An ANZAC Day Post

A good summary of the National ANZAC Day rituals is in this ABC item.  Wanting to do something to commemorate the day (but not wanting to get up at 4:30 to go to the Dawn Service  - although with 55,000 present I reckon it would be pretty hopeless anyway - or to battle the traffic chaos for the mid-morning event) I came up with a plan to walk up Mt Ainslie and look down at the War Memorial and ANZAC Parade.

Here is a map, courtesy of Google Earth:
The yellow line with red way-points marks our route.  Approximately 2.7km in length and gaining 240m.  When we set off we met either a large training group or a small Fun Run.  The later snaps were taken at the blue triangle with the War Memorial just above the orange circle. 
Once we left the power lines and started up the Old Tip Track things got a bit rocky and also a bit steep.  I think I used to be able to run up this thing about 25 years ago! (As may be gathered from the direction of the small dog I actually took this snap on the way back down.)
Towards the summit the Old Tip Trail joins the Canberra Centennial Trail.  This is the steps on the final push up to the summit car park.
Loking out over North Canberra one can see the environmental mess of Gungahlin.  Rooves everywhere and not a tree in sight.
In contrast the houses of Reid, in Central Canberra can barely be seen for the foliage.  Of course the rooves will be more visible once the leaves fall (and it is a pity there is such a high proportion of exotics, but I know where I would rather live!
Here is the basic scene that greeted us.  The marchers form up in the middle of ANZAC Parade so the ones at the front only have to travel a very short distance.
A bit of a closer view.  We were a bit worried about all the empty seats in the stands but it turned out they were for the marchers to sit in, to listen to the PM and various other dignitaries burble on.
A closer view of marchers on the hoof
I was intrigued about this group.  The I checked the flags and realised they were the winners at Gallipolli.  It's not really surprising they are there as the closest memorial to the big building is actually to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk  who was a very honorable opponent.
I had hoped to see the flypast but it turned out that wasn't due until 12:20 and we didn't feel like hanging around for 80 minutes to see it.

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