It's snowtime!

One of the things i really wasn't expecting to find here in Australia-land was ... wait for it... SNOW! I mean, come on! Isn't it a just big desert island with some beaches and good sportspeople? Apparently not. Canberra is actually in an area with a inverting snowline (I'm not really sure what that is... some garden survey guy told me on monday), and gets snow every couple of years. It hasn't snowed in the city yet, but with these freezing cold temperatures, it sure it trying hard. Canberra is also a mere 2 hour drive from the highest hill mountain in the country, which incidentally is also home to the best ski-slopes in the country.
Last weekend there were record snow dumps in the Snowy Mountains, so we joined the Rathbones and headed out to Thredbo to see for ourselves. Julie's three younger cousins (Dayne, Luke & Rory) went really early and spent the day snowboarding, while the rest of us caught a ski-lift up the mountain to see the view and grab some tasty food and Lindt hot chocolate. Jules and i spent a bit of time out in the snow, before retreating back into the restaurant to eat. I'm still trying to get my head around the alpine-like town in the middle of Australia! Just to prove i'm not fabricating the whole story, here is the evidence:

Me, Julie, 'Uncle' Alan,Clyde & 'Aunty' Glynis at Merrit's Chairlift

one of the slopes

idyllic!

Snow in Australia? Who would have thought. Our next little adventure is a weekend trip out to the newly discovered Egyptian pyramids in the Outback (200 miles south of Darwin). Pyramids? Who would have thought!

Canberra style

Don't be fooled... though it may seem small and boring and full of public servants... under the skin Canberra's got style. Just ask Nina or Canberrablog.

It's rather different from the South African (street) style, but difference is good. I look forward to unearthing some of the more edgy and arty sides to this little city as i settle in (and when the weather warms up).

Some good frisbee news

After the sad frisbee news of missing worlds and nursing my ankle, here's some good news. Last night the indoor winter league started here in Canberra. I signed up a while back, and thought i'd give it a try. I haven't run or played frisbee in two months, and was wary as to how my ankle would perform. I bandaged it up nicely, put on an aircast, and it held up surprisingly well. There were a whole bunch of aspects that contributed to a smooth return to my favourite pastime: the court we played on at the AIS was a sprung floor, i was able to wear cushioned shoes, the games were only 30 mins long, and the small court means less running. I came home really energised from the run around, and from meeting cool new frisbee folks - a great change from the boring job applications that usually colour my day.

(PS> The Canberra Ultimate crowd are running some frisbee development clinics on Monday nights from next week... i know about 8 people in this city, and have convinced 4 to come along! What a frisbee-evangelist i am.
PPS> Julie has expressed an interest to come along. I've told her that i love her just as she is - ultimate player or not- but she, of her own volition, wants to learn and play too! Hooray!)