I really am very lucky to have such good friends all over this country and I get to spend a couple of days “out in the country” with my pal and old boss Maree. She lives on a farm in Chatsbury which is a few hours from Sydney. I take a train to Bowral which is a cute town to walk around and see and have some tea. I had an orange poppy seed cake and Maree went for biscotti…. guess who was a little disappointed!
Before leaving town we pick up some award winning hot cross buns for next mornings breakfast. I can confirm that they were really delicious and apparently the cross was made from real custard.
It’s a further hour and a half or so to Chatsbury so we are really out in the sticks or the bush I suppose!! It’s great to be able to get out this far and see Maree and her husband Tom and it’s a nice change from the city for a couple of days.
We take a walk around the farm and see kangaroos looking at us from the hill top:
Tom cooks us a delicious meal and we catch up on all that’s been going on since we last saw each other which must be over a year ago. Next morning I get to meet the animals and check out the rest of the land… well not all of it but we get a good walk around.
Today we are spending the day in Canberra which is the capital of Australia. On our way we stop off to visit the big merino… it’s a thing – love it!
Onwards to the city and we start by visiting the new parliament buildings. Both houses are sitting today so we get to see a session – it’s really interesting. I must do a trip to our Dail when I get home although not sure you’re allowed visit when they’re in session [note to self : must check]. Anyways we spend much longer than we thought we would as we got sucked into the topic for discussion which was a bill to reduce corporation tax… interesting for two accountants!!
Next it’s time for lunch and we have really tasty ramen at Ramentik. With that sustenance we head for the national library. It has an exhibition of treasures which is really interesting but the library itself, i.e. the shelves of books is modern and not all that impressive.. which is to be expected I suppose. Mind you the library of New South Wales was gorgeous and they have a room dedicated to Shakespeare, anyway, I digress… The library building is close to the national gallery so that’s our next stop.
Most of the artwork is modern and there’s some interesting video installations that I get sucked into. Hours pass so quickly in these places… My favorite piece was called Mao, Buddha and Me. Each face is made up of small pictures of the previous person.
Next the Portrait Gallery which I love even though I don’t know a lot of people… Nick Cave, Olivia Newton John, Captain Cook, that’s about it…. where was Pat Cash and Russell Crowe???
A quick visit to the war memorial on our way out of town and then it’s back on the road for the hour plus journey back to the farm.
We go out to the local pub for curry night and have a great meal and some wine to round out the visit.
Next morning I take the Southern Highlands train back to the city. It takes three hours through countryside before hitting Sydney and then I’m back on my light rail “home” to Hils & Pete. Today I’ll be collecting the kids from school and taking them for some treats.
odohertyelaine 