After our excellent park tour we walked across the Kurilpa Bridge to the Southbank where we enjoyed a couple of cold beers on the verandah of the Plough Inn and watched the crowds below enjoying the Christmas markets and Streets Beach. However, storm clouds were gathering and thunder rumbled in the distance, so we decided to head to our planned dinner destination at the Treasury Casino before getting caught out by the weather. This proved a wise decision as we just made it before the rain hit. I shant bore you endlessly with the dinner details, but OMG, it was good. Steak and bugs for $25 and wine for $3 for members was unbelievale value for such delicious food. |
It is now very hot in Brisbane and fast approaching Christmas so this week we decided to add a little festive cheer to our weekly hike. We began with a guided walk through the Roma Street Parklands where, despite the oppressive heat, we caught some cool breezes passing through the shady park. Roma Street Parklands cover 16 hectares in the centre of Brisbane, and being djacent to Brisbane Transit Centre and the Roma Street Station means they are easily accessible. This year they are celebrating their 15th year of existance in what was once the old railway yards. We had booked a free guided walk for 1 o'clock and our guide, Jenny, was very knowledgable and flexible in showing us around and explaining the history, the different garden sections and their plants, the scattered artworks throughout and so much more. We went well over the suggested hour and thorougly enjoyed our visit. After dinner and the storm, which turned out to be a bit of a fizzler, we looked at the Myer Christmas windows, watched the Christmas Parade, then the City Hall Light Spectacular, and finally to round off the night, viewed the fireworks over the river. All in all, a pretty grand day out, and, despite thinking we weren't doing much walking, we actually covered 10 kilometres. This year, my third of retirement and being able to be a part of The Hungry Hikers, has been another wonderful time of being surprised and delighted by the many walking (and eating) possiblities around our part of the world. Hopefully many more lie ahead. Merry Christmas to all, and may your boots keep on walkin' as well.
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Today wasn't a typical hiking day for us, but it was a memorable one. We donned our gladrags and played ladies, beginning with a high tea and Christmas concert in City Hall, put on by the Brisbane City Council. The round of Lord Mayor's Seniors Christmas Parties was on all week, twice daily, but tickets sold out fast, and why wouldn't they at the bargain price of $5? Early bookers were lucky enough to get tables in the concert hall and munch all the way through the concert. As we had balcony tickets, our high tea was served first in a side room. The food was delicious, with plenty of choice. An ensemble of Brisbane’s finest musicians and singers then provided top quality entertainment for over an hour. We were very much impressed and have marked this as a must do on our caledars for next year. After the concert we joined a free tour of City Hall and learned many interesting things from our professional guide as she took us through parts of the building not always open to the public.
Leaving City Hall, we crossed King George Square to enjoy lunch at the Pig & Whistle, then it was a short, but very humid walk across the river to GOMA. The Gallery Of Modern Art is another fabulous free place to visit, full of interesting ever changing exhibitions. The Gallery is turning 10 and headlining the celebrations is 'Sugar Spin', featuring over 250 contemporary artworks exploring light, space, architecture and the senses. This was a day hard to beat. Just love our city. Even in the heat.
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