Return to Racing

I took my bike out racing yesterday. The race was at Dalton about 80km for Canberra. Dalton is a town of about 100 people and it is 15km from Gunning. It doesn't have too many buildings but they ones they do have are old and interesting. It of course has a pub and outside the Dalton pub they have these lovely metal horses!

I didn't race much last year, so it has probably been about 6 months since I have raced, I always dread getting back into racing as it is painful, nothing prepares you for racing, except racing- it take racing to get your racing fitness up. There had been a race three weeks before, but it ended up being shortened due to roadworks, and then there was a break over Easter so yesterday was my first full length race. It was 38 km and quite undulating, no long steep hills but a few longish steady climbs. There were about 16 riders in our group, my goal was to stay with the main bunch as long as I could and hopefully to the finish. At about the 15km mark there was a long steady up hill and one of the riders was pushing up the hill to try and drop some of us. I was starting to lose contact and had probably dropped off about 10 metres and hoping I could get back on. With the help of another rider I did, but then felt sick for the next 3 or 4 km. Fortunately it was then down hill for about 4km so I just sat on the back and managed to recover. I stayed with the main group, by then about 6 of us to the finish and managed to come third, so I was very happy. Not only had I finished with the bunch, but managed a place, and also it was First, Second and Third to the girls! We averaged 31.2 km over the 38 km course- so no wonder I am feeling a bit tired today.

Dog Sitting Over Easter

Amy has looked after Jube and Wrinks a few times now, and again this Easter they came to stay for 4 nights, so we had a crowded house over Easter. It takes about 10 minutes for the dogs to all settle in together each time and then they all get on well. Jube and Wrinks settle in very well and make themselves at home as you can see from the photos here! Bill is in trouble here as not only does he allow the dogs to get on the bed next to him, he is also reading my book! Every time I went to read it, he usually had his nose in it, I had to take to hiding it so I could finish it before him.

Easter Bunny Strikes Again

I asked my 19 year old and 17 year old if they still believed in Easter Bunny- they both said they did and so Easter Bunny turned up again this year. It really is amazing that they still believe! (I am sure it has nothing to do with me telling them once they stopped believing that Easter Bunny would not turn up any more). Amy also insists that the Easter Bunny has to leave clues for her to find her Easter Basket. Lachlan just wants them delivered straight to his room and it seems to happen just the way they want.

Back to the Start

Then we headed across Reconciliation Place, had a look at the Peace Memorial outside the National Library, up to Magna Carta Place, under Adelaide Avenue, past the Albert Hall and back to Lennox Gardens where we enjoyed some morning tea. It was a very pleasant morning and great to discover all sorts of Canberra hidden treasures!

Fern Garden and Scultpure Gardens

Next we walked around the back of the Gallery and had a look at a delightful fern garden and then came out at the sculpture garden between the gallery and the lake. They have some great sculptures in the garden, including some by Rodin. Mum and I had been to the Rodin Gardens in Paris, so she will need to come up to Canberra again so I can show her these ones!

National Art Gallery

Next we walked down to the National Art Gallery- I love those pears out the front! They have recently opened a new section in the Art Gallery and have put in new gardens out the front. They also have a skyscape exhibit where you walk into this dome shaped building and look up into the sky through the whole. You are supposed to go at sunrise and sunset, will definitely need to check it out at these times.

Next Stop Old Parliament House

Then we wandered down to the gardens next to Old Parliament House. They had a fountain and time line that showed the role of women in politics, the rose gardens were a bit worn out with autumn well and truly here, I must come back and see them in spring. We walked passed various monuments and stones for various things relating to Canberra's history - all very interesting.