Ok so Canberra is probably the dullest Capital City in the world. You can't even get a picture of it on this web site so I thought the Dolphins would do. I did actually have a good time there though. Most of you know I am a bit of a history and museum fan so there was plenty to amuse me for a day.

I arrived on the 19th March after a 4 hour coach journey to one of the wettest days in Canberra for a long time. Having discovered that my beautiful waterproof poncho does not fit over me and my 2 rucksacks while I am walking I gave up on that idea, put my trusty hoody on and braved it in the rain to my hostel. On the way I did notice that there was no one around which I found a bit weird for a city centre for a Monday. Of course I later found out that it was a bank holiday. The best thing about staying at the Canberra YHA was the swimming pool and Spa. Definitely one the best luxuries I have had for a while. I went for a wonder that evening but as nothing was open I had dinner and went to bed early to the book I have been addicted to all week and have now finished!

My coach to Melbourne wasn’t until midnight on the 20th so I was able to leave my things at the YHA all day. I had got it into to my head that everywhere I wanted to go was in walking distance. In hindsight I probably should have hired a bike as Canberra is a lot bigger than it looks and has lots of cycle paths so it is safe. However I set out on foot to the National Museum of Australia where I stayed for a few hours. I then made my way to the New Parliament Building where I had a tour and saw one of the copies of the Magna Carta. I passed the Old Parliament on the way to the Australian War Memorial where I had intended to stay for a while but due to the distance and having to navigate my way around the lake I only got there about 15 mins before it closed. There was a closing ceremony at 5pm which is held everyday and usually a bugler plays but this time it was bagpipes, not quite as moving as the ‘Last Post’ at the Menin Gate in Ypres though.

I was famished by this point so went to the city centre to get some dinner and found myself near to the cinema on cheap Tuesday. Went to see a film called ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’, I didn’t know that it is a Spanish film before but it was very good and good to test how much I still understand. For those that have seen ‘Y Tu Mama Tambien’ it had the girl from that in it.

I am now in Melbourne and have spent a lot of the day either travelling or asleep. The coach was meant to take 8 hours but for the 2nd time with Greyhound Australia it broke down and we were stuck by the side of the road for 2 hours. I was lucky enough to have 2 seats to myself so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, I just wish they didn’t have the air-conditioning as cold as they do. Again a time for the trusty hoody! I’m staying for a few days as have some friends to meet up with and a few places I would like to see. Including the Neighbours tour which I am doing tomorrow morning…so excited!! I get to meet a member of the cast as well and I know I will be Star Struck as I know what I am like.

Bye for now but much more to come in the near future.

Take Care Love Gaëlle xxxxx