Day 6 (27-Dec-12) Melbourne - Adelaide (749 km)

With stomachs still bloated from the excesses of the night before, and heads still a little sore from excess alcohol, we departed Melbourne at 07:15hrs for the LOONNGG drive to Adelaide. Thankfully, the route is very straightforward, the terrain flat, and the roads in good condition. The journey itself was uneventful, which, given our delicate condition, was a mercy. The scenery essentially comprised golden wheat fields stretching to the horizon, both sides of the road, right across South Australia, which is aptly named the ‘Bread Basket’ of Australia.

Following regular stops to revive and refuel we eventually arrived in Adelaide around 15:30hrs. We would have arrived an hour earlier, but for a short diversion to Murray Bridge to view the famous Murray river and then to Mount Lofty for spectacular views of the city and ocean beyond. Our subsequent journey into town to the Mercure hotel was marred by the fact that Emile was determined to lead us anywhere but the hotel! We thus had to resort to more traditional navigation techniques – maps, compass and iPod beacon.

 

After eventually reaching the hotel we then spent an hour frantically trying to locate records of the diving trips which Astrid booked in July, but forgot to bring with her. Astrid had sent an e-mail earlier in the day to the diving outfit that she thought we had booked, but on phoning them an hour later, they claimed to have no record of our booking, and furthermore told us they had changed name. We thus searched Visa statements online, called the Visa hotline, searched my WellDog e-mail folders and searched Astrid’s online Hotmail account – alas to no avail. Then, just as we were about to give up, I checked my latest e-mails, where, lo and behold, was a reply from the company Astrid had contacted earlier in the day, confirming our reservation – stupid b**tards.