SUN, SURF AND SPIT

Last week we went to The Spit at main Beach near Southport on the Gold Coast. It is a 40 minute drive from home. It was a beautiful sunny Spring day even though we are still in winter. We walked out to the end of the spit, which is a rock wall protecting the boats leaving and entering the seaway, a body of water between the mainland and South Stradbroke Island.

 We walked past the entrance to a small beach where the surfboard riders access the surf.

 Then we walked along the spit to the end where there is a little lighthouse. The man is pointing across the opening to the seaway. Below is what he saw.

 South Stradbroke Island is behind the other rock wall.

People enjoyed relaxing in the winter's sun.

We could see the towers of Surfer's Paradise in the distance.

BRISBANE ARCADE

Built in 1924, the Brisbane Arcade is the city's oldest surviving shopping arcade. In the 1920's most shopping was done in Fortitude Valley area because there was easy access by tram and train. Philanthropists James Mayne and his sister Mary Amelia built the arcade at a cost of 70,000 pounds. The arcade offered a new shopping experience. Today it still is a popular shopping place with some lovely specialist shops and cafe's. It has three levels.

The arcade is in the Queen St Mall, the main shopping precinct in Brisbane.

 I liked all the different specialty shops.

 A posh cafe is on the upper level. The ladies were  having morning tea.

There were coffee shops on all levels. I had to keep steering The Other Half away from them. I loved the lead-light glass.

WALK TO THE LAKE

We went for a short walk through Daisy Hill Forest to Dennis Lake.

 At the gate of our village a wattle tree is in bloom. 

On the grassy patch there was a wallaby and joey as well as a cockatoo.

It was peaceful at the lake. Lake Dennis is named after the pioneering farming family, which opened up this area and built the dam wall.

 We returned to the forest path to take us home.

 Moss on a rotting log.

 The afternoon sun lights up the palms. Then it was home and a nice cup of tea.

THE REGENT THEATRE-BRISBANE

Today we went on a photo shoot with the U3A Camera Club. We went into the city and did part of The City Centre Heritage Trail. The first building we visited was the old Regent Theatre, which is in the Queen St Mall tucked in between two new buildings. It is no longer a theatre but the facade, foyer and grand staircase have been preserved. The foyer now houses an information centre.

It was built in 1929 to capitalise on the popularity of talkie movies. It was built in a lavish style like the American ones to entice more custom. It had 2,500 seats, ornate chandeliers and Belgian carpets. It featured a Wurlitzer organ that could be raised and lowered on a hydraulic platform.

In the 70's it was remodelled to hold 4 theatres but now they have been demolished.

My daughter told me this is where her and her husband, David, went on their first date.

 The ceiling is covered in paintings and patterns.

My European readers will probably wonder why our old buildings are not really old when compared with their old buildings which date back hundreds of years. It must be remembered white people only started living in Australia from 1788. Brisbane wasn't settled until 1823 by convicts. Free settlers came in 1838. Brisbane was a municipality in1859 and a metropolitan area in 1924. So you can understand why this building built in 1929 is declared a heritage building.   

BIRTHDAY BEAR IS GOING BUSH WALKING

Both Mary and I have birthdays in June. So we stagger our celebrations with Birthday Bear to be a month apart. Then I forgot to post about them, that dementia is getting closer. Anyway I had my lunch with birthday bear a few weeks ago. We went to Sunnybank Hotel where we always get good service and nice meals. I still wasn't feeling too well after coughing for four weeks. (I'm feeling much better now thank goodness after five weeks of it.)

 When I arrived I found Bear waiting for me in the forest. Bear knows that I love walking in the forest so she is prepared with her hat, bottle of water and camera. There are koalas and wallabies in the forest too and a walking track map.

Mary dressed Bear for me this time and it was very appropriate.

Bob, George, Mary, Ann, Helen, Chris, me and Bill.  Bear had her own little table behind George. It was so nice for Chris and Bob to travel a long way to be with us and it was nice of Helen to put them up overnight. Thank you everyone for celebrating my 75th with me.