As we drove into town, the first thing on the agenda was lunch, and we found a great restaurant: menu looked great, good happy crowd, beautiful view of the water and seagulls and sailboats. Only thing, it was a yacht club, and only members could eat there. So Dad and Elder Osborn joined the club, got their membership caps--and we went ahead and ate!
From there, we headed to the Floriade (flo'-ree-ahd)--their spring flower festival. There were crowds who had come from all over the area (school is out this week), and it was a festive, happy walk among the most beautiful daffodils, tulips, and pansies--acres of them!
Robyn (Osborn) and I love those beautiful colors!
A dunny and a Holden Ute in the background......
And--coming across the grounds, we could hear music playing--like the kind you hear on merry-go-rounds. We came through some trees finally, and saw the most wonderful street organ parked there, playing everything from Disney music to old-time polkas to Sousa marches. It was so charming--and we had to buy two CDs to bring home.
Sunday morning, we were off to Church to say Hello to Elder Harold and Sister Yvonne Dopson, who had served with us in Perth. We were so happy to see them!
But what a surprise to also find--in that same ward--Elder Chris Seumanutafa, and Elder Livai Ofiu (who actually lives in Sydney, but who was home in Canberra, visiting with his wife's family), and his wife and 3-week-old daughter.
After Sacrament Meeting, Elder Ofiu's in-laws (Mark and JoAnn Travers) invited us to their home for dinner. We explained that we were with another couple (in their car, actually!), and they said to bring them too. So--we did!
What delightful people! And what a joy to go into their home and to see signs of what is important to them: temples, missionary work, family, the prophet, etc.--and to feel the spirit in their home. Sister Travers had fixed wonderful Chinese food, which we loved, and we ohed and ahed over the baby, and had a fun time visiting.
It is a wonderful thing to find sweet Elder Ofiu--these few years after his mission--righteous and happy--doing such good things. We feel such love and gratitude for him. He was an elder who ALWAYS smiled--and he is still smiling today! Great!
And then--there we were, sitting at the table, when Elder Osborn (our neighbor who was with us) realized that he had known the grandmother (Trudy Bell) 40 years ago, when he served his mission here in Australia. We all could NOT believe the connections!
Here we all are--a lovely evening: Nallys, Osborns, Mark and JoAnn Travers with daughter, Danielle, in front; Grandma Trudy Bell, and Elder Livai Ofiu and his wife, Kylene, holding daughter Hilia.
The next day, we headed to the Australian National Museum, where we really enjoyed all the history and displays. Here we are in the courtyard of the museum--a very modernistic building!
This is a piece of Aboriginal art which we liked. It's entitled "Sisters," and shows two girls, one European Australian and the other, Aboriginal Australian. There was a lot of history, much learning, and great displays throughout.....
Then off we went to Parliament House--to have a look at another form of government. We even saw the old, ornate desk which Queen Victoria had used when she signed her "asssention" to Australia's becoming a separate country in 1900. They even had the inkwell and the quill pen, plus the document itself. While there, we saw the House of Commons, and the Senate, and Kaye took a moment to help the Queen out a bit--and straighten her picture, before we headed off to see the National War Memorial
Here we are on Parliament Hill--with the War Memorial in the far distance--a beautiful view!
A beautiful day--and a great TRIP!
