28km east of Tumut lies Goobarragandra – well, the Goobarragandra River anyway. This is prime trout fishing territory and there’s a trout farm just downstream. But although BB is an avid angler the trout is out of season. We content ourselves with exploring the river.
The current swirling around boulders makes a nice photographic study.
Sometimes landscape photography is about being at the right place at the right time. This really applies for sunsets, especially winter sunsets. The sun dips so quickly that you have a mere five minutes in which to take shots before darkness falls.
Luckily in Tumut, I was in the right place at the right time. There was a beautiful strand of gum trees just opposite the cottage, so it was a matter of ducking out into the cold and taking as many shots as I could within those critical 5 minutes.
These trees were radiant in the golden winter sunset. I couldn’t help but be in awe as I looked up at the mottled trunk into the wispy canopy. It was a truly magical moment.
And now for something different.
We escaped Canberra, first stopping at Clonakilla (a small but very successful winery), and then at Gundagai’s Niagara Cafe (with its genuine art deco interior and interesting history). Our destination however was Tumut. Nestled by the Tumut River, at the foot of the Snowy Mountains, it is a very quiet and scenic place.
Our cottage was in a paddock, by the river. It was wonderfully quiet, and the light at sunset was the best I’d seen yet.
We’re at Black Mountain Tower. The last time I came here was probably in the late Eighties. Strangely, its interior (of the observation deck at least) doesn’t seem to have been renovated since then – the pebble-crete flooring is still in tact, and the cafe only serves retro favourites.
None of the interior detracts from the view outside, however.
We climbed the stairs to the two exterior observation floors, and the view was spectacular.
There weren’t any snow on the Brindabella Ranges though. That was quite good news for us, because we really didn’t want to drive on icy roads.
Lake Burley Griffin was calm on this bright and crisp Sunday morning. Many people were about walking, jogging, cycling, kayaking. Canberrans seem to be an active lot (relatively). Me, I spent some time reading a book in the sun – the warmest place to be.
In the distance is the Black Mountain tower. We’ll go there tomorrow.
If there’s two things that everyone in Australia knows about Canberra it’s that it’s full of roundabouts, and it’s bloody freezing in winter. Now I’ve experienced both at the same time.
The beagle loves walks, especially walks along the beach, more than she loves food. If you know about beagles and their obsession with food then you realise that taking walks is Number One in their list of things to do. Perhaps it’s because they are in their most natural element on the beach, especially a leash-free beach like this part of Umina Beach is. The beagle can sniff and mark territory and dig holes (almost) wherever she likes.
And of course she can run like the wind.
For a change, a black and white photograph of the beach in shadow. I think winter lends itself to beautiful monochrome photos.
Apologies for the lack of posts the last two weeks. BB and I have been on the road around NSW. We’re almost on the home stretch and have many photos to show you, but until then here are a few posts about our last walk along Umina Beach. There seemed to be a dog owner’s convention – a large dog owner’s convention – that seemed to freak our little beagle right out.
Some early winter roses from BB’s garden – before he pruned them all.
Static and Silence 