Monday 16th November

Caught the bus into Canberra. It feels more like an international airport where no one seems to be able to catch their flight so they have half settled mid transit.

We walked from the city over to the Parliamentary precinct. It is a pleasant walk but were we in a movie set? Pleasant avenues of trees sporting their spring garb and the odd extra pushing a pram or perhaps riding their bike.

We were coopted to be extras as well sitting on a wall eating gelato.

The goal was to visit the national gallery (Mal and Sue) and catch up with Sue's school friend Liz. (Sue).

Mal was like a pig in mud at the gallery, he spent all day and only stood in front of 20% of what was available. He still enjoyed taking notes and scribbling quick sketches for future reference.

We caught the bus back into the city, now the extras had increased as the office buildings emptied and the airport was humming.

Many people comment on the War Museum in Canberra and Mal had intended to spend a day there but the event in Paris has put him off. He says there is a war going on right now and he just did not have the stomach to reflect on the endless conflict, greed and hatred that just never ends. Yes he is grateful to the many women and men who have fought for this country and a free world but the fight is far from over as ignorance and extremism flourish and the developed world plunders and rapes the environment without any sign of a halt.

Crocodiles have survived for over an estimated 65 million years, where do we hear a conversation about sustaining the human race and an inhabitable planet Earth for the next 65 million years????

We met Peter and Michelle from the Sunshine Coast who have a Windjana slide on camper. Sort of a Northstar style affair built as a run of four for the family who make Winjana 5th wheeler in Toowoomba of all places.

We both did show and tell and shared stories from our travels. Very pleasant couple.