Saturday, May 21, 2005
Brisbane--3
The weather has been more normal this past week--sunny and warm--and has been very pleasant for walking around. It certainly seems to have been better than the UK weather from what Isabel was saying in her e-mail-thanks for all the news---glad to hear the cruise business is picking up--you’ll have to watch it doesn’t take over!!!!!!!
One trip we made this week was to Caloundra, a seaside resort on the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane. It is about an hour’s drive and has a series of beautiful beaches, one of which is called Moffat! For the first time we had a meal in the RSL Club--you sign in as a member. Half the area is given over to “pokies” ( one armed bandits). RSL stands for Retired Serviceman’s League and their clubs are well known for good food at reasonable prices ( Isabel’s friends told us about them 4 yrs ago). We had a walk along Moffat Beach watching the surfers on their boogie boards.
On our way home there were spectacular thunderclouds over Brisbane with lightening flashing through them but no thunder or rain. On the outskirts suddenly the car was being pummelled with hailstones the size of pandrops. It was so bad we came off the road and sheltered in the underground carpark of a store. Cars were pouring in to do the same thing. Very quickly the ground was white with hailstones and it caused chaos in the city with some areas losing power. It was a freak hailstorm and one of the worst of its kind to hit the city. An Antarctic pool of air (-23 C) was over a ground temp of 20 C and the large temp difference caused ice to form. Again it was very localised and only 2 suburbs were badly affected.
Earlier in the week we went by ferry to Moreton Island--an hour’s sail east of the city and spent the day there. It is a sand island and there are no tarmac roads, only a small resort with chalets, flats, cafes and water sports outlets. We had a 2 hour walk along the beach passing wrecks and birds but few people--it was very relaxing paddling in the water. On our way back the boat was full of SES ( volunteer Emergency workers) who had been combing the forested island for a Brazilian who had been missing for 9 days. He was found the next day safe but exhausted. Seemingly he had gone for a bush walk from the resort without food and water and become lost in the mountains of sand. He hadn’t had water for 5 days and was delirious.
Otherwise our holiday has been pretty mundane! Last Sunday we drove out to the Brisbane Forest Park which surrounds the city and is similar to the Blue Mountains. We took in a shaded ridge walk before having a meal at a hilltop inn--great food cooked on the premises. Yesterday we walked from Fiona’s along the river to almost the city centre--it was lovely and we saw a lizard out sunning himself on the rocks. Earlier in the week I hired a mountain bike for 4 hours and cycled along the river banks for as far as the cycle track went and returned on the other side crossing the river by 3 bridges en route. I didn’t cover a great distance but it was some much needed exercise! The cycle paths are well used by walkers, joggers and cyclists. They are developing them all the time.
Last night I took in my first AFL (Aussie Rules) match at the Brisbane Cricket Ground--the Gabba. It was a sell out and the opposition, the Melbourne Tigers ran out winners of an exciting match by 3 points. It was quite a spectacle--the pitch is huge and it is all action with few stoppages. Trainers can come on to the pitch at any time and give advice and at any kicks at goal, water carriers come on from all parts of the pitch. There are 5 officials--one referee and 4 assistants and the latter throw the ball in over their heads when it goes out of play! I enjoyed the experience very much.
We hope to go away for a few days next week. Trust you are all well Thanks for the e-mails Isabel, Winifred and Ken and the photos Joann ( hope you have a great time in Northern Ireland
Tom
One trip we made this week was to Caloundra, a seaside resort on the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane. It is about an hour’s drive and has a series of beautiful beaches, one of which is called Moffat! For the first time we had a meal in the RSL Club--you sign in as a member. Half the area is given over to “pokies” ( one armed bandits). RSL stands for Retired Serviceman’s League and their clubs are well known for good food at reasonable prices ( Isabel’s friends told us about them 4 yrs ago). We had a walk along Moffat Beach watching the surfers on their boogie boards.
On our way home there were spectacular thunderclouds over Brisbane with lightening flashing through them but no thunder or rain. On the outskirts suddenly the car was being pummelled with hailstones the size of pandrops. It was so bad we came off the road and sheltered in the underground carpark of a store. Cars were pouring in to do the same thing. Very quickly the ground was white with hailstones and it caused chaos in the city with some areas losing power. It was a freak hailstorm and one of the worst of its kind to hit the city. An Antarctic pool of air (-23 C) was over a ground temp of 20 C and the large temp difference caused ice to form. Again it was very localised and only 2 suburbs were badly affected.
Earlier in the week we went by ferry to Moreton Island--an hour’s sail east of the city and spent the day there. It is a sand island and there are no tarmac roads, only a small resort with chalets, flats, cafes and water sports outlets. We had a 2 hour walk along the beach passing wrecks and birds but few people--it was very relaxing paddling in the water. On our way back the boat was full of SES ( volunteer Emergency workers) who had been combing the forested island for a Brazilian who had been missing for 9 days. He was found the next day safe but exhausted. Seemingly he had gone for a bush walk from the resort without food and water and become lost in the mountains of sand. He hadn’t had water for 5 days and was delirious.
Otherwise our holiday has been pretty mundane! Last Sunday we drove out to the Brisbane Forest Park which surrounds the city and is similar to the Blue Mountains. We took in a shaded ridge walk before having a meal at a hilltop inn--great food cooked on the premises. Yesterday we walked from Fiona’s along the river to almost the city centre--it was lovely and we saw a lizard out sunning himself on the rocks. Earlier in the week I hired a mountain bike for 4 hours and cycled along the river banks for as far as the cycle track went and returned on the other side crossing the river by 3 bridges en route. I didn’t cover a great distance but it was some much needed exercise! The cycle paths are well used by walkers, joggers and cyclists. They are developing them all the time.
Last night I took in my first AFL (Aussie Rules) match at the Brisbane Cricket Ground--the Gabba. It was a sell out and the opposition, the Melbourne Tigers ran out winners of an exciting match by 3 points. It was quite a spectacle--the pitch is huge and it is all action with few stoppages. Trainers can come on to the pitch at any time and give advice and at any kicks at goal, water carriers come on from all parts of the pitch. There are 5 officials--one referee and 4 assistants and the latter throw the ball in over their heads when it goes out of play! I enjoyed the experience very much.
We hope to go away for a few days next week. Trust you are all well Thanks for the e-mails Isabel, Winifred and Ken and the photos Joann ( hope you have a great time in Northern Ireland
Tom
