What an exciting Test Match – Australia looked on top until
the last session of Day 3, when the Poms bowled brilliantly. Suddenly, the game
could go either way. We turned up for Day 5, paid our $2 & were treated to
2 hours of excitement with an Australian victory after some fine bowling.
20,000+ watched the session, which was wonderful – we saw many families who
might not have been able to afford the Days 1-4 tickets getting to see their
heroes for a pittance.
Stunning sight of rain falling under lights
We’ve enjoyed some wonderful breakfasts while we were in
Adelaide – after Luigi’s we tried Mister Sunshine’s, followed by Peter Rabbit, complete with live rabbit
in hutch, and Handsome & the Duchess,
and finally Jamface in the Adelaide
Market. All were interesting, most warmed the teacups before serving & most
required patrons to perch uncomfortably on stools rather than rest their backs
sitting in chairs. The service in all places was friendly & welcoming, the
meals were interesting & yummy & we would visit them all again!
We saw the film, Goodbye
Christopher Robin, which was perfect in every way & hasn’t left our
minds yet. Do see it if you haven’t already.
We also went to the State Library which had an amazing
collection of political cartoons; the Centre for Democracy; the Art Gallery;
the War Memorial and various Gardens. Because the weather was more like
Melbourne than Adelaide, we were able to walk everywhere & enjoy it unlike
the last two years when it has just been too hot. The Adelaide Oval has been a delight to visit again, with
welcoming staff ready to help – one attendant even carried beer upstairs for a
patron whose hands were shaking too much to attempt it.
Me with Shiraz vin
plastique – most nights we were able to drink our wine out on the concourse,
but this night was just too cold in the wind, even for Victorians!
Finally, we said goodbye to Adelaide after a last night
which included drinks at the National Wine Centre (a favourite haunt) &
dinner at Rigoni’s, a fine Italian
restaurant in Leigh Street. We tried to have oysters at the Oyster Bar, but they were embarrassed
to report they had run out of oysters & smoked salmon at 6.30pm!
The final leg of our trip was three nights in Port Fairy,
where Wes & his sister, Denise, had spent family holidays in the late
fifties. I had booked an apartment with beach views, hoping it would be the
back-beach. Not only was it the back-beach, but it was also where Wes &
Denise used to come to swim & play every day amongst the rockpools. They
stayed at The Star of the West, a
pub that still exists.
The view from our room
complete with bunnies!
Our drive into Port Fairy was quite challenging with very
heavy rain & the possibility of being blown off the road each time a huge
truck went past going the other way. However, we arrived safely & spent a
few happy hours watching the rain beat down on the glass, through which we
could see the waves. Our room was comfortable, although the shower was a
challenge with a fierce spray that went in every direction & soaked the
bathmat utterly. We walked down to the beach each morning along a private path.
After breakfast on Friday at The Farmer’s Wife, we set off for a stroll around town, followed by
a drive remembering spots that the Maloneys visited during their two weeks here
each year. The day dawned cold & wet, but there was a beautiful huge
rainbow in the sky around 7.30am & everything started to improve after
that.
Mushroom omelette for
me & chia porridge for Wes with the wonderful Age headline – Signed, Sealed & Delivered re
Marriage Equality.
We drove to Koroit, Killarney, Crossley & Tower Hill
areas – found a viewpoint for a Von Guerard painting, as well as the graves of
Danny Millman’s grand-parents. The wind was fierce, but the sun was shining
& it was a lovely day for memories.
That night we had dinner at Lemongrass Thai Restaurant, which is BYO. Wes picked up a bottle of
Brown Bros Dolcetto, which turned out to be slightly sparkling – no wonder it
was on special at $13! The meals were yummy & the service very friendly
& welcoming.
Next morning was breakfast with ex-Daylesford friends,
Chris & Suzanne, who moved to Port Fairy about 5 months ago to have a fresh
start together. They are both looking very well & happy & involved in
the local community. We wished them Happy Marriage Equality & they were
delighted.
After breakfast we visited the local Saturday Market, which
was very well laid out with all stalls under identical tents. Then onto the
wharf & an hour’s walk admiring the boats, before we returned via the front
beach.
On our way back to our room, we stopped to look at Pea Soup
Bay, which is a cove along the back beach – not as good as our cove though!
This morning we’ve been for a last walk along the beach
& are looking forward to arriving home after a lovely trip. We miss Bilbo,
friends, our own bed & pillows & having lots of space. However, we’ve
done lots & it feels as though we’ve been away much longer than the 12 days
it has been.
Thanks for sharing our journey with us – I’ll be in touch
again next Sunday from Daylesford.
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