Canberra afternoon schedule.

The Australian Sports Academy was a great recommendation....thank you.
We just managed to gate crash a guided tour....catching it up just as it was leaving the really fun, play part; Alex & Jess looked longingly at all the equipment but it was a good incentive to keep them sweet on the tour...that we would be returning to that part, by crashing in on another group later!



This really is an incredible facililty, with the latest in technology and resources; cameras are pointed at the atheletes every body part....to spot every move! (no smutty comments, please!)
The swimming 50m pool (which can be cleverly split in half!),had an area competition going on, as it can be used at certain times by the public.



Our guide was a promising, 18 year old hockey player. (no, Ian, she wasn't a lesbian!)
Once she found out that I used to play, she chatted to me quite a lot, in between the tour, telling me the 'low down' on the international team and why they had not been doing very well in recent years!
I'm afraid , despite all of Chris's trivia knowledge, we were often unable to answer her questions as to which Australian person or team had won gold or whatever in numerous Olympics etc...
But despite this, the tour was very interesting to see how the best in Australia are nurtured; they even have their own dietary building, complete with flotation tanks and accommodation for aclimatising to different altitudes.

The hall for Netball and Basketball.
(the basketball players have to shoot 1000 baskets a day....as part of their training!)


....and finally, the place that the kids had been waiting for.....we got to test our skills against each other and the computers!
Skateboarding.


Penalty Shoot out!


Bike race.


And much more....including the winner's podium........Ever the competitive Dad! (they took it in turns to be the winner...but Chris rubbed it in the most....what a bad example to set our children!)



And then.... some culture and serious lessons on "how grateful we should be to our ancestors and everyone who fought for our freedom. " Gallipoli was a particularly popular theme.


These 3D scenes and the films were brilliant in bringing the history to life.
Alex only asked once, " Can we leave now...?
Jessica thought she has seen quite enough death for one day.



The memorial wall was incredible.....to see so many names, interspersed with poppies.
It was eerie to see a 'J' and an 'A' Chappell right next to each other.



The most poignant moment came with the single bugle playing, The Last Post', at 5pm; standing on the steps of his memorial courtyard alone.



There was even a couple having their Wedding pictures taken...with this as the background.


We ended our day by going out for a meal and playing table football! (guess who won? Yes the boys....but later I beat Chris 3 times at Pool....and he was very gracious to tell Alex so he doesn't get too much attitude, thinking....'boys are better than girls!' )