Canberra

We left Narooma and headed up over the Clyde Range towards Canberra. The drive was very steep in the early stages, in wet, and sometimes foggy conditions. Very pretty, with lots of rain forest and tall gums.

Main street Braidwood

Once on top of the range, the ground opens out into beautiful grazing country and we head into the historic township of Braidwood, which doesn't seem to have changed much since the 1830's! Well the buildings haven't changed, just the shop keepers, with lots of cafes, pubs, and touristy shops, plus a fantastic old emporium that sold everything, and I mean everything! Jenny, Adrienne and Robyn take note, that there is also a fantastic quilting shop, with so much material stuffed into it, that you can hardly get in the front door! The bakery is obviously the focal point in town, spread out through a number of old shopfronts. But, Carol and I are always wary of the big bakery, and like to seek out the real foody shops. We saw a sign pointing us up an alley and found the Dojo Bread Shop, a really good find, and then we found Foody's Cafe and Deli, which became our lunch stop for hearty home made soup and gourmet pies. Very good indeed!

Inside the Bungendore Wood Gallery

Leaving Braidwood, having revitalised their economy, we head for Bungendore. What a great name!  This little town just 20kms from Canberra, is a tourist centre, and is fast becoming an outer suburb of Canberra. Still it has some great places to visit, the highlight being the famous Wood Working Gallery, showcasing some magnificent furniture and artifacts. You can only marvel at the workmanship, and the prices!! It is also a gallery, featuring artists in paint, metalwork, ceramic and leather. You can easily get lost for hours, in this wonderful place.

The heavens about to open in Bungendore

We step back outside, where April, tied to the veranda post at the front door, is entertaining the locals. Never fails, she is like a magnet for young and old alike. A quick look at the sky, tells us to get moving, so we quickly head for the car as the heavens open. Drenched, we head for Canberra, following the deluge for some time, and the caravan and car get a good wash!

We arrive at our new destination, the Queanbeyan Riverside Caravan Park, where evidence of the storm isn't hard to find. If my stop at Narooma was heaven for me, then this is paradise for Carolyn. It is right next door to a shopping mall! She walks through the door, takes a deep breath and declares "Baby, I'm home"! The caravan park isn't great. It is very crowded, with small sites, and is run by the Council, with the office only manned for daytime hours. Still it's location makes up for most of the shortcomings, and we are only here for 5 nights.

Ballons in the morning light

Spooky!

Didn't take long to find Julie and Ron, our new friends from WA. They have the site beside us!  Turns out that it is Julie's birthday, so out with the champagne and some of the gourmet delights we collected en route, and the celebrations begin.

Carol with Julie & Ron

We have a pretty full schedule in Canberra. Thursday is drive around and familiarise ourselves, and replenish supplies at the shopping mall. Friday starts at 5.00am with the 4 of us heading into Canberra to watch the spectacular Hot Air Balloons, launched from the lawns in front of the old Parliament House. What a spectacle it is, with 20 ballons of all shapes and sizes. The whole thing takes only an hour and all the balloons are inflated and take to the skies, gently floating away into the morning sky.

We head back to camp for breakfast, a quick shower, and back into town to the National Gallery, to take a look at the Ballet Russes Exhibition, now showing. It is well worth a look, with the collection having been put together over many years by the National Gallery itself. For the uninitiated (I include myself), Ballet Russes was a Ballet company, that commenced in the 1870's in Paris. It was a Russian Company featuring most of the great Russian dancers of the time. The founder revolutionised ballet, through costume design that enhanced the athleticism and sensuality of the dancers. It became immensely popular and toured the world, even Australia in the 1930's. The exhibition is of the costumes and some of the sets, and it is displayed by opera. Very good indeed.

John Margaret & Gordon

That evening, we headed out to cousin Margaret and Gordon's home for dinner. Margaret is the eldest daughter of John's mother's only brother (you got that?). It was a lovely evening talking over old family stories, and as Gordon is currently tracing his and Margaret's family ancestry, there were many old albums and photos to view. We don't catch up often, so it was a really good occasion. Gordon is liaising with brother Neil, who is our family ancestry researcher, so this could be a long lasting family link. We also enjoyed a lovely home cooked meal in a house! Somewhat of a novelty these days.

Saturday we went our separate ways. Don't panic, it isn't permanent! John is at golf, playing in the member's comp at Queanbeyan Golf Club, whilst Carol is pampering with a dose of retail therapy at the mall. Golf was OK. The course won't become a favourite as it is extremely tight, a million trees, and every hole seems a dog-leg. Not to mention that you need a Sherpa guide for a caddy! Had 30 points with a birdie at the 17th. Carol's shopping was much more successful! Back together for Saturday night dinner at the local Thai restaurant, Lime Leaves, a short walk down the street. Fantastic food, and relegates Narooma to second best Thai so far.

Fantastic Meatloaf and Pasta Salad

Sunday off to Murrambateman for lunch with Nicole, Brendan, Tiernan & Olivier. They have started a new adventure in their lives, with a much anticipated rural lifestyle. Brendan is now head maths teacher at Yass High School, and Nicole is continuing to pursue her business interests on the internet and through local markets and retailers. They live in a cottage on a large sheep property, called Bonenfants Cottage, and it is really gorgeous. True to their style, we spend a lot of time in their kitchen baking cookies and lunch, and then enjoy a gourmet feast, complete with local wines.

Brendan, Nicole, Tiernan, & Olivier with Carol

The boys have really grown since last we saw them, with Tiernan now 8, and Olivier 3. They take  a great liking to April (Petrol as Olivier keeps calling her), to April's extender dog lead, and John. So by the end of the day, John, April, Olivier and Tiernan are all exhausted, and we call it quits having had a fantastic day.

Keep your dreams going Nic and Brendan, and save that first bottle of red for us!!

Sadly we leave Canberra on Monday 21st March, heading for Tathra, on the coast near Bega. We really enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends, we hadn't seen for too long. Little did we know what lay ahead on the road to Tathra.