Hawthorne

I really wasn't going to do my New Place today.  I actually thought earlier in the holidays would be a great plan.  That didn't work out.  Obviously.  And then, I thought a later Sunday during this month would be fine.  But if you were awake in Brisbane this morning you would know how fabulous the weather was today, especially compared to the extensive rain we had yesterday.  I love rainy weather, but I'd rather go exploring in drier weather.

After church, I was all set on going straight home and tackling my to-do list for the day.  Then a ferry ride popped into my head, and then I thought I could visit Hawthorne.  I stopped for some caffeine first, then took a Citycat from North Quay.  Typical tourist shot followed (you gotta fit in).

Clouds were starting to gather by this stage, so it wasn't the perfect blue skies of earlier.  Still lovely, though.  I'd checked the map and, once I got to Hawthorne I headed for Hawthorne Park, about 700m from the ferry stop.  This park turned out to be a 'healthy park' - there's a running track around it, and those structures that aid chin ups and other exercises, and goal posts, and an oval.  And hardly any seats.  I walked around the track a bit, until I came to a seat occupied only by an ibis.  I think it was threatened by me. 

The whole way there, cruising down the river and walking to the park, I kept thinking about which places would have been flooded in the last few years.  Everything was very neat and clean and orderly, but near the ibis seat, I came across 2 pools of reflections.  Very serene, but a definite reminder of all the rain we've had recently and the low-lying area in which I found myself.

 After taking many photos of reflections, I headed back to the ferry and then home.  I'm sure Hawthorne has more to offer than the park and a whole lot of water, but that will have to wait for another time.

Fig Tree Pocket

Knowing what my schedule is like for the rest of March, I knew that either today or tomorrow would have to be my day to visit a New Place in Brisbane.  On my way home from rehearsal last night, I had the light bulb moment of "duh - go somewhere new for breakfast".  I did my Google Maps pan around thing again, saw a whole lot of green next to the river in Fig Tree Pocket, and felt that I would check it out.  No eating establishments showed themselves on the map, so I had breakfast at home then headed out.

Like the visit to the Toowong Cemetery, it seemed incredible that I had lived so close to this place and neglected to visit a whole suburb.  It was like visiting the country, very quiet, and green, complete with paddocks and horses.

My original thought had been to visit Mandalay Park, which looked like it ran along the river in a strip.  Maps can be deceptive.  I could have continued to walk along the grassy bit, through some trees, ignoring the yapping dog of the next house...and the one after that... and no doubt the one after that... But I'm not a fan of walking through what feels like other people's gardens.  So after appreciating the serenity for a bit, resisting the urge to play on the play equipment (there were other people around), I walked down a nearby street and got to a larger park, Biambi Yambi Park. 

This would have been more fun if I was aged under 10 and wearing appropriate shoes - great big grassy spaces, play equipment, and climbable trees. 

There was a butterfly catcher at work by some long grass that bordered a lagoon, and many water birds swimming and flying and trying to walk on water.  Another lovely serene spot.

This was such a nice start to my Friday.  Getting close to nature, listening to the birds, and just being.

The Free Weekend (Part 2)

Another day off today, and I decided to visit Wynnum.  Not my first time in Wynnum, but my first time under my own steam, and not with the goal of running around for a couple of hours (see the relevant post here).

Knowing how expensive a breakfast can be, I ate at home (bonus - Sunday is large coffee day), then headed out.  Eventually, after a brief snooze on the train (thanks to the heat I've not slept more than 6 hours any night, and usually rather broken sleep at that), I woke with a start at Wynnum station and jumped out.  Then realised that I was actually after Wynnum Central, so I had a bonus 10 minute walk.  Yay.

Getting to Wynnum Central, I had flashbacks to running around lots.  And lots.  I bought a coffee at Olive, a place I expected to be just like any other seaside cafe - but it had legitimate-looking Lebanese sweets.  Score!  I resisted, but was sorely tempted to return and purchase some (didn't, but now I know they're there...).  Down to the sea, and I walked along the path to Manly and back, stopping here and there for photos and extra sunscreen (although I still got rather burned - sad face).

Now, before this I knew that there was beach-like stuff in the Wynnum area.  I hadn't realised just how beach-like it was though, so when I need a beach hit next, this is it.  On this jaunt I far preferred Wynnum over Manly.  Once I got to Manly, I figured the train station was up the hill, so I walked back to Wynnum, had a coffee, then went home (which is only an hour on the train).

There were so many jellyfish in the water - really, loads of them.  And not the deceptive possibly-plastic-bag type, but the sort you see in pictures.  Yes, they look better when they're in the water, but they're also so much harder to photograph well then, so you're stuck with a beached jellyfish photo.

There's not much shade around.  There was lots of seaweed, though, and as I was heading back to Wynnum the tide was coming in so my feet got wet.  Bliss. 

I did enjoy seeing the seagulls, and sparkly water, and feeling a warm salty breeze on my face.  Now I'm trying to figure out how I can work this into my not-on-holidays life...

The Free Weekend (Part 1)

A bit of back story, first.  This time last year, I did summer school.  A semester of work in 2 weeks.  Intense.  Fabulous.  Was looking forward to the next installment all year.  But not enough people were doing my particular course, so it was cancelled.  Really disappointed.  However, before it was cancelled I anticipated the intensity, and begged out of all my normal commitments for the second weekend in January.  Without summer school, I found myself with nothing to do.  During the week, I was longing for a trip to Sydney.  One gym session, I mapped out everything I wanted to do while there.  However, I also realised that trip would be rather indulgent.  And from Wednesday evening I've been traveling free thanks to gocard.  That would often result in a trip to the coast, but then I had other thoughts.  And a surprise message.  So this is how my Saturday panned out.

Woke early, ish, walked rather briskly to the nearest ferry terminal (the Regatta), and caught a Citycat, just.  Took this to Bulimba, and had breakfast at the Jetty.  Lovely service - despite it being a busy Saturday morning - good coffee, good food.  I felt a tiny bit out of place (more as a curiosity rather than a glaring neon sign) as I wasn't there with a partner or children.  But I had a view of the river, and the birds, while I ate.  After breakfast I had a tiny walk around - this was my first ever time at Bulimba.  Very trendy.

Caught another Citycat to Teneriffe, and had a short walk along the river (short as in less than 100m) to see this sculpture.

Bought a much-needed 2nd coffee, and caught a bus to the Valley.  Made a couple of notes for future photographs - like a sign at the front of a cafe/bar saying "First to mention the weather shouts the bar" - ha!  I was in the Valley for the only fixed thing on my agenda, a result of an unexpected message Friday morning.  A friend (through QYO and gigs) asked if I was interested in going rock climbing.  Ah, yes.  It's been a few years, and I was really keen.  I'm pleased to report that I was much better at it this time.  Much more aware of my core, and more trusting of the safety equipment, I did much better than I ever remember - and my arms aren't aching.  I do have a couple of extra bruises on my knees, though, as well as a future challenge to conquer.  Loads of fun, although not air conditioned in any way.  I sweated buckets. 

Caught a bus into the city, had yum cha with a friend at Beijing House, off the mall.  Needed a refreshing drink, so bought my first juice from the stall at the entrance to the Myer Centre - apple and strawberry.  Had to choose between staying in air conditioning, or being outdoors and in the heat.  Chose the outdoor option, and enjoyed some live music.  I had been deciding whether or not to go home and change, or just stay out.  In keeping with the "I'm on holiday" theme, I stayed out, and caught a train to Sandgate.  Admired the fabulous deep blue sky surrounding the Sandgate Town Hall.

Still really hot and humid and sweaty but mitigated somewhat by the brisk sea breeze, I walked along the upper part before heading down to the beach.  Really breezy, and there were a heap of kites being flown along the flats.  As well as happy kids and frolicking dogs.  (Really hard to capture all the kites in a photo - trust me, I tried!).

After walking north a bit, returned and walked to the Shorncliffe pier and Moora park. 

Decided I was now tired enough to head home, where I promptly ran a bath (also in keeping with the "I'm on holidays" theme - my preferred hotels have baths...).  Now I need to clean up my fingernails and feet, and make a plan for tomorrow.  I love holidays.