I’ve just returned from a quick trip to Adelaide in South Australia. My first time to Adelaide and my first trip ever to SA. The taxi driver I spoke to was stunned that I’d never been to Adelaide before. “It must not be a good place” if I’d never been before? I tried to explain to him that Australia is very large and it’s common that people do not get to every state in their lifetimes.
As we drove down Sir Donald Bradman Road, I was very chuffed to see an Indigenous owned business on one of the strips of shops we drove past. It’s so good to see Indigenous businesses when you’re driving along.
I stayed a Peppers Waymouth, a lovely hotel, and beautiful room. I’m not 100% certain about the hot water situation. Perhaps they have a deliberate strategy to save water by making the hot water only lukewarm. I survived of course, and it worked – I was in and out of the shower in no time.
The workshop went well. I met some amazing women from a variety of businesses in Adelaide. I’m excited to add them to my list of follows on Facebook and Instagram and will keep up with what they’re doing.
Because of the flight times I had two nights accommodation and wasn’t due to leave until the next day, so I had time for a bit of an explore around the city.
As you know, I’m keen to do interesting walks so before I headed for Adelaide I googled and found the River Torrens Linear Path walk. All up it’s 35kms from the Adelaide Hills to the ocean. That of course, is a full day walk. As I had only a few hours, I was able to join it in the city. My goal was to walk as far as I could, then wherever I was, I’d just grab a cab and head straight to the airport.
I joined at the cultural centre precinct. I wasn’t sure which side of the bridge I should be on for the walk – at the City I suspect it doesn’t matter. When you do the walk, which side you walk behind swaps with small bridges. There was one part of the walk where I was really confused – which way do I go? – because the river actually takes a sharp left turn. I thought if I followed the signs I would be going in the wrong direction and it took me a few minutes to realise it was the river that had completely changed direction. Actually – it was more than a sharp left turn in parts it looked like she was heading back to the hills.
When you do the walk, which side you walk on swaps with small bridges. There was one part of the walk where I was really confused – which way do I go? – because the river actually takes a sharp left turn. I thought if I followed the signs I would be going in the wrong direction and it took me a few minutes to realise it was the river that had completely changed direction. Actually – it was more than a sharp left turn, as in parts it looked like she was heading back to the hills.
It is a very easy walk, the part I walked had only a few small rises. I finally ended when I hit a main road. I could have kept walking – I had a little more time and I was feeling okay – but it turns out there are NO toilets along the path I was on. So BrickWorks turned up just in time.
I thoroughly recommend the River Torres Linear Walk and Adelaide. Apart from being abused by 1 random bloke out of his car window, Adelaide is a lovely city – lots of wide streets, beautiful buildings and genuinely helpful people.
I look forward to returning.