More Canberra

Hi Readers,

On Sunday we visited Matt Dodds and his girlfriend Alison at their very comfy Defence Housing villa/apartment in Nicholls a suburb of Canberra. The place is terrific.A single level, 3 bedroom, 2 car garage in a complex like Mums. They have it looking very nice and as neat as a pin. We had a lovely time with them and certainly if we come this way again we will call in. He has settled into his life a ADFA ( Australian Defence Force Academy) and enjoys living off site with Alison.She is a first year nursing student at the Catholic Uni of Canberra, and works part time as a carer in and Aged care facility.So they are both pretty busy with their careers.
Monday we spent a very long time at the War Memorial. Fantastic building and displays. Made me feel quite emotional and proud. There were 78 Army recruits on a tour. They were half way through their basic training (which is 80 days) all dressed in suits and regulation very short haircut. had a chat with some of them, all excited about their careers. Such good kids. I even had to administer first aid to a girlfriend of one of the boys. She fainted and was out for a shirt time, but I saved the day!!!!!!! we had lunch in the cafe which was also a speccie building. Huge high cement columns, glass on three walls so fab view over the city and loads of room. nice white chairs and tables...all very smart.Something to be said about designing a city where you can have loads of space, plenty of parking at every venue, well signed and easy to get around.
So today we have been to the Mint where we saw coins being made. All the paper money is made in Melbourne. fantastic for the tourists as they have created viewing platforms to see the whole working of the factory. A lot of robots are used in the making of the coins. Then on to the National Library where we went to the Australian Treasures. This was great. Old maps, Captain Cooks diaries, his desk, some jewellery. It was a variety of early Australia. While I was outside catching some sunshine waiting for Reece he bumped into Val and Rob French. They were off to lunch there. He is High Court Judge. I was sorry to miss them. Then to the wool shop at Manuka for knitting needles as I had broken one. Very nice shopping centre/village with swish shops such as Zampatti, Perri Cuttin etc. Nice coz it was outside and not like a big shopping mall.
I then went to the Turner Exhibition, which was very impressive and a really big collection. Honestly cant say that I would want any on my walls, butI appreciate the art.
Now happy to be home in the van at the EPIC (Exhibition Park in Canberra) sounds posh but it is the Showgrounds. So convenient, only 5 km from the city .
Reece is sitting opposite me doing his art, which he is getting such pleasure from. Fantastic. I have just been playing words with friends on the ipad. oh it is nearly 1700hrs.
Tomorrow we return to Sydney. Such and easy drive along the M7 then onto the M2 freeway all the way, then turn left into the Park at Lane Cove. lots of love to everyone. Pen