Adelaide Christmas tree and light adventure

We had been hoping to get around to doing a few things in the city and time was running out, so we took off into town after dinner last night, made use of the free parking on Plane Tree drive (Botanic Park) and gave the feet something to do.

The Art of Christmas is a trail of small Christmas trees (12 in total) which are in place until the end of the year.

We started at the old RAH site and worked our way down North Terrace.
On the way we discovered the interesting covering on the old East wing of the RAH.

Also saw the golden portal container which is an interesting idea that will appeal to some.
Personally, we are happy to try connecting to the people in our local area and the ones we haven't been spending enough time with already.

We were a little early to get a really good look at the visual display (story wall) which is projected on to the side of the state library building on North Terrace.

As it got darker we headed up King William St to opposite the Town Hall to enjoy the projections there.

before following the lights to the Big Christmas tree in Victoria Square, where the kids were playing in the water playground and the Tree was doing it's thing.  On a balmy evening, sitting watching the kids have their simple fun and wondering at the lights was great. 

We made our way back down Peel street, to the Railway station (another Christmas tree) before heading through to the riverbank , where we walked west to the Morphett Street bridge, admiring the light on the Torrens

 and the crazy Pinky Flat Urban Beach, before doubling back to Adelaide Oval, down to the Zoo Bridge (Albert Bridge?) and wandering our way back through Botanic Park to the car. 

I tried to mark a sort of trail of where we went.

Another excellent way to get in our daily exercise.

Danthonia Trail, Glen Osmond - terrific views and a bit of history

Views over the city

Today we took a different tack with our daily exercise and tried one of the local trails set up by Burnside Council. I tried out my retirement hat- it was pretty windy at times, and I think I need to get a cord to stop it blowing away on days like this.  Luckily I took the rescue man with me and when we returned it was still in my possession.

The Danthonia trail is marked by the blue dotted line on this map. We felt that this was a terrible map, given that we are used to the excellent ones we use for orienteering so often.  Any mappers looking for some practice? I think Burnside Council could do with a hand.

We figured a walk of less than 3km should be managable,  even if it was a bit hilly.

We parked opposite the Toll gate motel (just east of the old toll house) and read about the old mines in the area before continuing on up the hill.

Old mine entrance opposite the motel

A bit of history giving a spot of colour

Detail of the wall.  Nice work.

We did find some markers to help us on our way, although the trail appeared to have been renamed since the brochure and map were produced. The toll gate circuit seems to now be called the Danthonia trail.

We enjoyed some magnificent views and some interesting vegetation and wildlife.

View over the Cross Rd, Portrush, Glen Osmond Rd intersection. The old Julia Farr site shows up well.

Is this dragonfly angry?

Bees doing their thing

I wonder if these are weeds about to spread?

Before the pod opens to release the fluff

An old favourite

We enjoyed seeing the old chimney still standing guard over the city

And the smell of pine needles drying as we walked near the old pine trees.