Time slips away, as always happens and before I know it, a week has gone past. Therefore I need to post this blog, or Easter will be here before I know it. Thanks also to Emma and Donna for some of the photographs. I think I need to go back to using my camera as the camera on my phone is not up to scratch really, however convenient it is, and no, I cannot justify buying a new phone, just for the camera.
At least my extra large cold sore on my lip has nearly healed, acquired from too much exposure to wind and sun, even though I continually applied sunscreen to my lips. It would appear that Australia Day and cold sores on the lips go together. At least I did not get the car stuck in soggy wet sand and sea water this year. Good job there. Walter drove the car onto the beach this year, just to make sure!
The long weekend started with a walk on Willunga Beach with Piper and Charlie, who played happily with all the other dogs for half an hour. Running in and out of the water, and body surfing in the waves, never out of their depth of course. These two dogs prefer not to go out too deep, which is just as well as I really do not want to swim out to save them.
Then it was coffee time at the new Star of Greece cafe, which is part of the restaurant. No view of the beach, that is for the restaurant eaters, just a view over the car park to the hills behind and the Norfolk pines. A very pleasant spot, and coffee is very good too.
Piper and Charlie relaxing on the floor.
On Saturday evening, it was movie time in front of the Surf Life Saving Club at Silver Sands, which is the beach between Aldinga Beach and Sellicks Beach. A brisk breeze lowered the temperature somewhat, but luckily we, and everyone else, came with blankets.
Emma and I eagerly awaiting the beginning of the movie.
The movie was the new version of Colin Thiele's 'Storm Boy', which we thought very appropriate for an outdoor setting. I have mixed feelings about the new interpretation of the story, but still a lovely story. Mr Percival still dies! But that is crucial to the story.
All ready and waiting. There were enough people to make a pleasant crowd, but not large enough to feel crowded out, thank goodness. There were not many children, sadly, which could have been due to the late evening viewing, or more likely, due to children preferring movies which were more action packed, with elaborate special effects. However, Emma, Steve and I enjoyed the movie.
We were also treated to a beautiful sunset, before the movie started, a perfectly clear night.
At some point during the night, clouds appeared, and we started the next morning off, in very gloomy weather. Hence the gloomy looking photograph below.
Sunday was the final day of the Tour Down Under. I am sure the cyclists appreciated an overcast day, so much cooler. In fact the temperatures for each day that week had been reasonable, certainly much better than the 40 degrees they had experienced some years.
It was also the official Australia Day as well, so a double celebration for Aldinga Beach. Hence the number of the cars on the beach. Onkaparinga Council had given warnings about traffic problems on the day, so it did keep many people away from the beach. You may not believe it, looking at the photograph below, but Aldinga Beach can be a lot busier than this on Australia Day.
Anyway, we, together with Donna and Patrick, stood at the top of the hill overlooking the beach, so that we could get a view of the cyclists as they came along the esplanade and up the hill towards us.
The young policemen on their motor bikes looked really happy to be accompanying the cyclists. I am not sure where the cyclists were, at this point. They travel so fast, it is difficult to photograph them. My excuse anyway.
There was a market in the carpark, and playground, at Snapper Point, with an enormous range of delicious food. Quite a festive atmosphere. My apologies, as my finger got in the way of the lens. And the only photograph of the market too.
Donna took this photo of the lead group, as they came past Pelican Point. Well done.
A kindly casual cyclist, and there were plenty of those riding around, took a photograph of the four of us.
Pelican Point was the end of one of the sprints. I forgot to mention that the cyclists came past three times, and we viewed them from two different points. After they went past the third time, we raced to the car, which was parked at Darren's house ,and drove home so that we could follow the end of the race on television. Quite exciting.
We had a family dinner on Sunday night, with Donna, Patrick, Andreena and John staying at our house. Lucy stayed with Emma and Steve. It was a very relaxing evening. But an early night was in order as we were having a day on the beach the next day, the Australia Day public holiday.
After an early morning cup of tea or coffee we set off at 7.30, in a calm and relaxed manner. No panic about getting our preferred place on the beach, or stormy seas, or high tide. Such a difference.
Setting up the gazebos. A clear blue sky too. So peaceful. You may wonder why we liked this spot, but there were toilets directly behind us! So important.
And there were no cars to the south,
or to the north. The beach was ours, except for the coffee van.
Finally a few more cars arrived, and we were fascinated by the number of gazebos which were left to mark the spot next to us. One car came along the beach, left the gazebos, and went back home for breakfast. Much more effective than leaving flip flops or thongs, as they call them here.
Anyway, we quickly set up our spot, and before long John had cooked bacon and eggs, which we washed down with coffee from the coffee van. So civilised.
We all brought meat which John cooked perfectly on his charcoal barbeque. We spent the day relaxing, eating and drinking our preferred drinks, beer, both alcoholic and non alcoholic, bubbly wine, white wine and red wine. And not to forget lots of sparkling water. I wonder if it was the red wine that caused the cold sore to flare up. No definitely the sun and wind!
Andreena and John posing together under the gazebo.
Piper and Poppy had a lovely day too, especially during the first two hours when they could run around freely.
Another view of our little set up. Emma got a little sunburnt, which was pretty good compared to the number of people that got burnt last year. Hats and sunburn cream were definitely well used this year.
There were two games, one with wooden blocks, the name of which escapes me, and the other was boules. Great fun.
Jackson, who now has his driver's license, drove down to the beach, and did not get bogged. Great achievement there. He also brought along his enormous chair, a gift from Secret Santa.
And a final photograph of Poppy with her frisbee.
Unfortunately I did not take a photograph of the inflatable Australia Day thong (flip flop, jandal) that John brought along. Steve used it to surf the waves, apparently better than a surf board.
I forgot to mention the delicious, but generally unhealthy food. Hamburgers, chips, takeaway chicken, lasagne, pizzas! Not good for the waistline.
Now back to a normal routine, plus a diet and exercise.
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