Day 14 2/4/2019 Around Canberra

Day 14

Dinner last night was your own discretion so a small group of us decided to head to Kingston Mall and after some discussion decided on the Lebanese restaurant.  It was somewhat busy which was a good sign and they were happy to take us as a group.  Ernest and Julia joined as a little while later.  

Breakfast this morning was again at your own discretion so Maritta and I walked down the block and had an excellent breakfast at the "Penny University". Others went to various places and some had brought their own supplies.  It was a very relaxed start to the day. Most of us had already done at least 1-2 loads of washing given there were washers and dryers in each of the apartments. 

Line-up in the Motel underground carpark in Kingston

Today was a tour in and around Canberra starting with a visit to the High Court for a guided tour. This is the highest court in the country and is the final umpire in all legal matters. Although this is the home of the High Court, the court regularly sits in other states, usually taking over a court in the relevant Supreme Court. Court 1 is where Constitutional Matters are adjudicated.

Outside the High Court - Canberra

David and Kay carefully consider their next move

Interesting water feature outside the High Court

Mike has the evidence.......Yes Officer, I did pay the parking fee for my car but it disappeared, probably blew away,

Mike makes off with John's "Morgan"

"Children" Maritta and Margaret enjoy the slide on the highly polished seats inside the foyer of the High Court.

Perhaps if I hold on it will help

Court 1 - dedicated to matters of Constitutional Law.  Very grand room.

Any matter of constitutional Law are heard in court 1 which has the full panel of 7 judges including the Chief Justice.  Appeals on the other hand, when lower courts have not been able to provide a ruling which is acceptable to both parties, are held in Court 2 and generally have just 5 Judges presiding.

Court 2, Appeals Court

Collection of Portraits in Court 2

The building is very elegant and has stood the test of time

Court 3 deals with the initial legal arguments of the parties which enables the court to decide if an appeal will be allowed. This normally has just on Judge presiding.

Court 3 where you go to argue for the right to appeal, only a very small percentage of cases proceed to the Appeals Court

We leave the High Court and it is just a short walk across the road to the National Gallery where we stopped for a quick bite then to the National Portrait Gallery.

What should we do next??

After an afternoon of culture we then returned to the Motel in time for a quick shower and then the bus to take us to Bentspoke Brewery for a beer tasting and dinner. The Brewing company has two sites and all of the beer produced on the Braddon site is consumed on-site in the bar or restaurant. They currently have 16 different beers on tap, all produced on this site. These are all different flavors and types and range from 4% alcohol to 16%.

The Brewery makes and sells all its beer on site. Ernest and Julia sample the product!  It has another site at Mitchell which at which it brews beer for other outlets and for canning.

Very interesting light shades made from bicycle gears

Andrew, Frances and Judy in deep discussion....what should we try next??