Hello to you all,

This is our entry for Adelaide but before I start just a quick apology for how far behind we have got which means this entry could be a bit sketchy but I'll try my best!!! Were actually now in Melbourne and have been for five days but never mind that lets go back to Saturday 17th October and start from there.

Saturday 17th October 2009, Alice Springs to Adelaide

We left Alice Springs airport at about 4pm and arrived in Adelaide at about 7pm. The flight was not 3 hour long but we had to jump another hour as we passed from the Northern Territory to Southern Australia.

From the airport and after collecting our luggage we shared a taxi with 2 people we knew from our tour in Alice, too our respective hostels. We were staying at Oz Backpackers, but in the guest house section as the backpackers were full, but it was the same price for a dorm room anyway and a lot quieter.

Once we were checked in and had made friends with our Irish room mates, although they were only there were 1 night, we popped out to get some food to make dinner!! This was harder than expected as it was getting on too nearer 9pm and the supermarkets were shut so we took a walk, a rather long walk and eventually found an open convenience store. After grabbing some soup, cheese and bread we went back too the backpackers, had some dinner and then went to bed. We were 2 very tired girls!!!!

Sunday 18th October 2009, Adelaide

Well today was meant to be a catch up on sleep, washing and home day!!!!

The washing and the home part went well but the sleep section failed!!! We had wanted to sleep until about 11am but typically we both woke at about 8:30am but then stayed put until about 9:45am. By this point we had both given up on getting any more sleep so decided to get up for the free breakfast and then chill for a bit. So basically the bags under the eyes had not improved!! 5 weeks of getting up no later than 7am, mostly 6am, had taken its effect!!!

From here it was too the supermarket for food and washing equipment!!

And then for a good part of the afternoon we spent our time on the roof top doing our washing and catching some rays!! The washing took a while as we had a lot, everything was covered in red dirt and because all the washing machines over here seem to be cold water and speedy we had to do some hand washing before machine washing!! The Vanish, was also used quite a lot!! God what we wouldn't do for a free shopping spree!!!!

After the washing was all done and on the line we went out for a walk and too use the internet. We wanted a global gossip as we needed to top up the phone card and use the internet, so we went to the YHA which also has global gossip. So whilst here we both used the net and made some phone calls to home. We also met back up with Ruth (on our tour from Perth to Darwin), she had only just got into Adelaide so we arranged to meet up the following day. By the time this had all occurred, time was getting on, so after a few more phone calls it was about 9pm before we got back and had some dinner!! Dinner tonight was Vegetable and Noodle stir fry. Another night of being in our beds by about 11pm!!

Monday 19th October 2009, Adelaide

Up and dressed today for about 10am in time for Ruth coming over and free breakfast!! We had a relaxed breakie and then went out about 11:30am. From the hostel we walked down to North Terrace and admired all the old magnificent buildings on North Terrace before heading into the Botanical Gardens. Once in the Botanical Gardens (Free entry) we had a walk around and then realized (by phone) that Mark and Daisy were also in the Botanical Gardens. So we met up with them and found a spot under a tree but still in the sun too all sit down and have a chat. After about half an hour, Ruth left to go and see an agency and the Daisy and Mark left to continue there day. We arranged with all too meet up later on. We stayed for a little bit longer under the tree eating our cheap lunch. The sandwiches we had made out of our free breakfast, plus a bit of fruit and squash. Lunch for under a pound!! Or $2!

After this we continued walking through the Botanical Gardens, which are very impressive, and then made our way to the National Wine Centre for a look around. This was also a free tour, as you can see the theme of the day/week was free or cheap, but no tasting unfortunately!!! It was very interesting as it gave you a better understanding of how wine is made and the different smells and colours! Also the different grapes involved. They also had a mini vine yard outside. It backed onto the Botanical Gardens so some good views as well.

From here we walked back into the city, (Adelaide is not very big so nothing walking wise takes very long) and went onto Rundell Mall street which is Adelaide's main shopping street. Caroline bought a few new tops and we just had a wonder around and then used the internet.

Tonight's dinner was Pasta and a vegetable sauce. We were going to make it in to a bake but the oven was not working!!!

Tuesday 20th October 2009, Adelaide

The original plan toady had been to meet with Ruth, go too the museum and then go on the free Haigh's chocolate tour. This plan changed completely when Ruth couldn't come due to bagging a job for the day. So we then decided to slow down on getting ready (not hard) and use the time to do our blog before going over to meet Daisy and Mark.

So after leaving the hostel about 12pm we spent the best part of 4 hour's updating the blog, up loading photos and generally up dating ourselves on things including transport between Adelaide and Melbourne.

At about 4:30pm we walked to the tram stop on King William Street and caught the tram too Glenelg. Glenelg is about 20 minutes away from the city centre and some how we managed to get there and back free of charge. Don't tell any one!

Once in Glenelg we headed to the beach for a look and although the beach looked nice the people around and on it reminded us of Skeggie on a hot day!!! Glenelg is a holiday town for the Ozzies and it was a cute little town but it as just a shame about the people!! The local culture there involved a lot of words beginning with C and F. Need I say any more!!!

Anyway we were there too meet Daisy and Mark for goodbye drinks. They were leaving the next day for Sydney. They were in Glenelg as Mark had treated Daisy to a hotel for her birthday (we celebrated in Alice). So we met them in the public entry hotel bar and my god it was cheap. It's the only hotel bar I know that does happy hour!! We had a few drinks with them before catching the tram back at about 9:30pm.

Once back we had some food and then went to bed at about 11:30pm.

Wednesday 21st October 2009, Adelaide

Free chocolate and free dinner night!!!

After having some breakfast and then a few cups of coffee in the court yard with Ruth as well, we left the hostel at about 12:30pm and made our way out of the city towards Haighs Chocolate Visitor centre. It was about a 20 minute walk and we were rewarded with a free chocolate tour around the factory, free chocolates and a free coffee. Well worth the walk. Haigh's chocolate company is Australian own, the only company in Australia to make its own chocolate (I think that's right) and they do not export. Very nice but pretty expensive chocolates!!!

From here we walked back to Wakefield Street (our street) and then went to the Central Market. Central market is pretty popular and very reasonable for food. Today we just had a look and then bought some olives and some fruit for lunch. We had lunch back at the hostel, I say lunch it was about 3pm by now.

After this we went over to the backpackers to use the internet too look at transport options, it was about 5:20pm when we realized that we could get a train for $49 on Friday, so I rang the company and was told the office shut in 10 minutes if we could make it otherwise we'd have too go in the morning. Not wanting to risk not getting tickets we made a mad dash to King William Street. We were looking for 442 and we entered King William Street at 100, it was a lost cause! But we tried and then realized we were going in the wrong direction so gave up!! We'd go in the morning!!

After this we popped to Global gossip to continue with internet and upload some photos before making our way back to the hostel for dinner.

Tonight was free dinner night, we were very impressed it was BBQ chicken and sausages along with potatoes, salad and bread and then ice cream for dessert!!! Very good! There also were few comps going on including Killer pool which we both participated in, we were rubbish but it's the taking part that counts!!

Thursday 22nd October 2009, Adelaide

We made our way to the train office at about 9:30am today to get our train tickets for The Overland from Adelaide to Melbourne for Friday. It was only $49 each as we both have backpacker cards. The only downsides were the early start and the length of the journey.

Once that was sorted we went back to the hostel, had some breakfast and waited for Ruth who joined us about 11am.

From the hostel we went to Central Market where we stocked up on few food bits. We got stuff for the train tomorrow. After dropping off the stuff at the hostel we then caught the bus to Henley Beach. Because the bus took so long to get there (about an hour), it went all around the houses, literally!!! We only had about an hour at the beach. This wasn't so bad as it was too windy and cool too swim and we were all quite happy to just sit on the grass over looking the beach, people watching and having some lunch, (peanut butter sandwiches-ah the advantage of free breakfast's!).

From the beach it was back too the hostel too pack and get sorted before meeting Ben (A friend who used to live in Birmingham but is from Adelaide), for some hello-goodbye drinks. Ruth joined us as well and we all had a great night and a good catch up. Home time was a late one which didn't make tomorrow look very good!!!!

Friday 23rd October 2009, Adelaide-Melbourne

A very early start!!! We left the hostel in the free hostel bus at 6:30am!!!! Once at the train station we had to check in (like an airport) and then wait. The train left Adelaide at 7:40am and reached Melbourne at 6:40pm. A very long 11 hour journey with a half hour time difference. A this point we were 10 hours in front of you guys!! The journey was long but we occupied ourselves with sleep, scenery and eating!!!

So we have now gone from the State of South Australia to the State of Victoria!

See you in Melbourne xxxx