MacsTravel Blog

We have thoroughly enjoyed our visit to South Australia. Graham and Patty have been absolutely fabulous hosts touring us to their favourite spots, preparing incredible meals and sharing fantastic wine. We felt thoroughly spoiled.

There are a few areas that haven’t been fully covered in the earlier posts.

Hikes

On a few occasions the group split up to allow one group some shopping time and the other an opportunity to explore some walking trails and hikes. Between the hill trails and beach walks the area has incredible opportunities for hiking and walking.

Meat Pies

Me please! We sampled meat pies from a few spots but this was the best by far. Pete, Graham and I each ordered a takeaway pie and Graham ambitiously tacked on a giant sausage roll and Cornish pastie for us to share. When you ask for sauce with your pie it doesn’t get poured on top or the side. Rather they jab your pie repeatedly with a squeeze bottle infusing it with whatever sauce you’ve ordered. It’s violently delicious.

A meat pie with a crust only rather than one encased in pastry just won’t do. As Graham said, “It’s just soup with a hat.”

Bats!

Walking to the Fringe after dinner one evening we stumbled upon this sight, which is a common one in the evening in Adelaide. Appropriately we were in The Cross of Sacrifice Memorial Gardens.

Warning!

Australia is surrounded by coastline, and the coastline, apparently, is infested with hidden dangers. Here is a sampling of the types of warning signs one might encounter on approaching a beach. The third sign is, for me, the winner.

The coastline is also incredibly beautiful.

Sports

As anyone who has a passing interest in sports would know, Australians are absolutely obsessed with, and excel at, sports. In Adelaide there are three specific sporting activities that really stick out.

Netball! It is not uncommon to see a cluster of netball courts and completions typically take place on these outdoor courts. They are certainly more prevalent than basketball courts.

Cricket ovals are everywhere and in most cases you can also see the twin posts (without a crossbar) that indicate Aussie Rules Football is also played. Aussie Rules is at least as popular as rugby.

Cricket and cricket players are celebrated everywhere.

Friends

We are so grateful for these friends we have known since we started university at Queen’s in 1984. That’s almost forty years. The time in Adelaide was an absolute gift. Thanks again to Patty and Graham for their generosity in making it happen!