3rd January - Canberra

Canberra takes a lot of flack from the Aussies, but I quite like it.  It is exactly one hundred years old this year and is a planned city, with wide avenues, lots of green spaces and water and is easy to get around.  The centre of Canberra is all government offices, but there are lots of small suburbs/towns, each with its own character. 

Kate lives in Kingston in a stunning new apartment, just round the corner from the main Kingston area, full of shops, bars and restaurants.

At the Centre of Canberra there is Lake Burley Griffin and across the water is the bell tower.  It is fabulous place to walk around.  Lots of birds, trees and wildlife.

Meet Charlie.... one of many

 We walked from Kingston to the portrait gallery in the morning and then Parliament House in the afternoon.  They were predicting 35 degrees today and I think we reached it.

The was lots of sculpture everywhere, and this one is for the northerners out there

A mini Angel of the North by Anthony Gormley

Just loved going back to Parliament House, great modern architecture, built well and incorporating lots of materials for every part of Australia.

Getting to know the locals !

Inside there is a huge tapestry made by the Womens Guild, it is absolutely beautiful.

This is only one small part of it

Lastly - Aboriginal Rights

The one change I have noticed so much since my first visit 12 years ago is with the aboriginal peoples.  When I first came you hardly ever saw them anywhere, and if you did, unfortunately they seem to be down and outs, usually drunk.  It was incredibly sad.  But this time I see them and references to them everywhere, in the media and in art, music and literature.  There are of course still major problems, but feel that they now at least have a voice and they are being heard.  It will take many many years for any sort of true reconcilation, but at least it has started.  It certainly wasn't having 12 years ago.

A bill that was successful a few years ago giving 'native title' - giving recognition for partial rights for native title to land, which recognised the native people as the original owners.  It is still clearly debated, but has lead to these people being heard.

Many bridges were crossed when the prime minister on behalf of white Australians apologised for the stolen generation of aboriginal children who were taken for their parents and given to white families to bring up.

A slightly humerous but interesting picture is of the aboriginal embassy, which has now become an institution outside the old Parliament Building.

In the evening we found a Belgian Beer hostelry - oh dear! and very nice it was too.

Thai Beef Salad
Rump steak cooked, rested and then thinly sliced
Lettuce, cucumber, red pepper, mint and coriander leaves, spring onions and peanuts
Dressing: fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, sweet chilli sauce and a little brown sugar

Oh! and a glass of lovely chilled white wine