Welcome to the big smoke.....well not quite but there are a few tall buildings and a few extra cars on the road so you know you are in a city. We arrived in Adelaide on Friday 11th March and are staying at the Caravan Park at West Beach which was recommended by everyone we spoke to. A little expensive, but it is right on the beach, only 15mins to the city and a 35 minute walk to Glenelg, which is great.

The Weather has been wonderful with the sun shining and temperatures in the high 20s to low 30's so we have been swimming everyday. It has been a battle with Max and Archie over where we swim as they want to swim in the pool and we want to go to the beach. We agreed they could swim in the pool on the friday afternoon, but as it was the start of the Adelaide Cup long weekend the pool was festy...full of kids blowing their snotty noses in the water and no doubt forgetting that you need to get out and go to the toilet. Jo and I decided the boys would not be swimming in the pool again until Tuesday (after the crowds of the long weekend had gone home). A far better option was the beach with white sand and cool clear water.

On Sunday we headed into Adelaide city and were lucky enough that there was a Sheffield Shield match being played at Adelaide Oval (Redbacks vs Tasmania) so we were able to get in to have a look around the ground. This was one of the main things I wanted to see in Adelaide and it was great to see the old scoreboard (still functioning), and when someone hits one out of the ground and over the Victor Richardson gates I know excatly where that has gone. After years of watching Test matches played at the ground it was nice to see it for real. The boys enjoyed watching the cricket for a few hours before heading up to Rundle Mall. Max and Archie enjoyed looking in Haig chocolates. It all looked very good, but expensive, so we purchased at Darrel Lea (poor mans Haigs) and the boys were happy with their violet crumble and free caramel chew sample. However, the highlight of the day for the boys was being able to use their christmas money from nanna norma to buy a new watch. After much deliberation Max decided on a nice sports watch with velcro band (just like roys)...and of course Archie wanted what Max wanted. They were both chuffed, especially because the watches were water resistent and they could wear them swimming.

On Monday we headed out to Morphetville Racecourse for the Adelaide Cup. Max and Archie were very excited about seeing the horses and Max was pretty keen to know what the jockeys wore so that he might be able to conjure up something similar to wear from his limited wardrobe (luckily he didn't and settled for pants and nice shirt). There was a pretty good crowd however I was still able to get a park 5 minutes walk to the course. This was a new experience for me going to the races and not having to drink beer at world record pace and worry what Vander was going to do to me next.

Jo was on fire with her mounting yard tips and we had a return on 4 out of 5 races just by picking the nicest looking horse.....yes, that is correct, we only lasted 5 races out of 10 schedued for the day, before the boys had had enough and we were heading back to the car. We didn't get to see the running of the cup and even the car park attendant was giving it to me as we walked in to get our car saying that the cup hadn't even been run yet and what we were we doing leaving........what could I say. I must admit it was really hot and the crowd did make it difficult getting around so I can understand the boys getting tired. We got home and had a swim and the boys got their energy back when we mentioned about going to Glenelg for an ice cream (funny that).

We have been really enjoying our time in Adelaide so far and we will be staying for a few more days before heading to the Barossa.