Hotel Intercontinental

We decided to stay at the Hotel Intercontinental
That we used to visit many years ago
Way back when the kids were very young
It was a stroll down memory lane that became
A blessed time for us all: a short holiday of sorts
Back then it was called the Hyatt Regency
Back then we were all so much younger too
Ah the memories that came flooding back
The time we met John Farnham in the elevator
He was on his "Whispering Jack" Tour
We would be going to his concert at Adelaide Oval
My girls were very young to be sure...
I would have asked for his autograph...
If I had any hands free but alas it was not to be 
I was carrying two year old Shelley in my arms
Six year old Vanessa holding my hand by my side
The elevator doors opened and in he strode
Two big bodyguards at his side: he was sweet
He complimented my girls and even called Vanessa
A 'cutie" or something similar: she blushed beet red
Was not happy with what he'd said: we laugh at it now...
We swam in the pool up on the pool deck
Remembering those days when Nana Lindy (Evelyn)
Would swim with us too: enjoying the peaceful times...
The gym membership at Executive Choice Fitness
Becoming friends with Rob and Pam and their daughter Shae
Our two birthdays just days apart: Rob's on the 29th March
Mine just two days later on the 31st: two Aries people...
We both liked green and purple at the time
We celebrated our birthdays with a meal on The Buffalo
The restaurant ship at Glenelg that year...
What sticks in my memory too about her birthday...
On the 20th of June: Vanessa's is the 20th: Shelley's in June...
We took a stroll around the gardens on level's 5 and 13
Though no water flowed it was good to stroll across the bridge
Shelley even remembered the texture of the wooden railings...
Michael wasn't even born then: he came a few years later
I still recall the workouts at the gym when I was pregnant
Trying to give him the best possible start in life that we could...
We had dinner at the Shiki restaurant for my birthday
Another memory: for Shelley had been before: a few years ago
Even the room we stayed in was amazing: it was the same one 
That Shelley had stayed in for her prom night just 8 years ago...
The views from the window looking out over the river Torrens...
So many things have changed: the new Torrens footbridge
The Adelaide Oval upgrade: the huge TV screens for advertisement
On the other end we saw the new Royal Adelaide Hospital building
The huge "Cheese Grater" which will be the Hospital research centre
Ah so much has changed and yet it is the same...
We upgraded to the Club Lounge level so we could enjoy 
The lovely afternoon teas: later the canapes and drinks
Though there was no Banana bread like 20 years ago
It was still amazing to recall the days we spent there
The time Shelley got her fingers caught in the elevator door
The look upon her face as she caught her breath, then screamed
The picnic basket we ordered from the restaurant 
So we could have a picnic with Auntie Debbie by the Torrens...
Just now I recalled the times I ran around the riverbank
During my exercise sessions: determined to lose weight 
Determined to get fit: the run up Montefiore Hill in 2:06 secs
The laps in that tiny pool: the runs around the river front
The runs up the stairs: being timed by the trainers
Kerran, Grant and Andy: our torturers: pushing us
I even managed to get Henri Leconte's autograph in the gym
And Ruth Cracknell's while enjoying the club lounge long ago...
After Michael was born we did return; he recalls getting lost
In the elevator: he got in and took off with other people
We had to try and find him before panic set in...
The adventures that our whole family had over the years
Running up and down the stairs: the sauna in the gym
The day Barbie lost her bathers and how they were found
Pinned to the notice board: in the gym: with the note
Found: pair of ladies bathers: slightly shrunk: please apply within...