Back home again after a couple of weeks away. Things didn't go quite to plan with some unexpected rainfall in the west of NSW causing massive flooding.
We flew to Brisbane and drove into NSW to attend the graduation of our daughter-in-law from Southern Cross Uni at Lismore. She can now put the letters MBA after her name. Master of Business Accounting. We are very proud of her - ten years of part time study while holding a full time job ... quite an achievement.
The next part of our trip was to be inland NSW to Gilgandra and then on to Canberra the next day. The area had received massive rainfall so we thought better of it and took the coastal route via the freeways and through Sydney. Horrific traffic. Makes one appreciate the country life where our nearest traffic light is 100 km away. We would have taken on the inland route in our Toyota Landcruiser, but in a wimpy Hyundai hire car that doesn't like getting its ankles wet, it wasn't worth the risk.
Anyway after two days drive we reached Canberra. I know Canberra quite well after many trips there with school kids - the National Capital and all - but Judy had never been there and it was good to visit places without worrying about what 20 primary school kids were up to. Had a look at Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial - a very sombre place. Emotional.
Went to the National Museum, the Mint and the National Zoo, where Judy patted a cheetah. Something she has always wanted to do.
Flew back yesterday - midday in Canberra and Cairns by 4.30. Would have taken four days to drive but just a few hours in a 767. The flooding down south had stuffed up the network a bit though and we had a hurried transfer in Brisbane. Our luggage didn't make the transfer and it was delivered by Qantas courier today.
So we're back home after an interesting few days. Makes you appreciate what a massive country this is.
