Le'ts get out and about in the area! Streets and Parks

Today we went out wandering the streets.  Stopped at the little book exchange shop run by the Rotary Club of Edwardstown.   I remember when they once had a shop near the traffic lights on Sturt Road opposite the Marion Shopping Centre.
 Great time to go there today  as they are having a half price off sale. Of course I couldn't resist buying a couple of books.  Real books - not e ones

This shop is on the corner of Towers Terrace and Aberfeldy Ave and the building until a couple of years ago, was the Harcourt Gardens Kindergarten.  The latter now is at the Forbes School (Thomas Street South Plympton).  The Kindi was built in the late 1950s when the need for all schools was a high priority due to the 'baby boom' after WW2.

Run by kind and hospitable  volunteers, this space is so nice.  There is ample access for cars, is wheelchair and mobility scooter friendly, has loads of books of all kinds and there is free internet access. You can access the book exchange by bus as the 241  goes from city to Marion Shop Centre.

I love the mulberry tree in the front carpark.  Takes me back to my school days when we all had our own silkworms.
The bookshop has vinyl records and sheet music - old books and newer books. Anatomy through to Zoology, fiction and non-fiction.  Saw some small books - same books my cousin used to love  -  cowboy/westerns, and then saw the same type of books but war based stories.   Wonder if they have any Biggles?  Used to read them a long, long, long time ago.

Out the back is a huge tree under which we can sit and talk, or contemplate nature.  On the side of  a busy street it is a quiet place.   We often stop there at the back on the wood steps leading up to the tree and have a drink of water, but if you want something more, the shop does have tea/coffee and soft drinks.   For all, there are toilets, including a disabled one.

After chatting for quite some time with the volunteers and other people who came to book shop - it is very popular - cars and  people  coming and going all day.    Shop opens most days 10am - not Tuesday and Sunday.   They shut 4pm.

Towers Tce has  Edwardstown on one side, and South Plympton on the other.  It starts at Castle Street and goes down to the roundabout at Raglan Avenue.

We wandered up along Towers Tce, to the group of shops on the corner of Wright St.    These are quite old and they have had many uses over the years.  Doctors, chemists, grocers - and a Meat Wholesale place.       Now there is a hairdresser, a Vietnamese deli, and a secondhand shop.
The last one is now open 5 from 9.30 to 2.30pm.   Must check the times. If you want a bargain you may well find something there.  I have been going in there for over 2 decades and met some really lovely volunteers.  Two of these lovely ladies have been volunteering for decades and are so kind, warm hearted and friendly.  The best kind of person.  They make you feel so special and you just want to go back when they are there.
Next door is a more modern factory type building which has had different uses over the years.   My favourite was the sweet making phase.   Watching them actually making the sweets in the  old fashioned way - with the pulling and twisting!

Shall continue to wander round this area, letting you see what there is and perhaps get you to come along for a walk of your own.

Wright Street is a lovely street which residents hoped could be kept as a character street, but council did not agree, but ignoring that, it is wide, tree-lined with mostly older style homes.   On the right as we walk east towards the railway line, is a house which once was a shop.  When I first moved here before that particular home/shop was renovated, there was a petrol pump adjacent to the gardens.
Walking further on we come to the junction of Stanton Street, and crossing them, Wright turns into Johnson Street which takes up up to Railway Tce.
Stanton Street was the home of a young lad who won the DFC in 1940, later a hero and dying  in the Battle of Britain.  He  was born in England, and went back when WW2 broke out to join the Air Force.   He was only 23.   His parents and 4 sisters continued to live in the house until each of the girls married.  William Millington Snr died in 1954 and his wife Elizabeth in 1962.  A lovely family home for a family.

Many of the homes around this are are from the State Bank Era after WW1 and WW2.   There after different styles, from the original Art Deco to the 1950s replica Art Deco.  The many other styles in between.  But all of them having a front yard, back yard, fence and more often than not  - the garage for the car.

ANZAC DAY CEREMONY EDWARDSTOWN.

It was a beautiful morning today.  Not cold - maybe cool and when the sun came up and the birds began to sing -  I looked across the many people of all ages who had gathered for Anzac Day.

At the Soldiers' Memorial Rose Garden this morning, we again joined together to remember and celebrate the lives of those who served in all wars and conflicts, and those still serving.
Remembering men who had died in WW1 and those who did return but too, are gone from us.
Sister Julianne spoke of men from different wars - including WW2 and Vietnam.

I remember my great uncle Percy who came back a different man and couldn't fit in anywhere, so he became a loner, and hermit who eventually died alone.  He never married and cut himself off from all of his relatives.  Since I have found out that he was living in the same small town where I was born.  Did he ever see me, meet me?    

I think of my old Wing Commander when I was in the Air Force.  His stories.

I think of my dear uncle Tex who went up north from Darwin in WW2 - a veteran who wouldn't talk of the war in New Guinea, but would recall many of his close friends as he drink a pint or three.

I think of my cousins who went to Korea and came back shattered.

I think of a nice young man who went to Vietnam and came back a totally different person.  I have not seen him since we were young teenagers.   He was drafted.  How it destroyed many lives.

I think of my young cousins who have been overseas in Afganistan and also peace keeping troops.

I think of those who are serving now.

So many people - so many lives - such a high cost.

Today's ceremony was  short and poignant.   I met a young man - a cub scout I think but very young,   who was in the rose garden area with his gran.   There were so many young children there and it delights the heart to see this.

The councillor who comes to say hi with a huge smile  on his face, while another councillor has just laid a wreath in honour of her kin who didn't come home from WW1.







Edwardstown RSL and others do a wonderful job in arranging the service every year and as we stand on the grass and surrounded by roses and rosemary bushes, with tall gum trees filtering the morning sun - we have a lot to be thankful for.   LEST WE FORGET

CAFE/COFFEE SCENES

 We do have our little secrets in Edwardstown and surrounding suburbs.  Good food and good places to eat.  You don't need to go out of the district to enjoy the 'cafe' society or have an alfresco meal.

South Road was once a much easier place to park, and small cafes and corner stores were still available, as well as the staple fish and chip shop.  Then came Castle Plaza and fast food outlets both within and outside the Plaza.  Inside the Plaza, there is the Muffin place, a well used cafe in the centre, chinese food out the front and now a new Sushi train has opened. Yiros, Sushi bar, Subway inside.
A coffee shop and chai shop out the front with an Asian food outlet.


Just remembered a couple of places that once were in the Plaza.  At the back entrance was a fantastic bakery.  Then there was the  Red Apple restaurant near Target.  That may have been the first eating place in the shopping centre.

However,  I want to concentrate on outside.

For those not from this area, you can get to Castle Plaza by car South Road from the city; by train, or by a number of buses.  241; 720; 719; 190. If you come from the south, just head for the city via South Road.  The major intersection at the moment is Raglan and South Roads, and plenty of parking in front and at back of plaza.    On the Edwardstown side there is Hungry Jacks and Red Rooster in Edwardstown, with Big Mac over the road.  But forget them for now please.  Let us see what is around the area.

Let us start right behind the Plaza - Kytons Bakery 15 Lindsay Street. Go to back carpark of the Plaza and look for the Kytons sign.   This company moved to Edwardstown in 2003 and now their award winning products are available at their outlet there, and in a number of large stores.    The lamingtons, in my opinion,  are the best, and if you want something for your lunch, or a party, or even for fundraising, check out their website, or better still, go to the bakery    itself and either get take away or eat there.                  http://www.kytonsbakery.com.au    With Easter coming try the hot cross buns - I loved the ones with Menz Fruchocs!!!

A deli at 41 Woodlands Ave, cnr Russell St, Edwardstown is very popular with people and workers from the Industrial area, and has an outdoor seating/eating area.  Parking is very easy and it is only a short walk from the Woodlands Railway Station or South Road.

19 Towers Tce just off the cnr of Waterhouse Ave, a new shop has opened.  My neighbour loves to walk down there for the coffee.   Their facebook page shows wonderful food esp cakes and sweets.  Jovial Patisserie
One can have a sit down cake and coffee I believe, but it is also a place you can take cake away or order large items such as birthday cakes.  Not sure now (months later from writing) but believe it still serves coffee.   Must check this out.

In a small group of 1950 type shops at 44 Towers Tce, Edwardstown is the Vietnamese "Golden Snack Bar".  Very busy little shop. Good Vietnamese roll. Pleasant owner.

Sixth Avenue Deli - I have only ever known it as this - is at the crossing - on the Ascot Park side of railway line, 63 Railway Tce, Ascot Park.  I used to walk there to get a good fish and chips but haven't been there for some time, though I know of other neighbours who still love the place. Has been renovated and change of ownership and I believe another coffee place. Omnivore - good reviews and dog friendly.  Went by today  and it is quite busy at this shop. 

Next to the Maid of Auckland - 930 South Road, Edwardstown - Malaysian food cafe. There is car parking available at rear of premises. Other side of Maid across Angus Ave is Vietnamese food . Don't forget the Maid herself - the oldest building in Edwardstown with great atmosphere and food. Parking at back of hotel.


Popular cafe scene is at Forbes Shopping Centre - Front Page - and it is open at 6.30am every day.   Believe that the owners are related to the people who own and run the bakery in the same shopping centre.   Great bakery Too!     The Front Page has indoor and outdoor eating and it has become very popular, but the outdoor cafe part blocks off the footpath for the elderly and disabled, especially if using a mobility vehicle  or wheelchairs as cyclists park their bikes and block more of the walkway.  Fish/chips/burgers etc  at the nearby cafe - eat in or take away.  Love the chicken and chips.

Further down Marion Road, Almos Kebabs in the food van out front and now the young man has opened a coffee shop next to a fruit and veg and an Indian grocery.  All next to Chinese restaurant on cnr of Marion and Wheaton Sts.        There are more food places along Marion Road, Daws Road, Raglan Ave, and South Rds.   So many choices.

Major grocery shopping at Coles and Foodland, the latter now Drakes at Castle Plaza.  Butcher shop and fruit and veg.
Both Coles and Drakes offer. home delivery.    At back of Coles store on Lindsay St is another fruit and veg shop with organic vegs available and good fresh fish store next door.

Drakes at Ascot Park is also a great store with friendly staff. Take away food available in heated cabinet.  Two other take away or eat in food stores.There are two chemists nearby.

Forbes also has an IGA , butcher, and fruit and veg and deli with fast food eat in or take away.

Cycling around Edwardstown and further.

As I no longer cycle I asked a friend for some information. He gave the following, and as he lives in the area, I would take the times from Castle Plaza - a good central place.

It is about 45 minutes ride to the centre of Adelaide city from the Plaza, or 35 mins if ' hammering it'.  Not sure if that is in peak hour traffic or not.  Will check and let you know later.  Best way to go is along Railway Tce, then on other side of South Road pick up the new bikeway along the train line, that goes to Goodwood.     At Goodwood, switch to the tramline bikeway which goes all the way to the city. That would be the Mike Turtur Bikeway which goes 9 km from city to Glenelg.

To the Bay (Glenelg Beach) - about 30 minutes.  Down Towers Tce,  Chitral Rd across Cross Rd and meet up with tram bikeway, then take it all the way to the Bay. 

There are bikeways and 'on street' lanes dotted around the place.  Tramway is a great one, Sturt creek (or drain) is another.  There are others which could be googled.    Ultimately, he says he is hoping for one the whole length of the train line from city to Marino.   You can tell he loves his cycling!!!

Updating that, there is now (2019) a  shared path ie walk, cycle, ride from Daws Road to Sixth Avenue, Ascot Park.  A new narrower bicycle lane only is now near finished from Sixth Avenue, Ascot Park to Cross Road at Emerson Overpass.
  We lost lots of shady,bird filled old trees and especially around the Woodlands Railway Station, many car parking spaces for those using railway transport also gone.
  The residents and public transport users have lost a lot.

If you are just visiting or would love to ride occasionally but don't have a bike, then check out the following links  -

1.  http://www.bikesa.asn.au/adelaidefreebikes    This gives info on how to get a bike for day or longer.
2. http://www.bikesa.asn.au  For all biking news and trails and other news.
3. http://tourdownunder.com.au/en  World class bike event in January each year in Adelaide.

Please check out the rules of the road  for cyclists.
Following link is for both car drivers and cyclists.
http://mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules/newcyclinglaws

You could also head up the hills, down to Victor Harbor or as far as you like.  Lots of places.

Lastly, there is an Edwardstown  Velodrome in South Plympton.   The entrance is in
West Street, off Raglan Avenue - Next to the Bowling Club.   For more information see South Coast Cycling website.    This whole venue has been totally revamped.  Brand new velodrome with all the trimmings.  

Where once this area was for all, it now revolves around cyclists.  

       

Above - picture taken 2015 of oval with velodrome around top and looking across to the Adelaide Hills.  I used to love walking around there, very early,  on crisp Winter mornings especially.    So come and ride around our area, and then stop and have something to eat.  

Since writing the above, there has been so much work done for cyclists in the area.  New signs, new 'parking' bays everywhere, new crossings.  Everything for the cyclist.  Weekends are quite busy with recreational cyclists.     The new 'shared' pathways are good for walking the dog or if using a gopher or wheelchair it is much better than any footpath!!!     Just wish the cyclists could stop creating dangerous situations on the footpaths and crossing streets for the disabled, the elderly and all pedestrians including mobility vehicles.  They cut in front of us, forcing us to stop suddenly which is difficult for electric vehicles.  People with walkers are ignored and forced to move out of the way - difficult for most of those using a walker. And the abuse!!    Cyclists don't all use the paths for them, they just use the footpaths and speed around corners they are cutting.