Capital O and the Parliamentary Triangle

Having known Annwen for over 30 years thanks to orienteering, it would not come as a surprise that Gareth suggested our activity on Saturday incorporate a map! In fact orienteering was the common denominator for most of the relationships and friendships within this group!

Anyway we (our family, Annwen's family and Gareth's family while Cath's family met us later) all headed to explore the Parliamentary triangle using the spare capital O maps from 2013 that Gareth had in his possession. We began our adventure parking at the National Gallery of Australia.

The Capital O map, involved visiting control sites, matching the location with the corresponding photo and recording the unique code. We used the map to our advantage by deciding where we wanted to walk, which controls would be on the way thus keeping the kids on task and distracted at the same time!!

Our first port of call was the Fern Garden, a hidden gem. This formerly out-of-sight and unused 'courtyard' space has been created into a garden based on the spiral form of the fern frond, a symbol of healing and rejuvenation. A 55 metre long pathway and fountain were made using white silica and quartz pebbles quarried from a stream bed at Collector and a total of 58 mature (2.6m tall) Dicksonia antartica tree ferns were planted. Although the fountain wasn't on while we visited, it consists of 101 thin jets which form a parabolic pattern similar to the fronds of the tree ferns.  There are three granite seats located within this peaceful garden, in memory of Tamsin and Deucher Davy and Aboriginal artist Destiny Deacon. This garden is such a beautiful spot.

From here, we coursed around the Gallery buildings to the Sculpture Garden. On a time schedule we only saw a handful of the 26 sculptures scattered throughout this area. Unfortunately we were a little early for Fujiko Nakaya fog sculpture which creates an eerie atmosphere as the mist settles over pathways and on the marsh pond with it's Heads from the North (by Dadang Christanto) and the bronze boat 'On the Beach again' by Robert Stackhouse.

However, the 20m long, interconnecting cones made from stainless steel created by Bert Flugelman kept everyone entertained and laughing watching their bodies distort in the polished sides of this sculpture.

Leaving the Sculpture Garden, we ambled our way along the edge of Lake Burley Griffin. The International Flag display wildly flapping in the chilly headwind. Currently 96 flags represent the United Nations and those nations that maintain a diplomatic presence in the Canberra. In the distance, the Captain Cook Jet was propelling water 150+m into the air.

Our capital O map leads us to the Canberra Peace Park which commemorates the International Year of Peace in 1986. At the heart, etched into the black polished granite plinth is a dove carrying an olive branch, the international symbol of peace. Surrounding this, a quartered plinth has the word peace written in the six official languages of the United Nations Organisation and the aboriginal language of the local Ngunnawal people.

A quick toilet stop was needed at the National Library, before continuing our journey through Reconciliation Place, a place which recognises the importance of understanding the shared history of Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Consisting currently of 16 slivers (or public artworks) which are spread along two promenades that extend from a central grass mound located on Commonwealth Place.

Cartwheels, handstands and forward rolls are completed by the younger members of our group as we cross the grassy mound and head towards the National Portrait Gallery. Another couple of controls visited around this area. With a lunch reservation looming, we quickly detour via the lovely pears outside the National Art Gallery.



Our final famous landmark was Within without, a Skyspace created by James Turrell in 2010. We enter via a sloping walkway between a pond. The contrasting colours of the red oche walls, the turquoise water and the blueish grey basalt dome is stunning. Wandering around to the opposite side, we enter the serene dome chamber which opens to the sky. Despite the overcast conditions clouding the potential of the experience, the Skyspace is truly an awesome piece of architecture. Our morning of capital O has conclude and we retreat to a local coffee shop for lunch.

More of Canberra

Thursday, Annwen and co visited Question, while I was working and the girls were on an excursion watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with the School Holiday Program.

Another work day for me on Friday, Annwen kindly looked after Ella and Katy. They teamed up with Gareth, Kelly, Cath and kids and had a great morning. Another thing-to-do-in-Canberra was ticked off the list when they walked up Mt Ainslie from the War Memorial. A nice 4.2km return walk with 310m climb to the summit. The top has awesome views over Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra city and towards Parliament House. There was a spot of geocaching and tree climbing on the way down!

Next a visit into the War Memorial.

The afternoon finished with a swim at the AIS!

Corin Winter Wonderland

Tickets were quickly booked on Tuesday afternoon for a 2.5hr session of tobogganing at Corin for the next day. It was then a scramble to find suitable warm waterproof winter clothing for our Perth visitors! We called on favours from friends and family members who came up with the goods.

We were becoming regular visitors at Corin, our third time within as many months although we'd never seen the snow there! When the conditions are right, Corin does get snow, however it's been a slow start to the snow season and thus the 3 ski slopes were all man made snow not that the kids noticed.

It turned out to be a big group - our family, Annwen, Ashley, Nathan, Gareth, Kelly, Jessica, Lewys, Cath and Aoife. Armed with enough toboggans so that each child had one, we were soon carving up the slopes! Fun was had by all and when they were tired of toboggans, there was snow balls to be thrown and snow angels to be made.

All good things do come to an end and so the time came for us to retreat into the warmth for hot chips (as the wood fired pizza oven wasn't working) and of course, the trademark gigantic Corin marshmallows need to be toasted too!

Brrr...Winter School Holidays

The first week of school holidays saw Annwen, Ashley and Nathan arrive from Perth, quickly followed by Andy's departure for a work trip to Hobart. The Perth Candy's were staying with us for a week of real winter school holidays!!

On the first night, Annwen and I discussed potential plans (visiting snow was a top priority) taking into account my work schedule and holiday programs for our girls; Gareth and Kelly's commitments and preferences; prior experiences in Canberra as well as the weather forecast!

And so in drawing up a suggested timetable, we also we reminisced of Annwen's previous trips especially recounting the close injury calls of Ashley and Ella. Lets see - in 2012 it was a run in with the chicken coop (read about it here) and then in 2015 there was the rope ladder incident (see here). We joked about what it was going to be this time around!

Unfortunately I wasn't in a position to take the whole week off, so their first day, Tuesday, was spent catching up and relaxing with Gareth and his family.

It was around 3pm that I received a text while at work, that Nathan had cut his head and they were off to seek medical advice! Luckily, the cut although deep didn't need any stitches, just a little bit of glue and a couple of steri strips.

The accompanying story went something like this.. while at the Nut playground at the Arboretum, Nathan misjudge when entering the slide, banging his forehead on the top lip of the metal tunnel. Oh well at least we could all relax for the rest of the trip now the  Canberra cursed injury was over!!

The Aranda Music and Drama programs had a recital evening all organised at the very last minute. Performing at the recital evening was voluntary. Ella embraced the opportunity while Katy passed. Here is Ella's first piano performance...

Glorious Googong

We started the winter school holidays by doing a 4 hour rogaine with friends! The girls - Ella, Katy, Cath, Aoife and myself travelled 30km to the south of Canberra to Googong Dam, the location of the winter rogaine.

Once checked in, we studied the map and notes before proposing a route. Soon enough we were off. Despite the crisp start to the morning the sunshine was glorious and we were soon removing layers of clothing.



Our course took us north, initially climbing before descending down to a lookout over the dam wall. At this stage we opted to not venture further north into the bushy hiller areas but return to the south keeping to the open terrain.

Obviously our main aim was to keep the girls happy and enjoy the outdoors. In doing so there were plenty of treats and rests. The controls were all fairly easy, with only one which we approached  cautiously although we needn't have worried as Cath led us straight to it!

As we trundled along the ridge top, the views over Googong Dam and distant hills were impressive. The girls played various games with fortunately, unfortunately being a favourite. We extended our proposed route further south as we were well ahead of time and energy levels were still high.

Apart from kangaroos, wildlife was scarce. Eagle eyed Katy did spot this rather large birds nest, presumably belonging to a wedge tailed eagle, as we stumbled down a very steep hill to the waters edge.

We found the control, on the dry creek bend before making our way to Shannon's Inlet. At the bottom and in the shade, the difference in temperature was noticeable. It was surprising that here at the mouth, the girls discovered large sheets of ice covering the water. Luckily we had ample time to spare as we all became engrossed with the ice!

Eventually we pulled ourselves away from this natural playground, to complete the final stretch of the rogaine along the foreshore of Googong Dam. Arriving at the finish, 30 minutes early, we had collected 700 points walking just over 10km, or 17,000+steps according to Ella! A wonderful day with friends at a lovely location. Googong Dam, we will be back to explore your southern shores!

Plugging the Holes

In preparation for Annwen, Ashley and Nathan arrival in the first week of school holidays, Andy and I have been busy determining how to provide privacy to the front room. Our aim is to have something easily installed/removed and slightly sound proof.





A visit to Bunnings saw us equip ourselves with timber to build boxes to slot into the holes. Andy carefully measured, cut and built the first box. It easily passed the test of fitting into the non-square square! We stretched and stapled different fabric on to each side and voila! Happy with the prototype, we proceeded to make the second box. A quick coat of scotch guard on the kitchen side and we were ready for our guests to arrive.

Random Snippets

Andy and I enjoyed an evening out with friends at a trivia night held by Aranda Primary School. Trivia wise we ended up mid field but took out the 'Build the Tallest Tower' challenge!















The girls are in love! Our next-door neighbours recently got a puppy. Her name is Nellie and she is adorable! Pippa wasn't really interested in this gorgeous black fluff ball.



We all joined Katy at one of her school friends rock climbing birthday party. Despite the centre being super busy, fun was had by all. Towards the end of the party, a group of climbers started using the silks. All the kids (and adults) were throughly engrossed with their moves!