Suburb #12 - Chifley - the reboot edition

Dear me...it seems like one blog post a year is my limit these days...But lets try and go for at least a second one this year! I am determined to get back into the suburb groove!

Next up was Chifley - 14 years ago I was somewhat motivated to go here by the thought of a yummy breakfast as Bite to Eat and also some light on the hill type inspiration - so I guess while so many things have changed, at least some thing about me stay the same. 

About 2,700 people live in Chifley which was established in 1966. After an amazing glutinous breakfast and coffee (yes this has changed - had to be some plus to perimenopause and management stress right?), I limped off around the suburb from the local shops. I was determined not to let my back/leg win and get a suburb walk in and largely succeeded!

I was buoyed by the fact that the blossoms were finally out - the moment when the mood in Canberra starts to change immediately

And that these pictures on the pavement were still there...

Some other bits of the suburb were also the same...

Though I must admit I was quite sad to see a lot of the fabulous old houses have been replaced by soulless modern monstrosities...thank you to those who have not given in yet!

I had, however, forgotten just how much Chifley is the essence of the 'bush capital'. I saw so many animals and birds on this beautiful weekend Canberra day that it was like I was in a national park. 

I met many beautiful birdie friends :) and was particularly excited by the noisy gang gangs that I see so rarely these days near me.

There were also kangaroos everywhere! Particularly in an area that one of the locals told me she calls 'Kangaroo Valley' because of how much they love it.

Given all the beautiful plants, views and open spaces I can understand what the kangas see in the place!

And there were also still some surprises and Chifley personality still shining through as well...

Thank you Chifley you may have killed my skeleton but you definitely helped restore my spirit :)

Stirling next stop after Chifley paintings done (suburbing certainly takes a lot longer when you walk rather than drive and paint as well as take photos, but its worth it!).

Suburb #74 Garran

Next up was the final suburb in Woden Valley, suburb #74 Garran.

Garran is named after Sir Robert Randolph Garran - Australia's first (and for a period only) public servant and an expert in Australian law. He was head of Attorney Generals for 31 years. He also helped establish the ANU and was strongly involved in the Australian Federation movement. Though as usual weird facts interest me - for example, while his family lived in Phillip Street in central Sydney, apparently his mother had a deep distrust of milkman's milk and so she kept a cow in the backyard, which would walk on its own to the Domain each day to graze and return twice a day to be milked.

The streets here are named after Australian writers.

Garran is known for housing the Canberra hospital, but again I was surprised by what I found here...like Pearce nearby, I made some new friends :)

I also came across some amazing mountain views from the higher parts of the suburb...

Similarly there were a large number of mega-mansions in this suburb....some tasteful...some not so tasteful...

There were also some gorgeous gardens on display - some even with their own helicopters :p

Last but not least, I was glad to see that the local shops here are still alive and kicking - despite Woden not being far away...

And in true Canberra style the bush is just around the corner...