We took the kids to Canberra last weekend. They had Friday off school, and we had dropped Josie off at the boarding kennels the evening before, so we hit the road at about 9am. Canberra is about 2 and a half hours drive from Wollongong and it is majot freeway almost door to door, so nice and easy. We stayed at some apartments right in the middle of Canberra, which was fantastic, it was so central. The apartment was really nice with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining and lounge. Fancier that our house! When we first got into Canberra we went to the major shopping mall and had some sausage rolls for lunch. Then a short walk around the shops and then it was time to check in to the apartments. After a bit of a rest we walked back into town and took the kids on a carousel ride. There is a very, very old carousel in the middle of the city, I think it dates from the early 1900's.
The next morning we went straight to Questacon, the big science museum. It is such a great place with heaps of stuff for the kids (and grown ups) to do. We were there all morning. Ruby was a bit challenging with nicking off every now and then, but mostly it was OK. We had a picnic lunch and then went to Parliament House (or, as Declan calls it, "Kevin's Office). Ruby had fallen asleep in the car so I sat with her in the carpark while Brett took the boys in and gave them a quick tour. Their biggest thrill was running up and down the big grassy hills that are at either side of the entrance way. Apparently they did this several time while Brett chatted to a police man about the weather.
After Parliament House we headed out to Cockington Green- the "Little Houses". We have been there before, but as we had free tickets we decided to take the kids again. It's cute, but it doesn't change much. Once again we took a train ride and then had some devonshire tea in the coffee shop. By then it was time to head back to the apartment. The children had been thrilled beyond belief to find that there was a McDonalds right in the same building as the apartments. Could it get any better!!!!???? So we had dinner there, with some dubious clientelle who seemed to think pyjamas and dressing gowns were appropriate wear for 6pm.
On our last day in Canberra we went to the Australian Museum, which is really amazing. I would love to spend a day there on my own and actually get to look at some of the exhibits. Instead we did the blink-and-you'll-miss-it tour. Even though the kids skimmed most of it we were still there for a good 2 hours, so it was a worthwhile morning. Then it was back in the car and home to the 'Gong. I took the kids to pick Josie up that evening, she was very, very glad to see us, and the man who runs the kennels said she had been great for her first time away from home.
Then it was back to the real world on Monday. I had to take Simon to the doctor's because he has, of all things, a nasal polyp. WTF? I mean, seriously... So after spending close to $50 on cortizone spray, we now wait and see if it subsides or if we need an appointment with the ENT surgeon. My fingers are crossed!!
1 comment:
Thanks for stopping in to leave a comment over at Momformation. My husband is half Australian. His Mum is from Perth, where she was a domestic science teacher before she married his dad. Needless to say, mum-in-law is not all that impressed with my lack of domestic prowess. We apparently have oodles of "cousins" down under and I am hoping to visit them someday.
Post a Comment