Sunday Selections #328

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week I am returning to autumnal magic.  Coming back from town after a Lifeline shift I noticed that the Manchurian Pears had exploded into colour.  I thought about it, and decided that we would get the 'best' view from the water.  So we took yet another lake cruise.

And were very, very lucky.  I woke himself up much earlier than he likes.  It was bright and sunny but while he had his breakfast coffee the clouds rolled in.  He suggested postponing the trip (and going back to bed).  I resisted, and with a lemon-lipped driver at the wheel we headed off.

The clouds got thicker and thicker as we drove across town.  And miraculously cleared while we were on the water.

Settle in for my usual extravananza of photos.

Still quite cloudy, and the colours are dim.

Cormorants soaking up the almost non-existent (at that time) sun.

The clouds were starting to break up.

I was amazed at how 'low in the water' the cormorants swim.  They look rather like sea monsters...

Some of the machurean magic.

The sculpture garden from a different perspective.

Don't the golden poplars look like candles?

That is the Chinese embassy in the background.

It was a delightful outing.  I mentioned that we had a treat planned for the Thursday which has just gone.  Signs up at the yatch club said that on Thursday mornings we could take a cruise in the opposite direction to the Governor General's residence and disembark and wander through the gardens.  Sadly they lied.  This is indeed a trip we can take - but it is very occasional.  So a treat yet to come.

Sunday Selections #261

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  I am continuing with my Tommy Tourist theme this week.  The uncle has gone home again, and I think he enjoyed his stay.  

The weather continued its mostly grey path while he was visiting.  Some sunshine, but not enough for some of us.  Some rain, but not enough for others of us.

We headed off on a cruise on the lake one morning, to show off the city's features from a different perspective.  

Although it was very grey when we started off, the sun was shining at the Nara Peace Park.

Apartments adjacent to the city centre.  Many of them have lovely views, and a matching price tag.

The Carillion

The National Library.

The High Court - which looks much better from the inside.

Commonwealth Park.

The War Memorial.  

There is a flag here for every nation which has an embassy or a consulate in my city. There are ninety or so of them at the moment I think.   A day or two later at the uncle's request we drove round far too many of them.  They weren't open, but we did a drive by just the same.

This Paddle-boat is owned by the National Museum, and is rarely taken from its wharf.  We got lucky.

A closer look at some of those expensive apartments.  

Part of the National Museum - a controversial looking building.

 Dragon boat racers practising.  I think there were races on Australia Day.

Since the sun came out while we were on the lake we detoured to enjoy the kangaroos in Yarralumla when the cruise finished.  As always they were totally relaxed.  I have often said I would like to be able to relax as well as a cat, but being a roo has some charm too.

A miniature steam train for children which runs in loops not far away from the kangaroos.

The next day we went to Parliament House.  No politicians to be seen fortunately.  The uncle and I come from very different political viewpoints...
Regardless of the people who work there, lots of the building is very beautiful.

The pillars in the entrance hall are strongly reminiscent of the colours of our gum trees.

The wood work represents native species, and is all done in a range of woods native to our land as well.

I enjoyed this tapestry.  Prepared as a gift for one of our politicians, who donated it.

The saddle was a gift to Malcolm Fraser - a Prime Minister who I remember well.  I liked him a great deal more after he left politics. 

 Poor Julia.  Gifts (over a certain value) made to our politicians can be paid for by the person and kept, or are retained by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.  The portrait above was executed in coffee beans of Julia Gillard while she was Prime Minister.  I am not surprised that she wasn't itching to have it on her own walls.

Not only is the building on the posh side the politicians' private gardens have charm too.

The next few shots are taken from the roof.  

The House of Representatives (our lower house).

 The Senate.

 Jigsaws from the gift shop.  The gum trees look like they would be 'challenging'.  I took the photos thinking of LL Cool Joe who is a jigsaw afficionardo. 

Jazz n Jewel have come out of the wardrobe now, leaving me the delightful job of washing everything they moulted up a storm on.  They are happy chappies though.  And one of them celebrated getting out of their (self-imposed) prison by throwing up copiously on the spare bed.  Visitors are NOT welcomed by them.  Ever.

I am tired to the bone and the PC has an issue or six so I will be in and out a bit.  Someone who shall remain nameless decided to update to Windows 10.  It failed, so he started tinkering.  Now the previous system is suspect.  Sgih.