Australia Day Concert - 2

On stage at the Australia Day Concert in Elder Park - the fabulous jazz great James Morrison, and former Australian Idol performer Carl Riseley. James was the special guest of Carl and his band. A class act!


I first heard James Morrison play over 20 years ago. I am still as much in awe of his playing now as I was then. He is a true master of his instrument.

Australia Day Concert - 1

After the Australia Day Parade there was a free concert at Elder Park. The first of three acts was performances of traditional and contemporary dance by two groups from the indigenous arts company 'Kurruru Performing Arts'.

Australia Day Parade

Billed as the biggest Australia Day Parade in the Nation, Adelaide's ethnic and community groups really put on a show; music, dancing and colourful costumes. This year's parade had 130 groups with more than 3000 participants.




































Click here to see a slideshow of more photos.

ABC Wednesdays - B for Barrel Organ

I spotted Chris Macdonald playing his barrel organ at Hahndorf during the Tour Down Under. As he cranks the handle, folding cards are pulled through rollers. As air passes through holes in the cards melodious tones are generated; it takes a steady hand to maintain a uniform tempo.

When I researched this instrument I found a description of it on Colin Herring's website.

The ABC Wednesday meme was initiated by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here.

Australia Day at Aldinga Beach

Today we joined hundreds of others to celebrate Australia Day with family and friends on Aldinga Beach, 45 km south of the City; one of the few beaches where you can drive your car on the beach.

Australia Day is a public holiday throughout the nation; a day on which we celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. On this day in 1788 the first settlers from Great Britain arrived at Sydney Cove.

In Adelaide on Australia Day, like elsewhere in the country, there a lots of community events. On returning home from the beach, I travelled into the city to watch an Australia Day parade followed by a free concert and fireworks display. I will be posting photos of these events later this week.

End of the 2010 Tour

The 2010 Tour Down Under finished yesterday with overall victory going to Germany's Andre Greipel. The event once again was hailed a resounding success, with thousands of spectators lining the routes to cheer on the riders; many of them travelling from interstate and overseas bringing many tourist dollars to the State.

Another spinoff was the increase in numbers of cyclists riding in and around the City; for fitness and leisure. On Friday 8,000 amateur cyclists participated in a personal challenge; the Mutual Community Challenge Tour.

I hope none of the riders finished up like this; one of the many decorations along the route!

The Tour Rolls On

Yesterday was the third day of the Tour Down Under; from Unley to Stirling. Mike Turtor, the race director gives the riders the red start flag about 10 kilometres from Unley, at the beginning of the Southern Expressway.

The start today from Norwood began in a similar fashion. Racing does not get underway in earnest until the riders are clear of the busy suburban streets.

ABC Wednesdays _ A for Albino Kangaroo

Albino kangaroos are quite rare, and apparently very few survive in the wild. I photographed this albino kangaroo at Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary near Mylor in the Adelaide Hills.

I first visited Warrawong a couple of years ago when I dined in the restaurant and then went on a nocturnal guided tour. I have returned several times since during the day; there is free entry between 9am and 4pm daily.

The ABC Wednesday meme was initiated by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here.

I am back for round 6 of ABC Wednesdays, having had a break during round 5. I look forward to renewing acquaintances with 'old' ABC Wednesday bloggers and meeting 'new' ones.

Coca-Cola Bottle Blast

This free community event courtesy of Coca Cola is touring the nation; it was here at Glenelg last weekend.

Three activities were on offer; Jump ‘n Dunk, Trapeze Air and Spring ‘n Bump. The queues were long, but the patrons looked pretty happy after the experience.

Cruisers and choppers

You often see a small group of cyclists riding their distinctive bikes at Glenelg. On Saturday after Lance's Ride the members of the Francaise Des Jeaux team were fascinated by them and gave them a try; quite different to the sleek racing bicycles they usually ride!















Originating in the US, cruisers enjoyed popularity there during the 1930's to 1950's. They feature a sturdy steel frame, balloon tyres, single gears and an upright seating position. Lowriders and choppers, with their characteristic elongated frame, banana seat and tall upward-swept handle bars, appeared during the 1960's.

Chopper bicycles originated in California, where youths started customising their bicycles with elongated seats and 'ape-hanger' handle bars. The term chopper originated in the 1950's when post war veterans started 'chopping' their motor bikes to make them more distinctive.

Joe, pictured with his red cruiser, explained that replicas of the original cruisers, lowriders and choppers are available from stores here and overseas, but many of the bikes are further customised by their owners.

2010 Cancer Council Helpline Classic

Lance Armstrong was a real crowd pleaser when he lead a breakaway group in today's 51 kilometre street circuit preview race; a prelude to the Tour Down Under which starts on Tuesday.

In the final lap of the race Team Sky was being hotly challenged by Team Columbia, but it was New Zealander Greg Henderson from Team Sky who finally claimed victory.

Ride with Lance

A couple of days ago Lance Armstrong, in Adelaide for the 2010 Tour Down Under, gave an open invitation on Twitter to cyclists to join him on a training ride. Over 5000 people replied and even more turned up; my wife and I included. It was a buzz; lots of people lined the route and cheered us on.
















The event attracted not only a large contingent of the lycra-clad racing cyclists, but also many less serious riders of all ages and on all kinds of bikes.

More Wake Wars

What a spectacle! Not only did the riders leave the water, they did acrobatics in mid air.
































It was hard work on such a hot day; not just for the wakeboard riders but me also. I spent quite some time out in the sun trying to get some good shots. This was a real challenge for me; still learning how to get the best out of my camera.

Wake Wars 2010

Airborne! On the weekend at Glenelg's Patawalonga Lake the many of the world's top wakeboard riders gathered in Australia's premier wakeboard event.

Spectators lined the shores for a good view; trying to stay cool on one of our hottest summer's days - 42 degrees celsius.

Cats at the Festival Theatre

This is the main entrance to Adelaide Festival Centre. Andrew Llloyd Webber's Cats is currently playing in the centre's largest venue, the Festival Theatre. The theatre seats about 2000 and has a large stage area, well suited to large productions like Cats.

Last night we went to see Cats; a brilliant and lively production- a most enjoyable evening.

Unfortunately I did not take a camera as the norm is that photography is banned at live shows. I was kicking myself when it was obvious that some photos were allowed; as long as flash was not used. As much as I enjoyed the show, I won't be going again just for photos!

Largs Bay beach

Largs Bay is one of Adelaide's northern suburban beaches. You may remember my photo of the Largs Pier Hotel. Last Tuesday evening we returned there for a meal and then took a stroll to the end of the jetty. This is a view of the beach from the jetty.

The Forest of Dreams

'The Forest of Dreams' is a public art work by Anton Hart erected in 2003 in Hurtle Square. Each of the letters stands at the 'entrance' to one of four parks in the square; at the intersection of Pultney Street and Halifax Street.

At the time of its construction, Lord Mayor Alfred Huang explained that the words 'The Forest of Dreams' are drawn from a quotation from French philosopher Gaston Bachelard; and the phrase was chosen to evoke a sense of the landscape which existed before white settlement.

The granite benches are provided for people to sit and contemplate that landscape.

Hanging about at Glenelg

Jetty jumping! A pastime for many local lads and girls. Some really put on a show, like this lad who dived from a high pole several meters above the top of the jetty. Obviously proud of his achievemnts he came to check out my photos.

Over the years the local authorities have tried to stop this activity as there have been some terrible injuries; but it seems their efforts have been to no avail as the jumping is still going on.