Autumn in Adelaide

Here's some of what's blooming in my neighbourhood.

Lavendar, which smells divine!

Ever seen a Geranium Hedge? They are common here.

Hibiscus

Rhododendron

Fragrant Yellow Rose

Horses, Snakes, Sharks and …

Today is a state holiday, the Adelaide Cup. When I asked a colleague what the holiday was she replied “It’s in honour of a horse race. You know we Aussies, we love sports and drinking beer.” So true.

I had the flu on the weekend. I had no energy to even ride my bicycle yesterday. Deb, my landlady, is sick too so she rented some movies. One was called “The Cup” and was based on the true story of a family of jockeys, the last of which won the Melbourne Cup (run today as well) a week after his brother was tragically killed in a horserace. Quite the tear jerker but I learned more about Aussie culture and I relaxed. Aussies are much more relaxed than Canadians!

So I felt better today (must have been the relaxation) and decided to try out the bike and take a test run to the Uni. With Deb’s help I found a short cut with fewer hills. Part of the route is on a gravel path. As I approached the path there was a sign, mostly obliterated with spray paint , except for the word ‘snakes’!!!

My heart was racing as I pedaled along checking the ground. Stupid me, I was wearing sandals! As I got to the end my bike came to a sudden and noisy halt. All I could think was a snake was caught in the wheel or if not, one was going to get me now. But it was just the strap to my bag. I fixed it and went on my way. Whew! Have wheels , will travel …so I headed down to Brighton Beach, about 10 minutes away.

I waded and lay in the sun and read. The water is still warm and the air temperature is 30C. Beside me was a mother with two young girls. What a nice place to spend an afternoon. I wished I could have brought my girls to a beach like this for an afternoon.

The helicopter went over as it does regularly, checking for sharks. Yes there are Great Whites in this part of the world, they call them “White Pointers”. Not far from me was the Lifesaving Station.

As I was packing my bike to leave I saw the Lifesaving boat circling in the water. One of the lifeguards was pointing to something. I stopped and got out my camera. People around me on the Esplanade were stopping and looking too. And there she was. A lone, friendly dolphin. She swam within a few metres of the shore and close to many swimmers. A woman beside me said they will swim right up and brush against your arm.

Wheels!

There are so many great things about Adelaide but public transport is not one of them. The bus schedule is fiction. There is no such thing as a bus pass. As a full-time student I get a discount on tickets but the most I can purchase at one time is 10 rides.  Buses don’t connect between neighbourhoods.  The fares are going up (currently about double what we pay in Edmonton).  

On the positive side I find the drivers to be patient and friendly.  When I asked one if he went up the hill to the Uni he replied “No I’m too old.”  When I asked another if he stopped where I needed to get off, he said “Not usually but just for you.”  One let me on for a reduced fare when he couldn’t break my large bill (yes they give change too, slowing up the process ).

It was not bad the first two weeks but with everyone back at school, and more traffic, I am later and later. So…

I bought a bike!

 

I need a variety of exercise and why go to the gym when it's always beautiful outside?     

I shopped around and landed on this one on the advice of the salesman.  Ironically it’s a Norco, a Canadian bike.  

I took a test run to the Uni today.  Mostly uphill but not too bad. On the way home I hardly pedalled.  Maybe I should have titled this blog 'Wheeeeeeee".

Wine

I thought the title of this blog would get your attention. I am living beside the Borosso, one of the best wine growing regions in the world, and the largest in Australia, so there is good selection. But in stores and restaurants it is mostly Australian and New Zealand varieties. Last night I was at a restaurant and there were two French wines on the large wine list. That is the first time I have seen wine from another country. And Aussies do like their wine and buy lots so drive through liquor stores abound. Sounds shocking but really makes sense when you are buying cases of wine and beer. Here I am at one.

Uni

That’s what the Aussies call it. So I really do go to school, really. I even have my dissertation topic finalized but I will save that for another post. Flinders University is up on a hill with a beautiful view of the ocean. When I asked the campus fitness people if they had a pool this is what they pointed me to.

Now the locals talk about the beautiful lake on campus. It is picturesque, but to me does not compare to that other body of water.And like all Universities there is a ‘quad’.

My Faculty has not had any welcoming so to speak but the International Students Association takes good care of us ‘foreigners’. There is always something going on and for example I was at ‘afternoon tea’ yesterday. I see other students shopping, on the bus and in the neighbourhood but I don’t fit the demographic in terms of age and nationality, so I am invisible to them. Here is where I hang out every day. You will notice my owls (thanks Jen) and the ‘surfer girl’ calendar (thanks Gail)!

And here is my class, looks like Canada eh?

Cheating Life

"Ever wake up and think "Didn't I do all this yesterday?" Life is dull. Each day is a photocopy of the previous one. Exactly the same,  but a little more faded.  Staying alive is not about cheating death but cheating life. "

Description of Simon Keck's show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. More on the Fringe to come...stay tuned.

Exercising in Adelaide

I am finally feeling settled.  So, I decided it was time for some exercise (not that I don't get some walking everywhere!).  I headed out around 8am yesterday while it was still cool. I came to an outdoor gym in a park. Although there is no resistance on the machines it did stretch my muscles. 

I then jogged some more and needed a bathroom.  Instead of heading home another park had an ‘Exeloo’.   These are in most neighbourhood parks. You press a button, the door opens and a voice says "you have 10 minutes to use the facility...". It is all stainless steel, spotless, directions in brail, and automatic. You press for toilet paper and only a few sheets are dispensed. When you put your hands in the sink, depending where you place them the soap, water or hand dryer is activated.  Once this happens the toilet flushes. Oh and the whole time the song “What the World Needs Now, is Love” is on the intercom.   When you leave the interior is flushed down.  

This morning I went for a swim at the YMCA.  This one is much fancier than the Edmonton locations and has a FINA approved swimming pool, or should I say pools, as there are 5!  They even have a store in the lobby with Y Gear.  The Australian Olympic Finals will be held there this month.