25.01 No Rest In Sight!

Our trip to Adelaide, to Sydney and back to Melbourne covered a total of 4251 kilometres! It was an amazing way to see a small part of such a vast country and the contrasts of the four different States (SA, VIC, NSW & ACT) we drove through. Obviously we would have loved more time to investigate the lots of different places we came across, but that'll just have to wait until next time!

It wouldn't have been made possible with our trusty Magna Wagon, perhaps she isn't quite the lemon that we thought she was! All she asked for was fuel and half a litre of oil! Having a week's break from each other certainly helped too!

We have now worked out that we have driven almost all the way down to the east coast, from Cairns to Byron Bay, and all the way along the bottom from Adelaide up to Sydney! Plus, the extra bit we did on our day trip from Cairns to the Bloomfield Track!

So what's next? There are a number of things to see in Victoria before we have to sell our Magna on, prepare for our own departure, plus there is the blog to update with a number of things that happened towards the end of last year! There will be a number of posts that will be slightly out of order, so don't panic!

27.12 Adelaide to Melbourne

We left Port Willunga at 9am and headed back to Melbourne for the night. There was a bit of a delay at Wellington for the ferry, as there was a bit of a queue!

Having cleared most of the cars on the ferry, this was the only view of them!

We took a slightly different route home to the one we came on, after it had been suggested to go via the South Grampians. It was a very scenic drive, although it did take us 9 hours to get back, and there was another two days of driving coming up!!

26.12 Christmas: Boxing Day Sunset

Just as we left the Dolphins came back and were swimming just behind where the waves were breaking!

26.12 Christmas: Boxing Day on the Beach

Joanna was very creative and produced the one and only Sand Tortoise!

The beach was much busier, including a beach cricket match too!

Returning back to the house after a brief dip in the refreshing sea!

Look what we found when we got back! Poor Karl, still suffering a little bit, but taking it very easy!!

26.12 Christmas: Boxing Day in Hahndorf

Joanna & I decided to have a bit of drive and ended up in Hahndorf! After a look around the local galleries and a quick drink in one the numerous cafes, I think we'd reacquainted ourselves with the place again and it time to head back to the beach!

26.12 Christmas: Boxing Day Morning

Joanna & I woke up a little bit early on Boxing Day, must have been the combination of the excitement of the previous day and jet lag! Adelaide is half an hour in front of Melbourne you know!! Gave us a chance to head down the to beach for a bit of an early morning stroll.

All of us enjoying a delicious barbeque breakfast!

25.12 Christmas: Together on the Big Day!!

Finally, after a couple of hours, two litres of IV fluids and a cocktail of drugs Karl arrives back in a rather attractive gown!

Mum & Dad get their chance to head to the beach to enjoy the beautiful weather and the refreshing water!

The true Aussie way of replenishing your fluids!

Christmas dinner being cooked on the barbeque! You just wouldn't do it any other way!

Cheers & Happy Christmas!!

The Christmas Cake, courtesy of Coles!

Congratulations were in order when an engagement was annouced!

This one's animated, click to view!

25.12 Christmas: Christmas Day

So while Karl was laying back, enjoying a different kind of Australian hospitality. Mum, Dad, Joanna & I headed to the beach, but just as we found our spot, there was a call to pick the old cheese up. Unfortunately Mum & Dad had to leave, which left Joanna & I to... enjoy the beach.

The only Christmas bird we saw on the whole day!!

Did we say that we saw Dolphins swimming off the beach?! Ignore the two women, they were just in the way!! This one's animated, click to view!

25.12 Christmas: Christmas Day Morning

Christmas Day morning, with the sun shining and a clear blue sky! This is what we've been waiting for!!

The view from the house!

Alliums in the garden!

It's white, it falls from the sky but it's not snow!!

Unfortunately the tree was just too big to bring inside, so this was the next best thing!!

Joanna working hard on laying the table for breakfast!

Dad cooking a delicious breakfast for us all, but it didn't quite go to plan...

...just before Karl was taken on a small trip to visit a local hopsital!