Friday 2nd Dec – Wednesday 7th Dec – “Where our Tax Money Goes…”

What other city should we visit next then the capital city of Australia – a city we have never been to.  Even though it is the capital the population there is only about 300 000 and our choice of van parks was not wide.  We went to the only van park in the city “Canberra Motor Village” which was costly for what it was, however it was central.  And we knew our days here would just be jam packed as there is so much to see and do.  So the list for the next few days was

Ø      Questacon

Ø      Cockington Green Gardens

Ø      Australia Institute of Sport

Ø      Australian War Memorial

Ø      Parliament House

Ø      High Court

Ø      Australian Royal Mint

Ø      National Museum of Australia

Ø      Government House

Ø      Canberra Centre shopping mall

Ø      Old Bus Depot Markets

So we had just over 4 days to fit all this in and all the museums and buildings close at 5pm.  With some careful planning we were able to do it.  Sylvia, Mark’s Mum, joined us on Saturday – her first visit to Canberra as well.  So now our Jayco was sleeping 5.  Cosy and warm was good because the nights got down to a minimum of 4 degrees.

So all about Canberra.  We can now see where our tax payer’s dollars have gone to.  This city is immaculate, with no money spared in all the national buildings along with the most immaculate gardens.  The boys just loved Questacon – in one day they learnt they probably learnt as much as they would in about 7 years of science and so did Mark and I.  It was brilliant!!!  So great we went back a second day – helped Mark and I to retain what we had learnt through revision. 

The Old Bus Depot Markets was a great place to indulge.  You walk in and before you know someone is putting a tasting sample of whatever they are selling in your hands- olives (more olives), homemade dips, fudges, salad dressings, sauces, more fudge, - you name it, it was there.  Luckily we only have a camper with limited space otherwise I would have spent a fortune.

Then we went and tried out our sporting talents at the Australia Institute of Sport.  I think we will stick to our day jobs – oh that’s right – we don’t have one at the moment.  It was interesting to see the facilities for our sporting stars.  I think the boys were just so amazed, totally different to their local soccer club or running track at school.

Museums are museums.  You have go to be there to read all about it to get the drift.  And we didn’t find any money at the Australian Royal Mint.  The boys thought it was not quite right where you had to pay $3 to make your own $1 coin.  How does that work???????

So that was our whirlwind trip of Canberra!

(photos coming....)