Adelaide has been alive this month. There is no other way to describe the city. In no order of importance. (How could one decide which is more important) we have had the following. The Adelaide Festival, The Fringe, WomAdelaide, the Clipsal 500 and the Election! To add to those the football season started in earnest, the Adelaide Cup Carnival was held and the latest tramline extension was opened. A busy and alive month indeed for this city usually described by Sydney and Melbournites as a country town. A hint of jealousy there I feel. Certainly at this time of year.

Amongst the names for Souh Australia is "The Festival State" March proves it. The Festival itself which up until now has been bi-annual will become annual from next year. The Fringe has been annual for some time. Womadelaide has also expanded to include Monday. Previously it ran from Friday until Sunday. A person could bankrupt himself or drop with exhaustion attending everything that was on. Most people of course chose wisely. Kim and I chose wisely. Well we thought so. We both went to see England's Vin Garbutt. A very fine and funny folk singer. If he comes your way don't miss him. Vin is quite happy to have the audience in stitches for 10 or 15 minutes while introducing a song that may only last 2 minutes. It works, believe me. Kim went with our cousin Deb, and Linda next door, to see Tim Minchim (not my cup of tea) a very funny comedian who also sings! I will catch up with Vin again over Easter at the National Folk Festival in the ACT.

We are not petrolheads, so did not attend the Clipsal. Many people objsct to the Clipsal because it is a street circuit and the disruption caused by the preparation for it and the "tearing down" afterwards. It brings a lot of tourists (money) to Adelaide and is broadcast throughout the world. This of course gives Adelaide untold publicity. That cannot be bad can it? The Festival and the Fringe bring many people but not quite the worldwide publicity.

During the month, the latest tram line extension opened. The trams now run to the Entertainment Centre. Not as major an enlargement as Edinburgh's new lines. They still managed quite major disruption but are now up and running. We are still, however, waiting on the new trams for the line! Despite the euphoria of the cultural and sporting events of course the major source of interest has been the Election. It took place on the 20th of the month. In South Australia as in Australia it is not as it is thought compulsory to vote. It is however compulsory to attend the polling place and register that you are there. You might as well, having gone there, actually vote, but you don't have to! It looked as if the Government (Labor) would be defeated. In power 8 years, the usual stories, tired, arrogant, not listening etc. The Opposition, a short time ago fragmented and at war with each other had a new leader who was doing very well. To add to the mix the Premier's alleged affair. Trust was the cornerstone!! But trust who? There were dirty tricks, accusations of shonky figures (financial ones!!) labor did triumph with a reduced majority. Due to the vagaries of our system although they only got 48% compared to the Liberals 52% of the popular vote they still held Govenment. Not, I would suggest, an overwhelming mandate! The Premier has promised to listen more and to send out his Ministers doorknocking the Electorates. I won't hold my breath because of our system of preferential voting the parties put out "how to vote "cards so that supporters can follow the "party line". In some Electorates (at the polling booths) Labor had members handing out cards while dressed as if members of another party which gave their preferences to Labor. This despite the fact that that was the opposite of the other party's policy. Dirty tricks indeed. Who can say if it cost votes. Not illegal, apparently, under our electoral laws. Surely though immoral. Now for 4 more years of Labor.

The real football season started last week, the Power won its first game. Unfortunately, the Crows were thumped by Fremantle in Fremantle. Still, many weeks to go. In socceer, Adelaide United have played 3 games in the Asian Champions league winning all 3. This to an extent makes a mockery of their A league form (finished bottom). Melbourne Victory, on the other hand who finished 2nd in the league and lost the Grand Final on Penalties (to Sydney) have lost all 3 of their Champions League games! A strange game indeed. In cricket Australia continues on its winning ways in New Zealand although they did lose a T20 and a one dayer at the start of the tour.

The Fords' have had a quite quiet but reasonably social time, apart from the concert we attended. We had a BBQ with the neighbours earlier in the month followed the next day when Kim's brother and family visited, another BBQ. Lauren Jane has had good riding times, took part in an endurance trial then the following week went beach riding with Tania her aunt. She (Lauren) so far is scoring 'A's" as we come to the end of term. Very pleasing for her, and for us! She has a good schoolwork ethic, not too keen on household chores though. Is that an unusual trait in a 14 year old I wonder?

A sad note to finish this month. My cousin Deb's expartner (they had been together 14 years or so until 2008) died suddenly. He did have a heart condition and he arrested and could not be revived. He was a man who followed to the letter his cardiologists instructions and took great care of himself, he was 47. A funny caring man who was among other things a font of wisdom on popular music. He will be missed. Vale Michael Until next time Eric

(Article by Eric Ford, Australia)