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Published: February 18th 2010
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Monday morning, despite raining right into the early hours, it was fine enough to pack up and move on. I can tell you I was pretty relieved! Relieved to be moving on, and relieved to see some blue sky!
We managed to get moving at about 10.30, and headed on up Macquarie pass, catching our last glimpse of the Illawarra from the top with mixed feelings.
Being tourists and all, we couldn’t drive past the ‘big potato’ at Robertson without a photo. I was pleasantly surprised to see it looking a little better than the last time I saw it, although it still reminds me of a big turd rather than a big potato!
Leaving Robo, we just couldnt drive past all those gorgeous waterfalls and not stop - that's what being a tourist is all about, and we will have to get used to that! We took a detour off to Fitzroy Falls, and it was teaming thanks to all the H2O generated in the past few weeks. Not my favourite waterfall there, but beautiful never-the-less.
On we went, and how lucky were we to get to see two ‘big things’ in one day. Down the
road at Goulburn, we found the ‘Big Merino’ sheep (after some searching, because it’s been moved since the last time I was there). Another wonderful photo opportunity!
As we got closer to Canberra we couldn’t believe it - a huge storm was sweeping over the place and heading for us. Not more rain!!! By the time we arrived the storm had passed and we managed to set up camp before the next one hit, but there were flash floods all around us. I started to think we should visit some drought affected areas next … maybe the rain would follow us there?
We planned on staying at Exhibition Park, although when we arrived it was closed due to preparations for Canberra Royal which is happening in a few weeks. Our backup budget accommodation was a decision between a free park 25 mins out of town which the tourist information guy baulked at, or a seedy but still pricey caravan park. The caravan park was chosen, and we just shortened our stay to 3 nights (2 full days). It just meant that our days were jam packed with the things there is to see and do.
The first
Fitroy Falls
Had heaps of H2O courtesy of the large amount of RAIN over the past few weeks! day we went to Questacon. I was absolutely chomping at the bit to get there - being a bit of a science head, I just love it there. Fortunately the kids loved it also, and we spent most of the day playing with science toys … soooo cool!
Dakota loved the rocket demonstration - full of all things explosive. It was very cleverly presented by a young guy with a fake accent who managed to keep the whole audience incredibly engaged through comedy, even during the theoretical bits.
Shay couldn’t get enough of everything, many times I turned around to find her wandering off to the next thing, fully intrigued.
Kal’s favourite bit was, unsurprisingly, the 6.7 metre ‘free fall’, which he did 10 times before the staff said no more! It feels like a free fall to start, but you actually fall onto a slide.
I tell you what - If I lived in Canberra, I would LOVE to work at Questacon and get paid to play all day! There was a guys there who was paid to ride one of those little groovy electron scooters … that was his job! Yes, I have job
The Big Merino
What is it with big things anyway??? envy.
The extra interesting part of our day was that Kevin Rudd was also there would you believe? He was apparently naming one of the boardrooms after a nobel prize winner. Personally, I’m not into politicians - I think, that most, if given the power, abuse it in some way, and the system is the same no matter who’s in the hot seat at the time. I must say though, it was quite a cool experience. Great for the kids too.
After Questacon we hired a pedal car, and pedaled part of the way around Lake Burley Griffin. It was good fun. The big fountain wasn’t on, which was a shame, and I wondered whether it was due to water restrictions being fairly high. Maybe I should hang around in Canberra a little longer, attract some more rain, and get that fountain turned back on???
A close girlfriend I haven’t seen for years is in Canberra, so we looked her up and paid a visit. Old friends are like good wine - they just get better with age, it was almost like we’d not been away. NICE.
Day two consisted of a morning at the War
Memorial. The kids really enjoyed parts of it. The light shows in the aircraft pavilion were pretty good, and the kids discovery centre was great - we were the only people in there and had three staff all to ourselves. All three were vets - one from each of the 3 armed forces, and they took my kids off and justed chatted and chatted and chatted, whilst they played with the helicopters, and submarine equipment and bunkers. All real life stuff, and so very interesting.
I’m not sure if I was super tired and emotional, but the whole thing just really affected me deeply. I can certainly appreciate the fact that these people fought for their politicians at the time, and they were deeply loyal to ‘our country’, but did they realize at the time they were just dispensible pawns in a battle that wasn’t theirs. It just breaks my heart to think of all those young kids, some of whom weren’t even of age, who were willing to throw their life away for a futile battle between the big guys in the hot seats. What about their mothers, wives, children and sisters? I had to make a few
The Free Fall
The 6.7 metre freefall was surprisingly (not) Kalahni's favourite! trips to the ladies room to wash my face, and was happy to be out of there at lunch time.
We ate lunch in the car on the way to the Australian Mint, and if Kal had his way we would probably still be there. He has a new appreciation for money since his little busking experience at Woodford! It was quite interesting to see all those coins being shipped around on conveyor belts like they were some sort of grain. Hundreds of thousands just right there, looking like a drop in the ocean. We pressed our own dollar (for a cost of $3), for our album, and moved on.
Next stop was the National Museum. By this stage we were all tired and a little over stimulated. I was really interested in the exhibits, but the youngest two especially were expecting something a little like Questacon and were a little over it by the end.
It was a good afternoon, even though we only spent a couple of hours there, and then went back to Mel’s place for dinner. Her son plays for the junior raiders, so I promised I will sit and watch a game
The Curve Ball
The idea is to throw the ball to your buddy whilst the thing is going around in cirlces. easier said than done! when he plays 1st grade sometime!
I enjoyed Canberra a little more than the other times I’d been there, although I still find getting around a bit tricky. The signage isn’t great, so everywhere you go, you need a map. I would rather just fly by the seat of my pants - I still usually get where I need to get to go … just not in Canberra. I did realise that there are heaps of job opportunities there for young people which is a big plus, but the weather is what would catch up with me - too cold, or too hot and not much in between. I must add that every time I saw the phrase ‘Our Nation’s Capital’ it reminded me of Forest Gump, you know the part where he’s giving a speech and Jenny wades across the lake … lol.
Yes, yes, time to sign off now … next stop, Eden.
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Ian Hogan
non-member comment
Hello Again!
Enjoyed this latest installment. I didn't know there was a big potato (turd) or big merino. You are educating me. Great to see all your pics too. Thanks Trudi and Crew. See Ya, Ian.