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.
After a lunch of prawn and chilli pizza, and chicken pesto linguine (waited upon by a surprisingly patient beagle), we headed back home to the Coast. I particularly like this shot of our princess. Many dogs like to poke their heads out of moving car windows – she’s no exception.
After the winery we drove back to the village in search of lunch. There was of course the famous Wollombi pub, the favourite haunt of all those bikers on the road, but we chose instead a quieter cafe set in an old weatherboard cottage just around the corner. Along the way we passed St Michael’s, the old Catholic church. The present church was built in the 1890’s after the original church was flooded, using the rough hand-hewn sandstone blocks from the first church. You can still see its foundations right next to the ‘new’ church.
Static and Silence 