Last month, at Eat Drink Blog, I fell in love with my city all over again.

I first came to Canberra more than 20 years ago in my late teens.  I came as a student, from a childhood in the bush, and initially found it very bare and open, with what seemed to be identikit suburbs stretching on forever.

Gradually, as I developed networks of friends and familiar places, it grew on me.  I grew to love my tree filled neighbourhood, the birds…the closeness to bushland, shops, and monuments and attractions.  In the world of food I loved my local markets, both the big Belconnen Markets, as well as smaller local ones, and as we had children, appreciated a rare night out at some of Canberra’s great restaurants.

Yes I loved all these things, but it was a quiet appreciation, born of long familiarity and I think I took…