At Last the Adelaide Trip
August 24th, 2009 AndrewDIt has taken a while, but a month ago (or two) Lee-Ann and I went on our first kid free holiday in years. The flight details were Canberra to Adelaide and return. We were gone from Wed 24 June returning Mon 29.
The flight itself was booked a good 10 months earlier, soon after Tigar Airways said they were flying to Canberra and just one of the days when they had cheap flights. The other part is being a Sydney Swans fan, when ever I can book cheap intersate flights I try to make it around a Swans game. This week it was to be Swans vs Adelaide Crows.
Anyway the flight was good and the plane OK . We took off 5-10 minutes late and arrived in Adelaide 5-10 minutes late. After finding our hotel (Rockford http://www.rockfordhotels.com.au) in Hindley St we headed out for a beer and a feed. With both of us being big fans of the Cook and the Chef, we headed off to the Hilton to Simon’s Brasserie (web link). Food and wine did not disapoint and recommend it to anyone, came back to the hotel stuffed.
The next day it was hire a car and off to the Barossa for a few days where we stayed in Tanunda, in a small self contained cottage (http://www.merlotcottage.com.au/). The cottage is on the main road of Tanunda but up an embankment so very little noise. On the other side is the caravan park, but that is down in the gully so again very little noise from it. The cottage was perfect, but I would not recommend for anyone over 170 cm – I am 168 and on one doorway smacked my head. The cottage itself is a 1 bedroom with kitchen, bathroom, longe and dining nook, Great for that romantic getaway.
Once there we only visited a few wineries, one which was really a shop front (Taste Eden Valley). This is a cooperative cellar door and wine bar in Angaston, the person in charge was Sarah Lehman (Daughter inlaw of Peter Lehman).
An hour and so later and a case ordered to be sent home we left.
That night we ate at another great little restaurant 1918 (http://www.1918.com.au/) who have local wines and a seasonal menu. Now I must say at this point I think I was going thru a pork belly moment as I ordered Pork belly that nite and also the nite before, two lots done completly different ways but both fantastic. Onve again we walked out stuffed.
The Friday visit was to Bethany Wines (http://www.bethany.com.au) had some of their stickes and bought a few bottles for the rest of out stay in SA. Also had to go out and check the Whispering Wall (http://www.southaustralia.com/9001624.aspx), slghtly overcast and the damn was full. A bit freaky for those vertically challenged. On the water side only a metre to where the water is, on the flip side a 40 meter (guess only) drop. But you can hear people from one side to the other by just talkling at a normal level. The last place we visited was Maggie Beer’s shop (remember I mentioned Cook and Chef earlier). We saw Maggie and Simon, filming their last episode. We also picked up goodies and took photos.
Saturday was time to head to Adelaide for the footy. I stuffed up with the game times as I thought the game was at 7.00pm, no it was a 2pm game.
Getting to AAMI Stadium was way easy, bus right outside the hotel we were staying in. Also I have to say that AAMI stadium is one of the best in Australia, easy to get a beer, lots of leg room and generally a good mood by all.
Sydney Swan Barry Hall, last Sydney game 2009
Sydney did loose that day and it will be remembered as Barry Halls last game for Sydney. Oh well.
That nite back in Adelaide we made a bee line for one of the cities eating precincts – Gouger St. It seems to cover all the eating styles and we settled on Indian (seeing in Yass we do miss Indian food) (Gouger St is also where the Central food market is open durinng the day).
Sunday we headed off to Glenelg via the ‘ol tram’ A nice beachside suburb, we had a few beers and a bit of lunch.
Andrew and Lee-Ann visiting Glenelg SA
Now this is where things got interesting on the way back to the hotel, walking down Hindley, which is a bit like a busy pub street/come never sleep 24 hour street (the other end is the Arundle Mall). We pass a quiet street and a cop van. We cross against the red light and two cops spring out and book us for walking against the red. Can you believe this. This is Sunday at 6.30pm and the only people out are tourists. This is nothing more than revenue raising. The street we crossed is a one way very narrow street. I questioned them why were they not doing this Sat nite when all the intoxicated people would have been out, the response being “oh no we are far too busy on Saturday nite” Of course that they are only fining tourists at this time and not educating the locals seemed beyond this police woman. Oh well up until that point I would recommend SA/Adelaide, but to everyone avoid it, the cops are dicks (or maybe just avoid Adelaide). The following morning back to the airport and home.
My mum had been looking after the kids but I think by that time she had, had enough, we got home (Once again Tiger Air were fine), her bags packed and varoom, straight out the door.
