Although it was tempting to never leave the comfort of Wilpena and Gemma W, the need to see ‘around about’ meant that I opted for a circular tour of the area before finally heading back South towards the Adelaide coast. The road North. Christmas decorations still hang in the ‘out of districts’ zone so I guess no-one will take them down… This stretch is one of the last 2 lane blacktops for quite a while. Just to get an idea of distances – I am already 500km north of Adelaide, but still 750km south of Birdsville in South…

Part of my planned trip through South Australia was already well under way by the time I set out from the quaint rural town of Clare and headed north into the remoter parts of the State. Almost the Outback. City of Adelaide to Clare was an easy and uneventful trip, rounded off in the latter part by the passing of dozens of wineries. All with enticing or trendy names, beautifully designed branding and promises of a-never-to-be-forgotten sampling session plus gourmet food. ‘Welcome to our Cellar Door’. Past Tim Adams, Koonowla, Sussex Squire, Mocadunda, Mount Horrocks, Annie’s Lane and a myriad…

Instead of pondering too long on whether the Barmy Army had touched a nerve with the Camilla song the day before, it was time to head downtown on the Parramatta River Ferry. River Taxi it was not, but a scheduled high speed service that calls in at about 6 jetties on its way to Circular Quay – starting [for us], at Kissing Point, and calling in at places that could feature in the University Boat Race, and some that would definitely not. Chiswick pier, Cockatoo Island, Barangaroo, and if you overshoot Circular Quay; Woolwich and Greenwich. For many Sydney dwellers,…

The Army Swelters Day 2 of the Fifth and final Ashes Test was my first experience of cricket in Australia. Despite attending the Ashes back at home on numerous occasions there was a definite excitement about arriving via Moore Park Road and wandering around the Sydney Cricket Ground. The SCG is probably the best known and most iconic ground in the world after the home of Cricket – Lord’s. The original pavilion sits low slung between the modern stands and the mile high lighting pillars. The building has kept its original style roof with its characteristic green corrugated metal –…