The life and times of Libby Withnall

Neither of us slept very well – lots of late night loud people leaving the hotel – so we had another lazy morning before packing up and leaving around 9am. First stop was the Old Bus Depot Markets.

First up was breakfast.

We ordered a vegetarian crepe to share but it was so huge we didn’t manage to finish it.

After we explored and made just a few purchases we headed off again. This time into the countryside….

to visit….

Pretty awesome aren’t they?

We had an explore of the exhibits (but to be truthful there isn’t a lot here – esp. when you’ve been to the Kennedy Space Center) and then enjoyed morning tea outside.

While we were there we were lucky enough to see it change position.

Then we set off for home. I ended up driving for a bit as Kevin wasn’t feeling the best and was tired. We had a few false starts with lunch. We tried a cafe at  a winery but couldn’t find it at all.

Then we tried Grandma’s Bakery – but it was really a gourmet restaurant.

Third time we were lucky – good old Subway.

Then it was home sweet home, and back to the reality of bickering children and a messy house!!!

Such is life!

We had a leisurely start as you do on holidays. We had some spaghetti on toast for breakfast then headed back into Canberra Central for more shopping.

A highlight would have to be Crate and Barrel, which we don’t have anywhere nearby. Luckily really. Loved the little carts they had, not that I fitted in everything I bought. I left the store with 3 large bags – some presents, but most for me .

Kevin actually got some things today – from the ABC shop and from a tea shop.

Lunch today was from Sumo Salad.

We went back to the apartment when my feet were too sore and we’d been to all the shops. We intended to have a bit of a relax but the cleaners turned up so we left again and headed out to Gold Creek. This part was all new since I’d last been here. Since we were early to meet Lisa, we checked out some more shops, and bought a few things for the girls.

We met Lisa at Adore Teashop, where we chatted and enjoyed tea. I had scones with jam…and a bit of cream (not quite enough for 2 scones )

and Lisa had this yummy looking cake – I tried a bit and it was nice.

It was a brief catch up but lovely none-the-less. Lisa looks wonderful with her little baby bump (which you can’t really see in the photos) and so radiant.

But she was very naughty and bought me a little Christmas gift – which I’m not allowed to open until Christmas .

After saying our goodbye we visited the shop and I scored a few more goodies, and bought some of the Devonshire Cream tea that I’d enjoyed.

We headed back to the apartment where I spent the remainder of the evening catching up on youtube video (and I’m finally ALL caught up) as there were no worthwhile movies to watch. For dinner we had Pie Face which we’d bought earlier at the shops.

I know we seem have done a lot of shopping, and eating, but we’ve definitely focused on shops and eating places that we don’t have at home or nearby .

Kevin and I had such a lovely time Canberra last year for our Wedding Anniversary that we decided to do it again this year – celebrating 19 years of marriage.

We set off around 11am Friday, driving 2 cars up to Leanne’s home so we could drop off the car to them. We then set off for Canberra. First stop was Golburn where we had lunch at the bakery.

It was definitely amongst the best veggie pies I’ve had .

Then it was back on the road and past Lake George….

and into Canberra….

We found our apartments and got checked in.

I had booked a one-bed apartment but we were given a 2 bed. The place is really nice and I’d definitely stay here again.

We got settled, had a cup of tea and headed back out to do some shopping at the Canberra Center. Loved the car park with the light indicating available and unavailable car spaces. Kevin said lots of places have them but I’d never seen them before and thought it very clever.

Then… let the shopping begin… if you’d like me show you what I got let me know and I’ll shoot a video when I get home.

Kevin was a really good sport. When he got bored in a shop he’d just wait outside and listen to some music or play on his phone.

A few hours later when my poor feet were beyond dead we headed to Wagamama’s for dinner (I was so excited when I found out there was one here).

It was crowded and noisy (being 7.30pm on a Friday night) so we opted to get takeaway. Half an hour later back at our apartment we enjoyed this yummy dinner.

Most importantly, it was just as good as I remembered.

We got up reluctantly (both Kevin & I hadn’t slept well), packed and checked out. We headed to Old Dubbo Gaol.

It’s so weird to see all these buildings all around it. Sad in a way.

We spent a hour exploring the gaol.

It’s quite small but the girls really enjoyed it.

Then it was time to hit the road for the long drive home, stopping to get a box of cherries  and then later a box of mangos.

Once again we stopped at Lithgow  but this time for lunch.

We enjoyed Veggie Burgers, but were impressed to find the real burgers were made with Organic Beef.

The trip through the Blue Mountains was a little slow, with lots of road works going on.

Then the sat. nav. decided to take us a strange way through Sydney. Once we realized, we ignored what it said and went home the normal way.

Then finally we were home. Tired and sick of being in the car.

As usual I was first up. The girls set an alarm for 7am and everyone got up and ready for the day. We arrived at the gates before opening and were able to secure ourselves a buggy in which to explore the zoo.

There were lots of animals to be seen – most of these photos were taken by Kevin.

This baby Rhino was one years old. How cute is he?

The giraffes were are favourite and we were lucky they came down really close.

There was time for an elephant ride .

Though we hadn’t had lunch yet Kevin decided it was time for ice-cream. I guess it is a mini-holiday .

By this time we were nearly half way round the zoo, though we found the second half to be missing lots of exhibits.

Back at the entrance we had some lunch, while watching some monkeys and lemur’s. Then it was time to visit the play park. The girls spent almost an hour playing on the flying fox.

We then did another lap of the park, allowing the girls to have a drive – which they loved,

and stopping the see a few animals again.

I took a whole lot of video, which I’ll put together when we get home.

It was a very hot day so we’d had enough by 2pm and headed back to the apartment, where we were quick to jump into the pool.

We spent the remainder of the afternoon relaxing and most us had a nap – even I did – which I NEVER do.

While debating purchasing this Iditarod hat I had to laugh at the cart…

Dinner tonight was tacos. Love that the place supplied a tablecloth.

We watch America’s Got Talent and some animal documentaries (CHristy had another swim) and we gradually went off to bed.

On Tuesday night we made a very last minute decision to head to Dubbo Zoo this weekend. Thinking it might be our last chance to use our annual pass and not wanting to go in the high-heat of Summer. Looks like we missed the window though we temps of around 30 degrees.

We packed up and set off once the girls were home from school. We were lucky to not hit much traffic as we drove through Sydney before heading through the Blue Mountains.

Then over the mountains….

while I started work on a new blanket (thanks Heather for the help)

and finally into Lithgow…

where we stopped for dinner at Subway.

Christy had a bit of a meltdown  over not getting the dinner (plain roll) that she wanted. She ended up not eating and was in a bad mood for ages.

We hit the road again as the sun was setting…

Don’t the plane vapor trails look so cool?

One last “toilet” stop at McDonalds.

Finally after way too many hours (6 instead of the 5 we thought it was) we arrived at the Country Apartments and got checked in. I quickly grabbed some photos…

we got unpacked and fell into bed at 11pm. Because tomorrow we’re off to the Zoo!!!

Oh, and isn’t this the cutest little bottle of milk you ever did see? I’m not letting anyone drink it

Finally got around to putting together a bit of video from our whalewatching trip in Alaska. If you’d like to see more videos from the trip let me know and I’ll make some more.

Firstly, I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you who left comments on my various blog posts. I loved reading each of them, knowing you were enjoying the trip with us. And I hope you understand that after the couple of hours to get the post up each day I just didn’t have time to reply to of your comments.

I’ve finally gotten everything (except for my toiletries/make-up) put away. Here’s the goodies we bought back for the girls. Amy’s in on the left, Christy’s on the right. Of course, I saw the same Barbie in Big W today (but for twice the price). The boy doll is Justin Beiber – who you’ll be pleased to know is wearing underpants .

And here’s my loot. It doesn’t seem much but I did also get some winter jackets/tops and some summer tops.

Plus all this Iditarod related stuff. I have no idea how I ended up with a 2011 calander – I must have put to wrong one back on the shelf .

Now that’s I’ve seen the girls & Mum & Dad, and cuddled my pups, I ready to go away again. Actually I wasn’t really reading to come home .

Day 1 – Alaskan railroad to Seward & onboard Radiance of the Seas

Day 2 -Hubbard Glacier

Day 3 – Juneau

Day 4 – Skagway – White pass railway

Day 5 – Icy Point Strait – Humpback whales

Day 6 – Ketchican

Day 7 – At Sea

Day 8 – Vanvouver

This was a 4oth Birthday trip for Kevin & I, without the kids.

Day 1- Arriving at Disneyland

Day 2 – Disneyland & California Adventure & World of Colour

Day 3 – Disneyland

Day 4 -California Adventure & Disneyland

Day 5 – Onwards to Alaska, Anchorage to Seward

Day 6 – Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward

Day 7 – Sled dogs and raft ride, Seward

Day 8 – Bears , Homer

Day 9 – Homer to Talkeetna

Day 10 – Denali

Day 11 – Kantishna Experience, Denali

Day 12 – Back to Anchorage

Day 13 – Segways & Sled Dogs in Anchorage

Day 14 – Alaskan railroad to Seward & onboard Radiance of the Seas

Day 15 -Hubbard Glacier

Day 16 – Juneau

Day 17 – Skagway – White pass railway

Day 18 – Icy Point Strait – Humpback whales

Day 19 – Ketchican

Day 20 – At Sea

Day 21 – Vanvouver

Day 22 – Journey home