End of 2024

2024 was not a crash hot year for many in the world, including my little neck of the woods.  However I boldly decided to fly out to Adelaide on Friday 13th December.

the airport augured well for future world harmony

Pearl picked me up from Adelaide Airport as Saturday 14th approached.  Back to her place then off for Canberra road trip the next day.  We stayed in a cabin at the caravan park in Hay that night, then onwards to the ACT.  We broke the drive at Gundagai

where Koala Kong highlighted the new world order by deciding I was Real Food.  Escaping his clutches, we drove frantically and arrived at Bronwyn's just in time for dinner.  Koala was not on the menu but wallaby could have been - the Village overlooked paddocks of them, right down to the Murrumbidgee.

The weather was very hot so we mooched around for a cuppla days.

Despite the impeccable surrounds

we went out to the Bowls Club for dinner one night, where I was mesmerised by this huge aquarium.

We were lucky enough to be at LDK for the children's Christmas Party.  I patiently waited to get a photo of Santa with no children in the picture

Santa behind the North Pole

but failed miserably...

On the cooler Wednesday, I achieved a long held ambition when we drove out to Lanyon Homestead.  We had been advised that it was closed

but what did we care.  We could still wander freely around the grounds

and outbuildings.

Eons ago I had come here for a working bee with the Australian Garden History Society

and I longed to see the Murrumbidgee again.  It is shallow and studded with rocks.  I envisioned one day swimming and picnicking here.  But it was not to be this time.

Some bold boys also took a chance on an unauthorised visit.  I took this photo, turned to talk to Bronwyn, caught my phone on her bag.  The phone fell to the ground and hit a stone.  Its face is now fractured but currently still working...  A startling memento every time I use my phone.

Heths was keen to eat at the restaurant near the Visitors Information Centre on Lake Burley Griffin

and, given it was her car, off we went.

We had a lovely lunch and then stayed on for Afternoon Tea as dessert.  We saw an ad for an interesting looking exhibition at the National Gallery and, being the culture vultures we are, that was next day's destination.

the exhibition

is this the Geoff Dyer I taught with many years ago?

one of my favourites - very Dr Who

definitely favourites - Lady Jayne and a delicious concoction of some seaweed, avocado, coriander and lime on sourdough

Ok, confession time.  It's so long since I started this blog post that I'm not sure where we are next.

I think it's the National Museum of Australia.

beautiful things

and a geocache for Pearl and Sara

This may possibly be a clue as to where we were.  It's also a good way to say goodbye to Canberra for now.