Queanbeyan

A few weeks ago....it was time to have an adventure a bit closer to home in Queanbeyan or Quangers as it is fondly known. A city of about 35,000 people, 15km from Canberra.

The name Queanbeyan comes from Quinbean, an Aboriginal word meaning clear waters.  I think I shall call it this from now on :)

My fellow adventurer and I decided to explore by following the river through the city, starting from just near the train station - on the other side of the railway from where I once explored Oaks Estate many years ago as part of my Canberra suburbs project.

To be honest, I didn't really know what to expect, but it turned out to be a gorgeous day...past lovely flowers...

 Alongside the old Riverside Cemetery...

With some of us apparently not worried about the signs :p

Past old churches....

And the house I want to live in :)

Across a fun swinging suspension bridge...

Through an outdoor school classroom :)

 

Past some very Australian houses....

Then it was time to leave suburbia and get back to the riverfront...

And then all of a sudden it was like we were in the middle of the bush....and after a slightly steep climb up a hill we were rewarded with this view :)

Taking a slightly different route back we were rewarded with....a typically Australia motel -you  don't see these much anymore!

Some interesting architectural choices...

Fun street art...

And a gorgeous riverside cafe with some awesome GF treats to put back all those calories we just walked off! Its all about the balance right? :p

Thank you Quinbean :)

Yass

A few weekends ago....it was time to visit Yass. A town of less than 7000 people, 59km from Canberra.

Yass is believed to have been named after an Aboriginal word for running water - that is Yarrh or Yharr.
 
We arrived in the cold after dark - so could have been anywhere - but checked into our gorgeous retro AirBnB and immediately felt at home and a world away.

But it was time to venture out and see what a Friday night in Yass had to offer....

And we were pleasantly surprised when we came upon the wonderful Yazzbar - warm, comfy, amazing food (haloumi sliders, haloumi pizza, all the haloumi!!!!), and great wine and cocktails....and all only a three block roll to our accommodation :)

Waking up the next morning we were able to explore where we were actually staying :p

And then it was off for a wander around town...

Through Banjo Patterson park...

Past some cute locals :)

 To Ross's which shall henceforth be known as 'the tardis' - definitely bigger on  the inside!

Past old inns and gorgeous houses...

Along old tramways...

And under bridges...

Past the regal old buildings...

 

 Via local markets and  a wonderful world of cheese :)

And up the oddly steep hill back home...

After a rest, it was off to Wee Jasper for the afternoon...

 

 

It was quite a drive (make sure you trust your driver!). But it was certainly worth it...

What a beautiful day! This view would be hard to beat.

But alas it was time for the return journey to Yass...

Past the baby sheeps :)

There was time for a final fancy dinner in Yass - which turned out to be a bit more fancy than good...so snuck back to Yazz bar for dessert! OMG best Tiramisu ever.

Thank you Yass for a lovely weekend :)