BRISBANE CITY

We had a few trips to town for appointments. I tried to capture the city buzz with my phone.

 Christmas decoration in the Queen St Mall.

 The City Christmas tree in King George Square

 The heritage listed Albert St Uniting Church dwarfed by the first tower to be built in Brisbane in 1971.

I was struck by the squiggle on this building. After some research, I discovered that it is an imprint of the Brisbane River. The building was completed in 2015. The building is nicknamed "Brisbane River Tower". The smaller building next to the tower is called 192 Central. Both buildings are owned by Daisho, a Japanese company. 

The bronze sculpture is one of four at the entrance to King Edward Park.  The sculpture is called Forme de Mitte (Forms of Myth) by Arnaldo Pomodoro. 

A Jacaranda tree is trying to soften the concrete jungle.

Another day we were walking from the CBD to Fortitude Valley and passed Warry St where Hassel Architect's building is on the left. It is a heritage listed building. It was a bakery, the ovens are still a feature inside the building. This is where our daughter works when she is sent to the Brisbane Office from Sydney. The Poinciana Tree brightens up the street.

MORNING WALK WONDERS

Most mornings I try to fit in a walk in the Daisy Hill Forest. 

 On the way I pass Dennis Lake.

Then I enter the forest

I often meet friends and we walk together.  We spotted this unusual flower. There were a few of them all sprouting from  grass trees. ( Xanthorrhoea)

One morning we spotted this Koala struggling across the ground. It looked sick. They are on the endangered list so we were keen to help this one. One of our group followed it around while the rest of us tried to contact the rangers but it was difficult at 6:45 in the morning. Finally, we managed to find a ranger to help rescue it and take it to hospital.

AIRBOAT RIDE FOR BIRTHDAY BEAR

After getting lost even with Google Maps telling us where to go, we finally found this lovely restaurant called "The White House" in the rural suburb of Waterford. 

Birthday Bear was already there enjoying a ride in an Airboat with earphones to protect her ears from the noisy engine.

It was Ann's birthday and she really enjoyed the Airboat ride she had in the Northern Territory when she was on her last holiday. Bear also had a bandage on her knee in sympathy with Ann, who has had a skin graft recently. There was a crocodile trying to jump in the boat too just like when Ann was on the boat.

It was a nice restaurant with delicious food, Chris and Bob were able to join us this time too.

The White House Restaurant overlooks a nice garden and the Logan River .

When its time to go home Bear goes into her carry bag. Chris made the boat and Helen dressed Bear for Ann. For those readers not familiar with our Birthday Bear tradition click here.

WINGED VISITORS

Last post Andrew was looking for a cockatoo in one of my garden photos because the file name said 'cockatoo'. I explained in my reply that it was poor organisation on my part that a whole load of garden pics were mixed up with the cockatoo pics. So I thought I had better show him the cockatoo that visited together with a few other winged visitors to my garden including some that I wish wouldn't come. I'm not a birder but I like trying to capture them on camera.

 Cockatoo on the deck

 A Pheasant Coucal, a ground-dwelling cuckoo

 Rainbow Lorikeet

 Blue Faced Honey Eater

Pale Headed Rosella

Brush Turkey or Bush Turkey I can do without, they dig up the plants and spread the mulch onto the lawn.

See more birds on "Wild Bird Wednesday"

SPRING GARDEN

I like looking out my study window in Spring. I can see the native flowering trees and the ground cover rampaging through the garden. It is especially pretty when the rain falls and cleans everything but it is also nice when the afternoon sun lights up the flowers. It beckons me away from my computer to go outside and enjoy the beauty. Come along with me for a stroll around my garden.

TO MARKET, TO MARKET TO BUY A FAT PIG

I'm always looking for a decent market close to where we live. There are lots of mediocre ones but I haven't found a really good one yet.  However, I enjoy walking, looking and photographing. 

 I liked how the red glow from the tent lit up the girl's hair. 

                                                                                Smell the pineapple to check if it is ripe.

 Want some jewellery?

 Too many calories

I love foxes.  wonder why?

BEAUTIFUL BRISBANE

I'm probably biased but I think Brisbane is a beautiful city.

New Farm Park roads are lined with Jacaranda trees. We were lucky to find a parking spot even at 9:00am but it was a Sunday and there was a charity run event on too. The park covers 38 acres and was opened in 1919. It includes picnic areas, cricket pitches, croquet and football fields.

On the cliffs of the Brisbane River

Jacaranda is a native to Central America, South America, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and the Bahamas. It has been introduced to most tropical and subtropical countries. It is common in South Africa and Australia.

We drove to New Farm Park and then caught the City Cat to the city.

Riverside Place