Monday March 12 - Lots to remember

We're in wilpena pound ;now. The internet kiosk is HORRIBLE. but thought I'd try to do an update from some notes I wrote at Adelaide airport.

Heading out of Melbourne we took a cab from our southbank hotel to the Budget rental place in CBD. Usual paerwork and some kind instructions on navigating our way to M1 -- main highway out of melbourne heading toward the great ocean road. Got behind the wheel of a cute little corolla ascent. Not ;sure what the big deal is about tthe steering wheel being on the left. There's nothing to it -- until you start driving!!!

The car is set up just like an american car but a mirror image except for the foot pedals. Turn signals are on the right and wipers on the left of the steering column ;-- a fact ;that had me more than once indicating my directional intentions with a flourish of the wipers and an ocasioal washing of the windshield. Jay was amused by this -- the first time or two.

The actural act of drivig n the left takes ones full concentration and a good strong coffee beforehand for those of us trained to drive the "normal" way. The most challenging moments are the turns or entering traffic. Once in the proper lane, it's pretty straightforward. To help with those transitional opportunities the Aus transportation folks have gne out of their way to put "Drive on the left in australia" signs at critical places where tourists are likely to be coming out of of a scenery induced fog at a turnout.

Despite the obvious need to turn into the right (read correct) lane, theres a tendency to misjudge the whole left side of th car. Mentally you still seem to be thinking that your car width ends a few inces beyond your left shoulder. Besides creating some close encouters with the shoulder of the rad, a curb or two, and a parked car, it provides an endless amount of ecitement for the guy in the passenger seat -- probably akin t riding a sidecar on a otorcycle withut the wrry of getting bugs in your teeth. Anyway, you'll have to ask Jay for his opinion. I was too bus concentrating to disscuss it much