DAY 44 - ADELAIDE SA

ADELAIDE SA

DAY 44


In a bygone era, trams ran around the city of Adelaide on a small scale European-style network, similar to that which operates in Melbourne.

Forward to 2008 and it is a single line only that runs from the city centre to the western beach centre of Glenelg and back again.

My digs in Black Forest lie at Stop 5 on the tramline between both points, so it is a location of utmost convenience.

Glenelg itself is a popular destination for a couple of reasons – one that it is so accessible and secondly it is a rather attractive place to visit.

Adelaide’s beaches are not quite surfing magnets.

They all lie on St Vincent Gulf, which attracts little or no swell at any given time unless a Force 5 cyclone spontaneously erupts off Kangaroo Island and sends a few 4-metre peaks in Adelaide’s direction.

Glenelg lies on what would be best described as a genteel bay, with a few baby ripples splashing onto the shore at regular intervals.

It is entirely swimmable – the water is clean and generally quite warm – a very comfortable 18°C at West Beach yesterday.

And it is for these reasons that Glenelg is more a hotspot for families, tourists and weekend cruisers than surfing punks and hippies.

There are vague urban myths about sharks coming into shore and dining on unsuspecting bathers – it is unquestionably shark territory, however one would be considered most unfortunate to cross paths with such a hungry beast on a sunny Autumn afternoon.

A couple of excitable teenage girls took the plunge today, squealing all the way up to their shoulders and finally daring a full body emersion.

On Mother’s Day in Glenelg, revellers were out in numbers on what was an incredibly beautiful day.

Back on land, fish and chips and ice creams were absolutely the order of the day along the grassy palm-fringed promenade, before engaging either some ball games or else a brief siesta in the lowering westerly sun.

Today, I made an early departure for the city centre and some overdue Internet time at the State Library.

Tomorrow, I will consider revising this order for my final day in Adelaide.

City chores should consume the morning hours before heading out to Glenelg for what should be a glorious Autumn sunset.