For the first time since April 2012 I’ve climbed Mt Taylor. This is a major achievement for me post knee replacement. I knew I would have some places to stop and rest along the track so I took my small sketchbook to make some drawings on the way.

Lake Tuggeranong from the middle slopes of Mt Taylor, trees in the foreground, 6 December 2013.

To my surprise and delight I made it up to the top of the mountain. There are wonderful views over most of Canberra from this spot.

Woden town centre foreground with Black Mountain and the Black Mountain tower in the distance, 6 December 2013.

What I was most interested in was the change of perspective from this height. Looking across to major landmarks with a very different horizon line from that at the bottom of the mountain.

The horizon line skimming Black Mountain, distant hills more prominent from this position, 6 December 2013.

It was a great walk. I found going back down was far harder on my knees than climbing up, but I was happy that I had made the effort.