Summertime
This January has been the hottest and driest on record for Adelaide (since 1880). So far, 18 days with temperatures over 30°C, maximum being 43°C. (January monthly average max is 28°C) At night the temps may drop by 12°. Fortunately humidity is low, 30-50%.
Getting to sleep is often a problem as air-conditioning is not universal in homes. Life revolves around trying to keep COOL.
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Cooling off, Hove Beach
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People flock to the city beaches which extend for 30 kms. Compared to many overseas resorts, the population here is low and pollution non-existent. Beach awnings and shade umbrellas sparsely dot the sandy foreshore. Sun-bathing still goes on to a limited extent but most people now are aware of the dangers of extreme UV radiation as warnings are given on every TV weather report.
Things come to life at dawn as it is often the coolest time. By 6 am walkers and joggers are out on the beach and join cyclists along the accompanying Esplanade roadway fronted by its luxury townhouses.
The family dog gets its unrestricted run and there are lots of them, especially poodles, and kelpie crosses who love the water and will swim for great distances. Over the summer between the hours of 10 am and 8 pm all dogs on the beach must be on a lead, at other times they can run free but have to be under "effective control" by the owner.
Other popular activities are beach cricket, kayaking, surf-boarding and fishing offshore in the family "runabout". Sometimes dolphins swim by early in the morning. So far no problems with sharks, although last week a boatie a few kms off shore was harassed for an hour by a 5 metre White Pointer, so don't go swimming after dark!
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Brighton jetty and Esplanade Hotel
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I occupy a bizarre bachelor pad located 100 metres from the Brighton beach and jetty. No air-conditioning of course, only fans. Periodically it is necessary to seek out air-conditioned comfort. The nearest place is the pub across the road which is OK when not crowded, but preferable are the local library and supermarkets - I make shopping time really last!
One has to drink lots of water. Spring water comes in 10 litre packs (preferable to treated tap water originally from the River Murray). And of course, beer and wine. My friends and I make home-brew often using Coopers brew kits (Adelaide is the home of Coopers Brewery, which exports its kits all over the world). On really hot days I put my fermenters in a bath of "cold water" to keep the brew below 30°C.
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Jacob's Creek, Barossa Valley
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Nobody makes wine because we live amidst the greatest wine-producing region of Australia - no doubt you have sampled wines from the Clare and Barossa valleys and McLaren Vale, even if you live in Europe or the US. Jacob's Creek is a well-known export wine.
Getting About
Cycling is popular in Adelaide and is encouraged by the local Councils who have established an excellent network of cycle paths, some being separate from the road system. In the winery districts of Clare Valley and McLaren Vale, disused railway lines have been converted to cycle tracks.
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City cycle path
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Transport SA produce a free pack of eight cycle maps covering the Greater Adelaide Region, available from their office in the city.
Where to get a bike? The cheapest way is to buy one at an Op-Shop or garage sale. Old "racing-type" bikes can often be bought for A$20 or less.
Op-Shops (or Opportunity Shops) are run by charities (St Vincent de Paul, Save the Children Fund, SPCA, Goodwill Inc. etc) and staffed mostly by volunteers. They sell second-hand clothing, furniture, bric-a-brac and books. Every suburb has one or more shops. It is amazing what treasures can be found for a pittance.
My son Jonathan, who recently visited me from New Zealand, cycled to every Op-Shop within a 10 km radius of Brighton and bought excellent Canterbury T-shirts (made in NZ), four old Macintosh computers for $5 each (collector's items), a good bike for $5 and many souvenir beer mugs and antique bottles to take home.
Old Books
Adelaide is a great place to fossick for old books. I collect books on travel, fishing and cookery, the children's classics and detective novels of the 30's. Secondhand book marts are operated by the Lion's Club at Brighton (8377-0131), Glenside (8379-0587) and at Stirling, in the Adelaide Hills. In the city is there is the Community Aid Abroad shop at 7 Hutt Street; Adelaide Booksellers at 6a Rundle Mall, as well as a host of antiquarian book dealers (see Yellow Pages of Telephone Directory).
Tourism
There is no shortage of excellent tours by air-conditioned bus, ranging from ½ day to 2 or 3 days, details of which can be found on the web site of Adelaide Sightseeing. Popular day tours are to the wine regions of Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale and to Kangaroo Island and the Murray River region. All the wineries offer free wine-tasting.
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Janet's garage sale, Goolwa
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Alternatively you can hire a car for a few days and explore the region for yourself. When my son visited he hired from Avis a Commodore for 3 days. We roamed from the Clare Valley in the north to Goolwa and Victor Harbour on the south coast. Cost was A$295 hirage plus $60 for gasoline which is fine if you share expenses.
Remember, DIY tours by car require a non-drinking driver who is used to driving on the left side of the road, plus a competent navigator. Bus tours, although regimented, overcome these potential problems.
A cycle tour of the winery regions has its attraction but not in the hot summer months; then it's best to go by air-conditioned bus or car!
Earn Some Money?
February is the start of the grape harvesting. The large-scale vineyards on flat terrain use mechanical harvesting but in the Adelaide Hills hand-picking of grapes is the norm and there is pruning and other work.
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Sunset at Hove Beach
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Check out the Net for orchards in South Australia wanting pickers now. In season there is a host of jobs picking cherries, pears, apples and citrus fruits.
That's all for now, folks.
Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our Pacific Insiders page.
