I have taken the opportunity to do some stuff that Canberra has to offer.
Yesterday afternoon I rode to the National Arboretum. The Arboretum has been established in area of former pine forest that was devastated in the 2003 fires. I was very familiar with the pine forest in my trail bike riding years in the mid and late seventies.
After the fires, ACT Government decided to develop the site as an Arboretum. The plan for the site includes: “permanent gardens, outdoor sculptures, cafeteria, visitor centre, hotel, bonsai display, children’s garden and playground, reflective pool, pavilion and a spacious outdoor events space”.
“An expert panel selected the tree species for the from the United Nations’ ‘Redlist’ which is an international listing of all trees with an endangered conservation status. From that list only trees that could cope with Canberra’s extreme climate were chosen”.
As you would expect, the idea of spending public money on such a thing as an Arboretum drew a great deal of criticism from certain quarters. Nevertheless, its establishment has progressed; the landscaping, has been completed, the key buildings constructed and trees have been planted. Of course it will be years before the trees grow to their full size. However, even at this early stage the place is fantastic. The views from the highest point are spectacular. On a beautiful autumn day hundreds were drawn to see the site.
My ride took me on the bike path that circumnavigates Lake Burley Griffin. Canberra’s bike paths were originally designed for just recreational use. The network has now been extend to include paths specifically for commuters. Judging by the numbers of both recreational riders and commuters the investment in the network is money well spent.
In the evening I went to the Bumbies v Bulls Rugby Union game at the Canberra Stadium. In previous posts I have talked about the Brumbies and the Raiders Rugby League Team. It is great that a city of Canberra size can support two teams in the national competitions. The Brumbies are going really well his year. They had thrilling last minute win over the Bulls last night.
On our way to the stadium, my host and I passed a distinctive 1964 EH Holden. My host recognised the car as being one owned by the mother of a school mate of ours. This bloke only has his mother’s old car, but seven other old Holdens that he is restoring on his property just outside of Canberra. This is an interesting retirement project given his former career.
The car restorer is the nephew of Ken Catchpole the great Australian half back of the sixties. They say sporting ability runs in the genes. Our mate was, not surprisingly, a very handy Union and League player, and pretty good at Aussie rules. He has also a very good cricketer. I will probably post about that later.
With the aid of a mobile phone call we able to meet up after game. The car restorer was with his younger sister who I haven’t seen for over 35 years. Yet another case of how surprising little, people change with the years.
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/360/arboretum/4404976
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/290928273#.UVdzRMlb6ko.facebook
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