Playing Brisbane Tourist - 1

The Tower Mill, by James Moloney, was on the reading list for book club this month.  I had some time on my hands, so decided to take the train into Central and have a poke around the area where a lot of important action in the book takes place (n the 1970s).  The Old Windmill is still there on Wickham Terrace - the oldest standing building in Brisbane.

The nearby hotel is also mentioned in the book.  One of the women in our group had her wedding reception there!

I finished reading the book in the nearby park.

Bribie Island

Early this month I hitched a ride with some friends up to Bribie - I thought it was to hang quilts, but it was just to deliver some suitcases.  So, what to do with all that spare time (no hanging, no kayaking...lol).  We wandered through the gallery (I was sooo good at not buying anything), then had a spectacular lunch near the water.  My burger was stuffed with seafood.

We then visited the local museum.

I loved this whale sculpture with beautifully etched metal work.

Coochie

Taking off from Victoria Point, we paddled around Coochie, stopping occasionally, such as on a beach near this scarred tree.

Cleveland Point

I do like feeling the waves, and the paddle around the point was good going from that perspective.  There were tons, and tons, of these jellies - such a gorgeous blue!

 We beached on a sandbar in the middle of the bay to have a look around.

Meadowlands Road to Wynnum Road

I'm not totally in love with river/creek kayaking - very flat and far too warm this time of year.  BUT there are gems, such as this lovely bridge.

New Year's Day

Picnic at Cleveland Point.

Pumicestone Passage

It was a nice way to spend New Year's Eve Day - kayaking from Banksia Beach, which has the most amazing view across the Passage to the Glasshouse Mountains.  A short stop before the last leg, stroke by stroke against driving wind and spray.

Raby Bay

It was fun paddling around Raby Bay, seeing houses from a different angle.  Here's me from a different angle.

There were jelly fish everywhere - a gorgeous blue colour.  I didn't mind them, except when my paddle hit one - not a nice feeling.

Christmas Day

My daughter made a strawberry wicked daiquiri for morning tea.

And as we ate lunch outside, I was able to finally use the placemats I'd made many years ago.

Christmas Tradition

Keith's family always had Fruit Loops for Christmas morning breakfast - so I've continued the tradition.

Christmas Eve Brisbane

I wanted to see the Holly Jolly Sandcastle in South Bank.  It was marvellous - Aussie animals helping Santa.

Over in King George's Square, the giant Christmas Tree was magnificent.

New Route

I decided to drive back to Brisbane a new way - via Stroud and Gloucester and up to Casino.  It felt like a long long way with all the ups and downs in the road, that my little car did not enjoy.
Gloucester was environmentally aware

and pushing consumerism!

If you look through these binoculars, you see into Gloucester's past.

Civic

There are so many public sculptures around Civic (Canberra) - I'm gradually getting to them all.

I was taken to lunch at an amazing tapas bar with Asian flavours - Soju Girl.  I loved this quote painted on the wall.

Canberra Shops

Lonsdale Street has some trendy and interesting clothes,  homeware and gift shops.  Even on sale, the clothes here were waaay above my budget.

Popup shops in a building that is going to be demolished....some time.

Christmas Present for Mum

It was good to drive to Canberra rather than fly - I could take a special gift.

Canberra

I was here to visit Mum and go to a Christmas Party.  Others were partying too.

I missed the Under The Southern Skies exhibition.

but I did get to eat some Kingsley's.

Canberra Drive

I left early on Monday 17 December to drive to Canberra.  It was not my favourite trip.  So many roadworks, and the weather was hot!!!  I had my folder of Christmas CDs for company.

A highlight for each coast trip is a stop at the Big Banana!!

I couldn't make it to Sydney that first day, but got there the second and had a yummy pub lunch with my brother.

Finally got to Canberra that evening.

Q1

We didn't make it to the top, it was full house.  Another time.

Some interesting things at street level.

Gold Coast Weekend

After having a garage sale in mid December I hopped on a train and went to the Gold Coast.  The main reason was to go nightclub hopping on the Saturday night.  OK you can stop laughing now.  We were treated very respectfully.  And, honestly, it was a blast.  Who wouldn't want to sit in the back seat of a stretch hummer cruising GC streets while being served alcohol and listening to music so loud every cell in your body pulses with the beat?  Four nightclubs, a drink and dancing at each.  Amazing.

Catching Up

It's been a while!  So in the next few weeks I'll go back and catch up with some things I want to remember.

Shoes!!  There are some I just CAN'T let go of.  I have a wonderful designer pair from 25 years ago - ALMOST back in fashion.  Yeah, right.  Also have my wedding shoes from 1988.  Very Queen Mother-ish, but I doubt I'll ever throw them out.

Then there are the ones that just have to go - ones I haven't worn in a while, that look dated, but which still hold memories.  So those will be photographed.  Like this one.

Byee!!