Remembering how to drive

 We last went to Canberra in late June.  Since then either lockdowns or fears of the disease have kept us in Mallacoota.  But on the first day of relief we headed North.  

Mallacoota seemed full of visitors due to the long weekend.  Presumably a lot of sickies were being taken to fill the gap to Donkey Derby Day.  It was thus surprising to find little traffic on the Highway North of Genoa.  We had a series of competitions to amuse ourselves:

  • What will the temperature be at Nimmitabel? Frances 21, Martin 23 (I guessed second so had to choose to go above or below 21);
  • How many Goannas along Imlay Rd?  Frances 0 Martin 10 (remembering a trip in Spring when there seemed to be one round every bend);
  • How many laden log trucks? Frances settled on 0 after wondering about 3 Martin 10.

Going along Imlay Rd the first noticeable thing was a lot of flowering Leucochrysum albicans.  Of course, as soon as Frances took the camera out it disappeared.  Then we got to the start of verge mowing and floriferousness was not available.  We paused briefly at White Rocks where the creek was flowing well.


The rocks were white(ish).

The second and third questions were decided in Frances favour.  0 Goannas and only 3 log trucks.

Once out into the pastoral country we were surprised how green everywhere looked.  LiveTraffic had suggested an ugly drive from Imlay Rd to Bombala with four sets of roadworks.  That seems to have been an ambit claim: only one area seen and only required slowing down.

The temperature had increased well as we came along Imlay Rd, getting to 20.  But it then dropped to 18 by Bombala.  Fortunately for Frances it rose again, getting to 20.5 as we approached Lake Williams.

Coming out of NImmitabel I was surprised to see the Main Range was still completely covered with snow.  The greening of the country continued between Nimmitabel and Cooma showing that there had been a lot of rain over Winter and Spring.  Again very little traffic.

On getting to the apartment all seemed good.  On checking the mailbox (with a no junk mail sticker) I find:
  • 4 cards from real estate burglars;
  • 6 samples from dominos (crappy bits of paper that I am sure taste like their pizzas)
  • 4 newsletters from the ACT Government
  • 1 envelope from ASIC for the previous resident (only left 3 years ago); and
  • 1 letter from the ABS telling me the Census is compulsory. Must try the log-in and see if it works!
Apart from everyone wearing masks as we walked around the shops the most astonishing thing was the paucity of cars on the roof of the Target Carpark.  It is usually full all day.  On this afternoon it was at best 50$ full.  People obviously like this working from home!  And despite the urging from the poo-bahs of the business community will continue to do so if they possibly can.  Why pay for childcare when you can DIY?


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