>or there abouts. Enough time to walk the the main street and admire the quaint little buildings that line the thoroughfair, with some cafes playing rustic traditional Bavarian music. In that time I managed to buy the newspaper, find a coffee shop and read it. There wasn’t a lot to see. And, I confess I have no photo’s – I could find nothing of interest to snap. If you want to see a German town I suggest you visit Germany. Perhaps there is a different atmosphere later in the day – I was there at 9:30am. I did manage to take a photo on leaving of a few cattle standing atop a dyke. I had to stop to take a photo of that:

After Hahndorf I headed further east to the Murry Bridge. The route along the Princess Highway was very scenic, but there were no official layby’s where one could stop to take a photo so I have a few of me errr taking photo’s whilst driving (I’m sure that’s just as illegal but no so obvious :o)

Much like Hahndorf there wasn’t a lot to offer in Murray Bridge. I drove over the bridge. Took a photo of the bridge. Drove over it again and stopped alongside the river Murray where some paddle steamers were moored waiting for someone – anyone – to turn up for a leisurely ride down the Murray. After a few more photo’s of the river, the bridge and a steam engine I decided it was time to head back to Adelaide via Mnt Lofty (because I just love the road that winds down the Adelaide Hills to Adelaide).

After some lunch at the hostel I phoned a friend and returned to Henley Beach, west of Adelaide, where we had coffee at Avida. The coffee house is overlooks the jetty which became bathed in a yellow light as the sun slid slowly from the sky:

>cretins. It’s true what they say. You are more likely to experience theft from a fellow traveller than anoyone else. Thankfully in my instance it was only food that was taken. Twice. First my loaf of bread, which I discovered Monday morning when I went to make breakfast. Then later, after work, looking forward to Pasta and Cheese (for a change), I went to take some stuff out of my bag and hey presto it was gone. They didn’t even leave me the 99c eco-bag from Coles (I have plenty because I keep forgetting to take mine on most occassions I go shopping). Unbelieveable. There wasn’t much in the way of food in there (Mature cheese which makes a great cheese sauceeeeeee; Feta cheese because it was on special and is great with cucumber in sandwiches, Philadelphia cheese because it too makes a great sandwich, and some fruit), and it only amounted to around $10, but the shear cheek of it. I had to go buy more bread and lunch that day. I spoke with the hostel owner and she mentioned that she had caught some Swedish people (no offence Alex :o) trying to take the bed lining. Did a big shop today so I hope someone with light fingers leaves well alone.

>I’ve not gone anyway…..just gone a bit quiet. Not much to speak of. I’m sure you don’t want to hear about my drunken weekends. The days in between are taken up with work. I did have a great night out last weekend though. Andrea, the hostel owner invited me to her birthday gathering at the Belgian Beer Bar, in town. I thought I’d only stay an hour; show my face and then be off on my merry way, but I stayed until 1am taking with the rather european flavour of guests (mostly swiss or german given Andrea is Swiss). Later they went on to a club, The Stag, but I was refused entry because of my footwear – I was wearing trainers. It’s the first time I’ve been refused entrance anywhere in Australia because of my footwear (flip-flops, aside). Quite strange really, but I understand if they wish to retain a dress code. Still a good weekend though.

I’ve uploaded a few more photos from the sea & vine festival…of me eating oysters and such. Ciao

>So this is the weekend I bring havoc to the roads of Adelaide. I have finally got around to hiring a car via vroomvroomvroom, from Thrifty. An Hyundai Getz – below – (or similar), for the princely sum of $64.95!! (that equates to 27 of our still very British pounds (I don’t have the pound sign on this keyboard if you wonder why the over descriptiveness there)). I pick it up Saturday morning around 8am and return it at 8am on the Monday.

So what have I planned? Well, it’s Aurelie’s last week in Adelaide and she has yet to visit Mnt Lofty, so Saturday afternoon we shall drop by for coffee and a picturesque view (i’ve seen countless times before) – providing the weather is good. Then perhaps drive to Port Adelaide to see what offerings are there towards the latter part of the day. On Sunday there is a Sea & Vines festival at McLaren Vale so we shall head down there for the day. Unfortunately, I didn’t think this through as I cannot drink and drive. But then again, I’d rather buy a bottle or two and drink in the comfort (it’s all relative in a backpackers!!) of the hostel. I’m not sure if I’m working Monday yet. It’s a public holiday here in SA for the Queenies B’day (don’t think we get that at home – never noticed anyway), but its not a national holiday throughout Oz, hence why I might have to work. We’ll see. Depends if the company minds paying time and a half for contractors 😮