Around The World In 80 Waves

After my stay in the Blue Mountains I am heading down towards the south coast of Australia and my route takes me towards Australian Capital Territory which like Washington DC in the USA is a separate state set up for the seats of government.

Canberra is the artificial capital of Australia and the centre of lots of political intrigue, particularly of late because the prime minister has been usurped by the previous incumbent, in a bit of pay back for them doing the same, and a general election has been called for September.

Incidentally on that it is illegal not to vote here which whilst heavy handed does push people to get involved in the process of selecting their government.

Canberra like all capitals has a number of civic buildings and sculpted landscapes. This lake is in the centre and for some reason they have decided that they need a giant water fountain spurting out of the middle of it.

Around the edge of the lake there are a number of small plinths. Each of these depicts the Australians of the year, whom the country is most proud of at the time.

They could be military personnel, scientists, sports stars, or media celebrities.

This picture shows the current favourites, but I can’t say I have heard of any of them.

To be fair it hasn’t been the best year sporting-wise for any of their cricket or rugby teams to merit a mention!

Not far away is the National Library which is a very impressive building just across the grass from the lake.

I don’t have time to go in and check it out but am grateful for their free car park whilst I explore the city on a windy and cold Sunday afternoon.

I have to check out the parliament building on the way out of town. There is an old parliament building nearby which must have been replaced some time in the sixties or seventies, because the current one is a very modern design, and notably isn’t guarded like Fort Knox unlike the equivalents in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

At least it appears not because they don’t mind when I drive the van right up to the front door to take some pictures.