Down Under (8)

We returned from Carrickalinga last Sunday (3rd). On Monday we decided to go shopping for some clothes replacements. The plan initially was to drive to the big shopping centre at Marion - which we did - but we didn't get everything we needed so popped over to Glenelg to complete the shopping - and we took the opportunity to have an ice cream and a walk along the pier:

In the background are the apartments we stayed at when we first came to Australia 13 years ago.

We took the boys to school on Tuesday. On the previous Friday it had been Values Day. I wondered what the 4 values represented until I saw these explanations on a wall at the school:

Wednesday was my 75th birthday and as we hadn't yet been to the "Wheaty", one of my favourite pubs in Adelaide, we thought this might be a good time to go there. I double checked the opening times on their app - 7 days a week, 11 am to 11 pm - good. So we caught the train in and then the tram out to Thebarton, only to find the place closed with a notice on the door saying that they didn't open until 3 pm! Bah humbug. Back on the tram after a short wait:

Our next target was the Malt Shovel behind the station. Closed on Wednesdays. Strike two. Next target was Lady Burra brewhouse and thankfully it was open, albeit we arrived there via a circuitous loop:

We then headed back to Old Noarlunga. Chris was working late but Kelly took the boys plus Jo and me to the beach, stopping first at a "bottle-o" for beers and Barnacle Bill's for takeaway fish and chips - all of which were consumed on the beach. The boys had a boogie board and I tried to pull Asher on it but he soon get fed up with that - I think I was going too slowly for him - so he decided to make me chase him in the water. It was hard work but Kelly soon came to my rescue. A lovely day in the end - and we had cake too.

On Thursday morning with the temperature rising daily, Jo and I decided to try and beat the heat and head out early for a walk round the local river park and take in the boardwalk over the "wetlands" area there:

A bit of grocery shopping and then the pool - and that was the day over.

On Friday we had another Fringe show to attend - this time in the city centre. Like the Edinburgh Fringe there are venues all over the city but two of the main ones are at Gluttony - where our show was - and across the road at "The Garden":

Loads of shows at both venues but the one we went to see was https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/simply-brill-the-teens-who-stole-60-s-rock-n-roll-af2024. It was excellent but definitely for those of a certain vintage. Once the show was finished and after we'd said hello and cheerio to Holly Mullins, daughter of a friend of mine who was working at the Fringe, we took in a bit of the lively ambience of Rundle St and found a nice Italian restaurant for dinner. Kelly met us at Seaford Meadows train station and drove us back in the still oppressive heat of the evening.

It was another Fringe show on Saturday. This time we took a car up to the Star Theatre on Sir Donald Bradman Drive. It was a musical play this time - https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-shoemaker-of-havana-af2024 - all about the Cuban revolution and the world missile crisis of the early '60's. Another good show.

Sunday is our last full day in Australia. In the morning we headed to the beach again:

Chris' brother, Matt, came over at 1 pm to child mind whilst Kelly and Chris took us over to McLaren Flat for lunch at the lovely Currant Shed. Chris' Mum and Dad popped over to their house to say goodbye to us and they gave me a little gift:

So that's it - we're almost fully packed. We leave here at 5:45 am tomorrow (Monday) morning local time, flying domestic initially to Sydney before the big flight - Sydney - Singapore - London and then up to Aberdeen.