by Ruth Woodhouse

Created on: April 15, 2008

I live in Canberra, which is the capital city of Australia. I fell in love with it when I came here in April 1989. At the time my husband and I were courting, and I had come here from Melbourne - approximately 650 kilometres (400 miles) away - to spend a week with him. Originally we had been planning that, when we married the following year, he would move south to live with me in the Victorian state capital. However, once I had spent a week here it revolutionized our plans. I was smitten with the place and moved here to live just a few months later.

When I came to this beautiful spot that first time, it was autumn and there can be no doubt that had an enormous influence on me being so enamored with the city. You see Canberra is known as the "bush capital" - and for good reason. This city has been purposely built amongst bushland - and, if there's one thing I love most of all about Canberra, it would have to be the trees.

At this time of year it is just magic, with the kaleidoscope of autumn tonings that are such a delight to the eyes and inspiration for the soul. There's an abundance of evergreen trees as well - but there's no doubt about it, the deciduous trees are the ones that give Canberra the greatest appeal of all. This applies in spring time too. Having been bare all winter, it's a delight to see them all getting their fresh new leaves and the landscape greening up - as well as many trees bursting into gorgeous blossom.

The trees aren't the only special aspect of Canberra's natural beauty though. There is also the Brindabella mountain range that surrounds it. This is particularly a feature of the landscape in the Tuggeranong valley - where we live. Wherever we drive we behold the wonderful mountain scenery - and in winter the ranges are often covered with a powdering of snow - which always adds its own wondrous appeal.

We also have a large central lake which was formed by damming the Molonglo River in 1963. Lake Burley Griffin is one of the key features of the Canberra landscape - along with its spectacular landmark fountain, known as the Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet, which reaches a height of 147 metres (483 feet).

Many activities are held along the foreshores of the lake - particularly at Commonwealth Park, which is also the focus of our glorious spring festival, Floriade. This annual event runs for a month from mid-September to mid-October, and draws crowds from all over the country. The stunning and creative garden displays, made up of mostly spring

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