First stop was the National Police Memorial which I hadn't visited before near Aspen island. It pays tribute to 757 police men and women killed in the line of duty. I must admit I normally run a mile from this sort of thing, but it was actually well worth the visit and very moving. Plus with more violent incidents occurring every time you turn on the television these days - it was somehow all the more real and confronting.
We then wandered down the hill to definitely one of my favourite places in Canberra, Aspen Island - or for many - the island with the Carillon on it. I used to spend so much time down here in my early years in Canberra....having picnics, reading while strange boyfriends fished for carp in the lake, watching films at the open air cinema...I didn't realise how much I missed it til the weekend. I love the weeping willows....
The black swans even though the feeling is not mutual....
And of course the Carillon itself...50 metres tall and containing 55 bells....
It had also completely escaped me that Canberrans had got all romantic recently and have tried to turn the bridge to the island into a Parisian bridge of love :)
Before we left the island, as I have put my feet in most of the great oceans in the world, I decided it was time to test the waters of Lake Burley Griffin....
Then it was off further around the lake to visit Blundell's cottage, built in 1860, which is unfortunately shut at the moment. One day they will let me live here...won't they? I promise I will be good :)
Nearby another memorial caught my eye, at first it appear to be a memorial to EL2 job application selection criteria, but it turned out to be for emergency services staff...
We then went to the National Capital Authority Exhibition on the history of Canberra at Regatta Point. Rather embarrassingly for someone who has been in Canberra for 14 years and even an official human, I had never been here. Highly recommended. You can read about all those crazy names they wanted to give Canberra...some more crazy than others!
...try and find your house on the model of Canberra if you are a dag like me....
How cute does my apartment look from here? You can't see the stains on the roof at all :p
And engage in the usual heated debates as to why Canberra sucks (bad Bill Bryson :p) or doesn't suck...
Though we know it doesn't suck. Just ask the OECD or the new york times :p
Even if the history doesn't interest you, you can have a great lunch here with an amazing view.
A short stroll in each direction also leads to some interesting monuments...new and old...
That was basically it for Parkes on the northside of the lake because the fountain wasn't ejaculating :(
But before we got rained out AGAIN (jesus Canberra stop with the summer storms!), I was determined to head back to the other side of the lack and check out some of the bits we had missed the weekend before.
First stop was the rather landscape National Portrait Gallery. What can I say I love this place!
Just remember do not walk into the bookshop with a credit card it is too dangerous.
Make sure you catch the current In the Flesh exhibition on at the moment. I wouldn't exactly say you will necessary 'enjoy' it, but this exhibition is very powerful and there are some stunning works included. The NGA website describes it as 'enthralling and immersive'. I think that works
Before we finished our second Big Day Out in Parkes, we also wandered down to the lake for the last thing on my list - to see the new part of the NGA down near the lake dedicated to contemporary artists. Its a small space, but I think they have done a really great job. I can get a bit 'meh' about some contemporary art, but they have some really interesting and powerful works on display in this gallery. Plus I just loved this picture called 'I am a genius' by Dale Frank (I could only photograph a small portion of it).
But once again Canberra's weather told us it was time to call it a day...in fact it was clearly really trying to get our attention, because while we were in the gallery the whole of Lake BG appeared to disappear....though some intrepid tourists were not to be deterred...
Eventually a Canberra re-appeared though and thankfully a much cooler one as well!
So it was time to head home through the reflective puddles pondering our uber day out...Thank you Parkes, I had a blast. Can't wait to see you all dressed up for Enlighten :)
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