Had brekkie this morning after a gap of 2 or 3 days. Alison took a wander into town while I showered and breakfasted. While in town she discovered there was a National Brass Band competition on today, all the 50 bands competing were currently marching down Adelaide Street.
We decided mid morning to have a wander to downtown Brisbane. This took a bit longer than expected, due to having to dodge torrential showers – some longer than others! Not having packed anything waterproof! I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a waterproof jacket – put to good use today! Passed the Anzac Memorial on the way
Visited the City Hall just in time go hear the results and adjudication for the junior section bands. A visit to the Brisbane Museum, housed in the same building, followed. One of the first exhibits we came upon was this main entrance door from Brisbane House in Largs!
Before leaving the hotel this morning, I booked a cruise on the Brisbane River for this afternoon, so with a couple of hours to fill in before said cruise, we took the river taxi to the south bank and had a wander along there. Carved Japanese house, below, was a remnant of the 1988 EXPO.
Further along was the Centre for Peforming Arts, just spilling out after a Roald Dahl children’s performance. Had a quick look in the auditorium before I was evicted by an over- enthusiastic usherette!
Boarded the MV Neptune for a two hour cruise down the river and back- seeing Brisbane from a different perspective as the 18th century Custom House shows, surrounded by modern day skyscrapers.
Also a paddle steamer tourist boat still being used.
Further along on the South Bank we passed the sheer cliffs at Kangaroo Point. These were left over from old quarry workings which provided a large quantity of the sandstone, Brisbane Tuff, which found it’s way in to the building of much of Brisbane’s 18th century architecture. Now used as a popular training area for rock climbing and abseiling, due to it’s proximity to Brisbane’s Main hospital!
Back ashore, and after getting the River Cat back to the North bank, decided that dinner tonight would be at the aptly described “typical British Pub” , the Pig and Whistle. Back to hotel to scribble this, and being reminded that I didn’t mention in last night’s blog that we had part of our dinner in darkness thanks to a blackout in the premises!
Good night to all
M & A in Oz 