Day 63 Mt. Gambier to Adelaide

Last nights dinner was fantastic, probably the best steak I have ever eaten. I had a fillet and Bill had a Porterhouse Sirloin, both from exclusively grass fed herds and matured for between 60 amd 90 days, none of the 21 days of the UK.

It was really cold last night and there was a heavy dew when we woke and we had to put the heating on in the room; I would never had believed that we would need that if you had told me before we left, it is still summer here after all, well I suppose it is technically autumn but heating!!! The day however turned into an absolute scorcher with clear blue skies and we had a 500 km drive ahead of us - absolutely typical!We left at around 9:45 after a very good breakfast and I took my first turn at the wheel in Australia. Had to get used to an automatic again as it is about 5 yrs or more since I driven one, plus cruise control, an absolute essential on these long journeys. We had been advised by the Manager at The Barn to stop at Robe so we took the coast road and did just that; it's a pretty little seaside resort where apparently in the 1850's 16,000 odd Chinese came ashore and walked to the Victorian gold fields rather than pay the tax that Victoria imposed. We didn't stay long as we wanted to get going so it was just a few photos and we were on our way. That was actually our only stop apart from a whistle stop change of drivers after I had been at the wheel for over 3 ½ hrs. This journey, although it was along the coast has to be one of the longest and uninteresting journeys that I have experienced with mile after mile of flat bush and scrubland with nothing much to see. I guess such is the measure of a large swath of Australia. We reached Adelaide with some rejoicing after a mammoth 5 hr drive and found the hotel relatively easily. Whilst it is in a very central location this was rather disappointing after the fantastic places we have stayed to date. The original room we were given was very dark with the windows facing brick walls. We had hoped to unpack with being here for 4 nights but there was only a small wardrobe with 3 hangers so we asked at the desk if they could find us another room. Have to say the Duty Manager was very helpful and jiggled things around and gave us an upgrade so we now have a lounge as well a bedroom but even so this has to be the worst standard of accommodation to date which is a real shame as the others have been first class. They really need to get a good window cleaner as they can't have been washed for months, you can barely see out and the general décor is rather dingy and very sparse. We had a lovely walk down by the river and managed to get a bit of sun before it set, must try and find a beach tomorrow if the weather holds. There is a music festival just down the end of the road as it is a Bank Holiday so I think the ear plugs may be needed tonight if we are to get any sleep, some of the acts are ok but the DJ in between leaves much to be desired………