GOMA: some of the work exhibited

giant painted sculpted spheres

photography: this was approx 3.5x2metres and hanging from the ceiling away from the wall

lots of political arts too

these last two images have given me ideas for Y9 art that i will be teaching this year

Brisbane (locally known as BrisVegas)

we spent a day in Brisbane: ate sushi, and japanese food, shopped and walked a lot. Visited GOMA Brisbanes Gallery of Modern Art where there was a stunning exhibition of contemporary indigenous art.  There is a beach smack bang in the centre of Brisbane; along the Southbank where all the art galleries, museums and  theatres seem to be gathered - well the main ones anyway

my feet hurt but we are going back -

the walkway through southbank

shame about the safety cones

the constructed beach in the centre of the city by the river

one of the cafe restaurants at Southbank

a chocolate shop where all the drinks are made using the melted chocolate these huge vats are full of

there are lots of different sculptures around Brisbane; these huge spheres greet you as you walk onto Queen Street

my beautiful daughters

sunbathing at Surfers Paradise

a visit to surfers paradise

We took a trip to a place called Surfers Paradise - coutrtesy of 'auntie' Justin. miles of white beaches and rolling waves. Very Point Break - lots of dudes who have clearly been surfing for 4 decades or more; possibly without application of sunscreen - did not know the sin could go that colour. First time i have seen a man 70+ in speedos doing a beep test along the beach (he had to keep hiking up the speedos as they slipped at the front). Dinner at the surfers cafe - all burgers come with cheese, pineapple and beetroot as standard!!; very different from a Gt Yarmouth cafe.

the view from the esplanande looking onto the shopping area

left from where we sat

the girls on a sand dune at the top of the beach looking at the horizon

apparently this is as busy as the beach gets!!

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Just gonna post lots of images here and say that it was a brilliant day where we saw a Baby Kangaroo hanging/climbing out the mum's pouch, Koalas performing scratch aerobics, Tasmanian Devils scrapping and ripping quails to pieces - then went to a high point to look over Brisbane at dusk - an excellent day thanks to my sister, niece Cara and fab daughters and of course the fantastic animals
(but most of all to ali for driving)

the journey back from Hervey Bay part 2

We atopped off at one more place on the way back: The Ettamoga - a tourist stop that is also one of the few 'pubs' we have seen
With a fun-fair and a clutch of shops attached
and the poshest Dunny seen so far

this water tank actually had fish, algae and weeds in it - not sure why there was a need for the do not drink sign

the journey back from Hervey Bay 1

the journey back was as eventfull as the time spent at Hervey Bay:

Ali took us to an interesting, um 'retail location' known as a 'purveyor of Australiana'. A unique and qwirky place that has a trail visitors can follow leading them through herbs and odd sculptures, cages hoards of squeaking guinea pigs that "like to be fed grass" and fluffy cockerels before arriving at a house - reminiscent of odd voodoo reatailers as depicted in Hollywood movies of the 80s it sold an ecclectic mix od hand-made artisan crafts, carvings, jewellery, honey, candles and 'antiques'. home-made signs and cards all jumbled together to encourage a bit of an orienteering route. It freaked Leannan out. I tried for photos inside but the owner made me feel uncomfortable so here are images of outside:

moll takes pity on the hungry hoard

welcome to the herb garden

we begin to fear they may escape

lurking behind every bush may be a frozen roo waiting to attack



escape beckons




we wonder what happened to the owners of these lonely rusty bikes



Last day in Hervey bay

11am Thursday 1st August - 2 minutes walk from our appartment 50 metres out and it is still only knee deep