What we See on Our Walks

The following bits of graffiti are from under a bridge in Umbagong District Park.

Meanwhile the stepping stones are almost submerged beneath the water, and the path is overcome with thistles. 

We hiked up Condor Hill as our 40th trig. The start of the walk was easy-going enough, along a fire-trail, and then we had to bush bash through brambles and fallen tree trunks straight up to reach the summit. 

I wasn't planning on it, but okay...

Views from the top, where as you can see, there were lowering clouds surrounding us. It was hot and humid, hence the wild woman with crazy hair look.

There's no obvious trig as such, but we found bits of concrete and iron rusting about the place at the top of the hill, and we presume these once market the spot. 

Once back down it doesn't look so hard, even if I do make the terrain resemble a black-and-white horror film. 

Okay, so it was actually just a little bump, but it was very steep and tough going, honest!

In the evening as we walked back from the pub, the moon was putting on a light show through the clouds. It's not a great picture, but it made me think of one of my favourite Depeche Mode songs.

The moon is shining in the sky

Reminding me of so many other nights

But they're not like tonight. 

Purple Lady (and her mother) gave me some mint that had been growing wild in their garden. I love mint but have always managed not to be able to grow anyway, despite everyone else saying that it spreads everywhere like a weed. I was happy to receive the gift and it made a great contribution to a white wine spritzer while watching the women's tennis final at the Australian Open.

Feeling ticklish

They may never do what they're told (they're not allowed on the counter), but the cats are my constant delight.

Someone has left a Mr Tickle book in my street library, accompanied by this super cute pebble.

Walking out and about, we see how long the grass is getting. It makes for beautiful images, and also great snake habitat.

Mt Painter

On a walk around Lake Burley Griffin with two thirds of the walking crew, it became apparent that I had not got the memo about wearing a pink top. It is also apparent that I am still sh*te at selfies.

Art and Nature

And moving into the New Year, we see that the books on the bedside table have become less of a to-be-read pile, and more of an art installation on the passage of time. 

And some of them have been there for a considerable length of time...

I caught up with a friend to watch Dream Scenario, and we went to a café afterwards to debate its merits. When he ordered a soy milk cappuccino, I requested a 'normal' cappuccino, and he told me I could be cancelled for my pejorative coffee remarks. My how we laughed.

My heteronormative coffee

My Big Sis gave me these solar lights with a comment along the lines that they would work better here in Australia, where we actually get the sun. I took this picture at 8.30pm as we sat in the front garden enjoying a glass of bubbles. 

I went to the spectacular 'Discovering Ancient Egypt' exhibition at the National Museum of Australia (about which I will post separately). Here are just some pictures of the artwork outside the museum. 

The Loop

The Welcome Wall with Mirror Balls

No trigs on this walk, but lots of lovely eucalyptus brought images to mind of Hans Heysen paintings. I love these forests with their distinctive colouring. 

Losing sight of the wood for the trees

When we went on the birthday tram crawl for Him Outdoors, I left my emergency cardigan behind in one of the pubs. After phoning to see if it had been found, we made a special trip back to the Dickson Taphouse to collect. Naturally, we had to have a pint while we were there. We used the time wisely to spread out a map of New South Wales on the table and work out where we were going to go, when students have returned to schools so the beaches are less crowded and accommodation is cheaper. 

Over the last couple of weeks we have had fairly wild weather with humidity, sunshine, storms and heavy rain. The weeds, plants and flowers in the garden love it, and the roses are making a beautiful - if brief - showing of colour.

We attempted another trig - Mount Reedy in Kowen Forest (Number 39). It started out perfectly fine along a forest trail, that navigated between the natural native bush and the planted pines for logging. And then part of the track had washed away and we scrambled up and down a steep valley bank crossing what is currently a gentle creek, but clearly was a raging torrent at some point. 

Those surveyors knew what they were doing - you can see a long way in all directions from the top of this mountain. 

Black Mountain in the distance

Him Outdoors on top of Mount Reedy

Obligatory sh*t selfie at the trig

The creek with traces of forest debris

After the scramble and the evidence of landslip, we came across the this sign.. from the rear. I guess we knew that now. 

No sh*t, Sherlock

Later in the afternoon we went around to a friend's house to catch up and see how their garden grew. 

And in the evening we finished off the week with a few rounds of Bananagrams.