The Long And Winding Road

It's early winter and here in the Sunshine Coast hinterland there is nothing nicer than taking a country drive along some deserted road, finding a nice cafe or restaurant and enjoying some hearty local cooking. This is near Montville.

“The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say” 

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Wash Day Blues (TSB #2)

I've mentioned before that there is a scheme here in Brisbane where artists of any calibre are allowed to apply to decorate the traffic signal boxes that are dotted all over the place...in face anywhere  you see traffic lights. They are a wonderful source of 'street art' and certainly cheer up otherwise dull metal boxes. This box sits at the end of my road and with the current strong winds captures the essence of the day.

Hanging By A Thread

You might want to take a look back at yesterday's post, and see if you can notice the two dots at the top of the 'Soul' tower. Here they are in close up! I'm not sure if they were inspecting the exterior or just abseiling for fun, but what I do know is that you wouldn't get me up there for quids!

New Heights

To start the week we're going to have a dizzying visit back to the Gold Coast to look at 'Soul', the newest apartment tower that opened this year. It is the second tallest building on the Gold Coast (after Q1 which I've shown you before) and stands at 243 m (797 ft). The penthouse spans four levels and is dubbed as Australia's highest-selling apartment  at A$16.75 million. Below the four-level penthouse there are three sub-penthouses each occupying a whole floor. How many are you going to buy? 

Weekend On The Rocks

It's a cold, wild and wet Sunday.... perfect to stay home and curl up with a book or a good movie. The idea is great, but I have to work. This was taken a while ago along the coast when it was an equally wild day.

Choc' Fix!

I think this will strike a chord with some of you who love chocolate and can't always get it when you need it! I rather like the 'ish' opening hours. Have a  great weekend.

Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves both literally and photographically because today is the first day of winter here in the southern hemisphere. Already people are bemoaning the passing of summer and the hot humid days. I'm enjoying the seasonal change and the freshness that winter brings, and we can't really complain about winter here in the sub-tropics.

The falling leaves drift by the window

The autumn leaves of red and gold

I see your lips, the summer kisses

The sun-burned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long

And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song

But I miss you most of all, my darling

When autumn leaves start to fall

C’est une chanson qui nous resemble

Toi qui m’aimais et je t’aimais

Nous vivions tous les deux ensemble

Toi qui m’aimais, moi qui t’aimais

Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s’aiment

Tout doucement sans faire du bruit

Et la mer efface sur le sable

Les pas des amants désunis

Since you went away the days grow long

And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song

But I miss you most of all, my darling

When autumn leaves start to fall…

"I Can't Get No Satisfaction"

Today you can take your pick of these 'twins' berthed in the marina at Manly. I'd like to be sailing into the blue yonder.

Paolo's Box

I'm a sucker for a good story, and the post from yesterday and today link in very nicely. I was intrigued by the beautiful 'Paolo Soprani' that the musician was playing so did a bit of research. 


In 1863, an Austrian pilgrim returning home from visiting the Loreto sanctuary asked for hospitality for the night at a farmhouse near Castelfidardo. After having been refreshed, he sat down by the fireside and started to play a strange 'box'. This was the house of Antonio and Lucia Soprani and their sons. One son, Paolo, was interested in this musical box, which was a copy of the 'accordeon', patented in 1829 by Mr Demian of Vienna. There are differing tales of how Paolo obtained this box: some say that he awoke at night and studied the secrets of the instrument. The important thing is that from this little box, a few years later, the accordion industry would be born in Castelfidardo. In 1864 Paolo opened a small workshop and eventually moved to a bigger home in the centre of the town where he exhibited and played the accordion. His instrument was very popular with Italians who had emigrated overseas, and the sound of the "armonica" helped to ease their homesickness. In 1900 Paolo's company had a huge success at the World's Fair in Paris and he became a member of the Academy of Inventors of Bruxelles and Paris. He worked until he was 70, when his two sons took over, and Paolo died in his home in 1918 when he was 73 years old.

Anonymous #1

Spending the time in Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is always a joy. This small town lies in picture-postcard country about 90kms north of Brisbane, and has lots of those wonderful browsing shops, full of arts and crafts, curiosities and nic-nacs. Sitting in the late autumn sun was this wonderful musician entertaining the tourists and locals with his accordion, smiling and happy. He seemed so intent and passionate about what he was doing. I wish you could hear his music.

Dreamliner

The viewing area of Brisbane airport was a hive of activity on Saturday morning when Boeing's new 787 'Dreamliner' touched down as part of a global publicity tour. The $195 million plane awed everyone who was there to watch it arrive. It will be introduced here on international routes next year by Jetstar, the low-cost airline of QANTAS. I have to admit, it looks very sleek and graceful. Time to book a trip I think.

What A Difference A Day Makes

After the sombre mood and tone of yesterdays posting, here is a total contrast. The wind whipped up and blew the clouds off on their merry way out to sea, followed by a cold but clear day. Just perfect for a bracing walk on the beach. Even though the surf lifesaving patrol have their flag out, no takers today. Hope your weekend is going well.

A Wet Cold

Heavy clouds crept in yesterday and took away our sun. The wind blew, the rain fell, and for a while it felt like winter.

“The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house. All that cold, cold, wet day.” 

                                                                               ~Dr Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

Il Tramonto

As I was dashing out to my night class the other evening, I had a quick look from my balcony and was amazed to see such a lovely sky. At the risk of being late I grabbed the camera and took a few shots. I'm more than pleased with the results of literally a 'point-and-click' photo. By the way, the title of the picture is Italian for sunset...I am learning Italian at my night class!

Abs of Steel

If you happen to pass by Kangaroo Point Cliffs you will come across these metal sculptures, a left-over from World Expo '88. All along this popular area you can find a walking/cycle track, great views of the city, and the cliffs are a perfect place for rock climbing and abseiling. Too much exercise for me this early in the day!