Friendship Force to Adelaide, Australia - November, 1999 - Log - by Fred Hadley
Saturday, November 6, 1999.
Wichita to Denver, Denver to L. A. then 13 hours from L. A. to Sydney, Sydney to Adelaide - food terrible, like a cold rare steak sandwich and a roll of dough with green specks of something shining on it - NG. Could never sleep on a plane - watched six movies - forgot my tooth brush!
Monday, November 8, 1999.
FF hosts, John, 56, and Rosie Trainer, met me at airport and took me to their very nice home, trimmed in creme and green, inside and out.
My room(No picture available)
My bedroom belonged to their son who recently moved out and now lives elesewhere with his Japanese girlfriend (the world is the same - Kansas or Australia) - Toilet and shower seperated - toilet has selection on top of water box for light flush or heavy flush. Notice bush fence in front of house - I had never seen this kind of fence any other place in the world - There were a lot of these fences in Adelaide.
Rosie in her kitchen and John at his computer(No picture available)
After a very short nap we went to a pot luck "Welcome Party" in a church annex. Bobbie Mulholland, Adelaide exchange director, and their FF president, Robin, husband, gave a short welcome speech with a response from the Denver ED, Jack Kimpton.
Robin and Bobbie Mulholland(No picture available)
My host, John Trainer, was a High School history teacher before going into their state legislature, for 14 years, where he rose to become "Speaker" - however he was edged out by a small margin in the last election. FF head, Wayne Smith, visited Adelaide a few years ago and he and John became "friends" and he invited John to "look him up" if John ever got to Atlanta, FF headquaters. When John did just that, Wayne ignored him and thus John does not hold Wayne in high esteem.......John let me use his computer to send 13 e-mail messages around the world to friends and one to wife Yvonnie who learned how to send e-mail just so she could communicate with me on this trip.
Tuesday, November 9, 1999.
Went to war memorial - very impressive - the names of those lost in battles, even including the Boar war (I was in South Africa last year, with FF, and was at the site of that war) were etched in stone. Hundreds of little white crosses were being planted for 50 meters adjacent to the memorial - each cross had the name of a battle casuality - a relative had paid to have the cross put up then after Armistice Day taken down till next year.
Next it was off to the Government House to view the lawmakers in action. Since John knew his way around and was aquainted with almost all the people we saw in the halls, he was able to slip three of us into the chamber while it was in session. The Government House, though impressive, did not have a sign so that tourists could idenitfy it - that is till John took legislative action!
The sign says "Parliament House of South Australia"
(No picture available)
Next to Aborigine Museum to view much Aborigine art - mostly too expensive for me or too big for the airplane - but I did get a sample of the art on an ice box magnet and also a look at some metal "Dingo Dogs" - I'm not sure of the relationship between the Dingos and the Aborigines.
Dingo Dog art(No picture available)
Lunch then, an hours nap, then to an Adelaide FF member's home, high in the hills overlooking Adelaide. Neila and Geoff were hosts for wine and cookies with about eight of us from US. Geoff was in WW II in the Navy in some of the same places I was - it was interesting to talk to him.
The Bay Tram to Glenelg
Wednesday, November 10, 1999.
Denver FF member, Susan Darigo, came over for breakfast and spend the day with Rosie who was acting as a "Day Host" - Rosie fixed eggs, sausage, toast, breakfast food, o.j. and coffee. Then off to Glenelg via The Bay Tram. Glenelg, a resort type of town, had a lot of shops and a beautiful beach - with no one on it since it was cold and spitting rain a little. Had whiting fish and chips at a beach place, not very good. The anchor of the place was the Stamford Grand Hotel. Back to Adelaide on the tram. Rosie took me by her daughter's house, cream with green trim and a yard full of flowers.
Dinner this evening was at FF member, Cathy Young's house. Cathy lost her husband recently and talked about him frequently. She had a very friendly, mix breed dog. Besides me there were; my hosts, John and Rosie Trainer, Susan Darigo, Sheila and Jack Holt, and Norman Dickerson, Cathy's mother-in-law, and Cathy. Darigo, Dickerson and I were the US FF people.
We had; chicken with apricot sauce, steamed veggies, warm rolls, wine, port, chocolates, cookies, green salad, and coffee. We sat down at 7 P. M. and finished at 10 P. M. - a long sit down! Cathy's house was cold - like John's - about middle 50sF - she did have a "space heater" in the front room. On the way home John pointed out a filling station where you could air up your tires by setting the meter to the desired amount - press the button and get your exact fill of air - do we have these in the states? John also pointed out that it ws against the law to talk on a mobile phone while driving - we need that in the states!
John's toy - a 1970 MG
John loves that car - in fact I got two rides in it! John always moves fast - in the car or out. He does not have cable TV or CNN but is knowledge about all world events, past and present. He knows more about the US political scene than I do. He snores - I could hear him on my frequent toilet trips during the night. Rosie took me over to meet her daughters - both with very nice places and both with small children.
No photo available
Thursday, November 11, 1999.
At George Wildlife Park there were: Wallabies, Kangaroos, Owls, Tamarins, Ostriches, Koalas, and other wildlife. Sue Robilliard was our day host and drove us all around, she was a good driver (and fast) - a wonderful asset for the FF of Adelaide.
Roo and Joey(no photo available)
Next Sue drove us to Bethany Winery - they provided tastes of the wine but no tour of the process like in Europe - At Peter Lehmar's we had a nice lunch on the patio and a sip of their wine - but no tour.
At Peter Lehmarn's(no photo available)
On the way back to Adelaide we stopped at a jewelry shop (seemingly out on the country - a place where Sue said you could get a good buy on opals) and I got an opal ring for Yvonnie - hope she likes it! Then to Jack and Sheila Holt's for dinner and talk. I learned that a church called the UNITING church was formed from three denomiations whose membership had fallen off so much they decided to save money by uniting into one church - and that (no connection) that if you get caught with marijuana you only get a fine - no jail time! Maybe we should try that in the US and free up some space for the really bad guys!
Friday, November 12, 1999.
Off, bright and early, to Kangaroo Island. The ferry that took us over to the island was a large catamaran boat that was loaded with cars and trucks - even 18 wheeled trucks. The trip was about 45 minutes - the captain was a short red haired guy of about 300 pounds(let's see, in Kg that is....). The first stop was at Jimbuck Sheering & Sheep Dog Demonstrations. I couldn't resist getting my picture taken on the old International Tractor in the yard. The sheep dogs performed well to the whistles of "Rob," who then demonstrated how to shear a sheep in only a few minutes. Then he showed us how to feed the wool into a spinning wheel to make the cord for a future garment. Then on to a beach where the seals were.
Kangaroo Island is very big - we arrived about 9 A. M. and departed at 7:30 P. M. We made another stop in a park where there were some Koalas in trees and roos running around - but nothing more than we had already seen yesterday. Acuually we spent more time on the bus than anything else, and besides we had already seen most of the things the day before - except for sheep shearing, and I had seen this in New Zealnd a few years ago. So maybe the $112 spent for this side trip was not well spent.
Koala
Saturday, November 13, 1999.
The day starts off with a big "Father Christmas" parade in downtown Adelaide. FF exchange director, Bobbie Mulholland, provided us with reviewing stand seats - the best for viewing the best parade I had seen in 30 years!
After the parade John took me in his MG to help him set up for tonights big FF party.
The "Farewell Party" was held at the "Buffalo" in Glenelg. The restaurant is a replica of the original Buffalo sailing ship which was a merchantman intended for service with the East India Company. She had, sixteen, 24 pound cannons, and two 9 pound, long guns. She made two trips to Sydney Cove with female convicts, calling at New Zealand on the way home to pick up Kauri Pine, which was used for masts and spars on other vessels. She was wrecked in Mercury Bay on the 28th of July, 1840.
Most of the menu tonight was shell fish - which I don't eat - so I settled for a dinner of gar fish, a fish we don't usually eat in the USA. It was deep fried and very thin - not a good eat!(however the pumpkin soup was delicious)
The long table at the Buffalo ran from bow to stern(No picture available)
After the farewell speeches, host John Trainer, led us in a sitrring rendition of "Waltzing Matilida" (If you want the words and what each word means - e-mail me at fhadley296@aol.com).
Sunday, November 14, 1999.
Day host, Cathy Young, took me and Susan to the Murray Bridge for a ride on the "Proud Mary Queen" - a side paddle-wheel boat on the Murray River. Since this was Sunday, the Murray river had many out for water sports on the river - jet skiers, water skiers, boats, and other people on the banks enjoying the river this Sunday afternoon.
s1600-h/murrayri.jpg">
View of Murray Bridge from "Proud Mary Queen"
After the boat ride we went to an adjacent park for, what else? - a picnic and a indigenous band. We were joined by another FF group staying near Murray Bridge.
Picnic at The Murray River Bridge, Australia
Cathy got lost going back to Adelaide so we took the scenic route. Rosie fed us steak for dinner then took us to her daughter's as mentioned above. Then to her sister's house for a night cap - like Bailey's - Her husband, Dale, about 46, was fascinated that he had met someone who had served in WW ll. I had to tell him all about it! On his computer we looked at my "Home Page."
Monday, November 15, 1999.
Last day in Adelaide. Left gift and " thank you" note for hosts, John and Rosie Trainer. Said good bye to John at airport, then off to Kempsey for second week of FF home stay and to meet new friends and have new adventures - this FF is a great organization!
Be sure to see the Kempsey Log blog by Fredly
SPECIAL NOTICE: THERE ARE FEW PICTURES WITH THIS SITE - MY COMPUTER WENT DOWN AND I HAD NO BACK UP - IF ANYONE HAS A COPY OF THIS WEB SITE WITH THE PICTURES - PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN GET THE SITE UP AND COPY THE PICTURES - THANKS, FRED HADLEY
Latest update January 8, 2005 ( I found two pictures of John in his MG and one of the Murray Bridge and some of the picnic at the bridge).
Saturday, November 6, 1999.
Wichita to Denver, Denver to L. A. then 13 hours from L. A. to Sydney, Sydney to Adelaide - food terrible, like a cold rare steak sandwich and a roll of dough with green specks of something shining on it - NG. Could never sleep on a plane - watched six movies - forgot my tooth brush!
Monday, November 8, 1999.
FF hosts, John, 56, and Rosie Trainer, met me at airport and took me to their very nice home, trimmed in creme and green, inside and out.
My bedroom belonged to their son who recently moved out and now lives elesewhere with his Japanese girlfriend (the world is the same - Kansas or Australia) - Toilet and shower seperated - toilet has selection on top of water box for light flush or heavy flush. Notice bush fence in front of house - I had never seen this kind of fence any other place in the world - There were a lot of these fences in Adelaide.
After a very short nap we went to a pot luck "Welcome Party" in a church annex. Bobbie Mulholland, Adelaide exchange director, and their FF president, Robin, husband, gave a short welcome speech with a response from the Denver ED, Jack Kimpton.
My host, John Trainer, was a High School history teacher before going into their state legislature, for 14 years, where he rose to become "Speaker" - however he was edged out by a small margin in the last election. FF head, Wayne Smith, visited Adelaide a few years ago and he and John became "friends" and he invited John to "look him up" if John ever got to Atlanta, FF headquaters. When John did just that, Wayne ignored him and thus John does not hold Wayne in high esteem.......John let me use his computer to send 13 e-mail messages around the world to friends and one to wife Yvonnie who learned how to send e-mail just so she could communicate with me on this trip.
Tuesday, November 9, 1999.
Went to war memorial - very impressive - the names of those lost in battles, even including the Boar war (I was in South Africa last year, with FF, and was at the site of that war) were etched in stone. Hundreds of little white crosses were being planted for 50 meters adjacent to the memorial - each cross had the name of a battle casuality - a relative had paid to have the cross put up then after Armistice Day taken down till next year.
Next it was off to the Government House to view the lawmakers in action. Since John knew his way around and was aquainted with almost all the people we saw in the halls, he was able to slip three of us into the chamber while it was in session. The Government House, though impressive, did not have a sign so that tourists could idenitfy it - that is till John took legislative action!
The sign says "Parliament House of South Australia"
Next to Aborigine Museum to view much Aborigine art - mostly too expensive for me or too big for the airplane - but I did get a sample of the art on an ice box magnet and also a look at some metal "Dingo Dogs" - I'm not sure of the relationship between the Dingos and the Aborigines.
Lunch then, an hours nap, then to an Adelaide FF member's home, high in the hills overlooking Adelaide. Neila and Geoff were hosts for wine and cookies with about eight of us from US. Geoff was in WW II in the Navy in some of the same places I was - it was interesting to talk to him.
Wednesday, November 10, 1999.
Denver FF member, Susan Darigo, came over for breakfast and spend the day with Rosie who was acting as a "Day Host" - Rosie fixed eggs, sausage, toast, breakfast food, o.j. and coffee. Then off to Glenelg via The Bay Tram. Glenelg, a resort type of town, had a lot of shops and a beautiful beach - with no one on it since it was cold and spitting rain a little. Had whiting fish and chips at a beach place, not very good. The anchor of the place was the Stamford Grand Hotel. Back to Adelaide on the tram. Rosie took me by her daughter's house, cream with green trim and a yard full of flowers.
Dinner this evening was at FF member, Cathy Young's house. Cathy lost her husband recently and talked about him frequently. She had a very friendly, mix breed dog. Besides me there were; my hosts, John and Rosie Trainer, Susan Darigo, Sheila and Jack Holt, and Norman Dickerson, Cathy's mother-in-law, and Cathy. Darigo, Dickerson and I were the US FF people.
We had; chicken with apricot sauce, steamed veggies, warm rolls, wine, port, chocolates, cookies, green salad, and coffee. We sat down at 7 P. M. and finished at 10 P. M. - a long sit down! Cathy's house was cold - like John's - about middle 50sF - she did have a "space heater" in the front room. On the way home John pointed out a filling station where you could air up your tires by setting the meter to the desired amount - press the button and get your exact fill of air - do we have these in the states? John also pointed out that it ws against the law to talk on a mobile phone while driving - we need that in the states!
John loves that car - in fact I got two rides in it! John always moves fast - in the car or out. He does not have cable TV or CNN but is knowledge about all world events, past and present. He knows more about the US political scene than I do. He snores - I could hear him on my frequent toilet trips during the night. Rosie took me over to meet her daughters - both with very nice places and both with small children.
Thursday, November 11, 1999.
At George Wildlife Park there were: Wallabies, Kangaroos, Owls, Tamarins, Ostriches, Koalas, and other wildlife. Sue Robilliard was our day host and drove us all around, she was a good driver (and fast) - a wonderful asset for the FF of Adelaide.
Next Sue drove us to Bethany Winery - they provided tastes of the wine but no tour of the process like in Europe - At Peter Lehmar's we had a nice lunch on the patio and a sip of their wine - but no tour.
On the way back to Adelaide we stopped at a jewelry shop (seemingly out on the country - a place where Sue said you could get a good buy on opals) and I got an opal ring for Yvonnie - hope she likes it! Then to Jack and Sheila Holt's for dinner and talk. I learned that a church called the UNITING church was formed from three denomiations whose membership had fallen off so much they decided to save money by uniting into one church - and that (no connection) that if you get caught with marijuana you only get a fine - no jail time! Maybe we should try that in the US and free up some space for the really bad guys!
Friday, November 12, 1999.
Off, bright and early, to Kangaroo Island. The ferry that took us over to the island was a large catamaran boat that was loaded with cars and trucks - even 18 wheeled trucks. The trip was about 45 minutes - the captain was a short red haired guy of about 300 pounds(let's see, in Kg that is....). The first stop was at Jimbuck Sheering & Sheep Dog Demonstrations. I couldn't resist getting my picture taken on the old International Tractor in the yard. The sheep dogs performed well to the whistles of "Rob," who then demonstrated how to shear a sheep in only a few minutes. Then he showed us how to feed the wool into a spinning wheel to make the cord for a future garment. Then on to a beach where the seals were.
Kangaroo Island is very big - we arrived about 9 A. M. and departed at 7:30 P. M. We made another stop in a park where there were some Koalas in trees and roos running around - but nothing more than we had already seen yesterday. Acuually we spent more time on the bus than anything else, and besides we had already seen most of the things the day before - except for sheep shearing, and I had seen this in New Zealnd a few years ago. So maybe the $112 spent for this side trip was not well spent.
Saturday, November 13, 1999.
The day starts off with a big "Father Christmas" parade in downtown Adelaide. FF exchange director, Bobbie Mulholland, provided us with reviewing stand seats - the best for viewing the best parade I had seen in 30 years!
After the parade John took me in his MG to help him set up for tonights big FF party.
The "Farewell Party" was held at the "Buffalo" in Glenelg. The restaurant is a replica of the original Buffalo sailing ship which was a merchantman intended for service with the East India Company. She had, sixteen, 24 pound cannons, and two 9 pound, long guns. She made two trips to Sydney Cove with female convicts, calling at New Zealand on the way home to pick up Kauri Pine, which was used for masts and spars on other vessels. She was wrecked in Mercury Bay on the 28th of July, 1840.
Most of the menu tonight was shell fish - which I don't eat - so I settled for a dinner of gar fish, a fish we don't usually eat in the USA. It was deep fried and very thin - not a good eat!(however the pumpkin soup was delicious)
After the farewell speeches, host John Trainer, led us in a sitrring rendition of "Waltzing Matilida" (If you want the words and what each word means - e-mail me at fhadley296@aol.com).
Sunday, November 14, 1999.
Day host, Cathy Young, took me and Susan to the Murray Bridge for a ride on the "Proud Mary Queen" - a side paddle-wheel boat on the Murray River. Since this was Sunday, the Murray river had many out for water sports on the river - jet skiers, water skiers, boats, and other people on the banks enjoying the river this Sunday afternoon.
s1600-h/murrayri.jpg">
After the boat ride we went to an adjacent park for, what else? - a picnic and a indigenous band. We were joined by another FF group staying near Murray Bridge.
Cathy got lost going back to Adelaide so we took the scenic route. Rosie fed us steak for dinner then took us to her daughter's as mentioned above. Then to her sister's house for a night cap - like Bailey's - Her husband, Dale, about 46, was fascinated that he had met someone who had served in WW ll. I had to tell him all about it! On his computer we looked at my "Home Page."
Monday, November 15, 1999.
Last day in Adelaide. Left gift and " thank you" note for hosts, John and Rosie Trainer. Said good bye to John at airport, then off to Kempsey for second week of FF home stay and to meet new friends and have new adventures - this FF is a great organization!
Be sure to see the Kempsey Log blog by Fredly
SPECIAL NOTICE: THERE ARE FEW PICTURES WITH THIS SITE - MY COMPUTER WENT DOWN AND I HAD NO BACK UP - IF ANYONE HAS A COPY OF THIS WEB SITE WITH THE PICTURES - PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN GET THE SITE UP AND COPY THE PICTURES - THANKS, FRED HADLEY
Latest update January 8, 2005 ( I found two pictures of John in his MG and one of the Murray Bridge and some of the picnic at the bridge).
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