A Memorable Week

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1. It is wonderful to have the freedom again to enjoy our great outdoors. Perfect temperatures with clear, blue skies adds to the beauty around me.

Autumn is trying to show her face. Mist beside the local creek.

Blackfaced Cuckoo Shrike

2. It seemed very apt to spend today at Loganholme SS. My boys started their education there, My first teaching class was a year one and today I farewelled my life in the classroom with a year one. I have fond memories of my first class at Maroochydore SS. I found teaching 63 different year ones in my first class, with 43 at one time, so much easier than many of todays classes.

There was Sadie who's feet were killing her ribs on her first day, and Martin found at the front gate after lunch, who just wanted to go home and have a sandwich with his Mum. Then there was Jason Wordie who exclaimed that 'I am just tooooo frustrated to work!!!' Gregory, Bradley, Gwenda and Scott and the list goes on.

3. Our Wednesday walkers are now named The Hungry Hikers and through the determined organisation of Laurel, we now have a Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/The-Hungry-Hikers-1287082014659552/ 

Today we had a fabulous walk beside the Logan River in both the Logan River and Alexander Clark Parks, notching up 12 kms.

The beauty of the river at 8 am was astounding.

Logan River Parkland

We always find time to play.

And admire an Aussie icon.

The old bridge over the Logan.

Entrance to Alexander Clarke Park.

4. Successful Koala Spotting

     We often hike through areas known for their koala population, but in our 3 years of walking, today was the first day to bring us successful spotting. Alexander Clarke Park has several residents. I had just made the comment that the council should have a park warden spot them each day and leave a sign below the koalas tree. I had hardly walked more than another 10 steps, when this arrow caught my attention. A big thank you to the kind person who left this.

The koalas blend so well in their habitat, that they are easily missed. This little fella kept us amused for quite some time.

Further along the path, we met other walkers who excitedly told us where to spot another. We are not sure if we would have seen him without this information.

 [Laurel]

5. Tomorrow morning will see my husband and I boarding a flight to Calgary to be met by our son and his wife. We are so looking forward to spending 2 weeks with them in Banff where they live.

In the passed 2 weeks they have seen the northern lights, had a large snowfall, enjoyed a pit fire beside Two Jack Lake and watched a black bear come to the water's edge for a drink, plus spotting a large moose.  The question is, can they replicate these events for us?

I had problems uploading my blog when I was in Europe last year, so you may not see me for a few weeks.

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Jen's Gem - Wynnum Wetlands

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It was wonderful to finally have a walking Wednesday where we actually walked, albeit on a mainly flat surface and only 8 km.

We have often walked along the sea front at Wynnum. Our friend Jenny now lives here and discovered a trail in the opposite direction to where we normally walk. She suggested coffee and raspberry muffin on her balcony before setting off. We didn't disagree.

We were in good spirits as we set off along the foreshore.

 [Laurel]

It was a warm day, but with a moody, low cloud cover.

I was annoyed I didn't get more of the egret, but the glare made it very difficult to see what the shot would hold.

A lazy day for some.

We were in total awe of this massive, old gum tree.

We found another colony of bats.

The tide was rising in the mangroves.

White faced heron.

After walking along a boardwalk through the mangroves for some 500 metres, our path took us along  a backwater to a bird hide.

 

There was an abundance of pied oyster catchers, grey tailed tattlers, black tailed godwits and ducks.

   Pied oyster catchers

On our return journey there were lovely reflections as we passed Wynnum Creek.

It was wonderful to be back in the great outdoors with my merry band of friends.

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Mobile Again

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After nearly a week of keeping off my leg, and no work available, I made the most of this  oppotunity to take the train to the city, for the 75th Anniversary of Brisbane City Hall's free lunchtime concerts.

The camera was my companion, but I wasn't really expecting to use it. On this occasion, I chose to detrain one stop further on to usual. Less walking and I thought less interesting. I was pleasantly surprised.

The lovely facade of an 1884 hotel.

Geoffry Ricardo's sculpture titled - 'Emblem'. 

A humerous and playful re-imagining of the kangaroo from The Australin Coat of Arms.

The sudden appearance of the city skyline.

Rays of clouds bursting from the bulidings.

An awesome sky enhancing the lines of City Hall.

The Rythmn Society Dance Orchestra, joined by swing dancers of the 30's and 40's were sensational on the City Hall stage, but photography was not allowed. Following this concert, Brad Leaver's 3 piece Swing Central Jazz band entertained us in King George Square.

The stitches are out [after14 days] and I am pleased to report that the specialist is very happy with the healing process. Great care will now be taken to prevent it being bumped! No hiking yet.

Below are 2 of many birds that dropped by to say hello as I kept my leg elevated.

My specialist has his rooms at Nerang, just on the fringe of the Gold Coast. My sister-in-law lives at the southern end of the Coast. We had a parcel to collect from her and decided to continue on down after my stitches were removed.

Our coffee view on a gorgeous, late autumn day - temperature 28C / 82F.

Life is good. I would love to read your comment.