Australia Day, Aldinga Beach

Another gap in blogs, due this time to a slight illness, something we picked up on our travels, and not due to alcohol, seeing that it is off limits for Walter and slightly off limits for me.  Of course, I have succumbed to a small tipple of red wine, just to be sociable, of course.   But Walter is staying firm and resolute.   I admire him greatly.  

We all picked up a stomach complaint in Malyasia, not unusual I know, and then shared it with Jackie, and this complaint lingers and lingers, not helped by hot weather.  But today, after two days of cool weather, we are clear of it, thank goodness.        

Saturday, was Australia Day, 26th January.    The official day.  Although the public holiday was today, Monday 28th January.  And it rained today so not too many people down on the beach celebrating, they were all down at the Aquatic Centre in Marion, with us, swimming in the heated pools, under cover.

But on Saturday, it was sunny, and warm, and windy, and great surf down on Aldinga Beach.    So we loaded the car with beach things, food and drink, plus the barbeque, collected a few more children and off we went to the beach.    

Scott went for a swim in the sea! Something he has not done for a long time down in the South of France.  And was not interested in doing so, when on the Gold Coast.   In this picture he was wondering how he should tackle body boarding, and yes there was a skill involved too.   I should know, I tried it last year.

The first job was to erect the tarpaulin, for shade.    This needed three men, and much advice from the friendly men in the adjoining car.

And time for a rest, for Walter.     Note the Australian flag on the adjoining car.    Our patch was not very patriotic.  No flags, or signs.   But someone did have an Australian towel.    Which counts of course.

Shade, glorious shade.   The tarpaulin made such a difference.

It was busy on the beach, vehicles and people drinking and eating, under shade.  This was South Australia. These two vehicles were not racing each other, or at least I do not think so.   Actually there were more vehicles, than people in the water, I think.   No people lying in the sun, getting fried, either.   Definitely not South of France.   Nor the Gold Coast.

Double celebration in the Southern Vales, as the Tour Down Under, Stage 4, took place on Saturday.    The cyclists came past three times, although I only went down to the corner once to see them go past, as we were busy preparing for our afternoon on the beach.    

Unfortunately the beach became too windy, and our tarpaulin blew up into the air.    The thought of a barbeque in the hot sun was not so appealing, so we packed up the barbeque and food and drinks, and drove home again.    It was definitely more comfortable sitting out in the shade in the back patio, eating our kangaroo kebabs and sausages.  

Still a very enjoyable Australia Day, with at least some of the time spent on the beach.     So Australian.

Scott with Jay and Jespa.    Jay and Jespa have climbed up the side of the fence.   Scott normally towers over them.    A very tall cousin.

Our car from Rent-a-Wreck, or that was what the rental place used to be called.    Now it is called Acacia Car Rentals, but it still has cheap cars for rent, but admittedly, although old, they are not the wrecks they used to be.    On one trip Walter made, he went through about three of these 'wrecked' cars.   This car, a Mazda 121, is a bit gutless on the hills, but otherwise goes well.   It is also airconditioned, thank goodness.   And quite cheap too.

And so begins our lovely long trip to Adelaide and the surrounding areas.