Getting our Potter on!

Gold Creek in Canberra' north is a strange, but interesting area. It's given over as a tourist resort with a wide variety of things to see and do. A (great) walk through aviary a dinosaur museum and Cockington Green (Canberra's own miniature village).  

Set back in one corner of the area is 'the Abbey' a large wedding/conference venue which we'd never visited before, but is actually picture-perfect to replicate the Great Hall in Hogwarts. It has a large organ occupying one of its walls and by its very nature has a bit of a gothic feel to it.

I can't remember where I saw it advertised but to celebrate winter solstice a 'Great Wizard's Ball' had been organised. Both Audrey and Elijah are hooked on Harry Potter at the moment, so it only seemed right that we went along.

The organisers actually put on two balls - an adult version (with booze) in the evening and a kids event (which we went to). Audrey and Eli really loved it. There were plenty of Harry Potter references and we all gratefully slurped our sweet tasting butter beer while we ate our food.

The time went by really quickly and the afternoon was finished off with a fire twirling display outside. It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon with the kids.

Book Week - Jet Pack and the Power Puff girls

The school's annual book week rolled into town once more. It was notable as this will be Audrey's final book week which is a bit of a strange feeling. She chose to go with a couple of her mates as the Power Puff girls. The girls organised their own costumes which was great. Eli went in a jetpack which was loads of fun to make.

Obstacool

Rather than the (rather dull) sponsored walk, this year the kid's school had an Obstacool - a series of inflatables laid out as a obstacle course. It was a stunning Autumn day and the kids had so much fun running laps of it. It was a great course and I believe quite a lucrative money-spinner too so hopefully it'll be back in future years.

Here's some photos of the kids being put through their paces...

The Art of Vision (part of national science week)

We went along to a free event at the ANU called the Art of Vision. It was a demonstration of various eye conditions and how your vision is affected. It was a fun (and very well catered!) event. It was lead by a lady from Vision Australia who herself was partially sighted.

Sight is such an important sense and we are so lucky to have it.

CFC

Eli has been playing his first season in (proper) outdoor football. He's playing for Canberra FC (Deakin). It's a good group of boys (and girls) and although he went along knowing only a handful of the other boys the club spirit is strong and he's now mates with a lot of the team.

They've had a spectacular season (winning every game apart from one draw). Although I love the sport I was never much of a player and Eli shows a lot more acumen and commitment for it than I ever did. 

It's been a good year for the Raiders

Our Raiders membership stretches back five seasons now. We were originally given a free membership, but we've continued renewing it so I'd now classify us as true supporters. Initially I think it was the kids who dragged me along but over time all three of us have grown to love the Green Machine.

The club has a fairly decent history of success, but hasn't appeared in a final for 25 years. In the five years we've been going they've got close to a final once but typically we've endured heartache and a couple of false dawns. 

Despite variable results on the pitch what impresses me with the club is their attitude to their fans. The club does a lot of sessions where you can meet the players and when you do get to chat to the players they are always courteous and kind and have a lot of time for the kids. Because of the team's commitment to the community it's easy to forgive them their fluctuating form. 

Rugby League is a simple sport (rules-wise you essentially have to be able to count up to six) but it's equally exciting to watch and Canberra has a good groundswell of support. Our family #bleedsgreen

Audrey on Pumpkin