Heading to the Snowy Mountains

Well Canberra has come and gone and what a fantastic time we had. The weather was perfect with chilly mornings, magnificent clear skies and days in the low 20's. Canberra at its' Autumn best.

We arrived late Monday and managed to park on the side of the road in Chris and Kirby's street which took some of the worry away.

It was lovely seeing Kirby again and she made us feel so welcome.

Tuesday morning we caught up with my sister in law Alison and then had a surprise visit from my brother Bruce who ducked out of work to see us. Then their daughter Gilly came in which made for a really nice morning tea visit.

Then it was off to the Mint which we all enjoyed. The kids got to make their own $1 coin which only cost us $3 each...what a bargain????

Chris arrived that night and it was great to catch up with him. Tonia went with Kirby and Chris to a pub to watch a band they were hoping to have for their wedding but apparently they were pretty ordinary.

Wednesday the five of us went to the National Museum of Australia. Although we didn't spend the whole day there as you would expect with three little ones we found plenty to do that was interactive and enjoyable for the kids. They designed their own futuristic houses on a computer before getting to see these and their own faces in a 3D movie.

Then they went upstairs to make and decorate a 1913 style hat which they then wore in a film shown on a big screen in the museum. The kids had a ball cutting, gluing and designing their own hats.

We had lunch down on lake Burly and then Chris and I went off to the panel beaters to have the bike rack mounted on the back of the caravan. Much better weight distribution...fingers crossed they stay attached.

Thursday morning I was up at 3.30 to head off to the dawn service at the War Memorial. Chris and Kirby were attending with the Federal Guard so I was really pleased when we got to sit together. What an amazing experience.
There were thousands of people there.
I don't know if it was 30000 as reported on the news but it was truly incredible.
It was extremely cold, minus 2 according to the news but I always think rain or cold adds to the whole thing. It helps me imagine in some small way what the diggers had to put up with back 98 years ago.

The letters from diggers from the different wars being read out, the bagpipes being played and then the bugler from the top of the War  Memorial barely visible in the dawn light just made this a morning I will never forget. I took a few pics that unfortunately didn't come out. Then there was the thousands of people walking down Anzac parade after the service.
WOW

Then the seven of us headed back into the City for the morning service and the march passed. It was great to share this with the kids. We went back to Chris' work for a BBQ and a game of two up. We also won a prize in one of the raffles which was a basket of various things including our new mascot for the trip - Hooterbell. She should appear in a lot of our photo's from now on so keep an eye out for her.

 

We sadly said good bye to Chris and Kirby Friday morning knowing that when we next see them it will be the day before their wedding in September. Thanks to you both for making us feel so welcome in your home. The love you show our kids is amazing and we all love spending time with you both. We will miss you.

Then it was time for the real thing!!!!

We headed south down the Monaro Hwy and arrived in Cooma a couple of hours later after a brief stop at the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme Centre. Really informative and great service. Nice coffee too.

Then a play in the park and a visit to the old Cooma gaol museum which is right in town next to the current and still operating gaol. Great place to visit...the museum that is.  We picked up a door stop for Linc which was for sale in the museum craft stall which is stocked with art and crafts created by the prisoners.

 

We are now set up in the local caravan park and are expecting a cold night. If it isn't too bad in the van we will stay here for a few nights. A day visiting Jindabyne and the resorts and then a good look around Cooma surrounds before moving on Monday.

We have been a bit spoiled with all the time we have spent with family and friends over the first two weeks of our holiday which has been truly wonderful but now the true trip begins. Just the five of us and lots of adventures ahead.

Just a side note. Thanks to our lovely neighbours the McSweeney's who provided us a book showing all the big, giant, tall etc things in Australia we are going to do our best to visit, or at least take a pic of all the things that fall into this category that we can as we travel. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control we don't have a photo of the Big Merino in Goulburn but see below for the Big Owl pic that we saw as we drove through a Canberra suburb...two down lots more to go.

Life is great!!