Respite

How is it that a rain shower in the sun can look so lovely? After what seems like weeks of rain, and wall-to-wall grey skies, the sun broke through and we are all smiling again.

Monday!

Monday morning and the start of another week. Being a shift worker, my week is almost over, but for the majority it's back to the rat-race. Take it easy and have a good week!

Tell me why?
I don't like Mondays.
Tell me why?
I don't like Mondays.
Tell me why?
I don't like Mondays.
I want to shoot
The whole day down.

The Boomtown Rats ~ "I don't like Mondays"

Wind Power

We're still at Shorncliffe where it looked as if these two were racing each other. Every now and again they'd leap out of the sea and advance huge distances. It looks cold but believe me, it's about 27c and the water is 25c.

On the Jetty

Under a slate-grey sky and the clouds pregnant with precipitation, this hardened fisherman is standing his ground in the hope of snagging some tasty morsel for his weekend supper! Ah, what delights and wonders swim submerged in the murky brine. This is at Shorncliffe, a suburb just north of Brisbane. Have a great weekend wherever you are.

I love fishing. You put that line in the water and you don't know what's on the other end. Your imagination is under there. ~Robert Altman

World Wide Web

Having had yet more rain I noticed that there seems to be a lot more spider webs about. Thankfully they have decided to stay outside and not to seek shelter inside the house.

Australia Day

Today is Australia Day, our National Day. It commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and the proclamation at that time of British Sovereignty over the eastern seabord of New Holland. It is a day of national pride...so, not wanting to be left out I decorated my balcony. Happy Australia Day!

Tea-Time

We are having a very, very wet period of weather here in the region, with no let-up for a few days. Localised flooding has closed roads and some homes have had to be evacuated. We are all a little bit anxious when we get such rains after last years terrible floods. Fortunately there isn't anything like that expected. So, a quiet, restful day today, with plenty of time for tea!

'Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage' ~ Catherine Douzel



Morning Ablutions

I'm not so sure that I am this energetic first thing in the morning!

Under the Dome

Depending on the time of year determines what you get to see inside the tropical dome, but with living things, there is always something new.

The Aliens Have Landed

Looking more like a spaceship, this is the tropical dome at Mt Coot-tha botanical gardens. We are blessed with two botanical gardens in Brisbane, one, smaller one, in the city, and this lush oasis just 6kms from the city centre. It sits at the base of Mt Coot-tha from where yesterdays picture was taken.

Mt Coot-tha

Before European settlement, the Brisbane region was home to various indigenous people, who still have connections to the mountain. They came to collect 'ku-ta', the honey of the stingless native bee, from hives in tree hollows.

From Brisbane's early days, residents would ascent Mount Coot-tha for picnics with a view. The bush at the top was cleared, leaving a lone, large eucalypt, and the mountain was then called One Tree Hill. Today Mt Coot-tha is still a popular place to view the city. It's a great view, isn't it?

In The Red

Around November these beautiful poinciana trees burst into flower and line streets around the city. Only now are they begining to fade and drop the last of their blooms along the pathways. This year they seemed to be particularly vibrant and with more flowers than usual.

Ancient History?

Our history may not be as old as some other countries, but here this is old! This is in South Bank, very close to the river, and has been converted into a restaurant. Come back tomorrow and we will have a closer look at that lovely tree.

Renewal

Creeks and streams are swollen and replenished again after the recent downpours. The threatening clouds are lifting and brighter days are ahead.

Glorious Rain

Some people I know really detest the rain, but I enjoy the refreshing smell, the way that summer dust is washed away and everything looks fresh and new again. Heavy rains halted my planned morning walk along the creek. It looks as if this week is going to be more of the same. Perhaps I'm pleased to be going to work.....perhaps!

Lazy Weekend

It's good to forget about work and to relax, and Roma Street Parkland right in the middle of the city is the perfect oasis. It is the world's largest sub-tropical garden in a city centre. We are truly blessed with such green spaces around Brisbane.

Start The Day Laughing

Sometimes it is nice to just sleep in a little, but this happy fellow made sure that I was well awake very early. This is the Laughing Kookaburra, a member of the kingfisher family. These large native birds are best known for their unmistakable call which sounds like hysterical, echoing laughter, albeit good natured. Despite his maniacal cackling, I was happy to be awake early.

One Year On....

As we swelter through our heatwave, who would have believed that a year ago, Brisbane was under water? The devastating floods of 2011 swept through communities and cities in SE Queensland, killing people, destroying homes and businesses, altering the landscape for ever. Here you see the river still several metres higher than usual, but notice the mud halfway up the steps on the left indicating the water level. Scary or what? One year on, the city has mostly recovered. Some communities are still doing it tough but we're a resilient lot here in Queensland.

The Heat is Up

Another scorching day here as temperatures sit at a minimum 36c. Being by the Brisbane River offers some respite. This sculpture is a left-over from World Expo '88.

Keeping Cool

This young guy has the best idea as we hit another day of heat and humidity. South Bank is a popular area with the beach, several pools and play areas. Time for an ice-cream I think.

Welcome to my Warm Slice of Brisbane

Hopefully you will come with me on my meanderings around this beautiful city, it's environs and parts of Queensland.

On a day when temperatures soared to almost 35c this was the place to be. This is South Bank which was the site of World Expo '88. It is Australia's only beach in the middle of the city and sits alongside the Brisbane River.

Summer has set in with its usual severity. ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge