Now then.. Adeliade! (When we left the state of Victoria and entered South Australia, clocks went back half hour! Crazy)

Arrived in the afternoon and Shane straight away fired up the bbq before heading over to the Adelaide Oval for a (yes another!) cricket game - this time a twenty20 between South Australia and Queensland. On the way to the game me and Shano were tapped on the shoulder by two policeman. Apparently we were drinking in a 'dry-zone' and we jaywalked. I played the tourist card and gave it the 'er sorry officer didnt know this was a dry zone (which i didnt and neither did shane!). Oh and whats jaywalking?!' Subsequently got let off the $200 dollar fine for both offences. Touch.Then made it to the game without incident and what a ground it is too! I'd go as far as saying its prob my favourite cricket ground as it goes. Traditional scoreboard and grass hills for us lager louts, mixed in with some well smart stands. Only minor grumble was part of the ground was a building site as they are building a monster new stand for the ashes in 2011.

Next day we headed off to Cleland wildlife park to check out some aussie animals. The Kangaroos were really tame and let you pat them and get close so it was a great experience. Had a look at some Koalas, Dingoes, Tasmanian Devils, Wallabies and Wombats too and took loads of pics. Just as we we decided to leave we went over to some wallabies and as we got closer we noticed they were mommas with baby joeys in their pouches! Naturally they were very shy and wary of the public, getting too close resulted in the babies hiding but still got some quality photos.

We then went up to Mount Lofty summit for some views across the city of Adelaide before heading to a pub for a schnitty (Aussie pub grub consisting of fried beef or chicken with any toppings you want. Shane's been on at me since i booked this trip in April to have one!) We had a chilled afternoon where we took Shane & Christines dog Jazz to Semaphore, Henley and Glenelg beaches. She had a good run around and swim and we soaked up the sun and enjoyed ice cream. Fun for all!

Day 3 started with a trip into the city centre to have a look around. Went to Central Market which was brilliant, before heading down to the river torrens for a walk along the bank. Once they had shown me around we jumped into the car and headed to the famous vineyards of Adelaide! Now im not a wine drinker but how could i not go when in Adelaide?! Went to the McLaren Vale Vineyards where we went to Pirramimma, D'Arenberg and Maxwell wineries. Of course im sampling all these fantastic wines which were wasted on me! I tried to throw in the 'oh yeah you can taste the oak' and 'hmm this ones nice and fruity!' but I wasnt fooling anyone. So i just shut up and sank loads of rose, white and red instead. Really enjoyed getting merry for free! Happy days.

We finished off the day with a trip to an open air cinema. Obviously being English this doesnt happen because of the pants weather and pikeys would ruin it anyway. Watched the film Couples Retreat (pretty good!) and drank some of the wine we bought earlier in the day.

Day 4 started off with a trip to Port River Mangroves where we kayaked around a dolphin sanctuary and ship graveyard. What an experience! We decided we wouldnt get our hopes up about seeing wild dolphins to avoid disappointment (obviously the ghost ships werent going anywhere!) and would you believe it we couldnt launch the kayaks at first because a dolphin was blockin the path! So we had seen one before we entered the water! Unfortunately Nick didnt pre-book and it was fully booked, meaning me shane and christine went as a threesome. They shared a kayak and so i was with a random - Meghan from Minnesota. She was a nice girl though and done her fair share of armwork so all was good. Obviously being the dominate species(!) i sat at the back and was 'captain' steering the kayak!!

Had a brilliant time, kayaking around the port with dolphins in the 36 degree heat and our guide stopping us and telling us the history of the ships in the graveyard was really good. I took some photos although was quite difficult trying to paddle, steer, listen to the history and not drop the camera in the water! Finished off the experience with a few cold beers at a golf themed pub. They've got a two storey driving range in the pub! Mental mental.

That pretty much brings my time in Adeliade and my time with Shane, Christine, Jazz and Nick to an end. Took them for a meal at their favourite restaurant before having some drinks on Hindley Street as a thank you for everything. To be honest it doesnt go much as a thank you considering what they have done for me!

I know your all reading this so i just wanted to say a massive thankyou for everything you have done. You have made the first week and a half of my journey so enjoyable and memorable, and with your 2 years travelling under your belts ive learnt so much from you which im sure will make the rest of my journey so much easier. I owe you all so much, and when you move to England (seriously dont do it, think about this!!) you'll always welcome at mine (when i get it of course, othewise its mums and dads at the mo!)

Thanks again, hopefully see you in England in a year! x x x x
Sorry its another monster entry but ive had over 4 jam packed days here so its been necessary! With spending a week in the outback it'll prob be another big entry but when i hit the east coast ill be breaking up the posts more! Speak soon, Rob x (x x x x x)