The Adelaide Friendship Force Club waited with great anticipation for this journey (alias exchange) to begin. With typical autumn weather here in Adelaide we enjoyed mid-late 20 degree and early 30 degree weather for the week which was wonderful. What a wonderful group of people Missoula brought to our Club. Read on to find out what we all got up to during this fantastic week making new friends and enjoying the activities.
Tuesday, 27th March, 2012
The Welcome Dinner was held at the Campbelltown Uniting Church with a magnificent array of food supplied.
Both Clubs eased readily into making new friendships extremely well and by the end of the evening I felt that we were well on the way for a magnificent week making new friends and learning about each other's lives.
Images Taken on Tuesday, 27th March, 2012
Wednesday, 28th March, 2012
The visit to Haighs Chocolate Factory was a unique place to visit and the Missoula Ambassadors were impressed to find out that all the chocolates were hand made in this factory.
A visit to Glenelg was next on the itinerary and the Ambassadors accompanied by their hosts or day hosts had a leisurely lunch. Some of the Ambassadors walked across the Parklands and looked at the Japanese Garden on their way to the Central Market for lunch and then travelled to Glenelg by tram.
A tour to the Bay Discovery Centre was on the agenda. This gave the Ambassadors an idea of the difficulties faced and the arrival of the first ships into Adelaide and the early settlement of the area.
Images taken on Wednesday, 28th March, 2012
Thursday, 29th March, 2012
With great anticipation of this day the Ambassadors, Hosts and Day Hosts met at the Cambelltown Council. We drove out of the city area on Gorge Road to The Whispering Wall for morning tea. The scenery was spectacular and everyone enjoyed what they saw. Once the Ambassadors experienced hearing their voices travel around the dam wall from one side to the other we all enjoyed Devonshire Scones with tea or coffee. All aboard was the call to set off to Bethany, a small town in the Barossa Valley for lunch. A brisk walk to stretch their lets before lunch was enjoyed after our arrival at Bethany.
In a peaceful, country setting we enjoyed a lunch of pies, pasties and lamingtons for dessert sitting around tables under the shelter.
After lunch we moved on to view the sights from Mengler's Hill Sculpture Park. This view was magnificent and the Ambassadors enjoyed strolling around the sculptures before boarding the bus again.
Next stop was the Yalumba Winery at Angaston. This winery is surrounded by lovely gardens and the Ambassadors thoroughly enjoyed tasting some of the best wine in the country.
Next stop was the Herbig Tree. A descendent of the Herbig Family talked about the history or his family and answered questions put to him by the group. We moved on to visit the Friedensberg Historic School Museum where we enjoyed a visit to the Museum. The caretaker of this Museum demonstrated what school life was life in 1861. He gave the Ambassadors the experience at sitting at the school desk using the ink pen and writing on paper. This experience was a highlight for the Ambassadors.
Homeward bound driving along the Onkaparinga Scenic Drive taking in the majestic scenery on the way back to Adelaide.
Images Taken on Thursday, 29th March, 2012
Friday, 30th March, 2012
We met by the tour guide at Government House. The guide knew all there was to know about this building and its inhabitants. She was a story teller as well as the informative guide of the building. This visit was enjoyed by all who attended.
We walked along North Terrace to the Migration Museum where to very early history of South Australia was recorded. A stroll through the Botanic Gardens was enjoyed by some Ambassadors, while others set off to enjoy other interesting sights around the city.
Images Taken on Fiday, 30th March, 2012
Saturday, 31st March, 2012
The group met at Hazelwood Park for mystery scenic drive. The destination was a surprise for most. Ambassadors were requested to be the navigator's for the trip. Morning tea of slices, tea or coffee was enjoyed by all at the Bridgewater Mill.
We arrived at Hahndorf where time was given to explore a little. The Ambassadors were fascinated with this stopover on the trip and most went back again before the end of the day. Continuing on to our final destination of Strathalbyn the beautiful rolling hills and peaceful country scenes were enjoyed by everyone.
A Sausage Sizzle was enjoyed for lunch with Anzac biscuits to nibble on with a cup of tea or coffee.
Images Taken on Saturday, 31st March, 2012
Sunday, 1st April, 2012
We gathered at Semaphore at 12.00 noon to Celebrate World Friendship Force Day. This was a BYO lunch. To add a bit of flavour to this day people were requested to wear a hat – perhaps one they had purchased on an overseas trip. People enjoyed the challenge and a wide variety of hats were on display. A stroll along the beach was enjoyed by all.
Images Taken on Sunday, 1st April, 2012
Monday, 2nd April, 2012
The Farewell Lunch was held at the Hackney Hotel. Ambassadors were presented with cards and enclosed was a double sided printed photo which showed all the Ambassadors and hosts involved. A CD recording the daily activities during the journey (alias exchange) was also presented.
Pat McElroy
Exchange Director for
FFI 11025 Missoula Montana Exchange