Brisbane

Friday 18 July, 2014

I arrived at the airport in good time for my flight to Brisbane to start my North Queensland holiday. Unfortunately the flight was cancelled due to strong cross winds at the airport so I spent another two hours hanging around the airport waiting for my new booking. At least it made for plenty of reading time and extra step opportunities.

I arrived in Brisbane at about 2:30 and after working out how to manage my carry on bag that broke as I was unloading I arrived at Aunty Dot and Uncle Des's by about 3pm. Uncle Des was able to take the broken handle off my bag so that it is now managable but not wheelable. It was great that Garry, Eliza and Alice were also there so we had lots of time chatting and catching up on family news. Dinner and bedtime in the “girls” dorm provided more time together.

Saturday 19 July 2014

After farewelling Garry and the girls for their flight home, Aunty Dot and Uncle Des drove me to Banyo station to catch my train to meet Bryan and Pam at Auchenflower station. I was a little early so had time for some reading. After we found parking we had a brisk walk down to Regatta Wharf and caught the CityCat downstream. It was a glorious day to be out on the water – not too windy, crisp and sunny.

By the time we got to the far end of the journey at Northshore Hamilton the day was really quite warm and pleasant. We spent a while looking at the historical snippets etched into the pavement then decided it was time for lunch. We shared 2 meals between three and it was plenty of food – chicken skewers and fish and chips – all delicious.

Back on the CityCat for our return journey. We got off again at Bulimba to take the tourist stroll along Oxford Street and have coffee and a shared dessert at Delizioso, one of the many cafes along the strip.

On the CityCat again (they come every 15 minutes) and retraced our journey out, found the car then drove home to Durak where Bryan and Pam live in a well established retirement village with fantastic gardens and views, pools, various games areas and a gym. Apparently there is a lot to become involved in. We had a stroll around the complex then settled in for the evening.

Dinner was a surprise – we were booked into the on-site restaurant and were joined by Caroline. After dinner Bryan and I stayed for dessert while Caroline and Pam went for a dip in the hydrotherapy heated pool.

The evening finished with a cuddle by pussy while I finished my diary for the day.

Sunday 20 July 2014

Up at 6am to be at church for the 7am service. St Matthews is an Anglican church where Bryan and Pam used to live. Church was followed by a light breakfast in the hall after which we drove to Auchenflower Station again, parked and caught the CityCat to QUT to look at The Cube, an interactive wall. Because there was a conference on there was only one display working – one about the relative gravity on each planet of the solar system. It was lots of fun trying to work out what the them actually was without reading any instructions.

We then went into Old Government House for a visit and had morning tea in the cafe there, entertained by a noisy miner who was intent on trying to get his share. We had to guard ourselves and defend our food quite actively.

This was followed by a long walk through the city looking at various art installations and historical plaques and signs. On fantastic site that Pam knew about was the roof top view from the new Four Points by Sheraton hotel. We were escorted to the top and had our own personal tour.

At Roma Street Station we caught the train back to the car and headed home for a quick lunch during which Deanna arrived to say hello.

David and son Ian also came for a chat then we took afternoon tea down to the tennis court where we were joined by Mary-Anne, Michael and their two, Fleur and Henry.

Much fun was had playing hit and giggle, looking after grand children and generally chatting before heading back to the house and getting ready to leave for dinner at Sang-Hee and David's.

Yum! What a delicious meal it was too. It was so great to just have a long hug with Sang-Hee as we both remembered very traumatic times we'd shared in 2008. How great too to see her in her home.

Back to Bryan and Pam's where we did a little on computers then had a relatively early night, in bed soon after 9pm.