Hi Yas
Just to let you know that I came to South Bank again today and went to the Picasso Exhibition. You would have enjoyed it but I couldn't take any photos - couldn't even take my rucksack in with me.
There were lots of other artists on display too - Cezanne, Renoir, Matisse plus more.
Off on a boat trip maybe
Love Sue
Saturday, 13 September 2008
Friday, 12 September 2008
Last blog continued
Sorry about that folks - I'm on the internet at the State Library, Which is FREE but you only get an hour and then you have to join the queue again to get more time. Fair system though I'd say and the wait is always less than estimated. hey also have wireless access here to there are loads of people with their laptops.
OK - where was I??
Wednesday In the afternoon we drove up to Hervey Bay pronounced Harvey)which has stunning beaches and Fraser Island is just off the coast and apparently the place to visit - it is all sand and has lakes, rainforests, ship wrecks, beaches and you can only see it via a 4wheel drive vehicle. I was hoping to stay the weekend and go see it but it meant I had to get back to the volunteer house ready for Monday start. I'll just have to come back another day to do the touring bit properly. AS I said before - it's a hard life being a volunteer!! LOL
Tonight was Australia BBQ night and Mick (the local)cooked the sausages and onions on the barbie - he showed us his 'chef's' skills in cutting the onions and proceeded to cook whilst drinking his beer (which he also used to baste the onions) and entertaining us with talk of the war, the australians part in the war, the story behind Anzac biscuits. He also went on to talk about the americans, the blacks and the aussies - all of which was completely politically incorrect but funny none the less. There were a few other of his local mates with him but Mick took centre stage - a very entertaining evening.
Thursday Another day at the office but this was our last day working - I use the term loosely as we've only really managed to work in the mornings - that's a total of 1 1/2 days in total - laid back or what?
Must say though, as a team, we've cleared loads (see the before and after photos of one section we did) and it's good to see how much we've achieved. I think the philosophy here is - fun first and work second - if at all.
Mind you - all this work must be too much for the younger folk as they're all asleep after lunch, even Cameron the team leader is asleep too. I went for a stroll around the grounds but again we're miles from civilisation or any attractions so was a little bit bored today.
I did start to make the cottage pie ready for tea in the evening - Cameron had bought 2 and half kilos of mince - enough to feed the 5000. Everyone ate all their dinner though so it couldn't have been that bad, but we had loads left over which we had for breakfast on Friday.
One thing I have noticed while we've been away is that everytime I go to wash up or clear things away Eunju (she's Korean) and even some of the Japanese youngsters always try to stop me and say they'll do it. After a while I realised that this is a cultural thing and the 'respect' that other countries have for their elders - nice to see this in the younger generation - the UK could learn a lot!!
Friday All ready by 9.15 to leave but drama as the trailer lights connection was broken so Cameron had to call the office to find out the wire sequence and my trusty swiss army knife came in use too.
10.15 and off we go for the 3 hour journey back to the house in Albion.
Back at the house by 1pm and then by 2.30 the new volunteers arrive along with the weekend shopping. You'd think the kids in the house hadn't been fed for months - it was like a plague of locusts descending on it and the aftermath is just like a bombshell has gone off in the kitchen. Is it me - am I getting old!!
In all fairness to them though, they do eventually clear up after themselves but if you want to cook in the kitchen it can be a challenge.
Saturday Today I've come to South Bank which streches along the river and has a cultural centre with loads of art galleries, theatres and entertainment. At the moment there is a Picasso exhibition in the modern art gallery but the queue was so long - sorry Yas.
I'm off to Connondale National Park next week which is not too far from Brisbane. I could be finishing building a bridge which the other volunteers started - there is no end to my talent. LOL.
There may not be internet access so you may have to wait a while till I update again.
I must say I don't seem to have a lot to write about here in Brisbane - it's all very western so I hope my blogs are not becoming too boring.
Hope the August weather in the UK had not continued into September.
Love Sue
xx
OK - where was I??
Wednesday In the afternoon we drove up to Hervey Bay pronounced Harvey)which has stunning beaches and Fraser Island is just off the coast and apparently the place to visit - it is all sand and has lakes, rainforests, ship wrecks, beaches and you can only see it via a 4wheel drive vehicle. I was hoping to stay the weekend and go see it but it meant I had to get back to the volunteer house ready for Monday start. I'll just have to come back another day to do the touring bit properly. AS I said before - it's a hard life being a volunteer!! LOL
Tonight was Australia BBQ night and Mick (the local)cooked the sausages and onions on the barbie - he showed us his 'chef's' skills in cutting the onions and proceeded to cook whilst drinking his beer (which he also used to baste the onions) and entertaining us with talk of the war, the australians part in the war, the story behind Anzac biscuits. He also went on to talk about the americans, the blacks and the aussies - all of which was completely politically incorrect but funny none the less. There were a few other of his local mates with him but Mick took centre stage - a very entertaining evening.
Thursday Another day at the office but this was our last day working - I use the term loosely as we've only really managed to work in the mornings - that's a total of 1 1/2 days in total - laid back or what?
Must say though, as a team, we've cleared loads (see the before and after photos of one section we did) and it's good to see how much we've achieved. I think the philosophy here is - fun first and work second - if at all.
Mind you - all this work must be too much for the younger folk as they're all asleep after lunch, even Cameron the team leader is asleep too. I went for a stroll around the grounds but again we're miles from civilisation or any attractions so was a little bit bored today.
I did start to make the cottage pie ready for tea in the evening - Cameron had bought 2 and half kilos of mince - enough to feed the 5000. Everyone ate all their dinner though so it couldn't have been that bad, but we had loads left over which we had for breakfast on Friday.
One thing I have noticed while we've been away is that everytime I go to wash up or clear things away Eunju (she's Korean) and even some of the Japanese youngsters always try to stop me and say they'll do it. After a while I realised that this is a cultural thing and the 'respect' that other countries have for their elders - nice to see this in the younger generation - the UK could learn a lot!!
Friday All ready by 9.15 to leave but drama as the trailer lights connection was broken so Cameron had to call the office to find out the wire sequence and my trusty swiss army knife came in use too.
10.15 and off we go for the 3 hour journey back to the house in Albion.
Back at the house by 1pm and then by 2.30 the new volunteers arrive along with the weekend shopping. You'd think the kids in the house hadn't been fed for months - it was like a plague of locusts descending on it and the aftermath is just like a bombshell has gone off in the kitchen. Is it me - am I getting old!!
In all fairness to them though, they do eventually clear up after themselves but if you want to cook in the kitchen it can be a challenge.
Saturday Today I've come to South Bank which streches along the river and has a cultural centre with loads of art galleries, theatres and entertainment. At the moment there is a Picasso exhibition in the modern art gallery but the queue was so long - sorry Yas.
I'm off to Connondale National Park next week which is not too far from Brisbane. I could be finishing building a bridge which the other volunteers started - there is no end to my talent. LOL.
There may not be internet access so you may have to wait a while till I update again.
I must say I don't seem to have a lot to write about here in Brisbane - it's all very western so I hope my blogs are not becoming too boring.
Hope the August weather in the UK had not continued into September.
Love Sue
xx
Brisbane - what did I miss last time
Well I read all my notes that I'd left behind and they were so nicely written but this is what I think I missed out from the blog.
- The 110 year old house we saw on the way to the project was morved from it's original location in Bridges to Yandina where it is now. It sells local crafts, jams and pickles etc and Cameron bought a jar of Hot curry chutney which we ate with crisps and was beaut!!
- Forgot to mention the Toyota hats and water bottles we were given. We have to cover up when on location - hats, trousers, long sleeved tops and make sure we have our sun block on and insect repellent - it's like being kids again.
Tuesday
As Monday was spent travelling and when we arrived - no-one was expecting us so we didn't do any work on Monday.
Tuesday I had a good night's sleep as I managed to secure the one bedroom in the cabin while the others were in bunk beds or on the sofa. I was up early and wandered around the grounds at the cabin with my cuppa and watched a couple of roos in the field.
By the time we'd had breakfast and made our packed lunches it was 9.30 before we set out for our 1st days 'real' work. Cameron gave us a brief overview of the do's and don'ts then we set about clearing the weeds so that you could see through the forest.
At 11.30 we took a half hour break then we worked till 1.30 and back to camp - it sure is hard work being a volunteer. Had a laze about for an hour and then off to Maryborough to the local sights ( or the internet in my case)
Back at the house the Japanes contingent cooked beef teryaki for tea which was pretty good considering the limited kitchen space we have.
Wednesday No hot water this morning and went to work looking a wreck. We cleared loads today - I can't believe how high these 'weeds' have grown but we all had a great sense of satisfaction.
Went to Queens Park for a BBQ lunch but couldn't find the barbie so went back to camp for bacon and eggs instead.
I have to log off at this point as my time is up on the internet at the library
TO BE CONTINUED
- The 110 year old house we saw on the way to the project was morved from it's original location in Bridges to Yandina where it is now. It sells local crafts, jams and pickles etc and Cameron bought a jar of Hot curry chutney which we ate with crisps and was beaut!!
- Forgot to mention the Toyota hats and water bottles we were given. We have to cover up when on location - hats, trousers, long sleeved tops and make sure we have our sun block on and insect repellent - it's like being kids again.
Tuesday
As Monday was spent travelling and when we arrived - no-one was expecting us so we didn't do any work on Monday.
Tuesday I had a good night's sleep as I managed to secure the one bedroom in the cabin while the others were in bunk beds or on the sofa. I was up early and wandered around the grounds at the cabin with my cuppa and watched a couple of roos in the field.
By the time we'd had breakfast and made our packed lunches it was 9.30 before we set out for our 1st days 'real' work. Cameron gave us a brief overview of the do's and don'ts then we set about clearing the weeds so that you could see through the forest.
At 11.30 we took a half hour break then we worked till 1.30 and back to camp - it sure is hard work being a volunteer. Had a laze about for an hour and then off to Maryborough to the local sights ( or the internet in my case)
Back at the house the Japanes contingent cooked beef teryaki for tea which was pretty good considering the limited kitchen space we have.
Wednesday No hot water this morning and went to work looking a wreck. We cleared loads today - I can't believe how high these 'weeds' have grown but we all had a great sense of satisfaction.
Went to Queens Park for a BBQ lunch but couldn't find the barbie so went back to camp for bacon and eggs instead.
I have to log off at this point as my time is up on the internet at the library
TO BE CONTINUED
Monday, 8 September 2008
Maryborough - clearing weeds
Hi all
Well I've come to the internet and left all my blogs notes (3 pages of them) at the camp, so I'll have to try and remember what I've done in the last few days.
Sunday afternoon I went to the Botanic gardens in Brisbane - it was similar to SYdney but instead of joggers there were lots of cyclists and families out for the weekend sun. It also had a mangrove area where you could walk across boards on the river edge and look for marine life (not that I saw any). There were lots of birds in the garden too and in the ponds you could see large eels and small turtles - the little kids and I were in awe of what we could spot first. I also saw lots of lizards which were unperturbed about who was walking by and the one in the picture had no intention of moving out of my way.
On my way back to the train I stopped for lunch in a pub and had sausage frittate with onions and tomatoes on a bed of greens - very nice
Caught the train back with Cory and then had to decide what to pack to take with me to Hervy Bay.
Monday Didn't get a good night's sleep as some of the youngsters were leaving and they just seemed to be laughing and having fun ( I think I was young once) ANyway on of them came to bed around 1.30 and climbed in the bunk above me, fidgeted for a while - by this time I was awake and then tossed and turned.
Got up around 6am, showered, finished the last of my packing and then was out there ready at 7.45 as instructed.
Don and Fabio were messing with the electrics on one of the trailers and then Cameron (our guide - and this was his 1st project away) arrived with the shopping, then after more consultation and faffing (and it wasn't me) we all get on board and Cameron starts to drive off - there was a funny sound in the engine so again they had a look under the bonnet and then decide 'all OK' By this time it's 9.10 but off we go.
We stopped at a local information centre which was an old pioneer's house (110 years old) It's original site was taken over by the Roads people and so they moved the whole building to it's current location.
4 hours later we arrive at the caravan park where we're to stay. It was not Hervey Bay as we'd been told but still a nice place and we will get to visit Hervey Bay while we're here.
There are 5 of us sharing the cabin and I went out for a stroll around the grounds and met Marjory - one of those interesting characters that you expect to find in a horror movie. Majory helps with the cleaning and tells me she loves it here and that none of her family speak to her and she doesn't see her grandkids. SHe mentioned drugs but I wasn't sure if this was her daughter or her. Great to listen to her though and she tells us to look for the kangaroos in the fields between 6 and 7am .
She took me on a tour of the campsite and it seems that most of the inmates here are permanent residents with I'm sure an interesting story or two to tell.
Cory and Cameron met Mick who has lived at the site for ages and does the odd jobs there. Apparently he is loaded but gave up everything when his daughter died and is just happy living where he is with his dogs. He invited us to come see him feed the possums on his shed roof in the evenings.
Teatime and Cameron organised that we have themed nights for dinner. Last night was Burger and chips with salad as Cory is from the USA.
Tonight we're having Japanese and a lot of the volunteers are from Japan.
Wednesday is Ozzie night BBQ which Mick says he'll invite all the locals - so that will be interesting.
Thursday night will be good old English Cottage pie (No I didn't make the point of being Welsh!)
Friday is back to base
Anyway that's all I can rememer for now. I'll tell you more about what I'm doing next time
Love. Sue xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Well I've come to the internet and left all my blogs notes (3 pages of them) at the camp, so I'll have to try and remember what I've done in the last few days.
Sunday afternoon I went to the Botanic gardens in Brisbane - it was similar to SYdney but instead of joggers there were lots of cyclists and families out for the weekend sun. It also had a mangrove area where you could walk across boards on the river edge and look for marine life (not that I saw any). There were lots of birds in the garden too and in the ponds you could see large eels and small turtles - the little kids and I were in awe of what we could spot first. I also saw lots of lizards which were unperturbed about who was walking by and the one in the picture had no intention of moving out of my way.
On my way back to the train I stopped for lunch in a pub and had sausage frittate with onions and tomatoes on a bed of greens - very nice
Caught the train back with Cory and then had to decide what to pack to take with me to Hervy Bay.
Monday Didn't get a good night's sleep as some of the youngsters were leaving and they just seemed to be laughing and having fun ( I think I was young once) ANyway on of them came to bed around 1.30 and climbed in the bunk above me, fidgeted for a while - by this time I was awake and then tossed and turned.
Got up around 6am, showered, finished the last of my packing and then was out there ready at 7.45 as instructed.
Don and Fabio were messing with the electrics on one of the trailers and then Cameron (our guide - and this was his 1st project away) arrived with the shopping, then after more consultation and faffing (and it wasn't me) we all get on board and Cameron starts to drive off - there was a funny sound in the engine so again they had a look under the bonnet and then decide 'all OK' By this time it's 9.10 but off we go.
We stopped at a local information centre which was an old pioneer's house (110 years old) It's original site was taken over by the Roads people and so they moved the whole building to it's current location.
4 hours later we arrive at the caravan park where we're to stay. It was not Hervey Bay as we'd been told but still a nice place and we will get to visit Hervey Bay while we're here.
There are 5 of us sharing the cabin and I went out for a stroll around the grounds and met Marjory - one of those interesting characters that you expect to find in a horror movie. Majory helps with the cleaning and tells me she loves it here and that none of her family speak to her and she doesn't see her grandkids. SHe mentioned drugs but I wasn't sure if this was her daughter or her. Great to listen to her though and she tells us to look for the kangaroos in the fields between 6 and 7am .
She took me on a tour of the campsite and it seems that most of the inmates here are permanent residents with I'm sure an interesting story or two to tell.
Cory and Cameron met Mick who has lived at the site for ages and does the odd jobs there. Apparently he is loaded but gave up everything when his daughter died and is just happy living where he is with his dogs. He invited us to come see him feed the possums on his shed roof in the evenings.
Teatime and Cameron organised that we have themed nights for dinner. Last night was Burger and chips with salad as Cory is from the USA.
Tonight we're having Japanese and a lot of the volunteers are from Japan.
Wednesday is Ozzie night BBQ which Mick says he'll invite all the locals - so that will be interesting.
Thursday night will be good old English Cottage pie (No I didn't make the point of being Welsh!)
Friday is back to base
Anyway that's all I can rememer for now. I'll tell you more about what I'm doing next time
Love. Sue xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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