There is an awful lot you CAN do in Canberra, just don't plan on doing it in a weekend.

Sunday morning I woke cranky, and overtired. I didn't think the hours difference due to daylight savings would wreck such havoc with my body clock. But that, and the incredibly full schedule for the day before, had me feeling somewhat exhausted.

Needless to say, I was grateful that the mornings proceedings involved brunch at the Australian National Botanical Gardens, where if you were so inclined you could go and meander through the beautiful walks, or do as I did, lay on a picnic blanket, and listen to the music, and eat the amazing food in the hamper made by Floresco in the Gardens, full of fresh produce featuring Australian bush foods.

After brunch we were off to the Old Bus Depot Markets and the Canberra Glassworks. Unfortunately, 45 minutes to go through the  markets didn't do it the justice it deserved.

After speed shopping through the markets, we went on a tour of the Glassworks. Incredibly beautiful pieces of art, in the forms of bowls, vases, glasses, jewellery. The glassworks is housed in Canberra's oldest industrial building -

 

Canberra Glassworks is housed inside the existing fabric of the Kingston Powerhouse has carefully preserved the heritage values of this iconic Canberra building. Many of the original finishes and fittings remain and the building includes a range of heritage interpretation signage to give visitors a glimpse into the past life of the building.

 

The Kingston Powerhouse is Canberra’s oldest permanent public building. It was built between 1913 and 1915 and was designed by the Federal Government architect, J S Murdoch. Murdoch also designed other important heritage buildings in Canberra such as Old Parliament House and its East and West Blocks, Gorman House, the Hotel Canberra (now the Hyatt) and the Kurrajong Hotel.

 

The Powerhouse was originally intended to be a temporary structure and was used to supply Canberra with coal-generated electricity from 1915, continuing to operate as a powerhouse until 1957. - from the Canberra Glassworks

 

 

Look closely and you can see a face

 

 

While there we saw part of a demonstration of glass blowing occurring, an art form I have great admiration for. I know without any hesitation that I would have neither the patience or strength to do what they do.

Then we got to the bit I had been waiting for all weekend. The creative bit. We got to make our own glass tile. I love doing anything where I learn a new creative process, and this is a process that I would love to explore further. Unfortunately, I think it's an expensive medium to learn, so I will have to investigate that one further.

 

I am incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate in the human brochure. It was a huge undertaking. Other then being shattered by the time I got home on Sunday night, and at times feeling like I was on a travel agency junket, I did have a fabulous time. I had been to Canberra as a child of 9, then 12, when I did the obligatory school trip and then again as an adult. And I had always had the opinion that Canberra was a somewhat sterile city. My opinion was challenged and changed. It's a beautiful city, green, and clean, and rich with activities, places and experiences to be had by pretty much anyone.

Just don't plan on doing it all in a weekend.