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.