Sunday 22nd October 2000
Arrive Adelaide
Drive out to Elizabeth, find a phone to phone dad to warn him before we turned up. Kidded him along before admitting to the fact that we were actually in the Adelaide area. Drove to Uralba.
Had a problem finding their house due to the road layout being changed in the seven years since we visited last. After driving up and down the road a few times, recognising a tree by the turning but not the side road, we tried asking at the local petrol station-post office.
This was met by the comment "You must be Rex Talbot's son", turned out that dad had just been in for some milk as his son had just turned up without warning from England. So we eventually found the house. Had a long chat with D&J for about three hours.
Dad and jean had to go out so we went off to fine a hotel for the night. After driving around for a while we found the Barrossa Valley Motor In, Jackie went in and checked prices and booked us in. After a rest slightly interrupted by birds in the air-conditioning, we went back to dad and jeans. Decided to go out for dinner together, after some talk we settled on a Gawler to the restaurant D&J knew.
After dinner went back to Uralba, Steph's evening was completed by getting to feed Pal some carrots. End of the day and back to our hotel for a good nights sleep.
Monday 23rd October 2000
Up for breakfast in the hotel restaurant.Dinner out with dad and jean at an Italian restaurant in Gawler.
Tuesday 24th October 2000
Breakfast in hotel room, Toast. We managed to set of the smoke detector, thank goodness it wasn't a linked system. At 9 o'clock we left the hotel and started our drive to Sydney.
After a few hours driving we stopped and picked up some cold meats and eat lunch on the move. Needing a comfort break we stopped at McDonalds for a coffee. After a long day driving we arrived at a place called Yarawonga, on the Murry river.
Found a room at the Lakeview Motel. Stephanie said that she wasn't hungry and wanted to stay in the room. Jackie and I walked into town. We found a hotel/ pub with a dining room and checked out their menu, it looked good so we went in. Jackie had Pork Medallions and I having seen one go by to another diner elected to go for a mixed grill. Enough for two, but I managed to eat it anyway. Washed down with a bottle of Penfolds Semirilion.
On the way back to the motel we stopped in a supermarket and picked up some snacks for Stephanie and some food for the next day. Back to the hotel and to sleep.
Wednesday 25th October 2000
Continued drive to Sydney. Stephanie wanted to see the Snowy Mountains so we diverted from the direct route. Looking at the map it looked like an interesting road. In reality it was a very interesting road for the driver. There were no straights longer than ten yards. The trip took nearly three hours of hairpin bends,
After two hours Stephanie was feeling very sick so Jackie swapped and sat in the back. This improved things for Stephanie and with a few stops for air we made it to the Snowy Mountain Visitor centre at Jyndabyne, having seen several obviously dead wombats.
Here we stopped for lunch in the cafe. Jackie had a cheese and ham open toastie, Martin and Stephanie had a chicken burger ( large ). We checked out the souvenir shop, picked up an Olympic tumbler for Nicky. After lunch we drove down the road so Steph could see the Snowy river.
Heading towards Canberra we came across a wild brumby standing on the road. I don't know who was the most supprised but the brumby stood still for us to have a good look, Steph was stoked.
From here we drove on into Canberra where we got lost and drove into a car park thinking it was a by-pass. Finding the by-pass we eventually arrived at Goulburn and we checked into the Goulburn Motor Inn.
We stayed here on our last visit to Australia in 1995. For dinner we went back into Goulburn and found a restaurant called the 147. I had a steak and chips, Jackie had steak and salad and Steph had vienaschnitzle.
Thursday 26th October 2000
Got up, checked out and found breakfast ( McDonalds ) M&J coffee Steph McBreakfast. Finished drive to Sydney eating cold meats for lunch on the move.
Drove back out of city into the Blue mountains. Found accommodation for the night in the Blackheath Motor Inn and caught up with laundry. Went for a scenic drive down into the megalong valley. Found a riding stable in magalong and booked Steph in for an escorted trail ride. Phoned Lynda to say hi and arrange a day for a visit. Dinner in Burger king. On the way back to hotel stopped and watched the sunset in the Blue mountains.
Friday 27th October 2000
Up early because Steph excited about riding. So we went and did some sight-seeing. Drove to the Three Sisters rock formation to see the sunrise.
Afterwards we drove down into the megalong valley. According to the locals some scenes from Mel Gibson's Mad Max 3 were filmed down here. After loitering around for a while we dropped Steph off for her trail ride.
As she was to be gone for three hours J&M decided to go for a short walk in the valley before returning to collect Steph. We parked a short distance down the valley near where the map showed a walking trail.
Taking the usual emergency bits and a snack in the rucksack we set off. After a short while we met a pair of ladies walking in the other direction and exchanged short greetings. We walked on for about half an hour and then decided to retrace our steps to the car.
Just before the car we found a wallet laying on the ground, picking it up we surmised that it probably belonged to one of the ladies we had seen. Talking about it we decided we could trace them using the information in the wallet.
This proved to be unnecessary as when we returned to the car the ladies were laying on the ground by the road. We returned their wallet to their thanks. Seeing that one of them looked unwell we asked if we could help in any way. The ladies declined, so we said farewell and made ready to leave in the car.
As we started the engine the fitter lady asked if we could give them a lift back up to their car. So we all climbed in. The trip up, like the trip down is very twisty, and just as we got to the top the unwell lady chucked up.
Fortunately we had given them a towel and that took the majority of the mess. After we had dropped them off at their car, we went to the local store and after buying a bucket, cloths and disinfectant, cleaned the car.
Driving back down into the valley we were in time to see Steph return riding "Roumer". She had had a whale of a time seeing snakes and all sorts of wildlife.
Looking at the map we were not far from Barthurst, where the Toohees 1000 touring car race is held. So we drove back out of the valley and headed that way.
We stopped at a service station at Lithgow where we all had cheese, pineapple and ham toasties for lunch. We carried on to Barthurst where to my surprise the Mount Panorama racing circuit is quiet public roads, so I stopped on the start grid for a photograph and then drove the circuit.
What a blast, I had seen this track on TV each year and now I was driving it. Jackie and Steph must have thought I had gone mad, talk about like a kid in a sweet shop.
We decided to drive back into Sydney for the night and revisit the sights of the city in the morning. Arriving we found a brand new motel called the Voyager Motel and Jackie with her usual flair got us a three night deal, which suited perfectly as we planned to head back to Adelaide on Monday.
Looking for dinner as we had saved on the motel Jackie persuaded me that we should have a nice meal. Fortunately the nearest restaurant, the Prospectors Restaurant looked nice. Very new with a minimalistic decoration we sat down.
The menu was a little posh for me as my taste runs to steak and kidney pie etc. My fears were groundless and it was a very nice meal, and not too expensive. I had a rib-eye steak and Jackie had a fillet steak, we shared a salad. Steph had viennaschnitzle. All went well until I picked up what I thought was a piece of bacon in the salad and eat it, only to fond that it was anchovy.
Jackie and Steph once they decided I wasn't actually dying, found it very amusing.
Saturday 28th October 2000
Up and out early. We drove into Sydney, saw the signs for Darling Harbour and thought "yes". So a short while later we had parked in a multi-storey car park and were walking in Darling Harbour again.
We were here last visit and had seen the web cam during the build-up to the Olympics, it was wonderful to be here. The weather was nice if a little windy. We decided that breakfast was the first order of the day, spotting a row of harbour side cafe's we checked them out. Settled on a cooked breakfast next to the water, very nice until....Jackie decided to spit food at a fly sitting on her shoulder.
What a laugh, we were all in stitches, she had meant to blow the fly away, forgetting that she had a mouthful of food.
After breckie we spent the morning shopping and sightseeing ( yes the Opera House again ). Lunch in McDonalds, on the way back to the car we walked around Paddys Market.
Steph brought a new hat. In the car we drove out of the city in a northerly direction and stopped at Manley beach for a walk in the sand. After a sightseeing drive we returned to the motel for an evening meal of Tim Tams and Pringles in the room.
Sunday 29th October 2000
We finished the Tim Tams for breakfast with a cup of tea and then got ready to visit Lynda, John and the girls. Even with a map, directions and three people trying to spot road names we managed to get lost on their estate. Eventually we arrived at L&J's, we were made very welcome.
Lunch of cold meats, salad and rolls. Spent the remainder of the day talking and Steph went out with the girls. Dinner of fryed chicken and roast potatoes. Later that evening we went back to the motel for the night.
Monday 30th October 2000
Up and out to start the drive back to Adelaide, stopped at Lithgow for breakfast at McDonalds. As we were passing Bathurst, took another drive around the Mount Panorama racing circuit.
Stopped in Dubbo to see the jail and pick up some Submay Melts for lunch. Driving on trying for Broken Hill for the night. The road was dead straight for mile after mile, no bends or corners for an hours driving, paralleling the railway. Then a town appeared on the other side of the railway, as we drew near the road suddenly turned 90 degrees left, crossed the railway then turned 90 degrees right. After going through town the road switched back over to the other side of the railway, where it then continued straight for another hour.
We didn't make it to Broken Hill and had to stop for the night at Wilcannia. Found somewhere to stay, the Wilcannia Motel. It was a bit seedy but it had to do.
Next on the agenda was an evening meal, the only option turned out to be a take away pie and chips. When asked what sort of pies he had in stock, the guy behind the counter answered "meat ones". So we ate our meat pies and chips and vent to bed.
We were just dropping off when Jackie heard a scrabbling sound. Turning on the light we found a massive bug crawling across the floor. I tried to put a cup over the thing but it was too big for the cup, so I had to squish it. Not a good nights sleep.
Tuesday 31st October 2000
Due to the poor nights sleep we were up early and on the road towards Adelaide. 200km later we stopped for breakfast in Broken Hill McDonnalds. After breakfast we finished the drive into Adelaide.
Today we saw emus kangaroos and galahs. Arriving in Adelaide we decided to visit Tea Tree Gully shopping plaza and sat in the food court for lunch. Subway melts for Steph and Martin.
As we were un able to book Steph in for a ride until Saturday we decided to head for the coast. When Pauline had visited Australia she had gone to Victor Harbour for the day, so we aimed for there. Arriving at Victor Harbour we found accommodation in the Winter Sun Motel.
For dinner we picked up a KFC take-away and drove to the seaside to eat it. We had to stay in the car as the gulls were on us as soon as we stopped. Even with this problem the view was good and so was the food. Then after a short scenic drive it was time for bed.
Wednesday 1st November 2000
Had youghut for breakfast in our room before checking out and moving the car nearer the seafront. We went for a walk and saw the horse drawn tram crossing to granite island.
Steph spent some time looking at the horses, then we walked across to granite island to see the fairy penguins. After a good look around we wanted to go shopping so it was back into the car and off to Adelaide town centre.
Parking in the Rundle Mall car park we shopped. Getting souvenirs and presents including some books for Jackie's kids. Lunch in Rundle Mall Food Court Martin Chinese, Jackie Spicy Noodles and Steph Subway Melt. After some more shopping we drove out to Gawler.
Back to the Barrossa Valley Motor Inn for the night in a different room ( no birds in Aircon ). Having sorted the accommodation we drove to Elizabeth for a Pizza Hut all you can eat deal. Then back to motel for night.
Thursday 2nd November 2000
Pop out to see dad, Jean bowling. Go to bank and pay deposit on Step's ride. Move to new accommodation, Gawler cottage ( No. 24 on 18th Street ). Do a three night deal so this is our home from home until we go home. Lunch ham rolls in cottage after shopping in Coles Gawler. Vedge out for the afternoon until we meet D&J for dinner. Collect them from Uralba and go to the 9 Dragons Chinese restaurant in Gawler. Then back to D&J's for coffee and a chat prior to bed time.
Friday 3rd November 2000
Home made cooked breakfast prepared by Jackie, bacon, eggs, toast and jam, cereals etc. superb. Shopping in Tea Tree Gully Plaza, then to Coles to buy ingredients for dinner as D&J coming over. Lunch coffee and muffins. Dinner Steak, layonaise potatoes and salad. With fruit salad and ice cream to follow. Tea and coffee in the lounge with a cake made by Steph.
Saturday 4th November 2000
Into Adelaide's Rundle Mall for more souvenir shopping. Lunch in Rundle Mall food court M&J Spicy Noodles, Steph Schnizzle, cauliflower cheese and potatoes. Afternoon Steph riding on horse called "Blockhead", M&J to mount lofty for quiet time. Wrong the area had been developed in the seven years since we were there last. Had coffee at new visitor centre. Evening meal with D&J Italian at the Cafe Nova in Gawler.
Sunday 5th November 2000
Last day, packed bags, drove to D&J for tea/coffee. Steph said goodbye to Pal. Drove to airport with D&J following. Returned car and had coffee and cakes in terminal before saying goodbye to D&J and going through to departures at 1430 local time.