It was the weekend of the annual reunion for the Communicators ex-RAAF whom Dave worked with whilst in the services, way back many years ago. The venue was changed to the Hotel Jen which is housed in the Roma Street Transit Centre in Brisbane. It was particularly convenient for out-of-towners as it is close to train, airport and excellent car parking facilities as well.
We even resorted to train travel ourselves, making the journey very leisurely on the way there and back to Gympie.
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| From Roma Street Station Platform 10 looking to our hotel directly behind |
The Roma Street Parklands which is a magnificent urban subtropical garden area is situated close by as well. Next to the River Walk, it is my favourite spot in Brisbane.
Encompassing the area that was once Brisbane's rail and goods yard, it showcases unique sub-tropical vegetation in comparative displays with other species from around the world.
There is a Spectacle garden filled with ever-changing display of seasonal colour, the Upper Parkland, a large lake, home to a number of native species of fish and the rainforest and fern gully and a beautiful lawn.
There is a Spectacle garden filled with ever-changing display of seasonal colour, the Upper Parkland, a large lake, home to a number of native species of fish and the rainforest and fern gully and a beautiful lawn.
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| Spectacle garden, designed around the Spring, a stylised interpretation of Brisbane's original water source. |
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| A really spiky tree! |
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| Dave with waterfall behind and the lawn! |
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| Palms and birds nests |
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| The lake in the foreground with some of Brisbane's skyline in the background |
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| One of my favourite flowers, a cream Angel's trumpet |
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| A beautiful work of mosaicing done in the tiny tiles |
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| A water dragon sunning itself, one I thought was a sculpture until ... |
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| it moved! |
There were many garden specimens that I loved and could visit the place every time we go to Brisbane. It's shady, quiet, alive with birds and insects, pretty, peaceful, great for the senses and soul.
Saturday afternoon and evening the reunion function took place. Unfortunately there weren't too many people there that we knew - some were ill or on holiday but mostly they had passed away.
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| Jeff Wessels, Me and Hinchy |
I attended the netball game out at Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall in the afternoon. I watched the Queensland Firebirds whop the The West Coast Fever. A huge crowd was in attendance, very parochial as you can imagine but it was very entertaining. I had an excellent seat out from the Centre and up one stand up so I had a birds eye view.
We had a nice wander around the shops as well on Friday night - specifically the Apple Shop whereby I traded my old iPad in on the latest version. A very nice present.
The weather was good, hotel was comfortable and we had some lovely meals out. Even Dave was rapt in all the craft beer that is available now in all the bars.
A really nice cafe we found on the edge of the Parklands where we had brekky on the last day.
It had a French menu, complete with the 'garçon' (no accent) but the leather strapped apron and magnificent chandeliers overhead and on the wall. It was very airy and open with a great view of the gardens
A lovely little place to relax and eat!
The weather was good, hotel was comfortable and we had some lovely meals out. Even Dave was rapt in all the craft beer that is available now in all the bars.
A really nice cafe we found on the edge of the Parklands where we had brekky on the last day.
It had a French menu, complete with the 'garçon' (no accent) but the leather strapped apron and magnificent chandeliers overhead and on the wall. It was very airy and open with a great view of the gardens
A lovely little place to relax and eat!
