The Brisbane Wheel

 We decided to take a ride on the huge Ferris wheel on the south bank of the Brisbane river.  It did give impressive views over the city and the river.

Then back to the hotel walking through the city.

A Little History

 We have already established our favourite breakfast venue close to the hotel.  Another winner this morning to set us up for our morning’s walk.

Old Government House is in the grounds of and managed by the Queensland University of Technology (that was having an Open Day today).

It is a beautiful old building that can no longer serve its original function but has been preserved by the National Trust and QUT.

Then a walk across the river for lunch at The Ship Inn on Southbank.

We did not leave hungry as we headed back along the impressive bougainvillea covered walkway toward the next attraction, the Brisbane Wheel.

Brisbane Southbank

 A perfect day in Brisbane and we headed for the Arts Precinct on Southbank.

First was the Art Gallery where the art took second place to the discussion with friends.

Then to the Museum.

Then the important part of the day - lunch.

Southbank is a magnificent recreation and eating area with great views of the city.

Then back to the Hotel for important business.

Brisbane By Night

 We had a wander around the riverbank precinct in the evening.  The music was pumping and the drinks were flowing but this bunch of geriatrics managed to find our way through the melee to a great meal at Felons.

Brisbane Bound

 We had an early start heading for Brisbane.  We decided to use public transport, train and SkyBus and found the whole journey surprisingly easy.

The flight was a little late but made up time and we arrived on time and our luggage arrived too!  The hotel was in the heart of Brisbane.

A short walk around the area showed development overlooked aesthetics.

Final Farewell

 My parents, Jim Reid and Joyce Thorp were married on this day, 25th July, eighty years ago (1942).  It was a tough time in the middle of the Second World War but they scraped together the requirements to make it work. Following their wedding they traveled to Warburton for their honeymoon staying at Green Gables Chalet. They spent a couple of very happy weeks walking the hills and enjoying the bush and the Yarra River.  It was often a topic of conversation during my childhood.

On this anniversary, we took the opportunity to travel to Warburton to scatter their ashes in their happy place, the grounds of the old Chalet and the waters of the Yarra River.  While they may be gone, their influence is still very much alive within the family.

Visiting Echuca

 We were very glad that we gave ourselves a little time to look around Echuca while visiting for Noel's 80th.  It is a spectacular town.  Our accommodation was on the banks of the Campaspe River.

But we were close to the main street that still retains some of the original buildings from the development of the town in the 1860s

At night the streets take on a whole new personality.

The place is alive with history.  In the local park a monument constructed in red gum in 1884 still exists.

We were also able to finally see the new bridge over the Murray that had been needed and talked about for the past 50 years.  It is a spectacular construction. and you can get great views along the Murray from the top.

Noel Turns 80!

 The news from Echuca was that Noel had turned eighty.

We traveled up to the celebration which started with a Pizza Night on his actual birthday.

Then on Saturday afternoon, family and friends attended an afternoon tea for the formal celebration.  It was an opportunity for a catch up and to connect with some we had not seen for some time.