So where did I leave you? Oh, yes with me contemplating murderous activities with a shovel on the pack of rhino's that had appeared to slip into bed with me last night. Heaven for a lady rhino on the look out for a good time, but not for a tired ginger bird desperate for sleep. But you will be pleased to hear that I couldn't find a shovel and V is perfectly safe and well and making me a coffee in the kitchen whilst complaining of feeling a little sore, especially round the rib region. Must have pulled something sweetness when you carrying my bags......
Our first full morning in this lovely city started with a trip to the Market Shed to meet up with The Heggies and The Crawleys (sounds soooooo Downton, I love it) and partake in a little brunch.
The Market shed is right in the heart of the city and it is exactly what it says it is, a large shed which is filled with the most amazing stalls selling an array of foods from around the world, with colours and smells to wake your senses, the food mainly being vegetarian, vegan, raw, organic and in cases a little pricey but there is the most amazing pie stall that sells the best meat pies so all are happy!
We climbed into Herbie (V had yet to drive the bright yellow beast, I wonder why.....pics will follow soon) and we wound our way into the city. We are planning a day mooch later in the week and I was conscious that V would be seeing all the things that I wanted him to see now rather than then so I spent an annoying amount of time telling him not to look....which failed miserably, but I was pleased to hear that he couldn't wait to come back and look properly. Hoorah.
Just as we were swinging Herbie round the corner into King William street, who should we spy on the corner of the street walking in our direction but the Crawleys (not the Donwnton ones I have to point out) but our very own Crawleys!! As we were in probably one of the most distinctive cars currently in the Southern hemisphere spotting each other was not hard and as I shouted out of the window 'shut the front door!!!!' it was clear that more hugs were soon to be had!
And had they were, seeing Tracey, Brendan, Sarah and Matthew again so soon was just surreal and they commented that it was like I'd come home from a long holiday in the UK, which I have to say it seemed like to me too. Its always like this when I get here. These people make me feel so welcome and were just seeming to take V into their hearts too.
V was warmly greeted too and when Carrie, Dan and Graham arrived we all mooched off to find something to eat whilst perched on our stools at wine barrel table. Gluten free pizza soon in my belly and V's organic egg, bacon an cheese toasty gone after constant 'are you sure you it ok's from me and the reply 'yes it is but not a tasty as I thought it would be and I wish I'd had a pie' we had thrashed out some form of itinerary on the back on an envelope, thankfully alleviating all my OCD planning anxieties and bid farewell to The Crawleys, well until Tracey picks us up in the morning at 10am for another must in this great city.....but more on that later!!
But for now we had an afternoon to kill and it was decided that a trip to Waterfall Gully was in order, So Carrie agreed to drive and off we went as the others went home. Now this part of Australia had seen some incredibly bad flooding due to rain over the past few weeks and it was not more evident than on the winding road we took up to the falls, with debris and sandbags still on the roads, coupled with pots holes and damage still being assessed. But there is a silver lining to every cloud and the falls looked beautiful with the increased water cascading over them. There appeared to be some more water cascading from the skies too......bloody rain!!!
In all my trips I have never had rain here but it was fine and as I had come so prepared for a walk in the gully I threw my scarf around my head and we headed out. As far as the gate that said 'this trail has been closed due to unstable conditions'.
Whatever! The first falls were right there and as a looked up we could see people at the viewing point above so we knew they had got there somehow. It was our turn.
V was the catalyst. He was having none of this girly 'ooo but maybe we shouldn't' malarky, with a bold 'there aren't any closed gate police around so lets get over it' we were in. Well he was.....we sent him up first to check it out and when he didn't immediately return there was a flicker of' hmmmmm maybe this wasn't a good idea it's really starting to rain now' he was back beckoning us over. Getting over was fine and the walk to the second falls was lovely, but a real eye opener as to the extent of the water that must have flowed through here. The paths were broken away, trees were fallen and debris lined the waterbed. But it was stunning. And as V kept stopping to spot the frogs and toads that were singing along with a chorus that would have warmed the heart of Paul McCartney, we arrived at the second falls.
Selfies taken and V was all for following the cliff hanger trail to Mount Lofty but his white trainers would have got dirty so we turned around and headed back to the car. In the rain, but not even that could dampen my spirits, I was here, in this great land, with wonderful friends and most importantly my soul mate. It don't get much better than that. I'm a very lucky girl.
Back in the car we went back into the city to collect Herbie and bid our farewell to Carrie and took up her very kind offer for a home cooked meal at Chez Heggie a little later, nothing better than a home cooked Heggie meal!
So we headed back to our unit, via a bottleshop where I picked up 4l of red wine for $12 (result) and V got some beers with the help of the rather lovely bottleshop owner (nice and NICE if you know what I mean) and had a little rest, a view through the visitor guide we found lurking on the shelf and then we were ready to head back out for dinner.
Now I have been here many times and I like to think I kind of know my way around a little. But I'm normally being driven or I am on my own, so it seemed that having someone else in the car was blocking my internal sat nav signal and the 'I thought you knew where you were going' noise that was emanating from the front seat coupled with the actual sat nag not really able to cope and randomly turning itself off, we had a nice little drive down the expressway and finally made it back to Carrie's in time for tea,
It was fab, a special curry with no bits in that my body can no longer handle, and a thai curry too, all washed down with beer for V and lots of laughter. A snuggle on the sofa and discussions about bands that no-one had heard of (much to the amusement of all and mainly me not knowing any of the judges on Australian X Factor.....) finally topped off with face timing Jenn as she was in a vegan cat cafe (work that one out) with her grandparents and as we sat in her home with her wonderful family we watched her eat her burger in Spain! The wonders of the interweb.....!
We finally bid our goodbyes as sleep was needed with the addition of another sleeping table (that is gonna stick) and after another impromptu tour of the area in the dark (it all looks different in the dark and NO I do not need the sat nag!) we were home and to bed.
And that was our first 2 days here, the perfect way to get over jet lag and we woke this morning to the sound of of the bells on the level crossing behind our unit and the train rumbling past which is, I must say, very comforting (I'm sure the commuters on the 9.25 to the city were not that comforted by the sight of me naked wandering into the bathroom through the kitchen window....I didn't get in the bathroom through the kitchen window, they can see in as I was walking to the bathroom as the train runs at the back of the yard.....you get the disturbing picture) and we are now waiting for our ride to today's big event.....but no, more about that later. For now it is, as always, TTFN.......xxxxxx
Oh, just a foot note, this blog is getting sooooo many views and I am so grateful, thank you!!
Good read as always Lisa, brilliant pictures, I'm getting more jealous by the minute, you both seem to be having a great time and ma and I are happy for you, you both have worked hard for it. Ma is getting better at using the tablet so is happy viewing your blog. Enjoy and we look forward to the next read. Love you both. Ma,pop,Beryl &Cooper. Xxxx
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ReplyDeleteGreat pics
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