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The journey from rapid bay to Adelaide is fairly short and unremarkable. What did get my attention were the large "closed" signs on the southern expressway on the approach to Adelaide. My curiosity was further piqued by seeing cars actually travelling on the said expressway. I later remembered being told about a road in Adelaide that was one way going into the city in the morning and reversed direction in the afternoon. I was travelling after midday and approaching the city so therefore I couldn't get on the road. I have further found out that the expressway was only made 3 lanes wide and this one way arrangement was found to move traffic in and out of the city the best? Weird eh? Like all cities these days, traffic congestion is getting worse and Adelaide is no exception.
The GPS worked properly this time and guided me through the city to the caravan park ("Levi" caravan park in Vale Park). A good park albeit a bit on the "exy" side i.e. $31 a night (they don't give any discounts to the unemployed-the cheapskates).
Being close to the city was handy. I was able ride the pushbike over to Medindie and visit B., T. and M. at their house. I hadn't met their son and I hadn't seen them in about 10 years so it was great to catch up. Also caught up with B.'s mum J. and had a good yarn.
The next day brought rain. Adelaide is the driest city in the driest state but when I'm here it bloody well rains! I didn't let it worry me (I did actually-I sulked until about 1030) and set off into the city. I went along the bike track alongside the Torrens River (creek) and had a look at the "Popeye" boats. Over the bridge lies the Adelaide oval and finding a gate open I rode in for a bit of a look-see.After having a swim in the Adelaide aquatic centre in Nth. Adelaide I rolled into the city looking for a coffee. I managed to find the Pancake Kitchen which I remember going to with my mother in the seventies. The sign on the door said "since 1965" but inside looked as if it was "unchanged since 1965". It was great! The strawberry and ice cream pancakes were pretty much as I remembered too.
Some things in Adelaide have changed however. As I was hitching the faithful steed to something solid outside the Pancake place, I was approach by a dodgy looking cove whom asked if I could spare $2 for his bus fare. My immediate thought was to tell him to "piss orrff" (didn't he realise I am unemployed and may have to beg too!) but the alley I was in was also quite dodgy looking so I gave him his $2. He immediately asked for more which I declined. I can't remember begging being all that common here in Adelaide but I may be wrong?
I walked the bike through the Rundle mall and saw the big steel balls. Riding around Adelaide will invariably bring you to a square as there are several located in the city. Victoria square has a statue of hers truly and a big fountain. There's several others including Light square named after Colonel Light. Colonel William Light is the founding father of Adelaide and is like the Jebediah Springfield of Adelaide.
Had a wander around Adelaide central markets for a while then rode to the Botanic gardens. I was riding along slowly when some lesbian Nazi on a ride on lawnmower told me off for riding my bike in the gardens. I can't say I saw any signs saying "no riding bicycles" and she was riding something too? However, I didn't argue and meekly acquiesced to her demand. I did, however, bravely mutter "b****" under my breath after she'd started the engine and was safely around the corner. That'll show her to mess with me.
The busways are another Adelaide curiosity. The buses can drive onto a dedicated concrete and steel bus track and hurtle along without any other traffic to slow them up. At the ends of the tracks they drive off and are like a normal bus again. Don't know of anywhere else in Australia with this system? Tassie doesn't even have passenger trains that go on tracks.
The next day I decided to have a look at my old house where I grew up. It's located about 20 kms out of the city centre in Tea Tree Gully. I was taking a photo from the outside when I thought I'd really like to have a look inside. I went over and knocked on the door but unfortunately no one was home. Not to be deterred I snuck around the house taking pictures through the windows and around the yards. Don't know what I would have done if someone had of saw me.
My old school is just down the road in Banksia Park so I had a wonder around the school yards. It hasn't changed much. The overwhelming memories I have of this place is being miserable. Also not far away in Ridgehaven is a Jehovah's Witness Kingdom hall which I remember being dragged along to by mum and being bored silly. This particular building was built while we were living here and the whole congregation got "encouraged" to help build. I pulled into the car park and found the place chockas. A gathering was in full swing inside so I wandered around the grounds and got a few piccys. I didn't, however, look in the windows this time. I must have looked suspicious though as a couple of suited "attendants" approached me and wanted to know my business. I explained I remembered the hall being built. They asked if I was a "witness" which I answered "yes" (I did witness the hall being built). Please note that if you're asked this by a JW, they are actually asking if you're a practicing Jehovah's Witness. After this little confusion was cleared up, one of the attendants pulled out a leaflet and invited me to come inside and take part in the meeting. These guys knew their job; I was back in the car and out of there as quick as I could!
That afternoon, I went to "the Sussex" in Walkerville for a couple of drinks with B. & T. Returning back to their house I also caught up with B.'s Dad whom I hadn't seen in about 15 years. Where does the time go?
This stay was a bit of a trip down memory lane for me. Sorry if I've bored anybody?
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