Elaine and I left Sydney on our first train trip for the year. After about 20 train trips last year, mostly in the UK, we are looking forward to exploring a little of Australia by train. This trip is to Queanbeyan to stay with Terry and Ellie for two nights. I walked to the station to keep my step rate up for the day. Our Canberra train left from Central station. The train trip was very comfortable and set up thoughts of where else we could go. Perhaps I'll even go to Brisbane by train instead of flying?
We arrived to a very warm 38 C and were met by Terry and Ellie at the beautiful Queanbeyan station. They then took us home for a very relaxing evening.
Wednesday, 12 February
Up at a leisurely hour (6:30am) and after sharing breakfast Ellie, Elaine and I headed for the National Library for the current exhibition "Mapping our World". First a coffee and cake down by Lake Burleigh Griffin then off to our guided tour of the exhibition. We also had time for "The Treasures Gallery" and browse through the bookshop before meeting up with Ellie again and heading for lunch at the National Museum of Australia.
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| Morning tea by the lake. |
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| Dragon boat training on Lake Burliegh Griffin |
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| The view from our table at lunch. |
Unfortunately there was a mix up about gluten free options so both Elaine and Ellie had problems with their lunch but my lunch was a lovely sandwich.
We all then browsed the exhibitions in this museum where Ellie had worked for some time. The museum concentrates on many aspects of Australian culture, lifestyles, history, discovery and inhabitants.I had been to neither museum before so was really impressed with the displays.
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| Mallee stumps made into a wall at the NMOA |
I had fun during the day 'jogging' or just doing extra walking to get my step rate up to my goals during the day.
Back home to Terry and Ellie's by 4pm to find Terry preparing kangaroo pie for dinner. He had to eat early to leave for a fire fighting course he was in charge of. We three girls then had a leisurely dinner and an easy evening except for an interlude chasing a blowfly who had ventured inside. Ellie's magic catcher for such insects is a hand held Dyson vacuum cleaner. It works really well.
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| The jetty and dam at Terry and Ellie's |
Thursday, 13 February
Another leisurely breakfast before we all headed for Mont Adventure Equipment outlet to find a gortex rain jacket for me. It was so easy to find one. Though quite expensive I think it will fill my needs for some years to come.
We then had coffee at Cosmorex, a coffee roasting and supply shop that has its own cafe. The coffee is really quite delicious. This was followed by a browse through the book remainders warehouse, Clouston & Hall just over the road. What an incredible number of books!
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| Ready to leave Terry and Ellie's |
Terry and Ellie then dropped Elaine and I at Queanbeyan station for our return journey to Sydney. We decided to test out the train buffet hot food this time. It was mediocre but edible so we'll have to try the sandwiches. After a comfortable trip back to Central, arriving 30 minutes late we caught our respective trains home. I even walked home from the station.
With all my extra walking I was able to maintain over 10,000 steps each day so I am pleased with that.
Our little break away was a pleasant time and I'm sure we'll both be keen to do such a trip again. Thank you Terry and Ellie!
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