(Fool)hardy

One good thing about the Canberra climate this year is that it has been good for hop growth. We picked a few from our back garden before our scheduled hop 'harvest' in a couple of weeks. 

I was watching football and it was very exciting (Merseyside derby). The girls were beside themselves as you can see. 

This week's trig was Hardy. We were quite (fool) hardy as we went out there in the middle of the day when it was a good 35 degrees. The bullet holes in the information panel were slightly concerning, but we managed our walk without too much incident.

The walk began straight up a pretty steep track; you really can't judge the incline from these images. 

The trig itself was off to the side on a summit mound, but there was no real path to it and we bush-bashed through the trees until we almost stumbled across it. It's obviously not the most frequented trig on the circuit, but someone had definitely been here previously as evidenced by the super cute painted pebble we found someone had left there. 

Hardy trig

As usual, the views from the top were spectacular. I've said it before and I'll say it again; Canberra is surrounded by some pretty stunning scenery. 

We continued on past the trig 'turn-off' to see more views from the ridgeline. And then the track just sort of stopped, so we turned around and came back home again. 

That bump in the middle of the picture below is where Hardy trig is located - not the most obvious of look outs.

I climbed a steep bank to get a view of Cotter Dam, and then rounded a bend and found there was a perfectly acceptable view for which I didn't have to risk breaking things. 

Ended the week doing domestic chores, with 'catsistance' from Penelope who 'helped' me change the sheets and make the bed.

Penny being helpful

Dowling & Moore

The ever-evolving book pile continues to evolve.

Bedside book pile

A sunny late afternoon was the inspiration for a drive out to Cotter and a walk up to Moore trig point. The Cotter River is an appealing little waterway meandering it's way out of the Cotter Dam to join the mighty Murrumbidgee.

Moore trig is surrounded by security fencing, so I took whatever pictures I could. 

The views from up there are expansive, and the spillway looks impressive.

Back down the bottom of the hill information panels spell out the engineering feats of the dam, and old machinery, bridges and sculptures complete the décor on the Dam Discovery Walkway

Flow by Richard Whiteley

Flow is a sculpture cast in concrete that is comprised of a series of compound curves. It is an elegant form that is abstract and animated and is designed to sit in sharp contrast to the Enlarged Cotter Dam. The form of this sculpture is inspired by the work of meteorologist and mathematician, Edward Lorenz. The Lorenz Attractor was a three-dimensional mathematical image that he produced as a result of mapping currents within the earth's atmosphere. There is a strong relationship to this area of scientific investigation and weather patters. This image was the starting point for the artist when he began thinking about this work ad it is is therefore aptly located on the Cotter Dam site - a manmade structure with an ultimate purpose being the capture and storage of rain water, a resulting phenomenon of weather. 

"I am interested in the profound beauty and mystery inherent within this form of the 'Attractor'. In thinking through this idea, I see it more broadly related to notions of movement of physical material or the cycling and flowing of ideas." - Richard Whiteley

At the next weekend I hiked to another trig with Him Outdoors - this time we went out to Dowling, which is in Sherwood Forest Reserve, on the north-east tip of the ACT/NSW boundary. 

We saw bearded dragons, feral pigs (and piglets), kangaroos and kaleidoscopes of butterflies, but no Merry Men or dastardly sheriffs.

The track curved round in a big arc, but we decided to stay upon it as the direct route involved crossing fences and wading through long grass. Views from above the trees featured pylons... and more trees. 

The path up to the summit was pretty clear and obvious, and the sporadic cloud cover created interesting patterns and patches of green and gold.

On the way back down we tried a different track, which led through the forest - this was much more overgrown and several trees had fallen blocking the way. With the whole Sherwood thing in mind, I thought maybe these might be traps set by outlaws, but it turns out the only things by which we were ambushed were blackberry bushes.

The next day I spent catching up with friends, walking, talking, eating and drinking - some of my favourite things. Breakfast at The Bloom was 'Avocado', which was actually smashed avocado, poached eggs, goat cheese, dukkah, pickled radish, pickled cucumber, mint, sourdough, and a side of bacon. Of course. 

Breakfast with Purple Lady

Avocado (apparently)

Double blonde