It Was COOOLD Down South!

The family decided to take a trip to Canberra to visit the Old Bus Depot Markets for the Celebration of Wool day (middle of May). I have been wanting to do this for a few years now, and I’m so glad that we finally did!

[singlepic id=137 w=120 mode=watermark float=left]We headed down bright and early on the Saturday morning.  I got to try my “travel look”.  It seems my head is really not designed to wear scarves, bandanas or headbands, as it was all I could do to keep the blasted thing on my head.  If anyone has any tricks to keep them on, please let me know.  The two bobby pins I had at my ears was not enough.  Why I love wearing the scarf while travelling, is that it was hiding a lot of pin curls!  Makeup was nothing but pressed powder, mascara and lip/cheek stain.  I didn’t want to go “full face” when most of the day was being spent travelling.[singlepic id=228 w=200 mode=watermark float=right]

Saturday afternoon was lovely!  We took our son to see Cockington Green, and while we strolled around and marvelled at the scale and detail of the displays, he was enthralled by the … TRAINS!  Three rides on the mini steamer later, and he was a satisfied customer. [singlepic id=229 w=180 mode=watermark float=left]

If trains and 1:12th scale buildings aren’t your thing, don’t fret!  Behind Cockington Green is a great street/plaza style mall, that has everything from overseas candy, beads and best of all… BOUTIQUE TEA!!! [singlepic id=138 w=200 mode=watermark float=right] Adore Tea is a marvelous tea house.  With some delicious flavoured black teas (you NEED to try the Cafe Latte flavour… seriously), and all sorts of other black, green, rooibos and honeybush blends.  If you’re there in the late afternoon, they also have Tea infused Cocktails.  The food is lovely and they have these amazing glass pyrex teapot & warmer sets, that I will certainly be adding to my teapot collection.

[singlepic id=141 w=120 mode=watermark float=left]A trip to Canberra would be incomplete without a whoosh up Black Mountain Tower (used to be called Telecom Tower).  As some of you might know, I am terrified of heights.  This photo was taken from the innermost wall of the observation deck, which was as close as I got to the edge for the 15 minutes we were out there.  The boys had a ball, however.

We stayed in my In-Law’s motorhome, which quite comfortably slept 4 adults and 1 child.  I even managed, in a holiday park, to keep the glamour going with overnight pinset hair.

Sunday was all about the markets.  We got there at about 9:30, and while they were officially not yet open, you are allowed in ‘at your own risk’.  The only risk I could see at 9:30 was to my bank balance.

[singlepic id=140 w=240 mode=watermark float=right]Along with some mouth-watering food, beautiful art, stunning millinery and other markety type stalls, there was an abundance of yarney fibrey goodness! Everything from raw fleece to hand dyed yarns, luscious alpaca tops to handspun yarns.

I was overwhelmed for choice! I started with Knitabulous yarn and a project bag from Randomknits, the yarn is her Fifty fifty (wool/silk) in the colourway “Vintage Lady”. I will be making a “bollywood” shawl, which is one of the Knitabulous designs.

Waratah fibres was there and I fell over and bought some hand dyed BFL tops and some natural Shetland, which I think I will have to spin as laceweight and knit some Shetland lace with it. Try dyeing had lace blocking kits and PVC niddy noddies, which I got, as well as kits to… Well… Try dyeing. I picked up some coloured wool tops in a chocolatey colour from a local grower too.

[singlepic id=231 w=320 h=240 mode=watermark float=left]Something that I’ve been looking for for a while is a good winter hat.  So I bought myself a Trilby. Beautiful black wool felt, and of opportunities to make pretty hat bands. I’m thinking velvet ribbons, beads and feathers.

Sunday afternoon I managed to catch up with a good friend, so there was more Adore Tea time going on.  She lives in Canberra but had not been there before.  They seem to be a fairly new teahouse.

Monday was time at the Australian War Memorial, and then a quick trip to the big shopping centre, which I just love going to, and Koko Black for provisions for the trip home.

This picture is me looking very sombre at the War Memorial.  They have done so much to that place since I was there last.  The new exhibits are amazing.

All in all it was a marvelous weekend.  I proved to myself that a little bit of glamour is possible when time and space are tight, with two successful nights of ‘away from home’ pinsetting, red lipstick and a good mascara.  I also got to spend a lovely time with my family, and got to watch my son be really excited about things, that as an adult, I take for granted.

Next time I go to Canberra, I will be looking for suggestions for great vintage/antique stores, as I’m hoping to have a bit more time to wander around.