Tanbella Orchard

Tanbella Orchard is the only pick-your-own orchard in Canberra. It's strangely situated opposite the (now international) airport - but not under a flight path so probably doesn't get much gunk dropped on it from above.

The orchard grows over 50 types of apple - some you recognise from the supermarket shelves - some like 'Bonza' are less identifiable. They hand you a map on the way in in order to find them (though not all are in fruit at the same time). They even have a couple of pear trees which are labelled as 'unkown' (someone somewhere must be able to categorise them!) but whose lack of provenance only serves to add to the excitement!

It was a lovely Easter Sunday so we headed there - the apple trees are all well trained and/or trellised and none of them too high - so perfect for A&E. You're also invited to taste whatever you like (I guess they figure people can't gorge themselves on apples in the same way you can with strawberries) and as a result it allows you to try apples and judge for yourself whether they suit your palette.

Eli went for Golden Delicious - a type of apple I often avoid in the supermarket as they're typically pulpy and tasteless. Tanbella's though were much crispier and sweeter than ones I'd tasted before. Audrey like me preferred a more tangy/tarty and 'heavier' fruit.

The kids got hooked on picking and trying different styles and as a result our two (nearly full) buckets cost me $25 - something which I'd have baulked at spending on apples in a single supermarket trip. They were begging to stay when I called a halt to their harvest!

In truth though the apples will keep well in the fridge and those we ate that day (we ate a lot both during and after our visit) were eaten with such satisfaction in the knowledge that they were both freshly picked and came without little fiddly stickers or wax coating that the outlay was more than worth it.

The orchard also has a lovely dog (Bowie) who we'd met before - akin to the pop icon the dog has mismatching eyes.

I think the place shuts up in May (when we'll start to be hit with Canberra's cold weather), but we'll be back again next season. I've always thought the orchard as one of Canberra's most underrated and unheralded attractions.

buckets at the ready

Another one for the bucket

checking the map - where to go next!

Easter Liturgy

Eli took part in the school's Easter liturgy. He was a disciple (albeit unnamed) while one of Audrey's friends took the (perhaps unpopular?) role of Judas. They enacted the play around the school and it was split into two parts, half of it in the morning and with the crux of it happening at lunch time.

I didn't have chance to return to watch the second bit, so I'll always be wondering whether they actually crucified the girl they had playing Jesus.

Eli looking disciple-angelic

End of term tennis and pizza

Before Amy died I used to play tennis once a week and really enjoyed it. Since then I've had a bit of a hiatus as working and looking after the kids doesn't really afford me any spare time (plus being exhausted all the time doesn't exactly help). I've always loved the sport and in January signed up again to play with the same couple of coaches who I used to play with previously.

The class size has grown a fair bit since 2014 and the classes relocated to Old Parliament House (which are lovely courts). It's tricky juggling the kids after school but they seem content to sit and watch while I play, though I'm not sure how they're going to go with the nights getting colder as there's not really anywhere they can wait inside. Guess I'll find out before too long.

Monday was our last session and we finished off the term with pizza and a natter. They're a good bunch and the kids were happy to join in and share some of the pizza on offer.

I love, you love, watermelon!

We picked our first ever watermelon from our garden the other day. I've tried growing them in the past without much luck, but incredibly this one grew and we feasted on it. Nothing like as big as the shop bought ones, but ever so sweet.

displayed on a small plate to make it look bigger!

Hashemoto

On Sunday night we went along to a (free apart from a contribution in the tea box) concert at the foot of Canberra's Carillon. It was a casual affair and seemed to have been organised entirely on social media. The local band (Hashemoto) were supported by a great soloist called Tate Sheridan who played an assortment of cover versions and original tracks on piano. 

I've seen Hashemoto a few times before - most recently a couple of years ago at Reconciliation Place by the lake (which is another unusual place to play). They are excellent musicians and the fact that they count a piano and double bass in their trio of instruments makes their choice of unexpected locations all the more remarkable.

It was lovely listening to them as the sun went down behind Aspen island. The space at the bottom of the Carillon actually made for a great venue as the acoustics were terrific. Afterwards the kids scooted/ skateboarded back along the bridge to the car and I was reminded why Canberra is such a lovely place to live.

Hashemoto

Skateboarding home

Spirit Karate Kata Tournament

The kids really love their karate - I signed them up initially as an alternative to after school care (they get picked up from school and taken to karate) but as time has gone on they've really developed a love for it. Saturday was their first Kata tournament. We travelled to the 'sister' dojo (karate place) in Ainslie.

No, I didn't know what Kata meant either.

Essentially Kata is a series of moves which goes into showing your overall technique - some of the moves are actually quite complex, but in junior grades it can be as simple as repeating steps and punches in a certain way. Two competitors 'fight' off against each other by repeating their moves while watched by a judge.

It would be easy to dismiss it as 'dancing' in a way, but the sensei (the martial arts teacher) assesses which competitor carries out their Kata with the greatest accuracy. I learnt during the day that it wasn't only repetition, but also how effective the punch is or the steps made, judging was even based on how you held your thumbs!

Both the kids did really well. They were so nervous beforehand as we've never really done anything like this before, but they were so happy at the end. There's a big bout at the end during which the category/age winners all 'fight' off. The winner (which the kids both look up to in awe) was an older teenage girl (who is brown belt senior) which the kids told me in hushed tones is only one step away from black belt.

The kids with their Kata faces on!

Ex Govies in Canberra

I entered a question as part of ABC's series of 'Curious Canberra' and the thing kind of ran out of control. We live in a small ex-govie house and I asked about the origins of the design. The journalist, Sonya Gee who worked on it was fabulous and so so thorough in her investigations. If you want to know more about the subject you'll have to listen to the link below or read the attached website!




See also this link which gives you loads more info and pictures....
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-20/whats-the-story-behind-canberras-ex-govie-houses/8251618