Suburb #46 Deakin

For suburb number 46, I decided to try and reclaim Deakin, a suburb that for me generally means I need to visit a specialist or to have some part of my body x-rayed or otherwise poked and prodded so that the medical profession can tell me that my body is weird but they don't know what is actually wrong.

Deakin is named after Alfred Deakin, the second prime minister of Australia, who was also known as 'Affable Alfred'. He played a major role in the establishment of the High Court, but alas was a major supporter of the White Australia Policy and other objectionable things.

The streets here are named after Governors, Governor Generals and diplomats.

Despite the hospital and many medical facilities, Deakin is actually a gorgeous suburb with lots to see. It feels a lot like walking around an English village in some parts or a natural Floriade. I can't believe there are just beautiful flowers everywhere - even purple irises just growing by the roadside (can't believe I forgot to take a photo of these I think I was too stunned - only in Canberra would these not have been chopped off and stolen by someone!).

But like elsewhere in Canberra you can also just walk around the corner and feel like you are in the middle of the bush...

Or around another corner....back in Gunghalin again :p

I was really pleased to see the local shops in Deakin were still full of life! I love the sculpture and .had an awesome lunch at the cute Doubleshot cafe.

For those interested in art, between the medical clinics, there are also rather oddly not one but two galleries in Deakin (both free to visit).

The gorgeous Beaver Galleries (I must check out the cafe here sometime.) which I was aware of....

But also the Margaret Dimoff gallery which I was unaware of and I understand unfortunately might not be there for much longer. I need a rich benefactor to buy me her 'winter journey' painting.

There are a limited numbers of embassies here just down from the shops - or soon will be :p

How cool is the roof of the Timorese embassy!

Our fearless leader is also supposed to live here (note: I risked incarceration taking this not very exciting photo)...with the lodge built in the 1920s at a cost of £28,319.

The Mint, where all the coins in your pockets will have been made, is also in Deakin....

I must admit I had never been here before but dropped in and went on one of the free tours, and it was actually really interesting (though I recommend potentially not going during school holidays and floriade!). One of the robots doing all the work was called 'Robbie' :p

You can also make your own coin here if you want (well press a button and have a machine do it for you...). If you are weird like me, you may also be excited that you can currently see the key to the door of Parliament House here :)