Bound for South Australia

'Heave away, haul away, we're bound for South Australia'. Words from an old folk song. Recently flew from Sydney to Adelaide to pick up a car and head north to the Clare Valley - about two hours' drive.

The state is dry as a bone and the paddocks yellow with sunfade, but as you get further north there are lots of wonderful, dark green squares patching the land - vineyards that produce some of the wolrd's finest wine. We stayed at a fabulous B&B (Thorn Park in the Vines) and then after another night in Adelaide, embarked on a cruise of the old-girl Athena ship for a three day trip back to Sydney. The ship is wonderful with a tradition of good manners and good fun. No big casinos or glitz just gentle, classic cruising. (The picture of the tree is on the road from the Clare Valley back to Adelaide - hot as . . .this lovely olive tree was beautifully coiffed.)