My father and I have been to Canberra, Adelaide and the Barossa Valley in the last few weeks. On Thursday he leaves and flies back to South Africa. I will miss him ever so much and I suppose it will really sink in for both of us that mom is no longer around.
In Canberra we went to the Australian War Memorial and spent about 5 hours wondering around. We also went to the New Parliament House and to Questacon, the Science Museum. We walked miles and stayed indoors in airconditioned museums as it was 40⁰ C outside!
Last weekend I sent my father ahead to Adelaide as I had to work. I found a fantastic offer on Groupon for the Stamford Plaza Hotel which included twin beds, breakfast and a late checkout! I can definitely recommend the hotel.
Dad walked the town going to the Botanic Gardens, Aviation Museum, National Rail Museum, Maritime Museum etc. Can you sense a theme? He was on his own and indulging in all those boy passions! He caught buses, trains and trams and dipped his toes in the sea at Glenelg.
I flew in on Friday night and we had a fantastic meal at Rickshaws at the hotel. We then hopped into the car I had hired and drove to Murray Bridge to see the great Murray River! From then we drove to Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley. We checked into our cottage and then walked to a couple of cellar doors to try the local wine (my solution on how to sample wine and not drink and drive). We dined at the Lord Lyndoch restaurant and Dad sampled Kangeroo for the first time!
Unsurprisingly, it rained overnight. I seem to be a rain magnet! It even rained in Canberra when we were there.
We both slept exceptionally well in the king size beds at our cottage and the next morning I cooked us a bacon and egg breakfast. After breakfast we went for a drive to Tanunda and then stopped in at Jacobs Creek winery. Then it was back to Adelaide to get on our plane to Sydney.
I can't believe how this month has flown by!
Dad I will miss you lots and I can't wait to see you again later in the year.
Your loving daughter Sue