alafloat

Noreen met a sailor


The archway connecting everything

Copying the big Eye

Hi Everyone

Yet another week were I have been able to bring chaos, bewilderment and utter mayhem to the largest of Her Majesties Colonies, This week we have been helping Mary with the kids its great because I get to play with the toys, swim in the pool, and generally act stupid (no sarcastic comments please) Mon, Tue Wed we had the kids, Thursday Roger had to work up north so we had the car all day which is great of Mary and Roger as we get some great days out, as Roger needed collecting from the airport at 21.20, we decided that we would spend the day seeing the sights of Brisbane, and then collect Roger. We arrived about noon only to find all but one car park full when we came to pay we found out why it was almost empty $36 that's 18 quid for 6 hours parking holy sh--.

We started on what is called the South Bank they have a huge area were they have dumped sand and made an artificial lagoon in the heart of the city with palm trees, little beach shops, Nice grassed areas for picnics, good toilet facilities and changing rooms and waterfalls all just a couple of hundred yards from the car parks and shops. It was packed just like Blackpool on a good day.

there is also a good array of museum's, art galleries, theatres and street cafes all in the same area and connecting them is this covered archway with trailing vines its a great place. Noreen and I decided to see the city via the river because they have a ferry service that goes right through the city an all day ticket was 2.50 for us both fantastic value and you get to see everything

Even though we had all day we only did the Botanical gardens, Maritime Museum, the river trip,

and the shops, a really good day, Now its only 20mins from the centre to the airport but you know me always early so I gave myself an hour to pick up Roger we had our usual navigator Simon and he guided us out of the city sort of, you see there is a part of the route that is under construction but nobody had told Simon, It didn't take long before Simon knew we were lost and then decided to take us to the airport through the centre of the city but Brisbane has designated bus only streets and lanes again nobody had told Simon of these new changes to the transport system. after a lot of swearing and finger gestures with other road users some signs even I didn't understand, but in true British style we won through and made it to the airport in time to collect Roger were I gave him the keys to drive us all back to Runaway bay. I may also say that whilst playing with kids in the pool I have been cooked and am now walking around advertising Xmas lobster, Friday we all went to the beach where we made our Sandman for Christmas, today Saturday we have been getting the apartment ready for Christmas it is really looking like Christmas except for the Sun, Heat, Sand, Bikini's, and BBQs

Hope this finds everyone well and Happy

Speak Soon

Big Al