All inspired, I went for a bike ride this morning around the lake. It was great! Then later in the morning we went for a wonderful walk at Namadgi National Park, about a 40 minute drive from Canberra. The park still has a number of trees burnt during the 2003 bushfires. And even though it's summer, plenty of flowers. 

some kind of marsh frog - posed obligingly

I want to ride my bicycle

Last night we had fun catching up with friends at the ANU beer garden (now paved and a little bit fancy) and then had dinner at Roti House (Marcus Clarke St) - no nonsense Malaysian fare served with the most melt in the mouth roti ever. I can't wait to go back and try their chendol (yummy Malaysian dessert). 

sculpture near Roti House

Today's big news is that we bought some bikes from our local cyclery - Ride365. The lovely people there did us a great deal - and  of course when you buy bikes, you also need helmets, gloves, waterbottle holders, a big wide seat for me ... and we even went the whole hog and bought proper clip clop shoes too. And they served a decent coffee while we were deciding what to get. 


Ryan at Ride 365 kindly attached all the bits and pieces and we returned to pick up the bikes this afternoon. And then went for a ride around the lake, which was great fun. 

look up more

Yesterday as I was walking around in the sunshine at lunchtime, escaping the office, this lovely piece of advice from a pavement graffiti artist:

How exciting that Canberra has actually had two, TWO! days of 30 degrees. M and I took our exercise this afternoon in the pool, a great treat. 

I've finally finished my part of security clearance - now I'm waiting to hear back about my mistakes, or to be quizzed about some of my answers. 

Last night there was a stunning sunset, which turned Lake G pink. How sad then to hear that a walker on the other side of the lake got robbed while walking his dog. The dog did bite one of the attackers but obviously not hard enough. 

Lately the cockatoos have been even more active than usual - feeding near our place as well as flying around screeching. 

I hope everyone is getting into the groove of the new year. 

I think we're gonna need a bigger boat

Alert -- first world problem whinge coming up -- but the whole security clearance process is no longer amusing. I estimate I've spent about 6 hours on it so far - plus bugging M and parents with multiple questions. Still haven't finished. On the plus side, when I'm done I'll have a comprehensive list of me up to the present. I'll just carry it around when my memory really starts to go. 


To soothe the pain, a spectacular sunset. And watching Jaws (the original and best). 

M took this one - the colours were even more intense seconds before

Coco

Outside the Brett Whitely Studio in Surrey Hills, we saw the most beautiful cat. She had a bling collar with the name Coco Chanel, with the most amazing markings and beautiful pale green eyes. We think she was a Tonkinese. And possibly destined to be snatched - way too friendly for the streets of Sydney. 

Christmas holidays - done

It's time to deflate the blow-up Christmas tree, iron the five work shirts and turn one's mind to returning to the pod farm - after a wonderful couple of weeks off.