Today, I drove across a timezone!

The trip from Hay to Balranald to Renmark was revelatory on a couple of accounts: 1) I started to really understand the extent of agriculture in the area and realised just what it means to feed ‘the starving millions’; 2) I realised that the Australian bush, at least in the areas I drove through is not beautiful in any classical sense, but it is awe-inspiring. There’s no question in my mind that it is a defining element of the character of our land.

And I did get a sense of the flatness of the land. Perhaps never more so that when I drove up the escarpment that forms the northern edge of the Adelaide Hills – the view in the rear-view mirror was astonishing: flat and going on forever. I regret not stopping to soak up the view.

The drive into Adelaide worked okay, until I got to Hindley Street, where there was no right turn – which is, of course, what I needed. So, even though two wrongs don’t make a right, three lefts do! I ‘figure-of-eighted’ around Adelaide and found the hotel.

Drank the free beer (plus one!) that I got for checking-in, while “famous face” spotting the Australian Cricket team, who are staying in the same hotel. Even discussed game strategy with Ricky Ponting!

Walked down Rundle Street looking for the Red Sea from “My Restaurant Rules”. Found it, but it was closed during license transfer negotiations, or something. After a lovely risotto at bin237 (lured in by the cheap Croser offer), I went aming at the Adelaide Casino. Chose the Casino because it had always been my favourite. A bit disappointing as it has lost some of its majestic air, but I didn’t lose all my dough, so it was a good night in that regard.

All told, a pretty satisfactory completion of phase 1 of the trip. On to phase 2 – the wineries!