I’m baaaaack…..its hard to blog, when you are you are having fun and staying up late to yakkety yak!  I think I left off after Hahndorf on Sunday…so here is the catch up.

We spent Sunday with Gail’s family, who live fairly nearby. Mum, Maureen, sister Belinda and her partner Claire. We met at their home for pre-lunch intro’s and then we all ubered to Glenelg, a suburb on the beachfront where we had lunch at a superb Japanese restaurant. Belinda and Claire know the owner well. So we got 5 star treatment. We had sat at the tepanyaki table….always good fun, I had the scallops…which were of the best I have  ever had. Lots of laughter and chatting and such easy company.

From there we went off to the local ‘pokey’ shop…which is essentially a one-armed bandit casino. We are all clearly crap banditos…no one won a thing. Finally, home to Belinda and Claire’s for desert. I made my, now world famous, ginger biscuit and cream pudding! It went down very very well. Without letting to many cats out of the bag Gail, I shall just mention that Heidi and I were treated to a series of late night quizzes and riddles, which were funnier in their delivery than clever in the application. We cried with laughter and I shall never look at a mielie in the same way again!!

Monday was a shopping and washing day. A trip to the local Aldi’s and Coles supermarkets and the Westlakes Mall. Heids, you were super patient with this supermarket-a-holic. Gail has a low slung, 2 seater Honda – getting in and out is not for middle aged taller people…my knees will never be the same again!

On Sunday, I got a text from Marcel, my old neighbour at Sibongile gardens -I didn’t know that they live in Adelaide. So we made plans to meet for a sundowner on Monday evening. The problem is that the sun only sets after 8.30pm!!! Marcel and Jenna met me at Henley beach, where we had a coke together, followed by a delish dinner at the Ramsgate Hotel. We then were treated to an open sky and a beautiful sunset, albeit in the freezing wind. What a special time together, thanks for making the time, for the dinner and for the ‘uber’ home.

On Monday night we actually saw the super moon, the first clear night in Adelaide,

On Tuesday, I caught the bus into Adelaide city and spent the day exploring. I had the bus driver from heaven and she deserves a special mention. I hopped on and explained where I wanted to go and she obviously guessed that I was a tourist. She then proceeded to give me a running commentary, with info and special mentions and must sees and do. It was like my persona, hop on hop off bus commentary. When I reached my stop, she handed me her own map and a handwritten note, with suggestions and points of interest, she had written out at stops and traffic lights along the way. So to the driver of bus 117 at 8.50am on Monday morning, I hope your kindness gets repaid tenfold!!!

First off I headed to the fresh produce market- where I wandered for ages. Looking at fish and meat and cheeses and comparing the prices. I checked out the fruit and veg stalls and sampled whatever was on offer, always a great way to spend some time. From there I  headed up Victoria Square and then along Rundle Mall, just checking out the people and the shops. I then back tracked to North Terrace and saw the Parliament buildings, Governors house. The University and some other really pretty buildings. I ended the day with a walk through the stunning botanical gardens. My Skechers I bought in the states have a design flaw- with a seam on the side of the toe, and after 16 000 odd steps in these, my feet were killing me. So I jumped on the nearest bus and started working my home. I had to change at one of the intersections, but it worked out fine. I seriously contemplated walking home from the bus stop on my hands, because my feet were so sore! Okay okay….stop laughing….we all know how that would have looked!!!!!

My misery was short lived….I arrived home and the washing and ironing fairy had been to visit. All my clothes, washed and ironed and on my bed! But that’s  NOTHING!!!  I walk into the kitchen and my friend is making me padkos for my roadtrip! Yes thats right! My friend Heidi, who until this visit had never made me a meal in her life….made me padkos. It was packed individually in foil and labelled. I got a peanut butter sarmie, a cheese and picallili sarmi, a cheese and vegemite sarmie, grapes, a baby bell cheese, a pork sausage and a choccie. So I did not have to stop for food all day long. I even have some left for day two of my roadtrip.

Heidi Davis, take a bow, you are a rockstar domestic goddess, not to mention hilariously funny! My last supper was superb, a barbie with steak, pork sausages, corn on the cob, baked potato and salad. I did not make a thing!!!! Thanks Gail for a superbly braaied steak- and thats right folks, the rest was Heidi!

Sadly, the week ended too soon. This morning I ubered to the car rental company and picked up my Rav 4- yayness! I started my roadtrip to Melbourne at 10am……

Watch this space for the next episode…of Leanne’s trip Down Under…..sleep tight!