Brisbane things to do: Fort Lytton

Today was hot! I mean hot, 35C (95F)! Heat rash heaven and much too hot to go walkabout but that didn't dent the plan! Besides, my Fitbit has been overly lazy this week so a little exercise was in order!

We decided to take the car for a short run out to Fort Lytton, just 14k outside of town, close to Port of Brisbane.

If you are looking for something to do one Sunday morning (and I say Sunday because it is only open from 10am to 4pm on Sundays) then it might be worth the trip!

Don't get too excited! It's pleasant, not exactly a thrill seekers paradise but pleasant, especially if you have kids. It is educational, wo'manned by volunteers, mostly members of the Fort Lytton Historical Association, who give their time simply because they enjoy it. The ladies man the 'canteen' where you can pick up a cold bottle of water for just a $1.50, unlike most other tourist spots where the same bottle will cost you $3.50 or more these days! If you are feeling peckish, the ladies also operate a sausage sizzle although even the aromas of sizzling sausage and onions failed to tempt me on this beautiful sunny day!

On arrival, we were given a photocopied "map" of the lay of the land, it's all free and you can wander as you will but if you prefer, there are guided tours at intervals throughout the day. If you have ankle biters with you, I would encourage you to join a guided tour and hear stories of history spanning 150 years!

We arrived in time to hear and see the cannons fired, 2 six pounders ...

... and a thirty pounder ... most impressive was the smoke ring blown by our sixty-four pounder!!

Not an everyday occurrence but one we can thank the weather conditions for!

A highlight of the day for me was question time, the "commander" invited questions from the crowd and as usual silence prevailed until a young chap, not more than six or seven years of age piped up:

"can we shoot a plane?"

... the innocence of youth, the influence of TV and the movie era, computer games or simply a sign of the times? As we were on the flight path into Brisbane airport, it was somewhat of a relief when our host simply smiled and declared, "no son, we cannot!"

In the mid day sun, we wandered the 'self guided trail', checking out the artillery on show, especially the #1 disappearing gun ... clever for its time!!! All in all, a pleasant morning wander!