Love stories often involve people, but this one is about my love of Canberra.
In 2021, Trent Dalton (author of Boy Swallows Universe) published a book of love stories. To write this book, he sat on a corner in the Brisbane CBD with a typewriter and asked passers-by to tell him a love story. It’s such a heartwarming book about friendship, loss, and love of people and the city of Brisbane. The woman who told of her love of Brisbane and how it saved her life was one of my favourites.
I am Canberra born and bred, and apart from 5.5 months in Invercargill for study, I have lived here my whole life. Last year, I decided I needed to move away for a change; that hasn’t happened yet, and I’m glad to still live here.
March is my favourite time of year in Canberra. It’s stunningly beautiful all the time, but the changing colour of the leaves makes it even more special.
Over the last 2 weeks, I have fed the giraffes at the Zoo, seen Thelma Plum, run a park run with a view of the balloons, attended the first Brumbies home game, seen Enlighten twice, chased the balloons from White Patrick Lawns to the arboretum, taken Lisa to experience the deliciousness of Stephanies Donuts at Haig Park, Watched Budjerah perform, met him after the show and at 6 am this morning, the time I usually publish my blog, I was waiting for my first ever balloon ride.
I described the weekend just gone as the weekendest weekend. I spent it enjoying every moment before I knuckled down to study. In just 2 months, I will depart for Europe with the Australian Rowing team for my 2nd tour.
The only time I wanted to go in a balloon was during a balloon festival when I would be in the air with 30 or more balloons. It wasn’t meant to be this time. Weather conditions weren’t favourable for launching from the festival site, so we launched from an oval in Hawker. There were 7 balloons total, which is still more than if I were to go outside the festival. I want to try again next year and fly over the lake with the masses.
Canberra is a beautiful place that I am grateful to call home. I love the suburb I live in; it’s not too far from anywhere, and there are plenty of parks for Zoe, some fabulous people, communities and small businesses.
I wonder about those who describe Canberra as boring, whether residents or visitors. Did they leave their house or hotel room? Some footballers I’ve worked with have often been surprised by how much they’ve loved Canberra. A few of the rowers I’ve spoken to have commented that while looking forward to being closer to their families, they will miss Canberra's beauty and ease.
Winter is rolling around, and it’s often this time when I question why I live here. I love footy season, but I don’t love the freezing cold that comes with it.
What do you love about Canberra?
Do you have a love story to tell?
I was one of those surprised people moving to Canberra. Especially leaving the beach which has always been my love story. I love that Canberra is like a big country town but still has city feels and that there are so many free family events, it's a great place to raise a family. The walking and hiking tracks and the beautiful small business community.
I love the fact of Canberra is surrounded by lot of hills and mountains are accessible from your house which none of the big cities in Australia provides.. except Tasmania.. wonderful bike paths... world class Mountain bike track in Stromlo forest park , Majura pines..... Cotter dam and its beautiful fog morning in Cotter dam overflows..... View of Cotter dam from Mt.McDonalds... the list goes on... I love CBR...