Canberra

Saturday 15th september first road trip and am sure many to come. But wasn't impressed as checked Facebook this morning and Dwayne had put about girlfriend coming over. Nice of him to actually tell me he had a girlfriend. I know it wasn't anything serious but still nice to know but not going to worry about til Sunday as got road trip to look forward to.
First job to pick up car from car hire at Avis in Croydon. So we caught 2 buses to Croydon but I think the 2nd one we needn't really need as could of walked from bus stop. As when 2nd one dropped of was about a 5minute walk to Avis car hire. We had requested a manual car but their didn't have any so got an automatic silver Kia Cerato. Was a nice car was 5door which was good since 4 of us going as invited to Debbie to come. Bianca drove first had a trial before getting on main road and had a few bunny hops first but once on main road fine. Picked Nat up first from Croydon train station then on to highway and had to pay $4.40 for toll. Stopped at McDonald's on route for food had coffee and savoury muffin feta and spinach. It was nice but think still prefer sweet ones.
It took us about 3hours to get to Canberra and first stop Floriade flower show. Bonus we got free parking and was free to get into Floriade. Floriade definitely not like Chelsea flower show, no big displays. Also some of the flowers looked half dead but at least we can we came. One stall doing dress up which was quite fun think picked on Bianca as wasn't keen. Whilst walking through Floriade could see some water jet so went to investigate. It was Regatta Point and the jet was Captain Cooks Memorial jet which we could see. Over the water in the background was house of parliament.
It was then time to go explore Canberra and seemed like a ghost time in comparison to Sydney. As you definitely wouldn't of thought it was a Saturday afternoon unless in wrong place. Think Canberra is more know from its politicians and casino, which we found. We then walked up the Anzac parade walk which is the site for many major military memorials. There was even one for service nurses so obviously had to get picture of. At the end is the war memorial which is Australia's national memorial to all armed forces. When first enter is nice has names on walls with poppies, the museum wasn't that interesting. Then it was time to head back as getting late getting on for 5.
Now by time to drive and never driven automatic car before so should be fun. I had a trial run round the car park first which was ok, just braking too hard. As don't think need to press brake as hard as with manual. Also kept putting windscreen wipers when meant to put on indicators as in wrong place to where am used to. The drive was ok but think definitely prefer manual to automatic. Whilst driving every now and again I kept wanting to change gear, but don't need to on automatic.
We thought we would go to Wollongong for food and was further than we thought so stopped at service station on route for crisps. Once at Wollongong seemed ok a few nice bars but we weren't bothered about that just wanted food. We went to Samaras a Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine. Never had Lebanese before but was nice had two different platters. Which consisted of shish kebab, grilled chicken, kafta, Beirut chicken and dips. So think Lebanese food is mainly chicken and lamb dishes. Then we went to see the lighthouse at Wollongong which changes colour and bianca's turn to drive. Only took us about a hour to get back Nat stayed at ours and slept on floor even though I offered. As thought easier for her to stay at outs then can get off early tomorrow on another road trip