Another cold start to the day. Decided to take the bus into Adelaide. Stopped to look in a shop called 'opal field gems'. They had a replica of a mine and a small 'museum'. It wasn't really a museum just a gift shop. The opals in the shop above were very nice, but the sales staff were extremely snooty and cold. We left there soon after. We wandered round for a bit and went to the 'opal and diamond shop'. The sales staff were very warm and patient. I ended up with a very nice opal ring and mum ended up buying herself a pearl necklace. My opal is a square with reds, blues and orange. Mums pearl is a keisha pearl with 18ct white gold filigree work with a white, pink, yellow and blue diamond set in it. Now I know we spent a lot of money but it still to us seems a bargain and we're not going to be coming back again. For the both it should've cost $7600. He said there was a 50% sale on all items. So should've come to $3800. He did both for $3000, roughly £2000. I paid so Dad was worried about how he'd pay me back. I just said no board to pay for a year. Easy!

We wandered again and found a food court and settled for pizza from a little Italian though the guy serving us sounded eastern european. We walked through Rundall Mall and found a Lush and a Body Shop. There's one more major opal shop to try, but we didn't have time today. Went into a few of the arcades off the Mall which reminded me of the ones in Leeds. Got the bus back but got off at some place called Harbour Town. It's like a cross between junction 32 at castleford and white rose. We needed a supermarket shop so off we went to Woolies. Yes over here Woolworths is a supermarket and they still have Safeways. Did a $150 shop and managed to carry it back on the bus I think most of the heavy stuff was in my back pack!

Just got back onto site and Andy and parents turned up. Had a wander round with mum getting bearings. Later wandered with Andy and checked out the two outdoor heated pools and games rooms.

We have decided definately against Coober Pedy.
1. I was only interested in the opals and was quite happy to go to Lightning Ridge while in Sydney. It was only Dots suggestion to go there for the experience.
2. Everyone says not to go there. Prices are inflated and crime and lawlessness run rife.
3. It's a bloody long drive, about 11-12 hrs with stops and after yesterday's drive I wouldn't trust dads driving to get us there in one piece. (The van doesn't have a back window, so have to rely on video relay that shows on a screen on the dash. Dad doesn't like it and doesn't look at it. I find it very useful. Crap for judging distances. Looks like car behind is miles back, but is actually up your arse).
4. The Coober Pedy opals tend to be quite white and pasty. I like mine with lots of colour.

I'd love to post pictures of mine and mums purchases but the shop was tax free and we are not allowed to open it until we have cleared customs at Melbourne airport on the 11th.

Oh well up early in the morning. Going back in and hopefully the last few opal shops before back for a proper look round harbour town.