The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Brisbane

 Sunday 15 February

The Edinburgh Tattoo is celebrating its 75th birthday with performances in Brisbane and Auckland in NZ. Tickets went on sale online in May 2025. I initially missed out, but with an additional night added, I successfully bought 3 $99 tickets. Joc and Leanne joined me this past Sunday night.

It was a spectacular, blood stirring event, held at Suncorp Football Stadium. The weather Gods however got it totally wrong. We have had little to no rain for over 2 months. Everything brown and garden plants dying.

Monday's weather forecast  for the Tattoo weekend - Millions of Queenslanders are being warned to brace for a major deluge with intense falls threatening flash flooding. The severe weather alert has forced the cancellation of some events. 

We receieved flood alerts from our council, even before the rain had started. Overkill?

The temperatures all week soared as we decluttered. On Thursday, our busiest day, my hair dripped with sweat all day. I've never felt that before. I was so shattered I couldn't eat dinner, just fell into bed. Thankfully the worst was now done. Thursday was the first night of the Tattoo. Was everyone going to swelter or were they going to be drenched? Would there be a cancellation? How did the performers manage to rehearse in the conditions?

The rain began to fall about 4pm in the city, on the first night of the Tattoo. Mid to heavy rain fell all evening and the temperture was still high. How did the performers cope? How did they get everything dry for the next performance? It rained every day, but thankfully Brisbane didn't get the forecast downpour. Flooding did occur in country areas.

Ticket holders who had paid upwards of $300 to be close to the action sat all evening, huddled under their ponchos. Cheaper ticket holders had the protection of the roof.

It rained all afternoon Sunday, easing as we took the bus to the stadium. It stayed dry. We were so relieved for the over 1000 performers who had come from 13 countries to the 'Sunshine State'.

Waiting for the countdown.

The tattoo commences - Edinburgh Castle in Brisbane.

Can you see the letters REMT - Royal Edinburgh Miltary Tattoo. 75 years!

It was interesting that the Welcome to Country and the National Anthems were not performed until a good 20 mins or more into the show.

US Marines

Norwegian Drum Corp

Tongan Dance Troupe

Brilliant entertanment for the 1 1/2 hours to interval.

The second half was only 3/4 of an hour, but just magnificent.

The combined miltary bands.

Readying for the finale.

A brilliant 75th performance.

The farewells commnece.

Their final exit.

The Pipers prepare to leave.

I do love a pipe and brass band! Joc and I were also fortunate to be present at the actual Edinburgh Tattoo in 1978. Both evenings equally brilliant. 

Crashing early and then waking early, has allowed me to post this wonderful event. The worst chores are done and we are more relaxed for the open house on Saturday.

I would love to read your comment.

An Awesome Sunrise

 Wednesday 4 February

With only 4 Hungry Hikers available this past Wednesday, the plan was made to walk 5 km by ourselves in the early morning, and then gather at Southbank in the city, to complete our weekly 10, before sharing a meal at the Casino, where Hiker Laurel was staying with her husband.

At 5am I peeked behind the curtains to discover a glowing sky. It only lasted 10 minutes, but was a very  positive omen, for the day that unfolded.

I enjoyed my local 5 k's as always. I didn't make the city 5k's, but did dine with the Hungry Hikers. Dinner finished, we took the lift to the Skydeck to celebrate all that had happened to me from sunrise to sunset.

My husband has wanted to downsize for quite sometime. I have been reluctant to move because of our glorious outlook. On Saturday we visited friends who had recently moved to a retirement village. This visit was the catalyst to make the change, especially given Frank's ongoing back issues. Not for one moment did we imagine, that Wednesday would see us signing into a city retirement complex in the morning and at 3.30 putting our home of 19 years on the market.

Sooooooo, life has suddenly become hectic. I won't be walking with either group for quite a few weeks. I will have little time to drop in and visit you. Downsizing means we will be taking 'very little' with us. Thankfully our wonderful friends are here for us. We can do this!

A sulphur crested cockatoo on Tuesday's walk.

Lorrikeets on our neighbours guttering, 6am yesterday.

Stanley and Stanlietta became a special part of our family during Covid. They have remained with us and have celebrated all the Christmas's, Valentine's Days, Australia Day's etc, since. I made the decision to put them on the footpath on Saturday morning. Many cars slowed or stopped to view them. At 2.30 a giggly group of young girls took them. I feel they have found a happy new place.

Back to the packing!

I would love to read your comment.