This is one of Adelaide's new trams; a French-built Citadis. It made its first public run on Proclamation Day; a return trip from Glenelg to the City.
So what do we do on the day? Some people go to the beach; this is Glenelg beach looking north from the jetty.
This is a view of the beach south of the jetty.
The Bay Sheffield Carnival is an annual event in its 123rd year, featuring the state’s richest and most famous footrace; a 120 metre sprint. It is a free event, held at Colley Reserve in Glenelg.
This was the start of the South Australian Elite Aquathlon today at the Bay Sports Festival. The event consisted of a 1.7km run, 500m swim, 1.7km run, 500m swim and a final 1.7km run.
After the run .... shoes off and goggles on
Now for a swim
Today three exhibition games of ultimate frisbee showcased the sport. This is a fast moving game; teams of seven players move the disc the length of the 100 metre field - running and passing. A team loses possession of the disc if it touches the ground, and scores if one of their team members catches the disc across a line at the end of field.
I recently read an article on photographing Christmas lights, so tonight I went for drive to find some. Essentially take the photos before it gets really dark, use small aperture and of course a tripod as the exposure time is lengthy. In this shot; ISO 200, f8 and 1/3 second.
A couple of weeks back Dan Burt was entertaining at the Westlakes Carols. This photo was taken at the Oakbank Races earlier this year; Dan certainly gets around.
Tonight we had our annual Christmas Street Party. As you can see it not not held in the street, but in a neighbour's front yard. People bring meat to cook on the barby and a salad or sweet to share.
Now who's the pretty boy? This a male of the species putting on a show.
The green peafowl is native to South East Asia; found in open grasslands near forests. They feed from the ground on a diet of seeds, insects and plants. At night they roost in the trees.
These Pandas are addictive and so is photographing them; albeit through glass. In early January Wang Wang and Funi should be out of quarantine and be allowed into the outside enclosures.
It is always a delight when dolphins swim alongside my yacht. Unfortuantely not always, but last Tuesday they cooperated for my guest on board; Fabian, a German exchange student who plays in my concert band.
The Lockleys Carols Night at Mellor Park is always a bit different to other carols nights that we play at. The compere, Richard Berry, always includes some crowd participation; it is a real fun family night.
After my visit to the Zoo yesterday I caught the Adelaide Connector, a free bus, to the railway station.
The day has arrived; the first public viewing of the giant pandas at the Adelaide Zoo. This was the scene I was confronted with at 8:45am this morning; a line up at the new entrance to the zoo.
A special zoo members' viewing was held this morning to see the pandas; a pre-booked one hour session. Their new enclosure is certainly impressive. The area on the left is an outside area for Funi, one of the pandas. The building adjoining this area is a climate controlled enclosure where the pandas were on display this morning.
About 500 people at last got to see the pandas. All of us were able to see them close up; filing past the huge glass walls. Then you could jockey for a longer view from behind the barricade.
This is Funi. Photographing was difficult due to congestion and reflections; I will return yet another day better equipped in the hope of getting better photos of these special animals. In a few weeks the pandas will be let out into the outer areas; no glass to shoot through!
One of the art displays at the Spirit Festival was by Christopher Burthurmarr Crebbin. Christopher has been painting since he was a child; inspired by his mother and grandmother. He paints under his Aboriginal name, Burthurmarr, meaning Brolga and native companion.
"Come and Expereience the Oldest Living Culture in the World" - the 2009 Spirit Festival is being held this weekend at Elder Park on the banks of the River Torrens. This is the second year the festival has been held; a free event due to sponsorships.
Last Monday the South Road overpass tram track was reconnected. There is still a lot to do, but commuters can once again travel between the City and Glenelg.
Another of Adelaide's old pubs, The Maid of Auckland on South Road at Edwardstown was first licensed in 1851. The establishment was rebuilt in 1867 and in recent years it has been extensively refurbished inside.
Adelaide's metropolitan trains run on rails that are 1600mm ( 5ft 3in) apart. This broad gauge was adopted by South Australia in 1856 when the first line was built between the City and Port Adelaide.
Last weekend there were no trains running between Adelaide and Brighton as a major upgrading of the track is being undertaken. This is just part of a major revitalisation of Adelaide's rail system. All tracks are being upgraded and the existing diesel-electric trains are to be replaced with electric ones.
I always know when Christmas is near when we start our carols season. This is a regular gig for the Henley and Grange Concert Band, the band I play in. Tonight we were joined by a choir from Grange Primary School.
This is one of the last trams to use the temporary diversion track. Over the weekend the existing track will be connected to the new one.
Not long to go now; two pandas arrived from China last Saturday. For several months now, a daily countdown has been a focal point on the ETSA building at the beginning of Anzac Highway.
A bit of nostalgia for me. When I was a young lad, I regularly visited Semaphore to see my Grandparents who lived in a small upstairs apartment just along from where I took this photo.
Today I went out for a sail; nearly the start of Summer and a new start to my blog after an extended three month break.
At last! On Friday workers were removing the temporary barriers from the Patawalonga marina lock. The lock has been out of action for six weeks while they have been doing major maintenance on the lock gates. Maybe a day's sailing will be in order this week!
This hotel has quite a history; built in 1882 it became a popular seaside resort as it was linked to the City by train. It became the first port of call for many European migrants during the 50's and 60's. Also it is renowned as a live music venue for some top bands during the 70's and 80's.
Yesterday we attended the opening of Likeness, a photographic exhibition by Angie Bate. This is Angie proudly posing in front of part of her display.
