Winter walking

We went walking today - on another perfect Canberra winter day - with our dear friends David and Irene.  We started at the National Rock Garden on the Western foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin. The rock garden was launched in 2011 and "celebrates" rocks and minerals that make a significant contribution to "the nation's landscapes, heritage and prosperity". 

It was so much more interesting than I expected it to be (really!).

 From here it wasn't far to walk to the highest point of our spectacular (but still very new) National Arboretum.

 Why is the entry walk way to the Arboretum's main building almost devoid of trees??

 Such an apt installation in this setting: "wide brown land"

 But we need to walk among some TREES at the Arboretum...........

So we picked the historic Cork Oak Plantation (Burley Griffin imported the acorns from Portugal in 1917 and the forest was then established by Thomas Weston) as a worthy walking trail.

We did the Cork Plantation loop and then emerged in the Himalayan Cedar Forest - and beautiful views towards the lake and the city

 I'm not sure what I think of the (temporary) "Warm Tree" installations..... There is something wrong with the scale I think???

 We started with breakfast at Campbell (our Sunday fave Intra) and ended with lunch at Campbell too (Knead Bakery). By chance we met up with more lovely (Inner North) friends .......

 And did our best to talk them into moving into the area too!

 This pair have already made the decision!