Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra

During the last few months I've 'met' several new bloggers from a number of countries. Therefore, I thought I'd post some more photos of the city in which I live. Canberra is the Capital City of Australia, with a population of approx. 320,000. It is situated in the southeast of the Australian continent, about 700metres (2000 feet) above sea level.

Lake Burley Griffin, named after the landscape architect who originally designed Canberra, is the centrepiece of the city. The Lake is actually a dammed up section of the Molonglo River. These photos were taken at this time last year.

(Click to enlarge photo.)

Captain Cook Water Jet

Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and Black Mountain

Flags of the world along the lake with the National Library in the background.

The Carillion (bell tower). A gift from the United Kingdom.

Mt. Ainslie framed by Manchurian Pears.

National Science Centre (right), white building on left is Old Parliament House (1927-1988) with the new Parliament House behind.

The High Court of Australia.

Kings Avenue Bridge and the Carillion.

The National Library of Australia.

Reflections in Commonwealth Park.

Flagpole above Parliament House.

Black Mountain and Tower.

View towards the city.

Looking southwest towards the Brindabella Ranges.

Guess where we went today .....

..... that's right - to Floriade

This year's theme was Australian Icons, Myths and Legends. However, it's very difficult to determine what is what from ground level, so I didn't even try and just took photos instead.

(Click on photo for larger view.)

Enough tulips to make a Dutch family homesick.

A model of the Australian War Memorial made entirely of sand.

This one is for Kerri. The Waratah is the State Floral Emblem of New South Wales.

The 'bathing boxes' feature Australian advertising signs, eg. Vegemite.

They have arrived!

Sara and Josh arrived safely in Belgium at 1.00pm (local time) on Tuesday, after a very long and uneventful flight - 37 hours after leaving home.

Their apartment in Antwerp is only about 5 minutes walk from Russell's so they won't feel too alone, and in a day or two it will be down to the business of playing and coaching hockey for Sara.

Farewell, Sara and Josh

Travel safely, enjoy your 3 months in Belgium, see lots of new places in your free time, make new friends, experience new cultures, learn to drive on the other side of the road, and have a fantastic time.

Oh, Sara, don't forget to win lots of hockey matches while you're there, too....

.... and don't let your big brother, Russell, tease you too much....lol.

Grand Final Victory

Sara's hockey team, University of Canberra Hockey Club (UCHC) won their Grand Final today against St. Patricks, 5-0. I was so excited watching the match that I forgot to take photos until after it was all over.

Victory Lap. (Sara is second from left, with the white water bottle)

Receiving their medals.

One very happy hockey player.

With girlfriends, Emma and Bridget, to help her celebrate.

Sara and Josh.