no complaints – always a joy. Got some shopping done in the city centre. Rundle Mall is just the right size – enough shops to get what you want, not so many you feel overwhelmed or suffer from crowd crush! Neither of us shop by choice but we were getting desperate. Most of our clothes were faded and ragitty looking. We tend to travel light and wash a lot. Granddaughter Ocea met us in the mall and helped us navigate – happily performing grandchild duties!! The rhythm of life! Reg got to hang out with some of the locals – new friendships made – photos will explain!
When in Adelaide we try to visit the very beautiful Adelaide Oval and catch a game of Australian Rules Football. Costs a fortune but so worth it! Got to see our favourite team – the Crows – play on the Saturday night. Unfortunately, not the result we were hoping for. Never mind! Always a great spectacle – amazing atmosphere – ground always packed. Extra colourful under the lights. Did pour with rain in the last quarter but zipped up and soldiered on.
One very important event happened while we were in Adelaide. Family members gathered together in Coromandel Valley – Adelaide Hills – to spread my parent’s ashes. My siblings, their partners, several children and grandchildren all took part. My parents both grew up in the area, so we sprinkled their ashes in a local stream. Such a pretty spot; the water rushing past, green trees on the banks, a small bridge nearby. A moving but also a very joyful occasion. Lots of honouring of their contribution to our lives. They both passed away well over 20 years ago – time passes so quickly. Spent the afternoon together at my brother David’s house – lots of old photos, funny stories, food and laughter. Also the odd beer or wine. Great day.
We left Adelaide to return to Barmera – another leg of our house sit there. Walking distance to Lake Bonney, morning kangaroos on the golf course, Smooch the cat for company. Homeowners Leigh and Julie were due to head off again – this time testing out their new caravan. Anyway, we decided to take a different route – mix things up a bit. Reg has a saying “never go the same way twice if you can help it” – unfortunately it’s got us into trouble at times!!! Instead of travelling east through the Barossa Valley we turned north and headed towards Morgan via Kapunda and Eudunda. Lots of rolling hills – stubble from last year’s crop in some paddocks – green shoots from this year’s crop in others. But – as is common in Australia – the more we moved inland the flatter and more arid the countryside. It was a very windy day, the ground very dry. Not long and the dust was blowing. Got steadily worse as we went along – lights definitely on – eyes peeled for kangaroos looking for water. Never dull! There was an unexpected “highlight” on the way – the Eba Railway Siding – just before Morgan. Very isolated spot, not a lot happening. Someone has dressed up some “shop front dummies” and placed them on the siding – waiting patiently – luggage at hand. Think they’ll be waiting a while – the train stopped coming decades ago! Someone either has an “interesting” sense of humour or too much time on their hands!! Maybe both! We safely made it back to Barmera and settled in. Enjoyed a quiet week or so before moving back to Berri.
We have news! Part of our road trip to Victoria was to check out Allansfield Healing Retreat on Phillips Island. It had come across our path – you know how that happens! They were looking for new “hosts” to maintain the property and support the guests. To cut a long story short we applied and have got the job! Start in September sometime – date not finalized. More info later.
Love Di and Reg
This entry was posted in Australia, Barmera, Riverland, House Sits
Awww! Some lovely photos here, Di. The railway siding dummies humour seems totally normal to me! In a line with the traffic cone on Wellington’s head in Glasgow. What’s not to like?
The pigs, now; that IS weird!
Congratulations on the Allansfield job – sounds right up your street.
Love from Ann & I, and from all at Riverchurch, Perpignan.
xx
Ha Ha! Lovely to hear from you!! Please give our love to everyone in return xxxx