Sunday, 31 August 2014

Flying Machines and the Hunter Valley



Time for some time-out and an interesting camera effect on our journey down to the Hunter Valley on our little Qantas Link prop plan - a Bombardier Dash 8-300.



A more relaxed flying experience than usual, lower flying at 22,000 feet enhancing the views over the Gold Coast as we flew South, destination the Hunter Valley wine region. Although not the quietest flight ever - my ears buzzed for days, a beautiful flying day, brilliant blue skies as we flew past the beautiful rugged coastline of New South Wales to land in Newcastle. Recording the prop through the window on my camera made for some fascinating and entertaining viewing.


There is no sense from up here how potentially hostile it can be on the ground.  Outback Australia famous for its dangerous snakes, spiders, extreme temperatures and dry, arid red dirt.

I'm no expert, far from it and it is a mindset to which every migrant, inbound to Australia must adapt. I am sure Aussie kids are brought up to just be naturally careful, otherwise surely they wouldn't survive the weekend. 

If you leave your shoes on the deck overnight, don't forget to bang them out before putting them on! If in a cafe, don't be surprised to look up and see a snake coiled amongst the rafters, keeping warm! Watch out for possum's in the trees in early evening, even in the city, see the flocks of bats with more than a metre long wingspan head in at dusk in mango season and just occasionally, pause the car while a koala labours its own sweet way across the road in front of you, apparently without a care in the world.

Don't get me wrong, all this doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it is more typically a sense of awe and wonderment than fear that pervades, even after 16 years of living here I am not entirely sure I shall ever quite get used to it, I hope I never take it for granted.

Saturday, 9 August 2014

Out and About in Brisbane....

Sometimes, we forget that where we live can be worth exploring too!  Here's Brisbane!


Brisbane skyline viewed from Mt Coot-tha Lookout

Southbank, Brisbane, Qld

Bougainvillea-covered Arbour, Southbank, Brisbane

The Wheel of Brisbane







Enjoy Southbank Parklands, on the banks of the Brisbane River, spread over 17 hectares, a corner of paradise directly opposite the city, complete with a man made beach and always sunny!

Wander through the pretty kilometre long bougainvillaea covered arbour or hop on the Wheel of Brisbane for a bird's eye view or or stop by the Nepalese Peace Pagoda for some quiet time.

Be there on the 1st Sunday of every month if you just love soaking up the atmosphere of local craft markets!

Nepalese Peace Pagoda, Southbank, Brisbane

Cockatoos in the trees
Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Southbank, Brisbane
Maybe after a visit to one of our art galleries or the Queensland State Library, you can reserve your seat at one of QPAC's four venues to catch a concert or a Theatre show!  So lucky to have major events here, Disney's Lion King and Wicked to name but too, from ballet to Classic concerts, get in quick, tickets sell out fast!


The Ship Inn, Queensland Pub

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Cuddle a Koala, over 130 to choose from @ Lone Pine
Jump on a river cruise to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a great place to meet and cuddle and hand feed some of the locals!  Cute!
Kangaroos bask and laze in the sun

Southbank

Delicious Cuisine at Obsession, Southbank

Paddle up the Brisbane River

Ella's Pink Lady, Jessica Watson's round the world yacht, some say foolish, some say brave, either way, she's famous and her tiny boat now lies in the Queensland Maritime Museum, Brisbane while Jessica appears to have  taken a step back from publicity

Kangaroo Point

Take a ride on our little red tourist ferry, it's free!

Check out our spectacular fig trees along the river walkways

As you stroll along the banks of the Brisbane river, watch or learn to rock climb at Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Rock climbing with Riverlife at Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Brisbane
Rock Climbing @ Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Watch the sun go down from Kangaroo Point

Sunset, Brisbane
Watch the sun go down from Kangaroo Point before ending the day with dinner at the Story Bridge Hotel and if you didn't manage to climb it, then don't miss out a chance to check out our bridge of many colours - The Story Bridge
Sunset, over Brisbane, viewed from Kangaroo Point
Th Brisbane Wheel after dark, Southbank