Category: Animals

Sailor Chicken

January 1, 2013

Yesterday was our last day in Canberra, and I woke feeling pretty crook. We didn’t have enough time to visit any other attractions, so strolled the CBD until we left for the train.

I actually used one of those massaging chairs you see in malls worldwide! This was the second time, since I’d stealthily used the same one the day before. They are actually good, and recommended for only $2.

That’s a shot for Bernard. These mini cinnamon sugar donuts look delicious don’t they?

This sign was posted at the station:

What the hell? Canberra has evil mushrooms? I wish I’d known that before we left, I would have watched for them.

I was feeling quite sick on the train, with classic cold symptoms. This delicious lunch made me feel momentarily better:

Yep it’s a long sausage roll. A steal for $3.40!

Here’s what Australia looked like out the train window:

By the time we got back in late afternoon, I was feeling terrible, and made the (brave for me!) decision to get some medicine. A few pills, a nights sleep and an absence of junk food later and I feel much better (although not yet completely well).

And here’s a friend I met at the UFO catchers the other day 🙂

Operation: Capital Gains

December 30, 2012

Very early (I woke at 3:45!) this morning, we boarded this train, bound for the Australian capital city of Canberra.

The train was clean and comfy, which was good because the trip was 4.5 hours in length. Adam read 4 newspapers, while I watched Australia go by out the window:

The first half of the trip was all cows, and the second half sheep (as the above show). The landscape – aside from the Great Dividing Range – was exactly as you see above. I only saw one Kangaroo, not too far from Canberra.

Our first stop was the Royal Australian Mint, where all Aussie coins are made. A charming lass led a 45 minute tour, and we spent some time perusing the displays and shop. It was fascinating stuff, with such things as ‘Kookaburra pennies’ and $300k + rare coins from the 1930s. Worth a visit if you’re ever here.

Afterwards we headed to the seat of Australian government, known as Parliament House:

Opened in 1988, this is a massive and impressive building that I was surprised to discover is almost completely open to the public. Here’s where the politicians do their jobs, for instance:

Here’s one example of the many striking artworks in the building:

And here’s a majestic portrait of the great Paul Keating, my favorite Australian prime minister:

We took the chance to stroll from Parliament House to our hotel, a walk that took us over Lake Burley Griffon on a bridge. It was mid afternoon and the heat had picked up quite a bit.

By the time we got to the hotel (which is swanky), we were both ruined and retired early. Being old has its disadvantages 🙁

Robin’s Nest

December 16, 2012

Earlier in the summer, a Robin built a nest in the tree next to our mailbox.

He was a belligerent fellow, chirping at us every time we went out to check the mail. He was there a week or so, probably trying to attract a lady.

Then we went to Florida on our early-summer vacation, and when we got back he was gone.

The tree was heavy with leaves, and the nest was well hidden for the rest of the year. But now the leaves have fallen, and it’s become quite visible.

The craftwork is amazing, but there’s no evidence it was ever actually used. I expect it will last a while though. I wonder if anyone will use it next year?

Robot Claw