CANBERRA

Monday, 27 May 2019

Temora sunset

Rugged up for the Australian War Memorial visit

Richards A.H.

Connell O.E.

Richards L.J. (Les' namesake)

G for George

Avenue of Honour tapestry

Memories

Up periscope!

Keeping the home fires burning...

Original Long Tan Memorial Cross

Afghanistan art installation - carved marble!

Parliament Houses

Last Post Ceremony

After a very quiet night at Temora, we headed south east (I know, should be going north!) for Canberra and were on site at the EPIC Showgrounds before lunch.  After making a contribution to the laundry contractor, it was time for our much anticipated visit to Movenpick.  The ice cream shop was still in the same position but the Movenpick ice cream had turned into a rather much cheaper version of Everest ice cream.  We walked away in disappointment…

Sunday was spent with James and Maureen, enjoying a lovely lunch at their home and meeting their family for the first time.  Late Sunday afternoon, the temperature began to drop, then dropped some more.  Our heater just couldn’t cope with raising the temperature above 13, so it was into bed early with the electric blanket keeping us warm.  It was a very rough and cold night, with strong winds and rain.  After a fairly sleepless night, Himself rose shortly after 6.00am, put the awning in and returned to bed and sleep!

The temperature rose to five degrees (apparent temperature -3), the heater still struggled until we left to spend the day at the Australian War Memorial.  It was certainly a day for thermals, possum fur and merino knitwear, scarves, hats, gloves and down jackets.  Poor Cat has refused to put his nose out from under the blankets and keeps muttering about going to Cairns.

We had a long and wonderful day at the War Memorial.  Having lost three relations in the First and Second World Wars, Les was keen on placing a poppy beside their names on the Roll of Honour and when we asked how to find the names, a lovely lady immediately asked Les if he would like to lay a wreath at the Last Post Ceremony in honour of his relations, printed of their information and then showed us how to find the names.  Even though we have been to the r Memorial a number of times, the exhibits are constantly changing and being added to.  We were in the ANZAC Hall when the G for George film was shown – George was one of 500 planes on a bombing raid over Germany – and the film followed this flight.  The film concluded with statistics – the number of airmen who served, the number who died (about half), the number of Australian airmen to serviced and died.  It was a really sobering moment, and there was complete silence from the many people who were in the Hall at that time.  We were also treated to a bit of “street theatre” where an actor played the part of a serviceman returning from France and visiting the mother of a friend who didn’t return; very moving.  Another new art installation commemorated those lost in Afghanistan – for each man there was a folded flag tied with a cord and red poppies on top, with the folded flag actually being carved Australian marble.  Absolutely stunning.

The wreath laying was part of the Last Post Ceremony held at the end of each day, in which a serviceman/woman is honoured.  After the welcome, a piper plays while wreaths are laid, then a history is read of the person being honoured, the Ode and Last Post complete the proceedings.  A very emotional ceremony.

With showers throughout the day, the temperature didn’t really rise much above six degrees and was dropping again by the time we arrived back at a FREEZING caravan shortly after 6.00pm.  Another early night coming up!