Having done 1,000 km (not hard with a trip to Mallacoota and back at 350 km each way) it was time for the Mazda to get its first service.
The drive up to Canberra on Monday 13 June had some potential to be interesting. The first element of this was realising it was the last day of the long weekend which opens the ski season. So there was potential for chaos on the stretch from Cooma to Canberra. A second element was the poor weather - cold and damp - leading to an Alpine weather warning from Brown Mountain to Cooma. So we set off early to minimise the first issue and hope that the second was not too bad.
As it turned out there was no evidence of snow or ice on the 'Alpine' stretch. Rather than the forecast 2C it was 4C when we came through Nimmitabel.
I noticed a rally car parked by the bakery in Nimmitabel and guessed there had been an event at Bega. The results are here, and lots of photos etc in this Facebook post. As we left that village there was plenty of snow visible on the main range but mixed with cloud so not a photo opportunity. A little into the trip we approached a line of vehicles including a truck towing a rally car. This performed a rather "interesting" overtake on a slower car in front of it: we were amused to see the slow car return the favour in a less adventurous manner a little later. We caught up to the truck on Polo Flat.
We passed the truck on one of the uphill overtaking lanes: it was OK on the flat bits but ran out of grunt on any sort of incline. Apart from the traditional learner-doing-80kph mobile traffic jam the rest of the drive was unremarkable. Due to the early start we made it to Canberra quite early in the day and having schlepped the kit up to our apartment took off for a walk around Central Basin.
There had obviously been a lot of work done on the recladding project since we were last here.
This is the lofts area, which has been completed. Doesn't look a great deal different (one of the objectives of the work) but hopefully is guaranteed non-flammable.
On getting to Kings Avenue I was surprised at the number of bunnies grazing on the lawns. (Later in the trip it was clear that there were many more around Commonwealth Park. Aorta do something.)
This image shows the foliage on the Mongolian Pears well but doesn't convey the large number of people (and dogs) enjoying the pleasant walk.
On Tuesday we started with a walk through Reid. At Anzac Parade I noticed this commuter heading off.
I was reminded of controversy some years ago when a recumbent fan demanded they be allowed to take part in a bike race being staged at the NGA. The organiser eventually agreed, creating a category of "Novelty Bikes": this didn't go down well!
There was a good carpet of fallen leaves in Glebe Park. I was pleased to see that no=one was wasting effort cleaning them up.
Alas: the ACT Public Service cannot miss an opportunity to do something pointless. The next image was taken from our balcony a couple of days later as we left.
There were 2 dudes with blowers operating here!
While the car was being serviced I went for a bird walk through Belconnen Town Centre to John Knight Park. Some good murals around the area. The first is in the bus interchange.
This is near the skate park.
A dunny at John Knight.
Some steps behind the library.
Looking back at the town centre.
A slightly different view. When we first arrived in Canberra (1983) the local Community Council was very negative about allowing a pub (The Lighthouse) to be built on the shore of the Lake. It is arrowed in the image. One could say the nightmare envisaged by the Council has eventuated.
On the positive side I did see a pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos in the Park.
As I was heading back to pick up the car I came across a flock of 5 Eastern Rosellas which became Bird of the Day. They were uncooperative WRT head-on shots.
On Wednesday we started with a walk around Nerang Pool which started going through the Floriade set-up site. The guys were at work by 0800.
I like this device for mass hole digging. (Note also the frost on the ground: the overnight low was -5C!)
We went and played croquet in the morning. Frances played 2 doubles matches (winning both) while I lost both a doubles (against a very good player and his partner) and a singles match against a much more experienced player: I think I was due about 6 shots on handicap which might have helped, as I did some good shots but usually got cleared out. I think the 3rd hoop took about 30 shots as he kept clearing me while I came back (without removing him): eventually I left him an opportunity and he seized it.
In the afternoon I walked to Nerang Pool to try for a Coot as Bird of the Day. Failed, but did see a flock of >100 Cockies on the lawn outside the Civic Pool.
A cloudy sunset was colourful.
Ghosts over Civic
On our final morning we went for a walk around Reid. The pin-oaks have dropped a lot of acorns, to the delight of the local King Parrots.
Back at Manhattan the workers have erected a set of steps to facilitate getting on to the swinging stages when they are emplaced.
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