by Marilyn Williams (XYL VK2JJW)

The landscape of our corridors of power was resplendent with Autumn colour, particularly the rows of Manchurian Pear Trees lining Lake Burley Griffin in front of the National Art Gallery. The display of russet and gold being just one species in the 50 million trees that have been planted on the treeless plain that has become our National Capital.

Our bus driver and tour leader, a native of Canberra, regaled us with history and stories that brought life and purpose to what is often described as a city without soul. As the bus wove its way through the labrinyth of streets, we wiped the misty glass to peer through the rain splattered windows and view the points of interest.

And from almost every angle we could see the communications tower on Black Mountain, a reminder of our first night in the city where we had been given a tour before dining in the revolving restaurant.

The fog on Mt Ainslie cleared enough for us to clamber out and take a photo or two. As the rain began again there was no sign of bluebells, daisies or reptiles. With the sugar gliders and ring tailed possums tucked away in the hollows of the scribbly gums we went on to the Australian War Memorial.

We were given just one hour in this iconic and important building and so, under instruction, we headed into the enormous Anzac Hall at the rear of the complex arriving just in time for the 10am screening of “G for George”. This remarkable addition places the visitor at the centre of a 1943 aerial night raid over Berlin with the Lancaster Bomber at the forefront and a fighter plane with it in its sight. Lights, artillery fire, backed by a huge concave screen showing sepia film of men engaged in aerial combat.

About five minutes later on the floor below I grabbed a stool for a front row position to watch “Over the front: The Great War in the air” produced by old plane buff and world famous director Peter Jackson. (I'm told in exchange for some aeroplane parts). Using a combination of old and recreated footage the display clearly demonstrates the craziness of air fighting, the youth of the participants and the scariness of war.

As I made my way back to the entrance I found a new exhibition for the current war in Afghanistan. With a nephew currently stationed there it's hard to ignore. The paintings looked like photos! A very different war to the others.

So much to see, so little time but one other realistic display worthy of mention (and I don't know how I found it) is the helicopter landing in the jungles of Vietnam. They were so young, so brave in a war that was so unpopular.

Back on the bus we were taken past the CBD Retail Centre, Captain Cook Memorial Fountain (the jet that usually shoots water to 140 metres in the air is currently limited to 2 hours a day), Magna Carta Place , The Mint, The High Court, Old Parliament House, The Treasury, a number of Embassies and High Commissions including the American Embassy where Barack Obama will stay in June and the Greek Embassy with its unkempt gardens (the gardeners were sacked in March).

Before alighting at the National Art Gallery we once again synchronised our watches. I had never seen the Portrait Gallery so I headed over there first. It has approximately 400 portraits of people who have shaped our nation. Having recently moved to Lake Macquarie, I was intrigued to see Robert Menzies painted by William Dobell who had lived and worked just five minutes from our current location until his death in 1970. Dobell's legacy continues around the Lake with annual events and tourist attractions. The portrait that particularly caught my eye was of Bill Leak's Don Bradman. But with time running short I was determined to get a photo of the Manchurian Pear Trees and the call to achieve that far exceeded the special Hans Heysen exhibition at the National Art Gallery. And I was so glad I did. They were magnificent.

Although service at the cafe was prompt, there was just ten minutes of our one hour stop to enjoy some of the 99,000 plants.

But the seat of Government beckoned and on a day devoid of politicians, public servants and press we were able to freely roam some of the 4000 odd rooms, view some of the 2700 clocks, walk some of the 20 kilometres. There's parts of the the Buckingham Palace Gates destroyed during the Blitz, one of the four Magna Carta's (1297 Charter) in the World, fantastic portraits of past Prime Ministers and paintings of the opening of Parliament House from the Tom Roberts to the more recent 1988 opening of new Parliament House with Queen Elizabeth 2nd presiding. And didn't we have fun identifying the attendees! After a guided tour of the two Houses we returned to the bus feeling fully indoctrinated.

Our final stop of the now rapidly darkening day was at the Canberra Yacht Club on Lotus Bay. The fully enclosed Cruise boat was warm with large windows allowing us to view the Capital from yet another perspective. As we passed various landmarks the Captain's information reiterated and confirmed the bus drivers'.

Over 8 hours had transpired since we'd left the W.I.A members and their day of meetings and activities. Meticulous planning meant that the participants emerged at precisely the same time as the bus pulled up in front of the Lakeside Hotel.