Limestone Coast Tour - Strathalbyn to Robe

Drove out to Strathalbyn via Hahndorf for our first night away.

The Victoria hotel was very comfortable and the special dinner was fab. Wine and spa bath included - a great start to the holiday.

We ventured across the Murray on the Wellington ferry then headed along the Coorong National Park via Lake Alexandrina, Lake Albert, Meningie and Kingston - home of the giant lobster.

Our home for 2 days was this great little cabin on Lakes ridge. Robe is a quaint and pretty touristy resort which attracts all sorts - wealthy people with boats to caravanners and campers travelling on a budget.

(more pictures to follow)

Time passes

Can't believe we've been here a month. The scorching hot days have gone for a while and the mornings feel quite Autumnal at times (a cool 14) but it still gets up to the high 20s most days.

Went to Burnside Village, east of the city, then on to Waterfall Gully. Its usually dry at this time of year but there was still a sizable trickle coming down the cliff.Heading for the Limestone Coast and Victoria over the next 2 weeks - Strathalbyn, Robe, Mount Gambier, Hall's Gap, Naracoorte and back to Adelaide for a couple of days before the long journey home via a Singapore stopover.
May pop out to Glenelg later, have a walk on the beach and catch the tram into the city for a quick troll around Central Market before returning to pack for our trip.

A perfect weekend

Saturday was Emily's 5th birthday so, after lots of present opening (still in our pyjamas) we spent the morning trying out - binoculars, pogo stick, camera, playdoh pasta maker .........
Lunch at her favourite restaurant (more for the playground than the food) Hungry Jacks (Burger King) then back for a dip in the pool to test the boogie board and googles before sampling the chocolate mud cake complete with candles to blow out.

Sunday was busy - we headed for Goolwa on he tip of the Fleurieu Peninsular.There was a market at the Wharf and a small craft fare. We lunched at the Lime Cafe - salt and lemon pepper squid with a Thai salad.
Stopped at Middleton to watch the surfers but could hardly stand as the wind was so strong.

On to Victor for a view from the lookout point.The return journey took us through McLaren Vale so had to stop to sample a few wines. We rounded the evening off with a lovely homecooked roast pork dinner with lots of crackling and, of course, a glass of good wine ........ a perfect end to a lovely weekend.

Terrific Thursday

Enjoyed a coffee morning with a good friend at the Cultural Centre in Marion then on to the beach at Brighton for a walk on the sand and a look at the sculpture exhibition. Discovered a new craft shop in Unley selling off Christmas stock and other goodies at less than half price (their prices in Oz are much cheaper than the UK anyway) I spent $30 and got a goodie bag with another $30s worth of things .....bargain.

3 weeks gone already

Three weeks have gone already since we left cold and grey England. We have almost melted in temperatures of 43 but most of the time we have relaxed, played or travelled around in a comfortable 26 - 32. Yesterday and Saturday I managed to fit in two card classes at Charlotte's Web and here are the results. These two cards had a 'banner' theme. I suppose we would call it 'bunting' The small triangular flags were distressed, stamped, scrunched up and sprayed with Glimmer Mist

We added punched borders, stamped background (Darkroom Door) and sanded and distressed edged Photochips for two very unique cards.

Tuesdays cards featured the 'Big Shot' machine with embossing folders and Tim Holtz's dies. Card 1 (above) is made from segments of the Happy Birthday embossing folder using Coredinations whitewash cardstock sanded to reveal the background colour

Card 2 has an 'Argyll' base and Nestabilities frames (10) + a stamped bird, flower and silk leaves. A Putty coloured distress inkpad has been rubbed lightly over the embossed surfaces and crumpled flower. As a finishing touch, we painted the flower and frame with a fast drying Glimmer Paint (chandelier) to add a bit of subtle sparkle

Music embossing folder, Tim Holtz bird and cage cut from metal and a flower cut from sheet music combine to make this simple but effective card. More Putty ink to add interest and highlights and two tiny punched tags for the greeting.

First day at school

With my big sister SophieWith Mummy in my new classroom

At my desk

Full load

Love the sun hat

Happy Australia Day

Its a holiday today and we're all celebrating in different ways.

Clive and Paul are watching cricket - England and Australia at the Adelaide Oval ,while Karen, the girls and I are enjoying a nice lunch by the pool and playing on the Wii.

We hope to go for a BBQ and firework display on the beach later this evening to round off the last big holiday before the schools return after their long summer break.