Before we moved here, I read everything I could find on Adelaide (which isn’t very much, actually) and those of you who know me well will know that I always do my research thoroughly. One thing I continually came across was the fact that it is supposed to have a “Mediterranean” climate. Of course I thought: “yeah right! Another of those terms the tourist office had come up with to make it sound more appealing.” However, I have to humbly apologise to the powers that be for suspecting them of such devious underhandedness, because Adelaide really has the most remarkably Mediterranean feel about it. We went to the beach last night at 7 and had the most wonderful swim in the sea, which was calm, shallow and very, very warm. It reminded me so much of when we were in Greece for the Olympics; the hills shimmering in the heat, the crisp, white, dusty hills and above all the smell.

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but Australia really is the most remarkably fragrant place. There seems to be a continuous and pervasive smell of eucalyptus, tea tree and for some unknown reason (as I have not yet seen any orange or lemon trees around), citrus. However, this might be due to the citronella everyone uses to ward off mosquitoes. Having managed to escape malaria (I hope) in South Africa, we have walked right into the worst “epidemic” of Ross River Fever seen in recent years. (A total of 42 cases had been reported this year in Adelaide, compared to only 7 last year, which in a State with a population of only 1.4 mil, constitutes a small epidemic, in my opinion.) Not really deadly, but certainly extremely uncomfortable, as it causes severe arthritic symptoms in the joints and could last for days or years, I really hope we don’t catch it. But I digress –

Quite apart from everything else, the one thing that reminds me most of Greece and perhaps Italy to a lesser extent, is the heat. We have not had a single day below 30˚C and in fact, since Tuesday we have had temperatures constantly above 40 ˚C! At least there is the prospect of it dipping down to a “very mild” (according to the news) 29 degrees on Monday to look forward to. We find that the local shopping mall at Marion is packed to capacity on these days, as it’s the only place where people can move around in relative comfort.

The Marion centre really is remarkably convenient and luckily for us it’s only 2 km from where we’re staying in Clovelly Park at the moment. It is probably one of the ugliest travesties of architecture I have seen in recent times (architecture? I don’t think it even qualifies as that), but it really is exceptionally useful. It contains not only every type of shop you could ever hope to need (about 300 of them), it also has a post office, several banks, a myriad of food options, 18 cinemas, a Medicare office, an SA transport office (useful for registering cars and getting licences converted – yay, we don’t have to do a theory test anymore, we can just swap our UK drivers license for an Aus one), the electoral commission offices and just about everything you could ever need. All in spotlessly clean and freezing, air conditioned comfort. On the same site is the Marion cultural centre, which contains the public library (really, really good and where I come to post my rambling wafflings…), a theatre and (yet another) café.

“OK, OK enough of the useless information”, I hear you say, “what is Adelaide like?”… we absolutely love it. It would be almost impossible to describe to my UK friends, because there really is absolutely nothing remotely like it in the UK. It is very much a New World city, extremely similar to your average South African city or large town. There are some truly lovely old Colonial sandstone buildings, very similar to ones from the same period (late 19th century) in Cape Town, Bloemfontein or Durban. It is very beautifully leafy in most areas with lots of parks / gardens and reserves. This makes it a bit like a green oasis in a very barren landscape. It reminds me a lot of the Karoo towns, with a little bit of East Free state (in the dry period) thrown in. The old houses are lovely and very similar to the high-ceilinged sandstone farmhouses or old Karoo houses (sorry, UK friends, I know I’ve lost you, but bear with me..) with beautiful wide verandas with wrought iron work. This aspect reminds me a lot of Pietermaritzburg, along with the trees ( a lot of palms and of course, eucalyptus of every description). The housing across the whole city varies hugely, with every kind of style you can think of. There really is something for everyone: modern, luxury apartments and townhouses, large rambling estates, old Victorian or Edwardian, small or large, 50’s suburban bliss, to really quite grotty and depressing. The suburbs are all very different as well, more so than I expected. There are some which are high-density, not-so-great-looking, high-density luxury, sprawling huge blocks, old or modern, flat or hilly, relatively sparsely planted or very leafy and even hotter (plains) or cooler (hills). Truly diverse, but nothing even remotely reminiscent of the UK.

The thing that has made the biggest impression on us so far is just how family-orientated everything around here is. There seems to be very few activities which are not planned around the family and almost no places which are not extremely family-friendly. We went to the Jacob’s Creek Tour Down Under (like an Aussie Tour de France) after race party on Wednesday afternoon, which was held at Mawson Lakes, a new development in progress to the north of Adelaide. It contains some of the University of South Australia campus and some new housing built around artificial canals and lakes. There were street performers and clowns, bands and comedians, basketball and beach volleyball, face painting, art activities, canoeing, paddle-boats, bungee racing (don’t ask!) etc. ending with a concert by Guy Sebastian, who’s from Adelaide and won Australian Idol (you can stop sighing and rolling your eyes, he’s actually bloody good!). How much did this all cost, you ask? $20, $40, $50? No, no, no it was all free!

Every day this week at the end of the cycling there are free activities for the family in whatever town is hosting that day’s round of the competition. On Thursday, Australia Day, we can take our pick from several free family entertainment days around the city – music, dancing, acrobats, jazz bands, the national “Ute” (Bakkie to you South Africans, pick-ups to the Brits) competition (!!!), whatever takes your fancy. Next Saturday there is a (yes, free!) outdoor family movie on a big screen (OK, it’s Herbie, Fully Loaded, so we can’t have everything we want!), preceded by a blues band (free, free, free). Want to visit the museum, art gallery, botanical gardens – free! Indoor parking at the Marion centre – free! There’s even a free golf-cart that will take you from your car to the entrance. We drove past a free barbecue hosted by a local radio station yesterday – even the city-centre buses are free. This, dear friends, is what you get if a) taxes are paid by the majority of the population of a country (and boy, are the taxes substantial here!) and b) if the taxes are spent on actually making things work well / look nice / operate efficiently etc. Oh, and did I mention how clean and perfectly maintained all the public facilities here are? There really is very little litter or untidy parks and so forth – possibly helped by the fact that there seem to be more rubbish bins than people in this city!

I’ll leave for now with the one thing that really does make this a fantastic place to be – the people. Yes, I know it has been said ad infinitum, but it really is amazing just how friendly and helpful the Aussies really are. We have heard this from many people and on many occasions, but even this didn’t prepare us for just how amazingly welcoming, friendly and congenial the people are – absolutely everywhere. I don’t think we have ever been to a place where everyone seems to be so universally benign, happy and polite. I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s the smell (there must be some truth in aromatherapy!) of the place, maybe it’s the perpetual blue skies and sunshine, maybe it’s the fresh fruit and veg (I know I’m grasping at straws here), but I can’t emphasise enough just how much good will and smiling faces we have encountered since arriving. It continually astonishes me that a people who have such an aggressive, obnoxious reputation in sports can be so miles away from that image in everyday life – we feel truly blessed to be here.

Love
Annette, Marius, Enya and Miro
:dance:

Wow Annette what a fantastic post! Even though i'm here in Adelaide it made me think a bit more about the things you have commented on, things I now take for granted and have stopped noticing, like the fragrances for instance. Now you have mentioned it I stood in the garden and yes I could smell lots of different scents (not just barbies ;) ).

I'll ask my hubby wether he agrees with you on the buildings being like South Africa, hubby grew up in Cape Town and talks alot about the place.

I'm glad you are liking it so far, and yes its :sign53: hot! Not complaining just commenting! Welcome to you and your family.

Sunshine.

Welcome to Adelaide Annette and family,

You picked your time!

I loved your post, I wish I was half as eloquent! and I totally agree about Marion ..

You seem to be really settling down and finding your way about, I didn't know about the free film in the park I will have to take a look.

Keep up the posts.

Nikki
xx

Fantastic post annette, thanks for taking the time to do it, glad you are settling so well. :D

Hi Annette

Thanks for the post,most interesting.

I take it you like Adelaide then. :lol2:

Glad your settling in,we should be out there in March. :sign03:

Kev :cool shake:

Great post to read,

Thanks

Brenda

Hi

i too have been scratching around in libraries looking for the 'essence' of the place to brighten up the waiting peirods along the way and I dont feel that any have encapsulated (there i promised myself that i would use that word before the end of the week !) Adelaide in the way you just have in your post.

We ahev no experiecne of South Africa, and certainly none of Ross Fever :68:

but plenty of Italy, shame about the lemon and orange trees !

thanks for the picture, i can carry it with me into work each day in my head instead of the coal dust on my shoulders in the bl**dy cold!

kind regards
steve and family

Great read Annette, glad you're loving it here!

My very favouritist smell is frangipani :D

Desiree
:D :D

Welcome Annette! :D

Glad you are settling in - great post. I must admit I really notice the eucalyptus especially when the council starts cutting back the tree by the roads and mulching them on the spot. Also have you heard the birds yet? We here kookaburras all the time. They make such a great sound.

I hope things continue to go well for you.

Claire

Hi Annette
Well what can we say to that, That was an amazing post, and made very enjoyable reading. Glad you love Adelaide.
Hope all goes well for the future. :yeehah: :yeehah: :yeehah:

Keith Sharon & Jade

Hi Annette

I am so grateful for your post, it has made my day. I am here in sunny Frome, Somerset (yes i did say sunny! jolly cold mind) and I am having a trying day. Had only three hours sleep (and being 3 months preggers ain't much fun), hubby vomitting most of the night with virus and am battling through a nasty cold myself plus contending with a stroppy 4 year old who didn't want to come home after a swimming lesson this morning. Oh poor me! Ho hum...
Anyway we are at the beginning of our SIR visa application after taking a reccie trip to Adelaide in July 2005. Your post was great for me because I have been finding it so hard to remember why on earth we are going to move ourselves to the other side of the globe. Your post has been a breath of fresh air for me, don't get me wrong I expect at some stage you may find things that frustrate you about Adelaide but in the whole it sounds to me like you have taken the bull by the horns and are making a great life for yourselves - very inspiring indeed. Good on ya!

Thanks again...keep up the good work and please keep sharing, whatever your thoughts may be.
All the best
Odette :D

Hi Annette,so glad you are loving it in Adelaide,,and yes aromatherapy does have a positive effect on people :D

But sunshine , happy faces, clean areas also work wonders

Can`t wait to see for myself

DEBBIE :D

fab post... certainly cheered me up!

Can't wait to see it all in March.

So please you like it. I wish you all the best.

Sue xXx

hi annette,
we are heading off to adelaide soon,booked our flights today for valentine's,just read your post and brought a tear to my eye,i just want a better life for me and my family and after reading that i just can't wait,thankyou!!

love

the geary family

Are you guy's saffers by any chance?

Great run down of what's on offer.....any chance you can give us a detailed report on some of the neighbourhoods? You sound like me.......like to do my homework and get all the nitty gritty info...(hubby hates it).

Thanks a mil

Annette
i loved your email about Adelaide. Glad you love it...

I am a S. African as well as british, now bruxelles person!!! Born in Zimbabwe!!

I have just got my retirement visa and have to still make up my mind where to live!
Seeing i have no ties except my little minature schnauzer,
i can go to any place...

Orgionally it was Perth i was heading for, now these past few weeks
i have decided its Adelaide, why? i dont know,
just something about the right ups etc, and as you say,
even though there is so little written
on Adelaide i think i must have found them all!

You seem to have also spent some time in S. africa, i enjoyed your comparrisions..

For now, I have to source out the tax issues first before i can get there,
becacuse as you rightly mention what a high tax country Aus is,
the taxes will eat into my pension income , leaving not much for me to enjoy
my life there! world wide tax etc etc etc ... :sigh:

Living in bruxelles, is to me, 100 times nicer, easier, cheaper than UK.
I can understand any Brit leaving ...

The medical system here too is first class ,the food wonderful, but the weather, :doh:
which is just like Uk and is the driving force behind the Aussie
move and of course the language, though i can now speak pigeon french.
So any input you can think of, keep them coming...


Not sure on what visa you are on and or if you are now permanent..?

Would you know, if one can take oil painting art classes there?
Would you think it too hot todo any gardening, veggie growing etc..?

remember to stay out the way of the "mossie" as we used to say in s. A. !
( mosqitoes )

byes for now
Andrea

Thanks for taking the time to write such a brilliant post, Annette, the way you've described it helps to settle those last minute nerves as the weeks race by until we actually get there.
Hope to share the experiences you decribe in April (well, maybe not the 40+ temps!) :chuckle:

Great post!

Shane

Hi Andrea
I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding art classes of any sort, and gardening is great except in the hottest weather - the main growing season is the winter, you just have to get used to things being a bit upside down like that! My tomatoes are doing very nicely at the moment though, aubergines flowering but no fruit setting, same with my cucumbers. It takes a while to sort out what likes sun and what likes shade, and maybe remember to water more than once a day in this kind of weather.

I reckon the climate here is fantastic for gardening as it's cool enough to grow temperate crops like apples (if you can get them before the rainbow lorikeets do....) yet also warm enough for citrus, melons etc and even avocados. My friends over the road don't get much luck with their mangoes though, they set fruit then it all drops off, so not quite warm enough for that :lol2:

Annette

That was a really good post, thank you for taking the time to do it and fill everyone in on your experiences. :happy03:

For those of us still waiting to get across it comes as an invaluable reminder of why we are doing this. For us it certainly reminded us of our recci trip last year.

We were bowled over by the friendliness of everyone and how complete strangers would talk to you for ages and then hand you their business card, or jot down their phone number.

Hard to imagine the heat for us back in the UK - esp this am as there has been a really hard frost and the heating hasn't been off all morning. Got to go and crack the ice on the bird bath - now that's something you won't be doing in Adelaide!

Thank you once again and good luck with everything

Heather x

Hey, fancy meeting you here. Only minutes before we bumped into you at Marion, we'd met Swift6 there too. It really makes you feel at home in Adelaidenwhen you meet people you know by chance like that.

Hi Annette

Wow! Its sounds fantastic, so glad to hear you are all settling in well! :D

Just wanted to thank you for taking the time to write and let us know how you are getting on and your thoughts. I have to say I really enjoyed reading your post!! Please keep writing and let us know how you are getting on.

Looking forward your next post! :cool shake:

Lissa xx

I'll be seeing the SA minister in charge of the Immigration Dep't about giving you a raise, Annette.
. . . . . . seems you've earnt that $50 we promised you on writing your experiences as a newcomer.
If you keep it up, we might pay you double, especially if you mention how lousy your next "trip" to Melbourne was????
Bob