We have just had an amazing few days in Brisbane.  We were invited down by Peter and Delwyn Hackett who we met on our travels in Broome.  They made us extremely welcome and spent four days showing us around the place.

 

On the first day we were treated to a cruise on their boat Trinity.  We sailed from Cabbage Tree Head out in between Mud Island and Moreton Island down to Peel Island where we eat our lunch on the beach at Horseshoe Bay on Peel Island.  On the way back we sailed in between the coast and Green Island, St Helena Island and Mud Island.  We sailed into the marina just as the sun went down and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

 

 

The second day started by getting the boat out of the water.  It was just like a crab and folded up so that it could be put on the trailer.  It only took about 1/2 hour and Peter could have done it all by himself – really good idea.

 

 

After that we headed to Mount Coot-tha to have a look at the city from afar.  Delwyn and Peter gave us the full tour treatment and explained where everything was which was great. 

A quick tour in the car of the city and then over to Manly.  We had a great lunch at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron clubhouse.  Although Peter was not impressed by the club we were!!!  A tour of the beautiful boats after lunch to work off some of the food.  Bob and I both drooled over some of the boats, they were awesome. Mojo is one that Peter sometimes sails on….

 

Third day we headed into the the city on the train.  The train was empty and elbows were not needed all day.  Our first stop was Brisbane City Hall and the Museum of Brisbane.  We were to an exhibition there of pictures taken by Alfred Elliott.  His picture were over a 50 year period and he captured the city just as it was growing.  His photos were only discovered in a box in 1980.  After that we went to South Bank to have a look at the each there.  We had visited there in 2006 when we were only last time and things had changed slightly but not too much.  After lunch more pictures and paintings and we went off to GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) here we saw a exhibition of Aboriginal Articles and a Japanese Exhibition – this was rather strange but interesting.  All in all we had a great day in the city and were glad to be on the train home again – no crowds again – it was lovely – not like London at all!!

 

 

Our last day in Brisbane we headed out to the Hinterlands.  Our first stop was the Glass House mountain.  It was a bit overcast today but not raining at that point.  The view was good but we couldn’t see as far as the sea. We also went through Maleny and Montville which were delightful little villages with quaint little shops in.  Lunch was had after a very steep walk to Obi Obi Creek by Baroon Pocket Dam.

 

 

The whole visit was fished with a lovely dinner at Peters sailing club , Queensland Cruising Yacht club, we were joined by their eldest daughter Tegan.

 

 

We had a fantastic time with them and would like to thank them for their hospitality and generosity and we hope when they visit Europe they will come and visit us too.