Travel – Page 46 – Life is a Journey

Canberra Getaway – Day 3

Posted on December 9, 2013December 21, 2013 by Libby Withnall

We took full advantage of the 12pm checkout and didn’t leave until almost that time. We relaxed, lazed about, played on laptops and enjoyed a yummy fruit salad.

After checking out we went to the Homemade Markets.

There was lots of great stuff but we only bought sea salt!!! If my girls were still young I’m sure I would have bought LOTS. The other stuff I did like was out of the current budget :-). As we were leaving (after about 30mins) Kevin got a cupcake and I got a juice – but it wasn’t very good.

We headed back to the Old Bus Depot Markets and Kevin decided he wanted to get another hat. He bought his current one from here over 10 years and it’s just now starting to come apart. He thinks he can fix it, but didn’t want to attempt it without having a back up hat.

We then went and bought all our fresh foods, including bagels, which are amazing from here.

and these dips we had sampled yesterday. Unfortunately we couldn’t find the ladies selling falafels.

We then bought some lunch from the food area but instead of eating indoors, I suggested we go down to the lake and have a “picnic” lunch. Today I had some Spanish food. It was good, but not amazing.

But the view certainly made up for everything.

And we made some new friends.

Whom eventually decided to come say hello…

and share my lunch (when I was finished eating, of course)….

Swans have long necks when the stretch them right out don’t they?

Then, reluctantly it was time to head home. We were absolutely spoilt with the weather this weekend. It was just perfect.

When I got home I found Amy had tidied up the whole house, which I thought was so sweet.

After unpacking, we had our first swim of the season, had some bagel melts made by Amy and settled in to watch Modern Family.

Canberra Getaway – Day 2

Posted on December 8, 2013October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Day 2 of our weekend away started very slowly and with a workout in the gym, which as you can see I had to myself.

It has been a long time since I used an eliptical so it kicked my butt.

When we were finally ready for the day we headed to the Old Bus Depot Markets.

I didn’t buy much in the crafty area, but I did buy a candle from this stand.

We sampled so much amazing food, but planned to come back tomorrow to buy fresh foods.

We had some lunch (I had rice paper rolls and Kevin had a chicken satay stick, which he said was the best he’s ever had), then headed down to the lake for our Segway tour.

We had a bit of time to kill so we sat under the trees…

and enjoyed the view….

Then it was time to done our helmets and go for a ride. I was pleased how quickly it all came back (since my first ride in Alaska 2.5 years ago).

This wasn’t actually a guided tour but a chance to ride around Canberra and see the sights.

As you can see I was vlogging.

We did the tour hour tour. Lots of fun (except my feet got really sore from standing still – I think I wore the wrong shoes).

It was still early in the day so we decided to head back into the Canberra Center to pick up a few things we didn’t get last night.

Like the iced tea set we had ummed and ahhed about in T2.

Then it was back home for a relaxing evening.

Dinner was some salad from Sumo Salad that we’d bought when we were out.

Canberra Getaway – Day 1

Posted on December 8, 2013October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Kevin and I shared our 21st Wedding Anniversay last Thurday (a fact we both forgot until later in the day). There was no celebrating on the day but my Mum & Dad had treated us to a weekend away in Canberra (with no kids!!!!).

Even though Kevin had the day off work, I didn’t stress about leaving the house early. Instead we had a relaxed morning and took our time getting organised.

Why is it that it takes so much to get organised for a weekend away? It would be much easier if I wasn’t wanting to take healthy food away to eat. Anyway, eventually we got the car packed and I got a cup of tea to have in the car and we headed off about 10am.

It was a gorgeous day for the 3 hour drive to Canberra. Though it was sad seeing all these burnt trees from the fires a few months ago.

Lake George – I always love driving past here. I’ve never seen water in it (not since I was a kid) but Kevin reckons he has. Apparently it’s an underground lake.

Do you like the cute Deavondale truck?.

We stopped at Goulburn to have lunch at the bakery. We often stop here as they do have great pies.

My veggie pie was delicious.

We also went across to the big merino to pick up some gifts. Finally we arrived in Canberra and at the home of Lisa from Bake Bike Blog. We’ve met in real-life a couple times now but it was our first time visiting her gorgeous home (which seems different from in photos) and meeting Charlotte (who was much tinier than I had expected). We had a cuppa and a chat and a really lovely visit. And I got the best cuddle from Charlotte when we left.

From Lisa’s we drove to our accommodation – the East Hotel.

We are super impressed with the hotel – and such a great price for the high level of accommodation. We got a one bedroom apartment – which is HUGE!! It’s safe to say we will definitely stay here again.

Kevin was especially excited to find chocolate freckles for free in the lobby. It’s the little things you know? 🙂 In my sugar eating days I would have loved the jaffas (but I’m not longer interested in sweet things).

After we got settled into our room we headed back into the city to the Canberra Center.

Where we did a spot of shopping – Typo…

The Apple store….

I love all the decorations in the center. Definitely makes you feel festive.

We got very excited to find this fair trade chocolate shop. Kevin bought up big…

but I just got one of the milk orange chocolates. It was delicious and I was more than satisfied with one.

We really didn’t buy a lot, even in Wheel & Barrow where I usually find something I have to have. But I was excited to see Ivy Larson’s Clean Cuisine book – it’s the first time I’ve seen in Australia. Ivy’s chia cookies, that my family are addicted too and we make ALL the time, are from this book.

After shopping we had dinner at Wagamama’s and decided to share 3 dishes. Everything was delicious.

Then it was time to head back to our apartment, after a lovely first day of our little getaway.

Kiama – Day 6

Posted on October 10, 2013October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Day 6 started with some washing. I then headed out on another walk, but this time in the other direction.

I went up these stairs….

and got to enjoy this view of the park. In all the years we’ve come here I don’t recall EVER coming up this side.

So glad I made the effort.

On the other side of the headland is the Little Blowhole, and luckily for me it was actually blowing.

I kept on stopping to take photos and video because it was all just so gorgeous.

After my delightful walk, I drove into Kiama to do a spot of shopping. I got to check out the organic shop and loved that you could buy things from the bulk bins.