Feb 2012 in South Australia

February has been quite quiet so far. The month began with a surfing lesson from Alysha and her crew. The following weekend I surprised Mark with an overnight stay at Mount Lofty house hotel. It was our third day of our honeymoon.









During our stay at the hotel we enjoyed a picnic of cheese and wine, a game of tennis, a walk in the nearby botanic gardens, a tasty three course meal and relaxing with a good book.

Later in the week I enjoyed a shower with our new how mate. Who is helping greatly with keeping the spiders under control.



This weekend we started our Fringe festival experience for 2012. On Friday we enjoyed a great preview show by Sammy J and Randy at the garden.











Saturday evening Mark spent it babysitting with Jon, playing chess and scramble. I and Liz on the other hand enjoyed an evening out at a local restaurant with a number of other ladies. It was a fantastic evening and a great girlie night.



This Sunday we went for a walk around Stirling in the Adelaide hills and spent the day relaxing before the busy week ahead.

Surfing at Middleton Surfers Beach

It all started when a work colleague of mine (Annette) was discussing ways to encourage her daughter (Hannah) to get involved with a water activity other than swimming, during a coffee break. Alysha (another worker colleague) suggested surfing.

Alysha agreed to take Hannah and a friend surfing and as I have wanted to try it. Since seeing all the surfers in Australia, I asked if I could also join them. Alysha agreed and it was arranged that we would go to Middleton Surfers beach.

This Saturday was the big day, an early start and an hour drive later Mark and I arrived.


Middleton Surfers Beach


Alysha arrived in Bri’s van (Her sister), which would make any keen surfer or Kayaker jealous. It has room for all her surfing gear and room for a bed.

Scott managed to persuade Mark to give surfing a go. Though I have to say it was more like Mark didn’t have a choice. He was thrown a wet suit and told to put it on. It wasn’t after about ten minutes of Mark struggling with it, I realised that he had never put on a wet suit before. Then Scott pointed out he was putting it on inside out (Classic). Well it got everyone laughing.


The group is ready.

After some time we were finally ready to get started and after a quick lesson on the sand. On how to stand up onto the board, we hit the water.




Even though we didn’t manage to stand, Mark and I had a brilliant time. We can’t wait to have another go.






Mark managed to get to his knees.


Claire and Mark on their own patry wave.

Hannah managed to saw us how a novice dose it.


Scott and Alysha then demonstrated how the props did it.


Scott


Alysha

An awesome morning surfing was followed by a great meal in the corner café in Port Eilot (Coral Café), where we found fantastic salads and milk shakes.

January 2012 Down Under

Well now that I have finally finished blogging about our trip to Tasmania. I can tell you about what we have been up to Since New Year.

The New Year started with a bang on New Year’s Eve. It started with Mark creating yet another amazing dish of Beef Wellington.



After dinner we headed into Adelaide to see how New Year’s Eve was celebrated in South Australia. We headed to Elder Park for a free community concert with fireworks. Can't quite remember the last time I spent New Years Eve dancing to a DJ on the banks of a river in 30C heat. It was good fun.























We started the New Year with a BBQ at friends, and when the temperature dropped we headed for a swim at Port Eliot.



The following weekend we had our New Year/birthday BBQ. It rained!!! To the point that we had to watch the weather charts, to work out when it would stop raining. Allowing us time to go out and cook the meat on the BBQ. Apart from the rain we had a lovely time and we hope our guests did too. I have to thank everyone for my presents, but a special thank you to Jen for my sunflowers and Judy for my Aussie Guide bear.









On my birthday I returned to work following a 2 week holiday and went out for dinner at Glenelg. It was a lovely seafood restaurant with a sea view. Mark booked the table to time the sunset, so I got to watch the sunset whilst eating my main course. It was beautiful.





The following weekend we had a quiet weekend. Mark had a baking session and make blackberry cheese cake. I never knew I had married such a good chef. We also enjoyed a drive around the hills to try and escape the heat.




Mum this is my new dress.

Last weekend we spent Saturday doing our research on tents available in South Australia, but I was a little worried to see this on one of the shop shelf.



As the Adelaide Hill wineries were having a festival on Sunday. We went to take a look. I enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine and Mark found some amazing cakes. The views were also awesome.