Brisbane, QLD


Tuesday, May 20, 2025

TRIPLE CELEBRATION

I'm slow at keeping up to date on my blog. so you are reading old news. A week ago it was our 56th wedding anniversary on the 10 May, Mother's Day on 11 May and Fox's 15th birthday on 13 May. So we celebrated the special days with family on Mother's Day at home. 

Bernie had bought a gift for Sonya, who is into retro homewares.


Happy mother with an old fashioned Fondu Set.

Bernie cooked a delicious fondu.

Besides traditional bread pieces to dip into the cheese we also had vegetables and fruit pieces to dip.

Fox on the right turned 15 two days later.
The Swiss boy really enjoyed it.

Carol and David sent me flowers.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

BANJO'S BIRTHDAY

 Our grandson Banjo, turned 13 and we had a little celebration at home. Aunty Carol was here from Melbourne, because she took me to the eye hospital to have my second cataract done. 


He was happy to become a teenager.

But best of all was the XBOX.

The next day went to see the progress of Sonya and Bernie's house renovations.

Then they took us to lunch for a delicious Italian meal.
Bill had his favourite Tiramisu. Two new cataract lenses so no glasses.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

DAISY HILL CONSERVTION PARK (OR MY FOREST)

 Our retirement village borders onto Daisy Hill Forest its fancy name is Conservation Park. I call it my forest because I have been walking in this forest for 55 years. We have lived in three different homes but all close to the forest. However, I had back surgery one year ago and had complications afterwards which left me in a lot of pain. I couldn't walk far. At last my GP has tweeked my pain medication and I can walk again in the forest. We have had loads of rain this year, more than usual and the forest is very green but some of the walking trails have been damaged. However, I decided it's time to tackle a forest walk again. 

This track has been made suitable for disabled people. It is the one that starts from the street in front of our village.

This is another easy track to walk.

It continues onto a boardwalk over the creeks.

The creeks are orange coloured due to a bacteria growing in the water.

I came across interesting fungi and .......
and moss covered logs. The rangers don't move fallen trees unless they are across a track. Their reasoning is it is natural for trees to fall and rot in a forest to keep the nutrients in the soil.

After a while I turned back towards home. The grassy undergrowth has enjoyed all our recent rain.

There is the village behind the road entry.

I bypass the road entry and walk along the track that runs parallel to our village boundary.

We have our own private entry/exit to the forest.

I walk up the hill to our street which is off to left in this photo.

This is our street, Tranquil Ave. We live down past the pedestrian crossing on the left. I'm so happy to be able to walk in my forest again.

Friday, April 18, 2025

WALK AROUND THE VILLAGE

I am so happy that the pain killers are working well. I don't feel the nerve pain caused by the nerves being squashed by arthritis and a vertebrae slip. I can now walk with my buddies of a morning. In the afternoon Bill and I walk around the village. I took photos of some of the flowers and lizards on the way.
                                                              Pretend Mushrooms

Orchid

Water Dragon

Bird of paradise


Banksia leaves shooting

Orchid

Grevillea

Gum blossom

Saturday, April 12, 2025

UNDERWOOD PARK LAGOON

 So the weather has cooled down and the rain has stopped. Just perfect for a walk around the lagoon.

The ducks are resting on the tree.

Bill managed without a stick or wheelie walker.

Lots of water dragons on the path around the lagoon.


Duck nap time and one cormorant.

Then home for dinner. Vienna sausages with sauerkraut, potatoes, carrots and beans. (We only cook easy meals these days)

Washing down lunch with Chianti.

Evening visitor in our street.

Friday, March 28, 2025

BELATED BILL'S BIRTHDAY

We have been busy with doctors blah blah but we're all okay now and I see how far behind in posts I am. So here are some past photos of Bill's Birthday in February. Our wonderful daughters organised a birthday lunch at a lovely Italian Restaurant on the riverside in Brisbane. It was called "Ciao Papi" so a fitting place for papi's Birthday celebration.

Views of the Brisbane River from our table.

The family minus son in law David, who was at home in Melbourne.

A Birthday candle in Bill's favourite, Tiramisu.

Happy 82nd Birthday

Friday, March 21, 2025

ST PATRICKS DINNER

 On St Patricks Day we had a special dinner at the village Community Centre. Everyone wore green. We had a new team of Year 12 High School students doing the serving and helping in the kitchen. They did a good job and the chef even complimented them. We enjoyed the meal and companionship and the Irish jokes.

The Village Singers sung Irish Songs.

Bill had recovered from his operation so he could join us.

 Students did a good job at serving.

Green dessert.
Orange dessert

Line dancing to Irish music.

Ann the Dinner coordinator thanks the students and their teachers (the first two from this end) Our two chefs are in the background.

We all had a good time.