Summer Joy.

Tuesday 27th November

As the European summer was so hot and dry, I was dreading the arrival of our Australian, well Queensland, summer. Unusually and very pleasantly, it arrived very gradually but in the last week of November the temperatures soared and hot, dry winds blew. The mercury reached 40C where I live and was rarely below 35C. Elsewhere records were broken. This made for frightening bushfire conditions across our extremely dry state and sadly many homes, farmland and rainforests were lost. Given the ferocity of the fires, it is a relief that only one life was lost.

Thankfully my corner of the state escaped any major fires, possibly because we had some good falls of rain early November. There was a major fire on Stradbroke Island, approx 50 km away and the air was filled with its smoke for days. I now fully appreciate how awful the Banff and Portland summers were, where their wildfires filled the air with smoke for weeks on end.

Brisbane city skyline, engulfed in Stradbrokes smoke.

A before and after of the Eungella Range west of Mackay. A rainforest of incredible beauty that has been on my 'to visit' list and will take too many years to recover.

To beat the heat, Tuesday's Gaiter Girls hit the trail at 5.45 am at Springwood Conservation Park. A suburban haven, the paths are sealed but the trail is on the side of an escarpment, so the heart rate is given a good workout. The 64 steps from the lower to upper level, certainly has mine racing. We accomplished 11km after completing 2 circuits.

The beauty of the flora and fauna took our minds off the rivulets of sweat running down our backs and forehead.

I felt that my face was possibly the same colour as the Callistemon or bottlebrush. This wonderful mural was on the fence of a home as you entered the park.

Wednesday 28 November

A chance comment by a friend prompted me to select a city walk for the Hungry Hikers on Wednesday. A business appointment had unusually taken her to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. The Christmas decorations had filled her with delight.  Across the river from Indooroopilly are the leafy suburbs of Chelmer, Graceville and Sherwood, dating back to the mid-1800s. Today the old 'Queenslanders' have been renovated and are prime real estate. I decided a very early morning walk through the area would 'fill the bill' so to speak, with breakfast in the shopping centre and a chance for me to see if my friend was exaggerating.

Very early departures from our homes had us all set to walk at 6.30am. The day was already hot and the heat still in the pavement from the previous day. I worried that perhaps my idea was not such a good one at all. Thankfully it couldn't have been better.

The Walter Tayor bridge, opened in 1936 had occupants living in its 2 towers until 10 years ago.

Spot our shadows on this lovely sweeping bend of the river.

Immediately we crossed the bridge, we entered cool, colourful leafy streets. The jacarandas were almost finished and contrasted dramatically with the now blossoming poincianas. Here and there the frangipani competed with its fragrant scent and beauty.  

Camphor laurel trees 

Absolutely stunning Dancing Lady orchids

My Dancing Lady orchid.

Thanks Laurel for this collage of colour.

The homes on their huge blocks of land had us oohing and aahing, especially as it was street after street of the same. One or two were for sale. We wondered if we could combine our pensions to buy one together.

We had grand plans for this vacant block and pictured ourselves enjoying sunset drinks on the riverbank.

Four kilometres of walking had us at the entrance to the Sherwood Arboretum, established in 1925 to showcase Australian flora in contrast to the exotic species in the Botanical gardens.

An avenue of Bunya Pines.

There are 2 ponds for wildlife but unfortunately one is completely covered in a weed. The spoonbill still managed to feed happily, while the cormorants sunbathed on the second one.

We were overwhelmed by the spectacular fiery red beauty of this magnificent poinciana.

Also in the park - flowering gum, yet another stately eucalpyt and I am still trying to identify this brilliant yellow blossom.

The arboretum covers 15 hectares and in the 1974 Brisbane flood and I guess the 2011, all of it would have been well under water. In the top photo, you can just see the brown of the river through the trees. In the flood I would have been standing under water, as indicated by this flood marker. I estimate the arboretum would have been under at least 30 metres. The white cap on the post is the flood level.
Looking to the river and then to the opposite direction.

Boardwalk by the river and a sky quickly becoming smoke filled.

We retraced our steps [another 11km under our belt] and rejoiced in the air conditioning when we entered the shopping centre. Thankfully we had all remembered to bring a change of shirt.

The Christmas decorations did not disappoint.

This Granny so wished that her darling Ben didn't live so far away.

A perfect reward  for a hot walk - the best pancakes I've ever eaten.

Our group have often driven through these suburbs to the Graceville cinema and thought how pretty. So glad we took this walk to fully appreciate its full beauty, even on a hot morning. 

I'd just like to add that on one day in that week, our Mt Kosciusko had snow falling and Sydney had 2 months rainfall in 12 hours. Flooding and chaos for them. Our wonderful country is full of contrasts.

I would love to read your comments.