13 May 2012 - Exhibition Park Camping Ground, Canberra, ACT

Today is Mother’s Day here in Australia and New Zealand. Shame on me – I did not remember until I overheard some people about midday when we were out and about, then tried to send well-wishes to my mother by text on Chris’s cellphone. I hate using his phone! In the end, I gave up and left it until we had arrived home and sent it on mine, which of course was tucked away in its usual place, rarely with me.

We rose disgustingly late and it had nothing to do with the fact that temperatures had plummetted again to zero and we were being lashed by Antarctic winds. The Giro d’Italia has now moved back to Italy and is being televised live, courtsesy of SBS, in the middle of the night our time. Needless to say it was a long night for Chris, and for me who sat up until 11 pm to keep him company in the build up. It is a hard life being a sportsman, he says. I say, thank goodness for television head phones or I would have cycling nightmares all night!

Scupltured raptor sharing the viewpoint

By the time we were ready to hit the tourist trail, the weather had cleared and it seemed a good day to do a self-drive tour. Our first stop was the National Arboretum which we had viewed from the lakeside a week or so ago, however today it was open to the public. We drove up into the park to the temporary visitors’ centre which is eagerly manned by the parks Friends. From here we could see all the way back down the lake to the city and the parliament, and appreciate the plans underway. There is to be an open air ampitheatre, restaurants, a conference centre and a shop in the middle of this collection of forests. When we quizzed one of the Friends about the oddity of having so many forests of like trees as opposed to a forest of varied trees, she told us it was a first for the world. Here one could stand in the middle of any one of the forests and inhale the purity of the one variety as opposed to being assaulted by all flora at one. We drove on further to a higher lookout and had to agree that the arboretum when complete will be quite wonderful. And even in the interim with it unfinished, it is better to be seen on an open day than viewed and criticised from afar.

From here we drove south of the lake to Woden, the centre of the satellite district of Woden Valley. Appart from several government type office buildings, there is little here but a large bus terminal, a deserted town square and Westfield Woden, previously known as Woden Plaza. We struggled to find free parking, even on this, a Sunday. Once parked we walked back through these deserted areas, seeing for the first time in Canberra, graffitti and abandoned shopping trolleys. Once inside the shopping centre however, we were pleased to find it clean, modern, well patronised and well populated by all the shops that one finds in Australian shopping malls such as this.

Leaving Woden we returned to Canberra centre on a more direct route, and spent some time meandering around the suburbs of Deakin, Forrest and Manuka, admiring all the embassies, the High Commissions and the smart houses of the rich and/or famous. What a superb area this is and I have to agree with Chris who said this was the most beautiful residential area he had ever driven about. We were particularly taken with the diplomatic residences of South Africa, the United States of America and China. We found the New Zealand High Commission not too far away, marked out by the three corrugated cows standing on the front lawn. I have to admit to feeling the cringe factor; but then Shepparton has dozens of plaster cows on their council green, so…. If they can do it, why not the Kiwis?

We parked near the Lodge, the residence of the Prime Minister and walked about the perimetre. The high hedges and fences preclude much of a view, however what we could see was most impressive. The house was built ready for the prime minister of the day back in 1927 and would easily accommodate a large family such as was common in those times. The gardens are expansive although very private. It really is wasted on Julia and “her boyfriend” (as the elderly gentlemen sitting next to me in Question Time the other day described him). I understand they have a dog who probably does enjoy the garden but I do imagine they would be better accomodated in a two bedroom appartment in the parliamentary buildings, if such accomodation should exist.

The Lodge is about to undergo extensive alterations, despite the fact that it is heritage listed. Thinking about that, it is hard to see how the design and project management alone could cost $750,000. A new roof, modern cabling, a new toilet and vanity, redo the kitchen – I am up to no more than $100,000. Add the admin fee of $650,000 and you have a fair drag on tax payers funds. No wonder they wanted a budget surplus!

We drove up to the top of  Red Hill from where one has a lovely view over areas seen from other vantage points, as well as south over Woden Valley. It was cold at the top and we could see rain approaching from the south east. We then drove the circuit route which hugs the parliament buildings and did so very slowly since the traffic was almost non-existant, and then came on home. As we neared camp, rain drops started to fall. Now we are tucked up inside for the rest of the afternoon, pleased to be alone on our row so we will not have to consider any drag on the electricty as we run the heater at full capacity and heat the remainder of last night’s meatloaf  in the microwave.