Hoping to meet up with Brant Kozlovskis and Joe Tapping whilst we are here, take a look at the Gold Coast as well.

Sunday 28th Feb. Caught the flight from Sydney at 3pm and checked into the Apartment at 4.30pm. Nice "apartment" for 5 days. Bit of shopping to ensure breakfast was available and then our first "Nando's" enjoyed it. Plan to explore the City in the morning

Monday 29th Feb. started out by walking to the Botanical Gardens, where are morning walk was shared by a Lizard. Then through the park to look at Parliament House, Old Government House, The Mansions, Queensland Club, Queens Gardens and the Administrative Buildings, King George Square, City Hall and the ANZAC Memorial. Brisbane is really condensed with all of the Historic Buildings and Parks within 8 blocks. All of the streets are named after Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses. Kings and Princes run East/West with Queens and Princesses running North/South. Makes it easy and enjoyable to walk around. Back to the apartment for lunch and time for Lesley to fit in a pedicure. Mmmm what shall we do this afternoon??? CastleMaine Perkins have an afternoon tour at 3pm, shall we do that. Silly question really, so off we went with our newly acquired "Go Cards" which give you access to all Brisbane Public Transport. 4.30pm and we are in the Castlemaine Tap Room tasting all of the Castlemaine stable. Another great day, both Lesley and I think Brisbane is great.

Tuesday 1st March. Up early for our day out at Australia Zoo. We set off at 8am and drove up the Sunshine Highway and then onto Steve Irwin Way. Arrived at the Zoo around 9.20am having passed the interesting Mt Tibrogagan. Started our tour around the Zoo looking at the "Crocs" as that is what Steve Irwin was famous for, then walked around looking at other Australian creatures before spending 20 mins with the Sumatran Tiger. We walked through Koala walk and spent some time talking to the Zoo Keeper there and meeting "Frankie the 10 year old Koala" in the wild a Koala's lives for 8 to 10 years but in Captivity can live for 15 or more. They are close to becoming an endangered species and if we are not careful by 2025 they will not be seen in the wild. We were then advised to go to the Crocatorium to see the lunch time show, that was excellent with many of the Zoo's animals show cased. We then walked back through the park, had our photo taken with a massive crocodile and the statue of Steve Irwin and his family. We then visited the Australia Zoo Widlife Hospital and saw injured and mistreated animals being nursed back to normality. Both of us thought the Zoo was excellent, well laid out, easy to see the animals, Including the Eastern Water Dragons that literally wander around with you. Great value for money at 60 AUD per person.

We set off back to Brisbane, quick shower and change then out to Forest Lake for dinner with Joe Tapping and his wife Janine. Joe and Bob had served together at Culdrose and Yeovilton but had not seen each other for 29 Years, so great to catch up, swing a few lamps, tell a "few" dits and sink a few beers. Joe was born in Wendover so he and Lesley have a lot in common as they were both born in the same year.


Wednesday 2nd Feb. up early at Joe and Janines and then off to the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise beach. Stopped at a cafe in Surfers Paradise for breakfast and then onto the beach for a swim in the Pacific Ocean. Lovely to be able to swim as the previous 5 days there had been 5 metre waves and no swimming allowed. Quick tour in the car of Surfers Paradise and then back up the M1 to Brisbane. Managed to take in the Gabba, lunch at the Pig & Whistle on Brunswick, then popped into VELO on Brunswick to meet up with an old colleague from Eltek, Brant Kozlovskis,then back to the hotel to catch up with the washing and Ironing for Lesley, and the blog for Bob. Off out tonight to see Mel Buttle and then some Dinner. Mel Buttle was excellent, well worth the trip to the Powerhouse as part of the Brisbane Comedy Festival. We had dinner at George's Paragon on Eagle St Quay . The meal was delightful. Off to bed now, just like to wish my Mum a speedy recovery.

As earlier for both of us this has been our favourite Australian City, the compact design, activities in an around the Brisbane River, the transport around the City and the residents make this such a great place.Last Day in Australia tomorrow so have a wander around Brisbane to enjoy it one last time, then off to Christchurch, New Zealand in the morning.