So where were we? Thats right, off to Nancy and Alf's for Hogmanay. It went well and we saw in the year in style and with Runrig! We were home quite early about 2ish (very early for us at New Year). I popped next door for a while as neighbours were still going, but we were in bed by 0315. We had of course also spoken to the family in Scotland.

Our intention was to be on the road to Anglesea (and our holiday) by 1200. However, Mother-in-law dropped in. Just for a moment, she said, sitting down and getting comfortable!!!!!. We were away by 1230. Which was very good considering!

We spent the night in Penola-- the motel owners being Scottish would you believe. Penola and the surrounding area was established by Scots in the mid to late 1800's. It is the main town for the Coonawarra wine district. The area is famed for its Reds! We then set off for Anglesea, but at Kims' insistence went via Torquay. She needed to shop at Rivers, a very fashionable clothing chain you see. The fact that Torquay is further away than Anglesea made no difference!. We got to the house eventually!!

The week was great. Lauren went surfing and horseriding. We caught up withour friends and, this may surprise you all, had a few "coolades" as well. Very relaxing inded. Then on to Hall's Gap in the Victorian Grampians for a few days on the way home. The Grampians are trail walking country with wonderful views from high vantage points. Unfortuately, the weather was so warm---low 40's that trail walking was not really a good idea. We had a comfortable "lodge" so were not too unhappy. We did get to a few of the viewpoints and gasp accordingly! Ararat is a smallish town near Hall's Gap and we went there to visit "J" Ward. That was the original Ararat Goal, one of the early Victorian Goldfield Goals which were all based on Pentonville Prison in London. It eventually became a part of Ararat's Mental hospital housing the "Criminally Insane". Now closed it is now a museum and tourist attraction. Going there helped us catch up with old friends whom I had worked with in Edinburgh. We had lost touch over the years. That helped make the whole trip even better. Then it was home and back to work. Lauren Jane of course still on holidays. She went swimming and then off to Riding Camp. She is back at school now. First week almost over. This is her last year at primary so she is in the senior class!

On the sporting front Adelaide United finished their season by denying Queensland the Championship but finished out of the finals for the first time. They now have the Asian Champions League to look forward to. Australia and India have played a very acrimonius Test series, which OZ won 2-1 with one draw. There were allegations of racism against an Indian player. India threatened to take its bats and balls and go home if not cleared! It eventually was resolved but the feeling remains the political (cricket) expediency played a large part in an unsatisfactory conclusion! When the players concerned write their autobigraphies (as they will) the truth may come out!!!

A much more edifyng event was the "Tour Down Under", the annual cycle equivalent here of the "Tour de France". It is the only "ProTour" event held outside Europe, so, has major significance in cycling. Six days of excitement across a myriad of small South Australian towns. The result went to the wire so a really close finish. That of course is very good in any sport.

So to Australia Day, which is the 26th January. We had a busy weekend. Lunch on the Suday with friends then on Monday (the holiday) brunch with the Dinner party. We arrived at 1030 and left at 1800!!! Breakfast then eventually in the spa.!! a really great day.

A little "furore' has just blown between South Australia and Victoria, when the Victorian Premier called Adelaide a Backwater! Victorians are divide over whether Port Phillip Bay should have a deepwater channel further dredged (in fact a giant dredger, the Queen of Amsterdam has just arrived) and there is much debate. It's in this respect that the Premier (Mr.Brumby) called us a backwater. You know "do we want to be a backwater like Adelaide or do we want progress?" It has to be said that Victoria has been miffed on occasions due to Adelaide winning multi billion defence contracts that they wanted!!!

There wil be more on this I am sure!!

Until next time

Eric

(article by Eric Ford, Australia)