Tues 22nd April - Throat is a bit better. Up early to sort everthing out in the van and pack our bags. Drove to esplanade and had a walk round the manmade lagoon area, built as Cairns has no beach. Paid Gems speeding fine then dropped Thor off at the spacestation. The guy who rented us it in Sydney (Shrek!), was there so he gave us a lift to the airport. Had a bit of a wait before we flew to Brisbane. Gordon met us at the airport and drove us to his son Lloyds' house near Ipswich. It's a massive bungalow on a 20 acre plot in the sticks outside Ipswich. Met Lloyd, his wife Sharon and 2 daughters Madeline and Rebecca. Had dinner with them and Gordon and were made to feel very welcome.
Wed 23rd - Throat feeling much better. Gordon picked us up at 8.30am in the Landcruiser. He showed us around Brisbane, 1st the mental hospital at Rotunda where he and his family used to work. There were kangaroos all over the place (presumably with pesonality disorders!) Did the botanical gardens - good ferns. Went up to Mount Cootha lookout to view Brisbane. There was a
big bush fire just nearby so some of the road was cordoned off. Had a huge chicken schnizel sandwich and a beer for lunch at the Regatta Hotel, overlooking the river. The toilets were fab - the back of the urinal was made of one way glass which overlooked the restaurant area! Got the Citycat ( a fast catamaran taxi) up river to the Southbank and had a walk by the manmade lagoon and beach where loads of people were sunbathing - quite random in the middle of the city! On the way home we stopped at Goodna cemetary to see Gordon's mums grave. Went for dinner at a tavern in Brassal with the family - Gordon, Sister Cynthia and husband Malcolm, Son Gordon and 3 kids Michael, Luke and Elliza and Lloyd and family. Had a buffet and drinks and photos. Internet and bed.
Thurs 24th - Throat nearly better. Gordon picked us up again. Looked at a few sights in Ipswich - Denmark Hill where you climb the old water towers for city views. Lloyd came with us. Looked round Queens Park Zoo which is free and saw a few animals we hadn't seen before - dingo and
wombat. Stopped in a neighbourhood to look at the flying foxes in the trees. Had a kebab for lunch in a foodhall at the riverlink shopping centre. Drove to Brisbane after dropping Lloyd off and saw some more good views of the city from Albion lookout and Kangaroo Point Cliffs and drove past the XXXX brewery. Got back as it was getting dusky and Lloyd took us out on his Nissan Patrol to do some 4x4ing - went up and down some really steep hills and really fast on dirt roads, it was great fun. Gordon junior, Luke and Elliza joined the rest of us for dinner - vege pasta. Had some drinks and chatted before bed.
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