Loving Adelaide and South Australia

Next on my itinerary was some time in South Australia.  There's no doubt I hit the jackpot in terms of accommodation for my first few days here - Glenelg is a beach suburb in Adelaide and friends of mine who have an apartment here very graciously let me stay at their place.  It was literally one block away from the beach, so every morning I went for a little walk to see this:

The Town Hall building at Glenelg, built in 1875

My first couple of days here were spent with friends, driving along the coast to see some of the beaches south of Adelaide, and spending time at some of the wonderful wineries near Adelaide - in the Adelaide Hills and in McLaren Vale.

As I like to do, I also spent some time walking and one specific destination was Brighton, which is south of Glenelg, for a sculpture exhibition that was happening at that time.   It was really lovely - there were about 150 sculptures in total, with many of them set up along or near the beach.

 The jetty at Brighton

 Although I loved many of the sculptures I think this one may have been my most favourite

A little friend I found while walking ... Thankfully I didn't step on him!

Many old and beautiful homes and buildings are still along the beachfront, and the marina at Glenelg is also a rather lovely place.

As frequently happens, there were often clouds on the horizon at the time of sunset, but one night was clearer and there was a sunset over the Gulf of St. Vincent.

After leaving Glenelg I spent the weekend with a friend who lives out in the country.  Very different scenery from Glenelg for certain!

 "Abby" an ex-trotter who lives on the property where my friend does

One day was spent exploring a bit of the South Australian countryside:

 Port Pirie

Woomera

And of course I can't be in South Australia without seizing every opportunity to visit its wine regions - this time it was the Clare Valley.

A wine maker with a 'wicked' sense of humour, and some good wines too.

Sevenhill was established by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1851 and is the oldest winery in the Clare Valley.

 Below the oldest part of the winery is where Sevenhill Cellars began.  Excavated by pick and shovel in the late 1850s, the cellar is the perfect environment for slowly maturing their wines.

And some time in the Barossa Valley too:

Looking out over the Barossa Valley

Back in Adelaide again for a little bit of time in this beautiful city before leaving.

 Adelaide's Town Hall, built in1859

"A Day Out" - the famous Rundle Mall pigs (Rundle Mall is a pedestrian shopping area)

"Adelaide Arcade" - one of several smaller shopping arcades found throughout Adelaide

Parliament House of South Australia.  Due to financial constraints, Parliament House was constructed in stages over 65 years from 1874 to 1939.

The River Torrens runs through Adelaide and the walkways and parklands all along it are beautiful

Adelaide is also known as the city of churches.  St. Peter's Cathedral (Anglican) is quite magnificent, build up on a hill overlooking the river and the city.  The foundation stone was laid in 1869, services began in 1877 and the full structure was completed in 1904.

 Holy Trinity is known as Adelaide's Pioneer Church, with it's foundation stone having been laid in 1838

While I was in Adelaide I spent a good part of one day in the Botanic Gardens - 50 hectares of magnificently maintained gardens featuring the beauty and diversity of plants from across Australia and around the world.

 The Bicentennial Conservatory - completed in 1989 for the bicentenary of Australia.  It is the largest single span glass house in the Southern Hemisphere.

Not only beautiful plants, but some unique wildlife can also be found in the Botanic Gardens

"Morton Avenue" - a walkway of Morton Bay fig trees

But really I think I love Adelaide so much because the perfect job awaits me here.  Adelaide is home to The National Wine Centre of Australia (commonly the "Wine Centre), a public exhibition building about winemaking and its industry in South Australia.  It contains an interactive permanent exhibition of winemaking, introducing visitors to the technology, varieties and styles of wine.  It also has a wine tasting area, giving visitors the opportunity to taste and compare wines from different areas of Australia.  Available for sampling are 120 different wines thanks to the installation of state of-the-art Enomatic wine preservation and dispensing machines.   Boutique wine labels are available - and this is absolutely the only place I know of where you can sample Penfolds' Grange!  Admittedly, it's not a cheap tasting - but still, it's Grange!  Don't you think that this would be the perfect place for me to work?

And after nearly two weeks it's time to say good-bye to Adelaide and South Australia ... Until the next time.