There is always a lot to choose from in Adelaide at this time of year.

One of my favourites – for being beautiful was going to the Botanic Gardens for the Chihuly glass exhibition.

We saw this in Kew Gardens London a few years ago so I was keen to see it here in Adelaide. I wasn’t disappointed. Most pieces on display are different to the exhibition in London.

We arrived in the afternoon light as it was getting toward sunset. Beautiful.

We visited the deck cafe for a G& T and something to eat before starting the trail around the park visiting the 16 sites of glass. about 2.5km of walking.

There was music. This week it’s Texas a country western band. Lots of fun.

Then we started walking. It’s dark along the path with fairy lights directing you around.

I’ll just post my favourite. Though all were stunning.

We’ve also been to a few fringe shows at night. One with Louise Messenger who we saw 2 years ago when she sang Ella Fitzgerald. This time it was stories of love…. And sometimes breakups!

She was great.

For another change we went just into the hill to Sleeps Hill to the old tunnels from the train that ran up the hill and through to Melbourne between 1879 and finishing in 1919. Then it became a mushroom farm and is now privately owned and open to the public during festival time.

It’s a curious place. Underground with big thick brick walls painted white. You walk through about 600 metre of tunnel. Divided by big black curtains each section has something different. A bit about the history, photos of the time.

Then movies on the ceiling of different plants – mushrooms moving. Then paper mushrooms painted amazing fluro colours.

The last section was the train heading toward Adelaide coming out of the tunnel

I’m back at writers week after having day 4 off. Is all a bit overwhelming to be there everyday. and quite hot.

Today I listened to Daisy Goodwin talk about her novel Diva about Maria Callas and to Dava Sobel and her book on Marie Curie. Very interesting

Then a session on writers using place to effect in their writing.

Now at one on history.

Lots of Trump talk! The session with Nick Bryant was great. He’s a journalist who has lived in the states and written about the political history of the US. He has great insight. And he’s moved back to Australia. Says it all!

Steve returned to Brisbane today. Hopefully he gets back before the cyclone winds of Alfred get too much.