Tygum Lagoon

 Sunday 24 October

Today I had a short, local walk [1.3 km] with my cousin and her seeing-eye dog, AJ. We were out early, as 35C was predicted as the maximum for the day. We were not alone. The parkland was milling with activity of both the human and creature kind. 

In the past fortnight we have had 5 inches of rain. The lagoon was full and the vegetation was green and flourishing. Thankfully a cooling breeze was blowing.

I had unusually remembered to bring my camera, as opposed to just using my phone. Within minutes the shutter was clicking. Our progress was not fast for the entire loop. There was so much to love and appreciate beneath the crisp, blue sky with its wispy clouds. So much to share with my Grandchildren were they here! An idea grew as I clicked. 

Another photobook has now been created and sent off to be printed.

Please enjoy our delightful, uplifting morning. The photos are in order of the circuit walked.

I would love to read your comment.

A Week of Art, Rain and Perfect Spring Days.

Saturday 9 October

A Canada Day celebration in a park in the city, was the drawcard for my enjoying a lovely afternoon beside the Brisbane River.

Alas, the celebrations were not particularly engaging, so I continued walking beneath the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, through Southbank and then took a CityCat ride down river to New Farm Park and the Powerhouse and its Photographic Portrait Exhibition.

New Farm Park

Tuesday 12 October

Early morning train to the city to view the European Masters. Queues have been up to 2 to 3 hours long, hence our early start. 

I loved this misty, cool view of the city, following a night of rain.

This was the queue as we arrived at 8.50 am. We were very fortunate, as the opening time was officially 10 am, but as it was the last week of the exhibition [organised by the New York Met] the line commenced entrance at 9am. 

Several hours of intense bliss ensued, as we viewed the  65 pieces.

Ruben's The Holy Family with Saint Francis and Anna and the Infant and Saint John the Baptist - 1630's

Aelbert Cuyp - A widow commissioned this painting of her sons. Several weeks later the son on the right passed away. The boys are seen here with their Tutor and Coachman. 

My Favourite, Georges de La Tour's The Fortune Teller - 1630's.

"The richly attired young man has a wary eye on the old woman offering to read his fortune. But it is her three beautiful companions who are robbing him."

Meyndert Hobbema - Woodland Road, 1670.

Francesco Guardi - Venice from the Bacino di San Marco 1765.

Honore Daumier - The Third Class Carriage, 1862.

Auguste Renoir - By the Seashore, 1889.

Vincent Van Gogh - The Flowering Orchard 1888.

Alfred Sisley - The Bridge at Villeneuve-la-Garenne,1872.

Claude Monet - Water Lilies, 1916.

Interesting to see a female artist of this era.

And my favourite photograph of the day.

The exhibition  was displayed in three adjoining galleries and had been completely arranged by the New York Met.

 Goma [Gallery of Modern Art] created a 'hands on gallery' in a connecting corridor.  Tables of 'still' arrangements, paper and pencil for the local artist to sketch at, musicans playing music of the era, digital imagery of the Masters and wall panels for the 'selfie'.

I was amazed by the digital imagery. Leaves Falling, clouds floating and musicians from the paintings, activated by one walking passed. Watch for some very subtle movements.

On our departure, this was the 2 hour plus wait queue.

Wednesday 13 October

Hungry Hiker Day - A drive out into the country, [a picture of green after last week's thunderstorms] to Kalbar and its annual Hay Bale Festival.                                              BrocHayli

The magic of the jacarandah is again woven. Sadly this flower farm and cafe were closed on our visit. 

Thursday 14 October

The super cell thunderstorms predicted, thankfully didn't arrive, but a slowly moving rumbling storm dumped 50 mm overnight. The colour of the grass and clarity of the air changed overnight. The result is the most pleasant October weather in a number of years. 

After the storm.

As I sit and write this another thunderstorm is approaching. Damaging winds, large hailstones, and heavy rain that may lead to flash flooding is predicted. Fingers crossed that this does not eventuate, but it is a return to our spring storm season. A blessing for the farmers, so long as there is no damage.

Saturday 16 October

An unexpected phone call from my friend Jocelyn on Thursday evening, was accompanied by an invitation to join her on a day trip to the Sunshine Coast [north of Brisbane], namely Boreen Point and Noosa Heads. She had just read of an art event hosted by Noosa's Regional Art Gallery.

Apparently this amazing, biennial event was conceived in 2001. We were so impressed we will return in 2023 and stay overnight to fully enjoy the sculptures, music and night lighting. So many imaginative pieces to view in their natural setting. 

Saturday's sunny, crisp spring day was perfect for the drive to and fro, for eating an ice-cream overlooking the now internationally famous Noosa Beach, and for munching on a delicious burger on a near by, and less busy beach watching wind surfers.

Boreen Point

Noosa Beach

Sunshine Beach with a sailing boat and moon rising.

Watching these wind surfers flying along at incredible speed, we estimated that they would soon have covered 15 kilometres of shoreline. We wondered what their plan was for their return to their vehicles.

"Floating Land: at the edge of ideas, focusses on the temporary installations of artworks that engage and collaborate with the special and spectacular spaces in which they are presented, leaving no trace after the event."

Boreen Point / Lake Cootharaba sculptures.

"Black Swans [recycled tyres] appearing to drift across the glassy waters of Lake Cootharaba."

"An empty nest lays silently on the water, displaced from its home and unused without its occupants the Black Necked Stork. [Jabiru]"

"Three large collectively-composed sails, laiden with cyanotype images reflecting the diversity of the Noosa community." Interesting to google cyanotpye images. I wish I had more time in my day to play with this photography!

"A Fever of Rays - an underwater installation: 3 bronze, life sized Whiprays, local inhabitants of the lake."

"A fractured sunset spans 30 double side painted panels, scattered across various sites and conjuring isolated occasions of larger collective experience."

R to L - Kaleidoskopia, Re-cast, not sure, Clash [200 tiny cushions morph a rocky outcrop], Sightlines.

Noosa Heads boardwalk sculptures.

Message Obscura - recycled letterboxes, camera obscura, photography and video.

The Age of the Jellyfish - "among the few sea creatures that are flourishing under changing climatic conditions, is this the beginning of the Age of the Jellyfish."

Future Nature - "species that have fled the sea below due to the effects of climatic change."

Yes, a busy week! At times, totally blissful!

The storm passed quietly here, but heavy rain and hail did blanket numerous suburbs and country areas.

I would love to read your comment.