Canberra Balloon Spectacular

We got up early to see the Canberra Balloon Spectacular and were lucky to watch the beagle balloon take off. It's reputedly the largest hot air balloon in the world, which isn't difficult to believe as it was vast.

The Cashews on Canberra Day

Canberra Day, our annual holiday to celebrate...errr..Canberra, came round again. It was a beautiful sunny day and somehow I persuaded the kids to accompany me on a trip round the lake with Canberra duo 'The Cashews'. They're a folkey-funny pair and I've been a fan for some time. Their style is easy going and they're both very talented singers and musicians. I've seen them in various situations but this was unique in that it was a bike tour at four locations around Lake Burley-Griffin.

After each set we all got on our bikes (including Pete the singer who carried an amp in a bike trailer) and set off for the next venue. They described it as a concert-come-rehearsal!

There weren't many of us that completed the full lap, but at each stop there were probably 20 or 30 people and we passed round a hat at each juncture.

We ended up underneath the Carillon (the large bell tower on Aspen Island - donated by Britain to Canberra - can you imagine the uproar now if Britain donated a bell tower to somewhere else in the world?) where the bells competed with the singing. It was a really fun day and I hope they repeat it annually!

Enlighten and Night Noodle Markets

Enlighten rolled into town again, along with the night noodle markets. 

Enlighten is an annual festival, part of which includes lighting up complex light displays on Canberra's significant buildings. It's a remarkable show and with the warm evening's we've been enjoying offers a pleasant meander around Canberra's parliamentary triangle.

Unfortunately as we we were lining up for noodles we were hit by a passing shower, which threw the crowds into a bit of a disarray. Fortunately things dried up as quickly as the rain clouds had arrived.

In truth, I'm not sure we'll bother with the noodle markets again. They're interesting, but as each year passes the prices rise and the size of the servings shrink. Instead we found that outside of the confines of the market (it's a separate fenced off area which you queue to get in) the ACT government had encouraged other (cheaper but less hipster) fast food options which were a fair bit cheaper - I think it's fish and chips for us next time around.

Either way, the lights are always fabulous and the organisers seem to manage to change things around every year. Audrey and I always love the portrait gallery which has a photo booth which allows you to have your mug-shot projected onto the side of the building.

New Letterbox

Our old letterbox has been falling apart for several years and had taken on quite a substantial lean. I managed (with some help from our neighbour) to discard of the old letterbox and install a bright new one (which I found!) and install a garden pipe within it.

After we'd fitted it, the kids and I did a circuit of the block and our street. I reckon we've pretty much got the 3rd best letterbox in the street now!

out with the old

in with the new

Eli flies the flag

With the year 5's and 6's away on school camp, responsibility for raising the flags outside of the kid's school fell to Eli's class. He was ever so pleased to be selected for the duty. There are (rightly) three flags to raise, the Aboriginal flag, the Torres Strait flag and the Australian flag.

It was lovely watching him and his friends at work. They were very diligent  in their duties, ensuring the flags didn't touch the ground and made sure they were folded correctly at the end of the day.

Apple picking in Piallago (Tanbella Orchard)

With Eli at a soccer tournament I took Audrey and her mate apple picking at an orchard in Piallago near Canberra airport. The orchard has dozens of different apples (which ripen at different times of the year) and you are able to try any apple that takes your fancy.

When apples are presented in this way it's remarkable how different they are - some soft, some crisp, some sharp and some extremely sweet.

There's a standard cost for all varieties so you can pick from one tree or mooch around and pick apples from lots of trees. What I really like about it is that all the trees are quite small so it's perfect for kids.

There were a few rows of peaches and nectarines as well. Sadly we'd missed the best of the fruit by a couple of weeks, but (note to self) we'll be back next year to get some from there.

It's difficult in some ways not to go completely overboard and fill your basket. As we'd been a couple of times before I knew to make sure Audrey only picked enough for a week or two.

The orchard also has a dog with different coloured eyes called Bowie. 

Return and Earn - Queanbeyan

About six months ago a 'reverse vending machine' appeared in Queanbeyan, NSW (just across the ACT border). The machine pays 10c per can or bottle. Items are put into a slot and then a conveyor takes them, scans the barcode and then credits you 10c. You can choose to take the money in cash or paid into your Paypal account or given directly to charity.

The kids had been collecting bottles and cans for a few weeks and we finally took a few bags along to try the machine out for ourselves. In total we cashed in just over $12 worth of bottles and cans. Audrey and Eli were happy to get the cash and it was actually a surprisingly fun way to spend a sunny morning. Apparently since the machine was installed it's been responsible for handing out thousands of dollars.