A Bit of This and That from Down Under.

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On the evening of the 9th of April, I stepped outside just as darkness was falling and was delighted to discover the new moon. My first photo was taken at 6 pm and the 2nd at 6.15 pm.

The following morning I was up early to help lead a 'Camino' walking group on their monthly get together, a 7 km walk around Enoggera Reservoir.

This Sunday past, I was relaxing with a good book in our lounge room. A disturbance outside had me glance up. I was surprised to discover a Shag had just dived into the pool and was then preening his feathers on the pool edge. Shags are regularly spotted diving into the golf course ponds, however a bird of this size in our pool, was most unusual. It is not unusual however, to see small birds splashing in and out of the pool. Thankfully the Shag was in no hurry to fly off.

The forecast almost everyday has been for showers, but the clouds haven't received the message. Last Tuesday morning the sky was heavy when I woke. I quickly checked the radar and became quite excited. I took a photo of the computer image to send to a friend in Ireland, however yet again, the rain managed to bi-pass us. 10 drops at best! [ red spot - Beenleigh]

I am fascinated by the people and their lifestyles in the Australian outback. I have read many books of station life, but I still find Australia's vastness quite inconceivable. I'm sure you too will find the following article, about a cattle station in the far north, taken from the Weekend Australian, equally so.

This map overly appeared on my facebook this week and gives some perspective, remembering that our population is only just 23 million.

I would love to read your comment.

Looking for Relies

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The plan was to meet in King George Square, outside the entrance to Brisbane's tall and proud City Hall, at 8 am.

To avoid the traffic jams of this hour, we all elected to make our way by train. Laurel and I were to travel together. In fact, we arrived at the station together 10 minutes before our train was due. Just as we stepped onto the platform, an unexpected train pulled in. I quickly asked the lady near me if it was the 'all stops' or the 'express'. Her reply was,"I was just going to ask you." A belated announcement was made and yes it was the 'express'. About to step aboard, I suddenly realised I hadn't activated my Gocard. I dashed over to the machine and it wouldn't accept it. Meanwhile the doors were closing and I waved Laurel on her way! Much laughter when we all finally met. The fault was mine. I had been quite organised and taken the card out in the car, but sadly I hadn't looked carefully enough at which card I had taken out.

On my arrival at City Hall, I spotted Joc and Laurel walking across the Square with a fresh coffee in their hands. I proceeded to give them a hard time about not waiting for Jenny and I, only to be told that the van across the way, was giving out freebies. It was a radio promotion for the new Star Wars movie and if we had our photo taken in a frame and then added it to Instagram etc, we would be in the running for $2500 value of home entertainment. 

More fun and laughter in the lovely sunshine.

It was a long wait for the 471 bus to Birdwood Terrace, at the back of the Toowong Cemetery, arriving at 9.30. This was a return visit, but today we were searching for the resting place of several of Laurel's ancestors. 

The day did include some mountaineering. We obviously weren't at the regular entrance.

 

This heritage listed cemetery was established in 1886 and covers 100 acres. It's maintenance must be an overwhelming job for the council. So many worn, forgotten headstones and crumbling tombs, being overrun by summer grasses and the roots of invasive trees. 

The melodious sounds of many birds, added to this peaceful view.

 

Laurel had done her her homework and was armed with location notes and the cemetery map. In fact our entrance was beside the row, where she thought we should find her Great, Great Grandmother, Mary Jane Poacher who died in 1932.

There was a lot of huffing and puffing up and down the rows and consulting of the map, but to no avail. 

Next we looked for a great Uncle, but it was the same story. We eventually made our way to the main entrance and found a small office. The assistance given here proved invaluable. Small leathered bound volumes were  produced. Using the data Laurel had found, our helper was able to find the hand written entry for her Great, Great Grandmother and the other relatives she was trying to locate. 

When Laurel returns on another occasion, she will be able to go to the row on the map and not only look for her G G Grandmother, but also for all people on the list, that are also buried in that row. If she finds at least one of the names, she will know for sure, that she is in the correct place, even if she cannot locate this wonderful woman.

Laurel's notes are the bottom papers. 

R H side sheets are the copied entires from the leather bound books. The highlighted name is a relative.

Now it was time for some meandering to the higher points of the cemetery.

Exiting a couple of hours later, we were pleased to find a welcoming main entrance.

 

We followed Sylvan Street to the footpath along the bank of the Brisbane River and made our way back to the city centre. The heritage listed, grand Victorian Regatta Hotel is an impressive landmark, where Sylvan St meets the river and Coronation Drive. We were stunned when we spotted the flood levels recorded on its balustrading. The sea of floodwater in 1841, is inconceivable to me.

Top to bottom:- 1841

                          1893

                          1887   

                          1974  

                          and hidden, the flood that wasn't to happen again, 2011.                      

 Southbank was our destination for lunch, sitting under the grassy shade of one of its many trees. Lanterns hung in readiness for Buddha's birthday at the end of the month, bring delight to all that pass beneath them.

15 kms of mixed adventure 'down under' today, but full of sunshine and laughter with this wonderful group of friends.

I would love to read your comment.

Return to the Aussie Bush

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In December, Laurel joined a Logan City Council Community bushwalk. She reported back that the Wickham Timber Reserve was a must do, but when summer had ebbed.

One of the best features of this walk is that the reserve is only a 20 minute drive from here. How had we not known about it?

The area we passed through included dense and open eucalypt forests, shrubby areas of thick acacia, and densely vegetated gullies formed by rolling hills and sandstone outcrops. Except for the sandstone outcrops, it was your very typical Aussie bush. Although well into Autumn, the temperature was still very hot, but thankfully not accompanied by high humidity.

The initial trail was a gravel road, leading us to the starting point for the climb to the top of Wickham Hill. We were surprised by the extent of the sandstone outcrops, which made for quite a bit of scrambling as we climbed. 

At the summit, the trail followed a sandy ridge before dipping down to give us another sandstone climb.

There was an abundance of Grasstrees, a true icon of the Aussie bush. Some were spotted decaying from past bushfires, but added an artistic display in the bush.

The views from the summit of Wickham Hill were to the distant Mt Barney, a peak we hope to climb sometime soon.

To the Brisbane city skyline.

And sadly to the mega, satellite city of Yarrabilba.

Only a small splash of colour to be seen. Spring will be the time to return.

Ladybird was also enjoying being back in the bush.

We all agreed that the 7kms had been hot work, but we will return  soon to explore the other trails.

The candle holder on the table of The Green Frog Hollow Cafe, summed up our feelings for the day and of each and everyone of our hikes "down under'!

I hope you have enjoyed this typical Aussie bush. I would love to read your comment.

March Moments

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Bush Walking Wednesday, in the month of March, has not been in the bush.
The 'March Birthday Girls' have notched up a significant number of years, that have just begged for some celebration. We managed to be among the trees, but added a little glamour to our usual walking gear.

Brisbane Botanical gardens for lunch with Jenny.

The birthday girls in Mt Tamborine Botanical Gardens.

 A little celebration for Margot.

            Another for Jenny.

To make up for the Wednesday inactivity, I've been making a concerted effort to walk my local hill trail of 7 kms, early in the morning as often as possible. I've been rewarded with some special moments.

Laurel and I decided to take our husbands out for a picnic coffee by the Brisbane River, just before Easter, at the beautiful, Seventeen Mile Rocks Park. [Found on a hot summer walk in January]

Easter Monday morning.

This morning the fog was down, but the temperature reached 32 C during the day, even though we are headed into the 2nd month of autumn.

Looking towards the city.

Looking towards Tamborine Mountain.

The gums are flowering and the parrots are managing to drop the blossom to the ground.

My breakfast was interrupted by the lorikeet parrot flying in for his.

I hope you have enjoyed these snapshots of March. I bet you didn't spot any autumn leaves. I would love to read your comment.