We had a nice late start this morning, setting the alarm for 7 and leaving just after 8. We drove down to Jindabyne, which took about 30 minutes, admiring the wonderful views of the slopes covered in snow gums. From above Jindabyne there were beautiful views of Lake Jindabyne which is a new lake made by one of the dams on the Snowy River, but it really is difficult taking photos out of a moving bus, and there is nowhere to stop on the road.
We made our way to Cooma to the Visitor Centre for the Snowy River Hydro Scheme, which was very interesting. I had not realised it was so extensive, comprising 16 lakes, 147 kilometres of tunnels and 7 power stations. The work was started in 1949, and started by men with only picks and shovels. It was completed in 1974, by which time I imagine there were some more advanced tools!
There are warning notices all along the Snowy River at present, because a flushing flow is about to be released from the dam to scour the river bed and channel. The notices warn that the river will rise between 1.8 and 3.6 metres. However, we still saw people camped right beside the river yesterday, and wonder if they have been washed away this morning!
We drove to Canberra, where we had a quick drive round the city. It certainly is a beautiful city. Being properly planned it is very spacious and full of parks and lakes. The modern buildings are mostly very pleasant - no concrete excrescences! Our driver gave us a very comprehensive tour of the new Parliament building,
and we were able to see the chamber of the House of Representatives.
There are superb views from the roof over much of the city, and looking straight forward you can see the old Parliament building - now a Museum - and right up to the Australian War Memorial.
Apparently the Prime Minister's desk is in a straight line from the front door of the building right through the old Parliament building to the War Memorial. There are some interesting things to look at in the new building, including a copy of Magna Carta!
We then lunched in the centre of Canberra, and set off for Sydney. On the way, we stopped at the Big Merino. I went inside to look at the woollen garments, but there were some really silly prices so I did nothing but look.
We are back in Sydney after 6 weeks and I am quite tired of living out of a suitcase. Unless we are pretty quick, Paul no longer has to live out of a suitcase, his has fallen apart! Tomorrow (Sunday) we have to buy him something as we fly to Hobart on on Monday - otherwise he will have to live out of a number of black plastic bags. And as we are no longer with backpackers once we get to Tasmania, we need to start looking a bit more respectable!
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