We decided to make the most of 'Canberra Day' long weekend. The plan was to go out somewhere near by for a couple of days, so that we could be back by Sunday, just relax at home on Monday and be ready for office (which basically is loading the freezer for the week days).
We started at about 1.30 in the afternoon on Friday from office directly, filled Petrol, bought some chips and 'Up & Go' and hit the Federal highway. We were going to
Kangaroo Valley which is a small town, 200 km east of Canberra. It was overcast in Canberra since morning and we expected the weather to be same in Kangaroo Valley too, given its vicinity to rain forest. Its approach has about 20 km of very winding road. We didn't want to drive through it on wet road in the dark and hence, left early. The drive was pretty smooth, in fact uneventful till just before those hairpin turns, I started having a mild headache. I've learned through years of experience (!) that the best way to avoid motion sickness in such conditions is to drive myself. So, I took over the wheels and we proceeded.
We crossed the Hampden Bridge (which was build in 1898 and is the oldest surviving suspension bridge of Australia) and entered Kangaroo Valley.
We had booked at a place owned by an old couple. They lived on the ground floor and a 'studio' on the first floor was rented out. The wife is a painter herself and some of her paintings adorned the walls of the studio.
Book shelf in the studio.
The kitchen window overlooking the church below-
Between Ritesh & I, we had carried 5 books. Our plan was catching up with reading and sleeping a lot. But, on seeing the cupboard full of books, we
decided to check those books out. I chose one of an Australian Writer- Emma Robertson (in fact, she lives just outside Canberra) Wits' end before breakfast- Confessions of a working mum. It was a fun read, have read about three quarters of it in our one and half day stay there. I plan to check the local library to get a copy and finish reading the rest of it. Ritesh picked one on United Nations, published in 1963, to see how things were then. We had dinner and retired early that day.
Next day, we set out to go from one gallery to another. 'Kangaroo Valley' has a population of 350 people. In that there are 14 artists. No wonder, this town has a character. There are lots of paintings of various artists, wood-work, metal sculptures, glass work, pottery in various art galleries located on a single street. We started with the wood gallery.
Loved these rocking horses, wanted to buy one of these for Arjun. But, remembered that these can't gallop all the way to India on their own.
Wooden cookware and some birds carved out...
After this, the next gallery had glass wares. While I drooled over the totally unaffordable and very beautiful vases, Ritesh busied himself admiring the metal artifacts. Have a look...
A diver ready for the act-
Below: An astronomer using his telescope...
We then visited a shop which sold artefacts made in India and Bali. We absolutely loved a mirror with its carved frame, which was made in Bali. It reminded me of Rajasthani Jharokha. Having decided to buy it on our way back, we went to a nursery near by. It was a very hot day and being amidst plants helped. Actually, Kangaroo Valley is surrounded by a lot of greenary. And the best thing about being there was we could see works of art everywhere. See the statue we saw in the garden of the studio we were staying...
Very simple, yet so powerful.
Lovers' embrace...
Tired of walking all afternoon and that heat, we came back to our room just in time to escape the pouring which began soon after. Lightening struck left, right and centre. I was quite scared to be surrounded by all the trees and living in a wooden cabin. Anyway, it subsided and by the time we could go out again, all the galleries were closed. We went out for dinner and then tried to follow the India- South Africa World cup match on Ritesh's mobile. For some time, we wished we could have watched the match live. However, after Sachin's dismissal, it certainly was not worth it. Early in the morning, Ritesh checked the score and news and told me the outcome. I was happy to have missed watching such a disappointing match. Anyway, I had decided that I would not let bad weather (or poor performance) spoil my mood. So, I got up, packed the bags and we went out for breakfast. Poached eggs, mushrooms and baked beans on toast with a cup of tea helped me keep my promise towards self. We then went to pick up the goodies we had selected (and could afford) from various galleries (actually just two) the previous day.
Ritesh secured the mirror at the back seat and put the seat-belt around it. We were then, ready to go. I again took the driver's seat. Ritesh asked me thrice if I really wanted to drive. First time I considered it as a husband's concern for his beloved wife, second time, I thought it might be his concern towards himself. But, then finally when he asked a third time I realised that the real reason was the fun of driving on that twisty, turny road. I explained him that my getting sick would ultimately prove a mis-adventure for both of us and he understood. Our next stop was Fitzroy falls.
On our way to Fitzroy Falls...
The Falls...
We took a walk in the forest (actually there are walking paths, so it's not really in the forest) to go to another lookout.
On our way, we observed a woman, touching the lizards which were wandering and her kids getting very excited. I looked at Ritesh and said, "I think we are pseudo nature lovers", if there is such a term.
Fitzroy Falls from another point.
On our way back, we spotted remains of a Banksia Tree. Ritesh of course, could not resist a toilet joke!
Doesn't this tree look like it is straight out of a fairy-tale?
That was all the sight seeing we did. We came back home feeling very refreshed. Ok, we were tired physically, but what I meant was we had a good break. And, now the mirror we bought-
This is a rectangular piece, the angle at which I clicked photo makes it look trapezoidal.
Here, with the windows closed :)
