Even in retirement it’s good sometimes to have a day off.
So earlier this week I decided to play tourist in my home town of Brisbane.
It was a lovely dry sunny morning when I strolled the couple of blocks down to the river to catch a City Cat to take me up the Brisbane river, past New Farm Park and under the Story Bridge into town.

I took my morning cup of coffee under one of the yellow umbrellas.
Dirty work, but somebody has to do it!

Looking back towards the Story bridge I had just cruised under – this is the view from the cafe where I took my morning coffee break

Still sitting at the coffee shop this is the view in the other direction. The paddle steamer is the “Kookaburra Queen” which takes cruises up the Brisbane River.

Time to get some exercise and I took a good walk along the river bank heading towards the City Botanic Gardens. You can just see the beginning of the mangroves growing out of the sandy bank.

Taking the path through the mangroves. So peaceful and miles from anywhere you would think. Wrong. The city is just a few hundred metres away across the park.

Leaving the river behind I strolled into the City Botanic Gardens and you can see the city in the distance. The weather was so kind I saw a fellow sunning himself with his shirt off. And it’s winter here.

After emigrating 30 odd years ago Brisbane still feels exotic to me. You just have to look at the flora

Then onto our beautifully refurbished city hall where I attended a (free) lunchtime concert put on by Brisbane City Council. I enjoyed a lovely hour of jazz.

Walking through town I came to Anzac Square which was very pretty in the sunshine and lots of city workers enjoying a respite from their labours
I couldn’t stop walking once I started and ended up walking most of the way home, through the city and only caught the bus when I reached Fortitude Valley.
A lovely day out.
Jun 06, 2013 @ 07:30:48
I think Brissie should pay you for promoting their city so well Jean :). Now I want to visit! It’s raining and cold and like the howling tundra’s in Siberia here so I guess I can dream đŸ˜‰
Jun 06, 2013 @ 07:39:41
Sorry to hear about your Siberian winds Fran. It’s a bit nippy here in Brisbane this morning.
Jun 06, 2013 @ 11:29:25
I could smell the water and hear the traffic as I walked through your photo’s, Jean. My Mum says that it used to be for many people the town they know the least was the one they lived in. We know our immediate town pretty well, and the surrounding streets, but only because I enjoy walking, but the roads and towns beyond us we barely know at all!
Jun 07, 2013 @ 05:01:47
Pleased that you enjoyed this post Mrs Yub. I think your Mum is right, it’s easy to take our surroundings for granted. Brisbane has grown so much since I first emigrated over 30 years ago. Now the city is full of high rise buildings but as you walk around town there are still many beautiful old buildings in the colonial style and some lovely sandstone buildings that look as if they were built in the 1920’s with beautiful proportions.
Jun 06, 2013 @ 13:01:25
What a lovely tour! That Boab tree is very exotic, and I loved the City Cat. I live in the Seattle, Washington USA area around Puget Sound and we have lots of ferries, both car and passenger-only. It adds a lot to a city. Brisbane looks lovely! đŸ™‚
Jun 07, 2013 @ 05:04:56
Brisbane was looking particularly beautiful that day. I am fortunate to live just a couple of blocks from the river so love to use that form of transport. Brisbane City Council have increased the numbers of City Cats to take us up and down the river. They go quite regularly so you never have to wait for long, they are used by locals and tourists alike. We also have the cross-river ferries too. It’s lovely living on the river.