Almost there....but no quite over just yet!!

Well good evening to all my faithful followers, I hope this balmy Sydney evening finds you well!  I hate to say this but it is almost time to go and I sit in Fred's house while the boys sleep at 11pm and we are being picked up for the airport at 2.30am by the ever patient and wonderfully kind Cath, to begin our 24 hour journey home.  That's 24 hours where a lot (or a little) can happen, and knowing me it will be the former. But not before a spattering of today's goings on....

To pick up where I left off I checked out of the apartment and started my journey from iconic Sydney harbour the outskirts, via a cab to circular Quay and a ferry to Paramatta.  So I arrived at the bustling port with bags in tow, found the right wharf and saw I had 30 mins to kill before the ferry left.  I took a few last pics and after going through to the waiting area, sweet talked the guard on the ticket barrier into looking after my bag whilst I nipped back out to grab a coffee, whilst firstly chatting to a man who commented that my bags were as bright as my trousers (he's not wrong there) and then to a lovely elderly couple from Sydney who said they had come into the city to watch the Last Night at the Proms in the bloody Opera house the night before!!! So whilst I, one of the most patriotic people you are every likely to meet, sat outside the iconic landmark (I sometimes forget it is actually a theatre) they were inside singing Jerusalem and God Save the Queen with hearty gusto!! Gutted.  If I'd known I would have go tickets.  But as those of you who follow me regularly will know, I have a magical knack of missing events by the smallest of margins, and this was the smallest yet!

Still, I had enjoyed a wonderful last night and after bidding my farewells, I grabbed my bags and waited for the ferry to board.  Well, I took my eye off the ball for 2 mins and all of a sudden it was an OAP stampede of epic proportions.  Something tells me its Paramatta is popular with a certain age group.

I soaked up the harbour view from deck one last time and headed out and away from the hustle and bustle of the city, through the suburbs and into the river land, passing beautiful houses and condo's, little tucked away beaches, the cutely named Kissing Point and finally the waterway narrowed and the boast slowed as the pilot navigated the shall and narrow Paramatta river, very tranquil and relaxing.  If you were able to tune out the couple next to me who incessantly babbled on for the entire 90 minute journey, about what I cannot recall other than them bleating on about Bear Gryls being bowed legged and a fake, as he only carries a small backpack and a knife whilst his camera crew (who are ex SAS apparently) do all the heard work and the fact that the male talker wanted to jump of every bridge we came.  Crack on sunshine, before I or Bear Gryls SAS cameraman, pushes you off one.

Cath was waiting for me at the stop and we chatted about mine and my Pops adventures of the last 3 weeks, and before we know it we were all reunited at Fred's.  It was so good to see my Pops and he looked really well, and it sounded like him and Fred had had a blast.  We were off out to dinner a bit later and Fred lent me his Ute so that me and Pops could go to his favourite place - Wenty Leagues - a sports club come bar / restaurant (times 5) / small casino that seemed to be the meeting place for all of the world! We chatted about his time there and he told me they had been going back in time to when they were teenagers, reminiscing on old times, reliving memories and making new ones.  Then Pops got quite emotional about coming home and not seeing Fred again which gave me a tear in my eye too, but never say never Pops, we thought last time would be the last time.  Who knows what the future holds.

We sat and chatted, then headed back to meet Cath who took us to a fab little Thai place called Thai Taste (does exactly what it say on the tin) and we rattled off what we wanted to the rather sweet waiter who just nodded at all the numbers, not filling my with confidence that we'd get what we had ordered.  Oh she of little faith, the gorgeous food arrived (in dribs and drabs but that suited me as it meant I couldn't eat mine, and everyone elses, all at once) and we nommed away, all washed down with pop (except for my Pops who plumped for coconut water and was pleasantly surprised by it, just hope it wasn't Malibu in disguise...) as it was a BYO alcohol and we had forgotten the crucial BYO...

It was then back to Wenty for a final hurrah with a band playing, stranger danger all around (there were some strange lurking fella's of certain ages, one who creepily resembled Norman Bates from Psycho) and a lot of people watching, washed down with a couple of drinks, keeping Fred out till 10.30pm, way passed his bedtime!

And so home we came to lay our weary heads before being picked up for the airport in 3 hours from now!! And like I say a lot can happen on a 24 hour flight, a fair amount did on the way out so there will be one more post, fear not!!!!!!

So once again it ain't over til it's over and for now it still remains TTFN..... xxxxx

A fab final day in Sydney....

Good morning all from a bed I am reluctant to get out of as it is the last one I am going to be sleeping in for the next 48 hours! But that is another post and for now it's all about my last full day before beginning the homeward stretch.

I headed out and first on my list was the beautiful botanical gardens which thankfully were just a hop and a skip over the wharf and before I knew it I was walking through the lush gardens and spied my first glimpse of the infamous bridge ans opera house (I would be seeing a lot of it today as would my facebook friends!!). There was something being built that resembled a massive Chinese dragon with a stupendous view overlooking the bridge and the opera house that I now know is a stage to host and incredible Opera for a month.  I always get my dates wrong...

I had breakfast amid the palms at the botanical gardens getting all healthy with granola and yogurt, before meandering back through and finally finding myself at the steps of the icon that is known the world over.  Ive always thought it resembles a storm trooper from Star Wars with a hint of Darth Vader when looked at from the water.  Trust me, it does.

Second on my list was to get the ferry to Manly, a beach town in the northern part of the harbour.  A trip is not a trip without a boat trip.  A lovely little half hour boat ride followed, photo bombing a group of young and rather lovely Brazilian boys and sticking it out as the rain began to fall.  Yes rain.  But I was not giving in to a little bit of light drizzle.  Or heavier drizzle.  Or torrential rain.  Well I did give in a little to the torrential rain as I ducked into a shop a brought a brolly along with half the passengers on the ferry.  Despite the rain the walk through the lovely town was a pleasure and then the beach was in view, glorious even with the stormy skies.  A pint in the pub watching the surfers brave the rain stupid thought as they get wetter in the water) before mooching back through the shops with a couple of last minute purchase before a more sunny return to Circular Quay and time to get another ferry for my next destination.

Darling Harbour.  Just around the corner from its well known cousin, its shiny and brash and full of yachts and places to eat and things to do, many of which had a happy hour spanning several hours, and as the sun was now shining bright and warm it was time for another drink.  I was 10 minutes early for the happy hour so I did the right thing and sat on a stool waiting patiently until it was time to enjoy my pint at a happy price.  I sat and watched the world go by and once again the heavens opened so up went the brolly as the pint got watered down but I was not moving, the rain was warm and this was what I was used to.  Stiff upper lip and all that.  And like a flash the rain disappeared with the black clouds heading away too letting the sun shine on down.

By this time it was only about 2 hours till sunset and as this was my last night I was going to spend it with the Bridge and the Opera House so headed back on the ferry, chatting very Britishly with a couple from Oregan about the weather and their 5 month trip (well jel) and as we cruised back into Circular Quay there was one thing left on my list to fulfil...bubbles at the Opera Bar.

This is the bar that runs around the base of the theatre and is the haunt of the young, the beautiful, the rich, the not so rich, the local, the tourist and the mad gingers of this world.  So I purchased my bottle of fizz, getting a smile and a nod from the barmaid when I replied 'one' to her question 'how many glasses' and I found my spot which I ended up being in for over 3 hours.  I fought off seagulls as I ate my cheese board and a serve of calamari (nom), asked kind fellow sunset seekers to look after my booze whilst I wee'd, chatted to my sitting companions as they came and went, replaced by new ones and the more I drank the more selfies and videos I took.  And as the sun slid behind the skyline, the mood changed and more people came to share an experience I certainly wont forget.  It was magical.  Spectacular in fact.  Sigh.

When I decided it was time to go, I headed out to walk back through the gardens the way I came only to find them closed and a rather longer than expected diversion ensued through buzzing and deserted streets alike, past million dollar apartments and soup kitchens finally navigating Woolloomooloo in far too round about way and I was finally back in my manor.  Harry's famous pie wagon was still in the place it has been since 1945 (and where I found it last time I was here with my pops) and a chicken curry tiger pie was called for (pie, mash, mushy peas and gravy basically).  Lush.  Then i staggered happy back to the apartment where I fell into a happy bubble and pie induced slumber.

And now here I sit, Saturday morning and ready to head out to catch back up with my pops, Fred and Cath.  It's been a blast and Ive loved every second but it's not over just yet, I have a ferry ride with two bags to navigate this morning followed by whatever the boys fancy doing for their last few hours.  So there will be another post, when or where will be a mystery but I will make sure I do it just for you!

So until then faithful followers it is still TTFN.....xxxxxx

A few days in wonderful Adelaide!

From Tuesday to Thursday in one bite size chunk....my bite size tho remember!!

Good evening from a whole different state, have you missed me?! I've missed you but I've been so busy spending time with the wonderful gang that something had to give....and I just kept falling asleep!!

So, it was Tuesday morning after the wheelie good wine tour (I'm still getting flashbacks) and it was to be a relaxing day which, thankfully, it really was!! It started with Jenn and I having an nice little beach walk from Seacliff to Brighton, past the crystal blue waters with the sea breeze cooling the air.  When I say breeze I mean hurricane force winds....well maybe not quite but it really was blowing a hooley.  So much so that Jenn was wearing a hoodie!! I was not giving (she had long since left the winds of the UK behind) and being a true Brit, I stuck it out in my sundress, proudly showing my goosebumps (not a euphemism) and announcing at every given opportunity 'that sun is roasting when the wind dies down' and roasting it was, so I was soon rewarded for my faith.  We were also rewarded with a magical sight as we walked out on the Brighton jetty - two dolphins swimming in the sea below us.  It was magical, made even more so as Jenn said she had not seen any dolphins here! Perfect.

We then met up with Helen at another fab little eatery, Cream, for a spot of yummy breakfast (I could get used to this) and after catching up on the previous days shenanigans (including some video which made for a wheelie good watch), Jenn and I headed out to the shops.  Marion to be precise and purchases bought we headed home to chill before heading out later that night to the cinema.

But this is not just any old cinema, this is Gold Class cinema. I've spoken about it before my regulars will remember, but for those newbies it is bloody marvellous! Drinks before you go in, drinks and food bought to you throughout the showing, at the time of your choice, direct to your reclining leather laziboy chair.  Heaven.  So the whole gang were there, reclining two by two sipping bubble, and cocktails and coffee! Nibbling on snacks and icecream and cheeseboards (just one, mine, which was pig enough to take over the entire table I was sharing with Tracey) and as we nommed and sipped away, listening to the bloke two rows down scraping his slate clean with what sounded like a shovel,  we watched the enchanting and utterly heartbreakingly wonderful Lady in the Van.  Dame Maggie was as awesome as ever and after a lot of laughs and just as many tears we bid our good nights to each other and all headed home to bed.

Wednesday bought an early start as Jenn Carrie and I headed into the city early.  They had a errand to run so I met with them a couple of hours later in one of my favourite places in the city - Central Market.  It does exactly what is says on the tin, it is central and it is indeed a market, selling all manner of wonderful produce, fruit, veg, bread, cheese, meats, fish and and amazing array of local and worldwide foods. Some of which I am sure were loaded onto the sack barrow wielded by a very small Asian man that knocked me over.  And I mean over.  Right over.  To the floor in a fine display of mobile phone shattering and flop flip breaking glory. Like a sack of spuds. I didn't see him coming from my left and he clearly didn't see me (his barrow laden with boxes was taller than him).  After I'd replied to his recurrent questions of 'are you allright' with 'do I bloody look allright' whilst attempting to get up on a broken flipflop with some modicum of dignity, I limped off with more than my pride bruised to finally meet Carrie and Jenn.

I'd had a quick coffee and a flowerpot muffin at a little cafe before the barrow incident, but I wanted to take them to my little place in the market that I'd been coming to ever since my first trip to Oz with my ex about 15 years ago, and where I have come every time since.  This time however the Big Table was closed for the day, so it was a quick recommendation to give it a try, a nostalgic look at it's metal shutters and off for some more retail therapy.

Happy shoppers were we three, and a quick stop to china town for a nice little bit of late noodle lunch before getting back in the car to go and pick up Daniel from school, to take him to the liquid nitrogen ice creeam joint I went to the other day with Helen and Savannah.  A 30 min drive into and out of the city bought us back to the shop, only to look left to find the road we had just eaten at not 200 yards away...

Fancy ices nommed, it was home for a quick change to head to the only place to be on my last night - Seacliff.

Carrie and I arrived first and grabbed the perfect spot on the balcony that gives me the view I just cant get enough of and sat with a bottle of bubbles watching the sun disappear in between the palm trees, casting its warm glow onto our faces and into our hearts. Sue called in to say goodbye but couldn't stay long, then as the sun was almost gone on my last day in Adelaide the rest of the girls appeared, with Megan and Sarah too.  It was fabulous, we reminisced, talked about all sorts, laughed, drank and laughed even more, all in agreement that we had packed a lot into the last week and what a blast it had been

Another bonus in the Seacliff that night was it appeared to be an open mic night, giving any up and coming local talent the opportunity to showcase their talents.  Well it just so happened we had a talented musician in our midst in the shape of Tracey's daughter, Sarah.  She was keen but not too sure but in a jiffy I was up at the stage with her asking the rather lovely organiser of the event how you got your name on the list.  Just like that she was on the list!!!

And wow, she may have followed one after a 10 year old boy who did the Justine Bieber song that I sing constantly but can never remember the name of (you can go and love yourself....) better than Bieber in my mind, but she held her own and her renditions of Wonderwall was amazing.  It gave us all goosebumps and a tear in our eyes, none more so than for Tracey.  She is a star in the making and we were all there right at the start. Then it was time to bid farewell to wonderful friends once more, and in the balmy warm evening breeze we hugged and said goodbye, but not for long, I would be returning before they would even realise I'd been back home. Then me and Carrie headed back home for my last night in the Heggie household.  Sniff.

All too soon it was this morning and with a heavy heart I packed my things and said goodbye to Graeme and Daniel before Jenn took me via Carrie's work to pick her up and head for the airport.  We had subways by the boarding gate and then we had to do the inevitable but it was with a smile knowing I would be back really soon, and would be seeing them sooner when they visited England in the summer.

I made my way onto the plane and headed to my upgraded little bit of extra legroom seat which necessitated me agreeing to assisting in the event of an emergency by opening the emergency exit door I was gonna be sitting next to for the next coupla hours, and now that I knew how to open it that is exactly what I wanted to do.  So nodding off next to a young lad who must have been 6'8 and also grateful of the leg room but who was also far more capable of opening the emergency door since my sack barrow incident left my arm rather sore, we left the beautiful shores of Adelaide behind and eventually arrived back where it all started, Sydney.

After a shuttle bus ride to my hotel that would not look out of place in the next Fast and Furious film, I was at the (closed) doors of the Woolloomooloo Waters Apartments.  An interesting cat and mouse game of getting my key from the unmanned front desk occurred and finally I arrived to my home for the next two nights, right in the heart of the up and coming cutely named Woolloomooloo. My pops and me came here last time and I fell for it's charms, a little bit rough round the edges but with the highly chic Finger Wharf filled with apartments and restaurants that this evening were apparently hosting a major event.  I meandered down the lovely waterside, soaking up the sunset and the atmosphere, stopping at the Woollie hotel for a pint on Fat Yak and a pizza (I'm hoping that the latter does not make me into the former later on this evening...).  Just before 8pm I headed back to the apartment to get myself sorted and marvel at what the view from my balcony had become in the dark (wow) and then there were fireworks.  Literally.  Only I could sit looking at a view for over an hour and have fireworks in full view of where I just sat 10 minutes after leaving.  And of course as soon as I got back in the lift and arrived down back to the wharf the fireworks stopped as quickly as they started.  It was time for a stop at the bottle shop and then home to bed, not before sitting here and updating you all as I know how you love it so much!

And that is where I am now, looking at the bright lights of downtown Sydney ready to have a final day of exploring tomorrow.  I am sure that I will find things to bore you with but I will try not to let it involve getting knocked over by a barrow....

So until then my faithful followers, thank you for your patience and TTFN xxxxx

The wine tour and the wheelbarrow....

Good afternoon from the Heggies pool, I am getting some afternoon sun and its the perfect time to catch up on Bank Holiday because there is a horse race Monday goings on!!

A trip to Adelaide is never complete without a little wine tour so me, Carrie and Helen were driven round by the ever patient Jenn to find some gems and try some wine!! Off to the McLaren Vale we trundled and the first stop was a new one for all of us but had come highly recommended - Beach Road Wines.  And what a gem, a real little boutique place with Brionny the owner and wine maker guiding up through their 6 wines with an enthusiastic and cheerful explanation of each, she was even happy when we were trying to work out if we could get the 6 foot antique wine rack in one of our handbags....

Thankfully we had rung ahead to book a table for lunch and we sat, overlooking the stunning countryside, and enjoyed a bottle of their pinot (a wine you could get into trouble drinking it was so lush) and a selection of nibbly bits for starters including pickled mini brains (radishes) and kumquats (that made you cough they were so pickly!!) followed by amazing wood fired pizzas and a glass of the stunning shiraz.  Heaven.  This truly was a beautiful spot and after a gorgeous lunch and a long discussion about the show that we will never forget (we are still talking about it which is the best publicity they could get) and how I should apply for a stand up comedy slot in next years Fringe (after making my blogs into a book) we headed out to our next stop, Angove.

Another stunning setting but with not so nice wine, but we did get to look as (and briefly touch the bottle of) a 40 year old brandy that retails at $750.....well it did have a 24 carat gold lid.

Our third and final stop (which was probably wise as we were starting to get a tad squiffy) was the vineyard that Mandy Walker works at, Paxtons.  We arrived to the beautiful setting to hear the strains of True by Spandau Ballet wafting through the outdoor speakers, and thankfully we were the only ones there as we waltzed in serenading Mandy in the process. This was clearly only going to end one way....So several wines later the wine tasting with wonderful Mandy went like this:

Karen into ice tongs, Mexican hat wearing, dancing to the beats, finding a wheelbarrow that Helen and I wanted to have a go in, having a go in the wheelbarrow and Helen falling out, having another go and Helen not falling out by making the sensible decision not to push her down a very large hill, more wine, more singing, Helen pushing me around in a sack barrow aka Hannibal Lecter style, laying on tables, more wine, a bit more singing and finally leaving after Mandy had locked us out....

Mandy was a star as was Jenn for driving round 3 slightly squiffy 40 somethings but we had a blast, laughing so hard our cheeks hurt and wishing we'd gone further in the wheelbarrow but grateful that we hadn't...

A quick stop back at the Heggies to pick up the boys and it was out to Fudd's a new burger joint with an unfortunate position oppostie a petrol garage but the awesome burgers made up for that, and after completing Daniels Hitler assignment whilst we ate it was back home for an extremely early night, slightly squiffy and very very full!!

And before I knew it, morning came and a chilled out day was to follow but that will be for later faithful friend.  SO just a short one for you there to make up for the essay this morning!!  Tonights will be equally as short but just as heartfelt so until then I bid you TTFN xxxx

A weekend in the city with fringe benefits......!

Morning all!  Sorry it's been a bit protracted after the last few days but when I am travelling on my own I do in the evening or early morning and write my blog.  But when I am with wonderful friends, busy busy busy, staying out til all hours and generally having a scream the blog gets left behind. Then I feel guilty.  So here I am, ready to fill you in on my weekend of fun and frolics, food and drink, laughter and rather disturbing confusion!!!!

Let's begin where I left of (which is always a good place to start) Jenn and I were back from the Gorge and we were heading into the city as this was the last weekend of the wonderful Adelaide Fringe where the city is transformed with The Garden of Unearthly Delights in the park, Gluttony and The Royal Croquet Club in Victoria Square.  These are pop up amazing venues with bars and clubs and shows and food and lights and madness and just has to be experienced.  Carrie, Jenn and I met Helen and Tracey there and after a little nibble and a jug of Pimms we headed in to see our show for that evening.  This is where the confusion starts.

The show was called 'all genius all idoit' and was described in it's flyer as 'a visceral gender bending display of strength and creativity, all genius, all idiot is not like any other circus performance you will see'.

Sweet baby Jesus and the orphans they were not wrong there. As soon as the first 'dancer' (I use the term loosely as if rolling around on the floor like you are having some sort of seizure is called dancing then therefore you are a dancer) stepped on stage wearing an all in one body stocking, almost floor length fur coat, lipstick, see through plastic pole dancer shoes and moose antlers and wailing like he had a poker up his behind (which in hindsight he may have) we knew this was not going to be like anything we had seen before.

And it didn't end there.  There were four of them. The above mentioned, a short bald bloke with a beard wearing leggings and a bomber jacket, an Orlando Bloom lookalike (he would be thrilled) and another who looked strangely like an old work colleague of mine which made it even more difficult to watch.

Here began over an hour of wailing, writhing, screeching, jumping (on each other), banging of drums, fighting, rolling around on the floor, shouting, grunting, ramming fists into other people's mouths, spraying the audience with spit, babbling and general bollocks, all topped off with what I have to say were some amazing acrobatic abilities (any man who can hang off a stripper pole with one foot whilst wearing a minute pink pants has to be applauded, and what Orlando Bloom did with his bit of rope was incredible).

We sat through this with faces of pure confusiuon, annoyance, bordum and sometimes disgust, constantly uttering to each other and whoever would listen 'what the ..... is going on???) No one seemed to know but we were unfortunayely transfixed to this display of disturblingly ridiculous dark homoerotic self indulgent tosh.  Genuinely I cannot tell you what it was about, why they were doing it or where they had pulled this idea from, but two things were evident and the end of a very long and uncomfortable hour....they were incredible athletes with very very very weird brains.

At last it was time to leave and the sea of bemused faces fled from the tent to find the performers outside greeting the public.  I had to say something.  So I did.  Me to the Transvestite Moose 'in all my born days I can say hand on heart that I have never seen anything like that and probably won't again' Moose: 'thank you' Me: 'that wasn't a compliment' Moose: 'oh' Me: 'where in the name of God did that come from?' Moose: 'our brains....'  A psycologists dream.

And then we were gone, drained, and if I'm honest all feeling a little bit dirty. We continuted to talk about it for the reaminder of the night, all admitting that we were kind of glad we'd seen it but kind of wishing we hadn't and all agreeing that we had shared something this summer that we could never truly explain and no-one who was not there could understand (even though I was there and I still don't understand).  And I end this little segment with the quote of the night from me 'well if that's contempoary dance you can shove it up your arse.....'

After a wander in the evening madness andv bright lights of the Croquet Club we were off home, ready to rest before another couple of days in the city with a nice little stopover to boot!!

Just as a foot note, if you do decide to google the 'dance' troup and look at a trailer for what we witnessed don't be fooled, that was nothing like we witnessed.  If I'd known there would be half naked men writing around on the floor and crawling out of shopping trollies whilst wearing fishnet body stockings I'm not convinced I'd have gone.  Believe me, it's not as good as iot sounds.....!

Then in a flash it was Saturday and we were all heading back into the City to catch two more shows and have a little night away.  We headed in around 2pm and checked into the apartment that we would be literally laying our heads down in for a few hours (which is a good job and one of us was going to have to be sleeping on a put up bed which had transformed the living space into what resembled a hospital ward) and it was out to our first venue in a stunning rooftop bar overlooking the city called 2KW. We got there at the right time, securing a seat with a cracking view and sitting under the cooling outdoor air con they had going before it began to fill with well dressed (and some not so) party goers, and making light work of two jugs of Pimms!

We moved on in search of some food and after a little detour and an unscheduled wander round the city we found a funky little place called Linders Lane in, well, Linders Lane I suspect, just off Rundle Mall.  So we sat outside listening to the street entertainers and enjoyed some amazing food.  I went for the Roo which was amazing and looked like a work of art, but left me with a little food envy as it was more the size of a starter.  But never fear, there was plenty more food to be eaten in this City tonight!!

Next stop was the Crab Shack which was so funky and cool, an oasis of seaside wonder right in the city, where we drank cocktails out of tin cans and jars, sank beers and nommed crab tacos whilst watching the young and not so young enjoying the atmosphere as much as we were.  It was then into the Garden of Unearthly Delights which every time I go to, fills me with joy.  Entertainment tents, food, drink, sideshows, fun fair, a windmill, lights and just wondrfulness under the stars.  The first show was an acrobatic event (thankfully it didn't resemble Friday's debacle) and it was really clever and amazing to see the strength in the guys and girls performing it.  Maybe would have been slightly more enjoyable if not for the rather drunk bogans sitting in front of us but hey, we all have our moments!

Then it was a little bit of a hurried walk to Glutony, another funky set up in the next garden to catch a comedy show at the Phat Club,  hosted by Micky D, an hysterical aussie comic who we saw last time I was over (we even had the same conversation when he asked if there was any English in and when I said where I was from he asked if I knew Maidstone and then went on to talk about a gig he did there and they were all on drugs....) followed by 7 more comedians from around the world Ireland, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Australia and America).  We had a solid two hours of laughter and at 2.30am we finally got back to the apartment/hospital ward, ate our convenience store purchases and got our heads down.

Morning was soon upon us and we headed out for a brunch at another funky spot called the Market Shed where there were facinating food stalls and coffee places nestled into what was an old storage shed.  There were musicians playing and we sat and soaked up the atmosphere whilst eating some fab food and very good coffee.  This city really has many layers and plenty to keep you occupied, and is a foodies dream!!

Then the group parted company and I headed off with Helen and Savannah in search of ice cream made with liquid nitrogen!!!! It was called Fancy Ices and we watched them make the ice cream, freezing it in the mixer by using the liquid nitrogen and it was so cool!! (excuse the pun).  Soon I was tucking into coffee gelato with a candy floss top bigger than my head! It was lush.  Then we moved on, heading back to the Heggies to have a quick change and head for the beach.  Just what we needed to end a great weekend.

We had a blast, there was me, Helen, Carrie, Jenn and Savannah all chilled and enjoying the sea and sun.  Then Helen came up with the idea to hire paddle boards.  What a laugh!! After my experience with the kayak in France (near death I will have you know) I was a little nervous and maybe should have told Helen sooner I couldn't swim, but we were out on the water for over an hour, Helen stood, Jenn stood, Savannah stood and I got to my knees! All went perfectly until I tried to go for a stand up 5 meteres from shore....Helen and I both ended up in the drink in spectacular fashion but still managed to look fabulous!!

We watched the sun set on another incredible day and then it was home for pie and mash (curtosey of the Market Shed) and off to bed, happy, contented and just a little weary.  All that water action was exhausting!!!

Then it was Monday, which was a Bank Holiday here (because there was a horse race everyone needed to watch.  I love this country!) and another fun day bekoned....

But that is for later as it is now Truesday for me and I am conscious this has been a rather long post and I am sure you are all bored rigid.  So I will leave that for later and say thank you as always for your faithful attention and sign off by saying...

TTFN xxx

From Koala's to something I just can't describe......only in Australia!

And good morning once more from the Heggies pool!  Here begins my confession of yesterdays goings on which started in the most wonderful way and ended up rather unexpectedly.  Read on if you dare!It was time to go see some wildlife and Jenn wanted to take me to a lovely little wildlife park up in the Adelaide Hills called the Gorge.  So we set off early in the beetle and it was my turn to drive and it was another stunner of a road, with the rolling hills either side turning from farm land to vineyards once again and the all too familiar feeling that there was going to be a spectacular view over the next crest of a hill, and not being disappointed.  This area never ceases to amaze me in it's beauty and it's similarity to England in the richness of the landscape, just one a more majestic scale.

Soon we arrived and heading inside to be greeted by the words I had been wanting to hear (unfortunately not Hello I'm Brad Pitt and I've loved you forever) but 'there will be Koala Cuddling at 1130' Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!!! I was like a kid on Christmas day and although I have cuddled these little darlings before, I never ever get sick of it!! So we meandered round this lovely little sanctuary with all the usual suspects and a few more thrown in for good measure, got selfies with a roo and entertained some monkeys with our mobiles, got a bit too close to an ostrich and a quokka liked the taste of Jenn a little too much, mooned over a wombat (not at it thankfully) and patted some dingos until finally the time had come.

We got to the Koala cuddling spot as a queue began to form and as others joined us we waited in anticipation (well I did, Jenn was just going to take the pics for me, bless her) and then the inevitable happened.  A man and his clan waltzed up to the front of the queue and just stood there.  Frowns and head turns were everywhere and whispers of the treachery he was committing filled the air and I did the only thing a Brit who is queueing would do - told him there was a back to this line and he had to join it.  Smiles all round and the karma was restored as he was banished to the ever increasing line
(which really wasn't that long in the great scheme of things but there are rules) And then they arrived, the two little darlings that were going to get cuddled to within an inch of their lives. I was in there like a flash, all's fair in love and koala cuddling and was first up with Bella, who was two and extremely interested in my ears, ever more so than her dinner! It was magical and after some pics and ever a selfie she went back to her handler ready to be pawed by the ensuing crowd and we headed out back to the car, happy and with a grin like a Cheshire cat (well me anyway!) ready to
return home.

Once we had navigated the interesting route sat nav took us home, I headed out to see one of the other girls I hadn't seen yet, Mandy, and catch up with the other Bells and Buddy the wonderful golden retriever.  And after a good chinwag and Buddy hugs it was back home to get ready for the evenings shenanigans.

We were heading into the city as this was the last weekend of the wonderful Adelaide Fringe where the city is transformed with The Garden of Unearthly Delights in the park, Gluttony and The Royal Croquet Club in Victoria Square.  These are pop up amazing venues with bars and clubs and shows and food and lights and madness and just has to be experienced.  Carrie, Jenn and I met Helen and Tracey there and after a little nibble and a jug of Pimms we headed in to see a show.

Ok, I am never really short on words and almost never speechless but trying to find the words to describe what we saw is something I have pondered on all night and most of this morning. So I'm off to get a quick drink and I will be back to try and begin....

Well it ended up being more than just a quick drink, it turned into 2 days of fun and frolics and it is now Sunday evening for me (all the goings on previously mentioned were on Friday and I was writing it on Saturday, are you keeping up...?) So I will leave the all Fringe details to one post and update you in my next instalment as there is lots to share.

TTFN my faithful friends! xxx

Wine, chocolate and cinema under the stars!

Good morning all, have you missed me!!??  It's been two days I know but I am back and ready to tell you all the things I have been up to with wonderful friends in an amazing and I think, under rated city!  So I have claimed my spot by the Heggies pool and it is time to put into words some of the wonderful things I have seen and done. Some will be easier than others and some will bring back memories that quite frankly should stay buried, but more on that later....

It started on Thursday morning after the welcome drinks at Seacliffe the night before, with a little wine and chocolate tasting at the Hahndorf Hill Winery. It was just to be Tracey Jenn and I and we headed out in Jenn's gorgeous yellow beetle to Hahndorf, a stunning little German town about 40 mins away.  I suspect it was colonised by the Germans hence the connection and it still has that feel with beer houses and sausage eating places (oooo err) along it's high street, coupled with shops and restaurants selling wonderful produce and goods.  But for us it was all about the vineyard and Hahndorf Hill is a lovely one, with its vines today covered with netting to stop the birds eating the wonderful produce and an empty cellar door ready for us to enjoy some delights!!

We were here to match chocolate with wine, and the very informative Dee was our guide.  Well, what a journey. A bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk will never be the same again.  It was really informative even if we maybe didn't take it a seriously as we should.  Apparently the only things we need in life are water, wine, chocolate and cheese.  Nice to hear as that is my usual daily diet!! Chocolate, proper chocolate should be savoured like a good wine, not inhaled in a nano second as I know I do when I get my hands on a bar.....(I have to say at this point that I know I have given up chocolate for Lent and the ever persuasive Robert as Pigs Peake in Hunter had already made me break this in the pursuit of wine heaven, so me and the big man had a chat and he was all fine with it as long as it was treated as a scientific experiment.....yep it sure was!!).

We were taught to smell it, feel it, listen to it snap (the louder the snap the better the choc) to let it melt in our mouths and savour the taste.  We did that and it took 20 mins to eat two small squares!! Then we matched chocs with the loveliest wines and after much laughter, chocolate snobbery, wine, more laughter, realising that just because a chocolate bean is rare and has villagers dance round it when it is picked it doesn't mean it will make the best chocolate, and just a little bit of ice cream we came away with a bottle of fabulous Shiraz and a longing for a pie....All jokes aside it really was an amazing experience.

So out pie craving was sorted with a trip to Otto's bakery and the yummiest fat filled curry pie ever eaten as we walked up the picturesque high street it was back to the Heggies to get ready for the night time entertainment - moonlight cinema.

In a flash we were all down by the beach of beautiful Glenelg with me, Carrie, Helen, Sue, Tracey and Mandy walker drinking contraband bubbles (it's a no alcohol dry zone but we decided I would just plead ignorance as a pom it caught and say it was my idea and I didn't know....sorry officer) and after not getting caught and soaking up another amazing sunset it was time to take our beanbags under the stars and watch the film.

I love this kind of thing and have done it a few times here but never at Glenelg and the added bonus of sun setting over the sea just to our left just added to its wow factor.  The film was good, The Danish Girl, and even with some comedic and very well timed heckling from the Surf Club balcony and the rattling of beer crates being thrown away, it was a wonderful experience.

As the film ended it was apparent that the almost litre of cider I had consumed whilst watching the film was needing to be released from my bladder and an entertain and very painful run/bent over double hobble followed to the sounds of laughter as I ran past the guy on the door shouting 'get out of my way it's coming out....' and when I returned I think he was relieved to see I meant I needed a wee and not having a baby....

We bid our good nights to all and headed back to home where I fell into bed, happy but tired and looking forward to what was next on my itinerary..... and I think that will need a whole new post!!

So until the next one which won't be far behind, TTFN xxx