Australia 2009 - days 53 to 64 at Mt. Kosciusko and Canberra

Day 53.
We leave Mt. Arapiles and drive 12 hours (over the Great Dividing Range) to get to Mt. Kosciusko National Park.

Early on the drive the road is blocked by a farmer moving his sheep.












An example of the way rivers have been dammed in Australia. In this instance the remains of trees that died due to flooding can be seen. Quite an eyesore.





Day 54.
We set of at 1 pm to climb Mt. Kosciusko (1228 m), which is Australia’s highest peak.

In these two shots mum & dad can be seen pushing the stroller up hill.






























Almost at the top we have a little break so Sofie can look around.













Mum and Sofie reaching the peak......













.......... and on the summit.















Seaman’s hut which was built as a rest shelter for climbers and in memory of Seaman and his friends who perished on the mountain in the 1800's.











The beautiful snowy river.
















These lovely snow gums are the only trees that can survive at these altitudes.










































Day 55.
We arrive in Canberra and Sofie has a good look around, notice she is now pulling herself forward in her stroller..........



















........... Sofie having a chew on her 'Mr. Ugly' toy.














Day 56.
We visit Guy and after having lunch at the local pub in O'Connor we head out to Booroomba Rocks in Namadji National Park to scout out the potential climbs.

Uncle Guy and dad on their way up with Sofie in the back-pack.




















Dad at the top of Booroomba rocks with Sofie in her pack.














Day 57.
Whilst Uncle Guy takes care of Sofie we again head out to Booroomba rocks to climb.

Dad climbing the classic three star route (Integral, grade 19+) , this was nice granite and slab climbing which dad loves but mum didn't get up this route.


















Day 58.
We have a quiet day reading and then head out to the Botanical Gardens.

A small lizard in the rock garden section.




That night we eat at an Asian restaurant in Dickson and all eat Laksa which was very hot & spicy but delicious!












Day 59.
We spend the morning in the Australian War Memorial and at lunchtime the rain subsides so we head off to Coree Mountain (1421m) as we heard that the approach to the climbs was 20 m from the road. What we didn't realise was that 'Two - sticks Road' was a 4WD track so our approach ended up being over 1 hour with Sofie in a pack.

In this photo dad & Sofie stand in front of the climbing crag that ended up being very baby unfriendly with quite difficult grades.


















We made it to the top of Mt Coree and enjoyed the panoramic views, in the next four photos dad & Sofie enjoy these views.



































































Sofie sleeps on the way down back to the car.




















Day 60.
Uncle Guy gives us a very good tour of Parliament house, very interesting getting behind the areas available to the public.

A view of old Parliament House seen from new Parliament House.













Sofie looking very regal with the Australian Coat of Arms behind her.
Notice she is now sitting up by herself.




















Another view of Old Parliament House seen from New Parliament House ..........














..........Australian flag on the top of the new Parliament House.





















We eat lunch with Guy at in the members lounge of Parliament House, the plates are very nice and engraved with the Australian the Coat of Arms. But unfortunately these were not for sale in the gift shop.













It was a great feast for only 20 dollars and the entree and desserts were a buffet so dad definitely got his moneys worth. In this photo one can see his dessert.










Dad needs to do some work so the hunt for wireless internet begins. Pete & Ann-Marie (Guys flatmates) recommend Cafe Front.

In this photo Dad & Sofie access the internet at Cafe Front.















That evening we eat grilled fish and chips from the local O'Connor fish shop.
Pete & Guy present the food.













A group photo.















Day 61.
Hans works at Guys house and Sofie & mum go to the National gallery, National Library and National Portrait Gallery.

That night we eat Japanese food at 'Wasabi' and Sofie eats with chop - sticks for the first time.













Day 62. We spend the day at the pool and also discover that Sofie has 2 teeth breaking through.

A close-up of Sofie's first tooth, this actually bought tears to mums eyes. Time is just flying!













That night we eat out in Dickson at a vegan restaurant with Uncle Guy, Pete & Ann-Marie.

The food was amazing as can be seen in the two examples in the following two photos.

The nest which was a nest made of grated potato filled with vegetables and topped with cashew nuts.













Starters ..... notice the mok chicken drumsticks!! Amazingly the consistency of the tofu used in these these was just like chicken.












A group photo ......








.......... and a photo of everybody holding Sofie's new cuddly toy.


















Day 63.
We all walk up Black Mountain and then take the lift to the cafe in the top of the Telstra telecommunications tower.

Sofie can now touch her feet & also suck on them which is quite amazing.
She now has four rolls on each leg and weighs well over 8 kg!











Mum & Sofie and the view of Lake Burley Griffin in the background.













That evening Guy makes us a home cooked meal and in this photo Pete & Ann-Marie entertain Sofie.














A video of Sofie's new 'click click' sounds.

A video of Sofie eating.

A video of Sofie eating bread all by herself.


A video of Sofie watching dad drink his sprite soda.

Day 64.
We pack up while Guy looks after Sofie and then head to Lanyon Homestead for lunch after this we say our goodbyes and head to Nowra.

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