Adelaide-Melbourne 1

We made an early start for the nearly 400 mile drive to Port Fairy, just over halfway to Melbourne, stopping briefly for drinks and snacks along the way, passing the town of Keith advertising itself as the gateway to the southeast! The Blue Lake at Mt Gambier was more substantial. No live kangaroos were spotted on the way, but a couple who had tangled unsuccessfully with traffic were seen. We arrived to grey skies in the late afternoon to take a stroll on the beach before a tipple and some dinner, and the rain came in the night, to feature for a while to come!

Adelaide

Ralph & Toria live at Moana Heights, some 40 mins south of Adelaide and by the sea, so a walk along the hill tops in the fresh morning air was a welcome activity after our arrival there. But, we were soon off to the McLaren Valley for a winery tour and lunch, stopping first at d'Arenburg to sample their selections before having a fine lunch at Hoffmans, then a further stop at Woodstock, purchases being made along the way of course! A koala was sleeping peacfully in a tree at our last stop. An afternoon walk along the beach topped off the day nicely. The cooler weather was welcome in the low 20s.

We took a trip to Victor Harbor (yes, they omit the 'u' here) and Granite Island, where French and English explorers met in the bay at the end of the 18th century to exchange findings, but the Englishman wisely put up a flag! The temperatures were again enjoyed on the walk around Granite Island before a coffee and pastry shop at a Bavarian cafe in the town. The day was topped off with a game of boules, which the boys won narrowly, and exellent swordfish steaks from Ralph's barbie.

Perth-Adelaide on the Indian Pacific

Boarding the Indian Pacific train at midday Friday from Perth, we set off to cross the Nullarbor (no trees) Plain, some 2,700km away. Trees, bursh and the undulating hills of the Darling Range quite quickly gave way to flatter more barren landscapes. We stopped frequently to let freight trains pass (higher priority) and pick up or drop off mail to remote locations. We arrived at the gold town of Kalgoorlie last at night and went on a guided tour in the dark to see the Super Pit gold mine, a montrous 600m deep open mine running 24x7, where 400 ton trucks with tyres the size of people looked like toys at the bottom, as did the 60 ton bucket of the diggers, which we were able to see in the flesh! It was 1:30am before we got back, after a 1 hr time zone loss, before I had to get up for breakfast at 6am. Jean passed on that!

The brush gave way to little to no vegetation in the early hours as we embarked on the longest straight piece of railway track (478km) in the world across the Nullarbor. We made full, use of our double-size cabin with its own sitting area and 2 windows when not watching the scenery roll by. The food was good, although it did seem to come at us quite quickly with the more time losses as we ate further into the 2.5 hour difference from WA to SA.

We stopped at the ghost town of Cook - population 5 people, 1 cat, 2 dogs, 14 chickens, 1 rooster, 4 dingoes and 3 million flies, for a 3rd driver change. Two 'historic gaol cells' were on display, which I wouldn't have fancied occupying in that heat! The Plain had continued and continued until shortly after Cook when the long straight was finished and the landscape started to undulate a little.

Early morning on the 3rd day, Tuesday, brought us into Adelaide to be met by Ralph & 'Toria at the station, whom I had last seen in 2004. In all, it was a really great experience where time seemed to pass easily, there was nothing, but lots, to see at times, and we were both very glad we had done it. Very recommended, especially with the big cabin!

Perth 1

Another smooth journey brought us to Perth in time to take a short walk down to the Swan River, spotting a bar with an interesting name by the quay, and then into the town for a walkabout. The weather seems to be promising to be hot! Met up with Eddie & Morag, long time friends from Nigeria ages ago whom I hadn't seen since 2000, to enjoy a cooling time in their pool before a lovely sunset walk and meal on the opposite side of the river.A long day took us south to Margaret River, famous for its wines and therefore had to include a tasting and lunch at Xanadu Winery, before heading further south to Cape Leeuwin, the further southwest point of Australia, where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Sea.

It was north next to visit a wildlife park, stroke some Koalas, feed some kanagaroos and have a photo with a (fat?) wombat! Afterwards, we visited the Pinnacls Desert & rock formations where we melted in 45degC temperatures before taking a bus over a sandune, and Jean enjoyed sand boarding for the first time! I passed (too much friction with my weight, sadly!) but Jean was very adept.

Our final day included a cruise down the Swan River to Fremantle, still at 40degC, followed by a picnic by the river with Eddie, Morag and friends, and an arts festival film.

Singapore 3

Changi Jail Chapel & Museum, infamous during the Japanes occupation of WWII, held the moving accounts of the terrible conditions and treatment of allied prisoners there. The original jail was built in 1937 to house 600 criminals and was believed to have housed some 10,000 at it speak during the occupation with not only the cells over-crowded but the corridors too. In the afternoon, we took a tour of the city's key site, including the Merlion, half mermaid, half lion, and symbol of the 'Lion City', passing buildings from the colonial era, the Cricket Club, Botanical Gardens that house an incredible selection of orchids, China Town with its oldest Chinese temple, and Little India. The day was then topped off with a few tipples and a Thai meal by the river on Boat Quay with Andrew, joined by Monte who had just flown back that day.

Opinions vary as to whether Singapore is clinical because of its strict governance, but we both found the litter-free, low public transport cost, blend of old and new architecture very appealing. $500, just under £200, it caught having a pee in a public place, is among many other fines for misdemeanours. It is a democracy that most people seem to believe in, and many sell quite enthusiastically, as the government keep getting re-elected, so something is right! Even gambling is now allowed, but it's free to foreigners, but $1100 for locals, with a $1,000 fine if done illegally, a typical example of the control mechanisms.

Singapore 2

On our first full day, Andrew treated us to Champagne Brunch at the Ritz Carlton hotel nearby, a prolonged and extremely enjoyable affair with a huge range of food accompanied by an unlimited flow of Vintage Moet Chandon, and flow it did! Then to an al fresco bar in town to people watch the shoppers for a while before an old preserved colonial style building, now a pub/cocktail bar, to finish off. The afternoon monsoon rain fell kindly during this last stop to clear the muggy air. Singapore has preserved many areas of these older buidlings, which brings a contra=st to the modern, but architecturally appealing, high rise.

Singapore 1

After snow threatening the journey to Heathrow and a delay while our plane was de-iced before take-off, we got underway with a smooth journey to Singapore to discover stunning views from our balcony over the river, the high rise business district, and Boat Quay, from the Fullerton Hotel, previously the Post Office built in 1928. Singapore has seen huge development since I was last here 10 years ago, including a monstrous >60 story three-hotel tower development overlooking the straits that will have a huge rook garden spanning their tops when it opens shortly. The presenec of cranes and building rather indicates that Singapore is not in recession and that engineering innovation is still alive and well here.