Autumnal Wanderings

Good morning,

Holy hell it's cold. Ross is awake at 7 and puts on the aircon so I can snuggle whilst he is at the showers. Thank goodness they are hot, hot, hot. The sun is out and it warms quickly though in the shade or wind you need a jacket.

Bi-lo for provisions and we are on the frog and toad - straight to Fitzroy Falls - running well with all the rain of late. We walked quite a way and the views were spectacular, I even went near the edges of the lookout platforms. Thanks mum for the heights phobia - it gets worse as I get older.

Then to Burrawang. - how the other half live beautiful homes and cars - we saw Audi's, Masseratis, McLarens, and Ferraris. The pub looks spectacular for a local. If only it wasn't so cold.

We then drove to Robertson, bought some brilliant cheese and had lunch in the local park. On to Kurrawang and past the driveway of one of Ross's old flames and on to the Centennial Winery where we bought a Chardonnay a Shiraz and a followed by a wander through Berrima and a coffee at the Magpie Cafe.

Southern Highlands Sojourn

Good evening one and all,

Heading to MossVale today so up and at em, pretty miserable day but we are travelling so not a worry. Started to drizzle and the temperature is dropping - oh dear lots of layers and even pulled out my scarf. The trip from Goulburn to Moss Vale is pretty and all the trees are gorgeous even in the rain. Small villages abound with antique shops, art galleries and cafes.

First stop is Bundanoon, cold and wet. The Main Street is cute but nothing riveting until we find the "Garden Cafe" and go in wet and miserable for coffee and scones. One plate of scones were enough for two of us . Home made raspberry jam and gorgeous scones in front of a heater in lovely chairs packed with cushions and the best coffee of the trip, la casa del caffe, brilliant.

On to Moss Vale and a drive through Sutton Forest with the best fruit and veg shop - gross lise tomatoes, pistachio halva, baklava and a huge variety of mushrooms, olive bread, yum yum.  Because it is so wet and cold. Home to Moss Vale Village Park, set up, close down and on with the airconditioner and the heat packs - freaking freezing.  Again an afternoon of reading, tv and iPad. No tea tonight just too full.

Chilly Goulburn

Good morning one and all,

It's going to get cold says Ross, but I didn't think he meant this cold - how did Ross live here for 3 years. We woke to 8 degrees feels like 3 with the wind chill factor so on with the warm clothes. Unfortunately if you are out of the wind or in the sun you start to sweat - so I spent the day putting on and taking of layers.

Goulburn is pretty in Autumn, blue skies and sunshine, roses and coloured trees dropping their leaves. We went on a Tiki tour around Goulburn to the Police Acadamy, goal, War Memorial lookout, lots of churches, the Old Brewery and Alison street where Ross used to live.

Found the Regional Art Gallery, Gallery on Track and a great gallery - South Hill Gallery - great setting and great exhibitions.

Ross shouted me lunch at the Goulburn Workers Club - had the small lamb shanks and then had to go home and rest I was sooooooo full.

Washing in the afternoon and 10 minutes of housework - I just spend my life doing housework - 5 minutes is quick and 10 minutes the long version. I wish home was the same. Papers, book and iPad while we wait for the washing.

Some pictures of our lovely day in Goulburn.

Goulburn via Bungendore

Stayed in another caravan park in Canberra for the last night we tried the Capital Country Van Park. They have about 100 permanents, school bunkhouses, cabins, caravans, tents and on and on. It is neat clean, pretty and quiet. There is heaps of wildlife in the form of roos, rabbits, geese, ducks and birdlife and we would recommend it. Packed up on a chilly morning and headed to Goulburn via Bungendore.

Bungendore is a lovely village about 30 minutes from Canberra, it is small, old and has lots of beautifully restored buildings, art, craft and cafes. We parked and wandered for about 2 hours, the blind duck cafe, photography exhibitions, leather shop and antiques shop that is huge it unfolds as you walk through - could have spent the day there, but gee would hate to have to do the dusting. Ross got the sneezes so we wandered on. The trees are turning orange and gold and red and the weather clear and crisp. Visited the quilting shop for Kate and the woodwork shop the men at school would die for - some excellent projects and ideas - Mark and Jay would have loved it - single test tubes held in turned wood for single bloom vases - have to try it Jay. But most of the items were well out of our budget - in the 10, 20 and even 30,000's - but gorgeous to look at. Late lunch in the park with a great coffee and on to Goulburn.

Canberra Continues

Back again and starting to cool down,

Continuing with the Canberra adventure we circled and toured New Parliament House - it doesn't seem to have the same history or character as the old building but is impressive in itself. There were schools in so we fled ASAP.

The new park is so much closer in to the city (5 minutes from the centre) so home for a nana nap so that we could head to visit the Suines, a family we taught with on Norfolk. They haven't changed a bit except the kids are older. We had a noisy and funny evening, as always a good time at the Suines and organised to meet again.

We had a rest day because Ross felt a bit yuck and I headed into town for a shop  - Zara is not as
great as hoped but I did get a spur of the moment haircut - cheap and cheerful. Looks OK  I suppose,
Ross didn't even notice, typical.

Next day to the Botanic Gardens, National Arboretium (great architecture) a Bonsai exhibition and a drive around Lake Burley Griffin which has so many little nooks and crannies, parks and barbq areas. Canberra is definitely set up for healthy lifestyles. While looking for a shopping centre we found some fresh food markets and bought some prawns and fish for tea - salt water perch - yum yum yum. Also picked up some oysters so down to the lake again and had oysters overlooking the Captain Cook Jet. Learn to sail was on at the same time which made it very picturesque. Also approached by a guy who works for Defence about our van - he liked the look of it! Maybe we should be on commission.

Canberra Capers

Hi guys,

Arrived in Canberra and they had stuffed our booking so we found a site further out of the city and headed out. All good except for the darn kangaroo that kept turning on the sensor light and pooped on the doorstep. the van villages are turning into cabin villages and there arenover 100 here!

Spent the next day looking around Canberra, the leaves are starting to turn and it looks a treat, still warm but cool of an evening. A fun run and marathon had shut many streets but there are people out and about because it is such a beautiful day. Went to the Old Bus Markets  - great but not as big as home. Good food for lunch - rice paper rolls.

Old Parliament House - the Museum of Democracy - well worth the visit, great tour by an older guy who actually knows the Barton family and told great stories of the history of the place and asked questions of a young guide who took us to the Prime Ministers Office etc. Some great stories and interesting too.

Following day was the PortraitGallery and lunch in the van in a great leafy street right near Parliament House..

Best Chinese in Australia

Hello again,
While in Griffith we visited the Murphy Family we taught with them on Norfolk. Dennis had just come home from year 6 tour, 4 people 4 schools, end of term - nup don't miss it at all. They very kindly took the time to cook for us and very yummy too. Ruby has grown up, Lewis is a new addition but they haven't changed a bit and we will happily call in on our next trip through when things are quieter for them.

Next day headed to Canberra, long but lovely trip pottering along, still lots of little stops, coffee, walks and parks. Then onto Harden Murenburra and the best Chinese in Australia. Ross insisted we stop as it had been recommended by our neighbours Dave and Wendy. It looked derelict, even the open sign was crooked. Ross stuck his head in and yes they do takeaway at lunchtime the lovely Chinese lady recommended the pork with special sauce. As we walked out Ross let me know Wendy and Dave didn't actually eat there but they had HEARD.  Main Street was deserted so we sat in the van outside the front door and the lady gave us home delivery. So I wacked it straight in the fridge so we could cool it fast and then reheat for tea.

Knock, knock "did u just put that in the fridge? Much better hot" ok so we tasted and my god it was wonderful. So we ate quite a bit and put the rest in the fridge for tea. Ya gotta laugh "judging books by covers etc" the lady tells us people travel from all over NSW and when they pass through call in.

Highly recommended - looks can be deceiving.