Canberra Mini Break Away

My DH and I have just enjoyed the last three days away on a long overdue mini break.  Originally this was planned for about this time last year but then we suddenly had aging parents who weren't well and we really needed to be around for them, then mum died just after Christmas and after the last couple of months with losing both fathers too, we decided it was time for that break.

We headed to our nation's capital, Canberra, starting with a visit to the National Gallery where there was an exhibition on Australian artist Sydney Long.  We were able to join a most informative talk from the curator on this artist and so when looking at all his paintings and etchings afterwards, saw things that we may not have noticed had they not been pointed out.

We splurged on dinner that night at the revolving restaurant on Black Mountain, where the food was absolutely delicious, while enjoying wonderful night views overlooking the city.

This is a view across Lake Burley Griffin towards Black Mountain with the communications tower on top.  There is a viewing platform on the level above the restaurant which is open all year round to visitors.

On Friday morning we went to visit Floriade, a wonderful spring garden display that has been an annual event for many years, and something I've wanted to see for a while now.  I can honestly say I've never seen so many tulips before.  Each garden bed has a particular design which on ground level is a bit hard to see (you would need to ride the ferris wheel for an overall view of the gardens) and there are all sorts of other spring flowers planted in and around the tulips.

There was a huge bed of poppies which I think had a stiletto shoe design formed from low growing annuals.  Poppies always remind me of my grandmother, who planted annuals in her front garden each season and had vases of flowers including poppies and pansies inside as well.

We spent a very pleasant morning wandering around these beautiful gardens before heading off to Cockington Green, a miniature village at Gold Creek, Weston.  Each building has taken hours to construct and there are all sorts of funny little things around each display, the crocodile in the lake, nessy in a canal, the person thrown from a horse and landed head first in a bush.

On Friday evening we went to the cinema to see Hotel Transylvania, lots of fun!  Yesterday, we woke to grey skies and drizzle and so visited The Mint, quite an interesting place showing all the processes in how coins are made as well as the history behind how Australian coins came into being.  We finished our trip to Canberra by lunching with my Aunt and three cousins who I rarely see.  It was really lovely to catch up.

And so we are now home again feeling refreshed from our mini break away.

Have a crafty day!