A Trip to Canberra / Piano Hunting

It was time to visit the nation’s capital, Canberra, again after three and a half years, the last two of which were due to covid isolation.
The mission was to ‘test’ a few electronic pianos. The co driver’s current one is old and has begun to play up (excuse the pun) and is non repairable.
She had a number of potential brands/models on her list but due to a severe shortage of instruments in Australia and indeed world wide (again covid related), retailers have had little stock.
But we got word some models on her list had arrived, so off we went in the new car’s first long journey over the mountains.

After only 30 minutes something new appeared. They are building a replacement bridge across the Clyde River at Nelligen! 

Who knew?
Not us.

The car performed well going up and over Clyde Mountain pass.
There were plenty of roadworks on the way as the recent torrential rain had caused some damage. This meant delays so the trip turned into 3 hours all up.

Sadly the affects of the 2019/20 bushfires are still obvious. What was once thick verdant rain forest on the eastern escarpment is now patched with black and grey. Recovery is slow but happening however. Tree ferns were the first to regenerate.

The co driver spent time at Better Music, a very impressive business, discussing and test playing some pianos while I walked to outdoor sports store nearby to pick up some kayak rack accessories.

She appeared 90 minutes later with the news she had ordered a Kawai which will be delivered and installed in a few weeks.

On the recommendation of the sales guy, we headed into suburban Canberra for lunch at Fox and Bow to celebrate. There were a few false turns getting there. Canberra can be a bit of a rabbit warren for outsiders.

We both enjoyed a Casablanca salad and good coffee.
On the way home we stopped at historic Braidwood for a quilt shop visit. 

The business has recently changed hands and the disorganised chaos and clutter of the previous owner has gone which impressed the co driver immensely. As per usual purchases were made.
Then it was an uneventful drive down the mountain and home. 

A long but successful day.