Suburb #77 Rivett

Suburb no. 77 was Rivett in the South. I have to say it wasn't the most riverting suburban experience i have had, but I still had a lovely walk in the sun.

Rivett is named after Sir Albert Cherbury David Rivett - a man with an impressive name. He was a scientist but to be honest I am not really sure why a suburb was named after him unless it was because he was married to Alfred Deakin's daughter. He was Chairman of the CSIRO for a bit though and was one of those folks given the title of the Night Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.

The streets here are named after Australian flora.

As I often do, I started my adventures at the local shops....they look like they are struggling a bit to keep going but they are not giving up without a fight...and a very chipper baker!

Someone has made a valiant effort to create a tile display like the one I saw in Watson recently but I am afraid the outcome is a little sad :(

There is a very cute dog in residence though :)

And the parkland around the shops is quite pretty...

Even if the locals may be trying to make contact with aliens..

There are, however, a lot of Australian flags around here which you know makes me cranky...

But also other things that symbolise Australia more appropriately for me...

I think Rivett could do with a little more love...

Because it certainly has potential....thanks Rivett :)

Suburb #76 Barton

On a beautiful Canberra sunny winter day a while back I decided to explore Barton - one of the central suburbs of Canberra, next to Capital Hill.

Barton is named after Edward Barton, Australia's first Prime Minister and one of the founding justices of the High Court of Australia. Growing up in Glebe, he went to Fort Street High School and then on to the University of Sydney. He received the University Medal but unlike me went on to do something useful first as a barrister, politician and then a judge. Apparently he was, however, known by the nickname 'Toby Tosspot' as he was fond of long dinners and good wine. I also like that a cricket match he umpired apparently involved international cricket's first riot. Unfortunately, the Barton government was the one which put the White Australia Policy into law, but they did introduce women's suffrage.

The streets in Barton are named after Governors.

I decided to start my adventure in Barton with a quiet lunch at Maple and Clove cafe in the new Realm hotel/Burbury hotel precinct. I really like this place - fresh, healthy food  that doesn't make you feel like you just undid your last gym session and great service. Its a lovely place to sit on your own and enjoy some sunshine with a good book or catch up with friends.

I also think they have done a great job with the local area - some awesome restaurants are nearby including Malamay (I need to try Lilo Tang soon too!), and the Realm hotel has a lovely beer garden. I also think the buildings etc are remarkably tasteful and calming for something so modern - with the concrete balanced by green space and gorgeous flowers.

I was left to wonder what the hell was Boris though....

Parliament House also never feels far away...

But as it was such a lovely day I decided to walk down to Telopea park - which I just love (but had mistakenly thought was actually in Kingston previously!), past the lovely 1920s houses near the Brassey Hotel, with their very British hedges and gorgeous old trees.

I then wandered down to the lakeside for some sun, a walk through Bowen Park and a lovely view of Kingston foreshore and Burley Griffin - despite some unfortunate maintenance work down there at the moment, with the lakeside blocked off by fencing.

I unexpectedly came across a new 'gate' down by the lake which I understand was a present from the Hungarian government for Canberra's centenary. It has a lovely inscription which reads 'We were born in the world to be at home somewhere'. For me - this somewhere is definitely Canberra :)

For this guy too I think...

But there was still lots more of Barton to see - first with a walk through the less residential side of Barton where the Hotel Kurrajong is as well as lot of public service buildings.

And finally as sunset began to approach, a wander around Grevillea Park on the northside of the lake near the famous Boathouse restaurant - a place from where the beauty of Canberra really shines.