Park life

Since the big bangs on the hill, work has been far too busy. Which leaves the weekend as recovery. And now this weekend had to do some work during recovery time! But we managed to also find time to have fun and during the days make the most of the lovely weather (16 degrees). 

On Friday night we checked out a new-ish Belco restaurant, Malaysian Chapter, and you can read how fab it was here. 

Plenty of wildlife around Lake Ginninderra on Saturday morning. My favourite sighting was the Gang gang cockatoos in the carpark trees of John Knight Park. 

Dusky moorhen in the algae

Lake G water rat

Gang Gang cockatoo

West Belconnen wetland ducks

Tired, tired, tired. It was a quiet weekend, but great to have sun and blue sky. Took a trip to the outer wetlands - a lovely afternoon but no rare ducks sighted. Last time we thought we saw a Freckled Duck. I'm serious. 

Check out the Mallards we saw here. 

Sunday drivers

M and I took a drive to Yass today to check it out. On the way to we travelled down Mountain Creek Road - a lovely drive with plenty of winged wildlife to see, including diamond fire tails. 

I didn't realise but Yass was home to someone very famous - Hamilton Hume, the first Australian born explorer. He is buried in the Yass cemetery, which has many old and interesting looking headstones. And he lived in Cooma Cottage, just out of Yass. The cottage is owned by the National Trust - it was supposed to be open this afternoon, but we were out of luck. 

Hume discovered the Bogan!

Yass main street 

Cooma cottage

Apparently Hume and his fellow explorer Hovell were actually enemies, both trying to make claims about the expedition they made together. Perhaps it was a class thing - Hume was the currency lad, Hovell the Brit cit. 

On wintry pond

On the way home we detoured past West Belconnen Pond, a well-known twitcher hot spot. We think we saw some freckled ducks, and a blue billed duck with a fan tail. Unfortunately photo shy. 

More things to see in Canberra

Australian National Botanic Gardens - bower bird bower

Nana's Pearls (vintage shopping), Tharwa General store - signage

Lanyon Homestead stables

 

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Walking at Orroral tracking station

Had an outing to Namadji National Park to check out the Granite Tor walk at the old Orroral tracking station. About 50 minute drive from Canberra - lovely scenery and a moderately challenging walk. The track was steep in parts - a bit slippery on the gravel when coming down the hill. Excellent spot to see kangaroos, lizards and we also spotted a scarlet robin.

 

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misty

This morning we awoke to discover our view had disappeared. It looked beautiful and wasn't that cold. We had a walk around the lake before breakfast. The fog still hadn't lifted by 8 am. 

Smiley face stencil, Lake Ginninderra

Yesterday, the bottle brush was attracting crimson rosellas. 

I met a friend for coffee at Silo and had the most incredible peach brulee for morning tea. The place is well known for its superior bakery goods and a bit of attitude. Both up to a high standard this morning. 


I've been looking for an entertainment unit (second hand) and went back for a second look at one I saw at the Salvos at Fyshwick. I'm still undecided but while there picked up a silk skirt and a new rashie ($1 each) and a beautiful vase for just $2. And a book. Just one. If you go there make sure you check out the separate 'bargain basement' downstairs.