Memories of our wedding day.

We drove back home inland, along the Mt Lofty Range to re-visit the little church at Aldgate Valley where we were married and the hall at Aldgate where the reception was held.

 Bridge, built by Beth's father, over the Aldgate Valley Creek right next to the church.

 The little Aldgate Valley Church of Christ where we were married - now part of someone's residence.

 The Aldgate Oval Hall where the reception was held, catered by the Aldgate Valley CWA and Beth's mother (the wedding cake and more).

Some old slide shots of the memorable day

 The bridal party Bill Magor, John, Beth and Helen Pledge.

 Confetti time with Beth's friends, Colleen Forby and Rhonda Crouch.

 Getting into the wedding car - an early 1960's (big finned) Ford Fairlane of the local Johnson's Taxis.

 Best Man Bill and Bridesmaid Helen.  

Just over Helen's shoulder are Beth's Nan (Ebbs), Harvey Ebbs and Joan Ebbs (uncle & aunt).

Southern Vales countryside.

We were a little disappointed with McLaren Vale itself. It used to have a variety of craft and old wares shops and nurseries but it seems to have gone over almost exclusively to quality, eating places. We chose not to go down that path - something to do with aging insides. However, we love the hinterland and drove both back into the hills and along the coast.

"Three Divas" at McLaren Vale

Our 50th wedding anniversary actually happened on the same day of the week that we were married - Saturday 11 January. We're not sure what the chances of that are. It is obviously something cyclical.

Another coincidence - the couple occupying the adjoining chalet type "Diva" were there for their wedding on our 50th anniversary - actually at about the same time of day too.

We decided on a very quiet weekend of good food and wine, comfortable accommodation and a pleasant location close to home. What better than McLaren Vale in our Southern Vales wine region.

The small single bedroom cottage at "The Three Divas" suited us perfectly - good facilities for relaxing, doing our own cooking. A quaint old cottage with 2 ft thick walls, tastefully restored with quality modern facilities.

We cooked and ate mostly on the completely private back veranda, did not turn the television (with Foxtel) on even once, spent evenings walking and then reading in the lounge, used the magnificent double bath tub and slept well.

 

Darwin the port

Darwin seems almost surrounded by water. Ships are always coming and going.
Many public buildings overlook the port. Cultural-recreational facilities like the Convention Centre and Wave Pool are situated by the port. Now new high-rise residentials are being built by the port. One of the favourite eating out spots is on a wharf at the port.
 

 

 

 

 

A tradition of our more recent trips is eating at Stokes Wharf and feeding the fish (well watching the family feed the fish) - often our last night in Darwin.
 

 

 

Nightcliff Beach - one of our favourite spots.

We had a family picnic of fish and chips at Nightcliff (something of a tradition).
The evening tide was particularly high and the following morning particularly, such is the way of tides.
The following six pictures give high and low tide comparisons.
 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of informal family shots during the evening picnic.
 

 

"Travellers Walk" between the waterfront and the city.

Memorial plaque and a preserved relic of an old step from the original walk.
 

 

The Travellers Walk Mosaic.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detail from the Silvio Aponyi sculpture (fountain).