before I don't

I remember this poster catching my eye last year.

14,000 nominations. 135,000 votes.

(I didn't vote but was intrigued. As a new arrival.)

Things I like (from this list anyway)

• AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT HOUSE
• BEAUTIFUL, CRISP, SUNNY WINTER DAYS
• BE HOME FROM WORK IN 10 MINUTES*
• EASY TO GET AROUND*
• FOUR DISTINCT SEASONS
• LACK OF HUMIDITY
• NATIONAL ARBORETUM
• NO TRAFFIC OR TRAFFIC JAMS
• THE LAKES

* If you have a car (and can drive)

.....

That sense of 'provincial sophistication' lingers.

Cosy yet claustrophobic. Defensive yet smug.

Canberra may be Australia's capital but it can only be described as a 'small city'. (If at all a city...)

Population: c. 380,000

.....

There are many (negative) preconceptions about Canberra.

Cold. Boring. Public servants.

(This post is neither critique nor defence.)

I once loved Canberra.

Which why I need to leave before I don't.

(I prefer to cut my losses early.)