Blogs from Central Business District, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Oceania - page 5

With a lunchtime appointment about 150 miles away we left by 9am and headed further south. We arrived at the destination I entered on the Tom Tom to find that there were about 200 retirement homes at 21 Bracewell Road, Twin Waters! Fortunately there was a sales off which were able to give me Peter Bailey's address. He lived on an idilic retirement complex with a lovely large bungalow going down to the waters edge. We thought very similar to southern Florida. Peter, who is 90 next year, greeted us spritely at the door. Already there was Neville Marsh, an ex Vice Chancellor of an Aussie university. Peter has had a distinguished flying career - see Distinguished section of OF website. He showed us his study which has many momentos from his career. I encouraged him ... read more

So, Ellie and I are still in Brisbane and have just finished our second and final period of exam invigilating and are now looking for some more work. We have applied to work at the EKKA Festival in Brisbane (a giant food festival) which runs for 10 days between the 10th and 20th of August, so hopefully we will be offered something there. There are plenty of jobs available, including: cash counting, sales staff and catering assistants. Since the last blog update we have been down to the Gold Coast and stayed with my relatives Steve and Sue for a long weekend. They have such an amazing apartment with a spectacular view across Labrador Bay. It was worth staying there just for a few days for the amazing view! The Gold Coast is quite a tourist-y ... read more

After years of dreaming, months of planning, and weeks of mooching off our parents (thanks Mum), the big day has finally arrived. This trip has been a long time coming – 21 years to be exact – and I can’t wait for it all to begin. I sort of feel like I did on my first day of high school; nervous and excited, with a really heavy backpack and absolutely no idea what I’m getting myself into. The older and wiser people in my life have offered a few pieces of wisdom for the journey ahead. Many have told me to enjoy the experience while I’m still young and savour every moment. Theres only My father suggests a slightly different approach. He says if anything goes wrong, I should think like a marine - “improvise, adapt ... read more

As it stands we are very happy and frankly proud of all we have arranged so far. But the nagging feeling we should have looked deeper surfaces now and again. It wouldn't be a blog without some reflection! Currently we are staying in Anaheim for 5 nights. The hotel is 4 star and right next to Disney which. is. awesome. When I think of LA I think of Disney, Hollywood, Shopping, Beaches etc,. Another thing I'm totally looking forward to is our soujourn to the Getty Musuem. What luck! The Getty has all types of amazing modernist, post-structual, avant-grande, enlightenment, naturalist, surrealist art one could wish for! All for free! I think I might spend the better part of the day there... If there is one thing that captures my mind it's amazing art. Of ... read more

I'm sorry, Donny. But you've been replaced. I met the man of my dreams the other day and it's been heaven ever since. Chifley and I met quite by accident the other day and it was love at first sight. Finally, after 51 years of bad dates, cobwebs by the phone and carpal tunnel syndrome from sitting at a computer for so many years trying to find my "Mr. Right", Cupid has shot his arrow through my heart. And Chifley, very much the quiet and reserved type, feels the same way. I know it's so by the way he nestled his head under my chin mere seconds after we were introduced. Some of you may chafe at my new relationship (and I quite expected it to be so!) but I know THIS one is FOREVER. How ... read more