We’ve moved –  to Brisbane, Australia. We’ll be in Queensland for the rest of this month. One immediate and obvious change– it’s hot here! Around 28 c. After a month in a campervan, we’ve switched back to Airbnbs. We’re currently residing in a cute studio apartment on the South Bank just near the Goodwill Bridge, a pedestrian bridge which links the South Bank to the CBD (Central Business District, for those of you who don’t speak Australian!) Many of the best attractions of the city are right on our doorstep. We dropped in to the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), an impressive modern building with an impressive collection of modern art and enjoyed an exhibition by artists from the Torrest Strait (the islands between Australia and Papua New Guinea, which is part of Queensland). Also free to the public are the South Bank Parklands with pretty gardens, barbecue areas and a massive lagoon with beach.

Yesterday, we took the train out to Wellington Point to visit an old friend, Cara who is living here. I haven’t seen her for years – no, decades. Infact the last time I saw her was at school. Eeek! She’d kindly said that if we made it to Brisbane, she’d take us out kayaking.

Wellington Point is a picturesque seaside suburb to the South East of Brisbane which is popular with daytrippers looking to enjoy the waters of Moreton Bay. It’s an easy 40 minute train ride from South Bank.  Once we’d got over the excitement of meeting up after so long, Cara set us up with a kayak each and we stuck them on wheels and carted them down to the edge of the mangroves.

Cara had planned our paddle to take advantage of the high tide, and although the water was shallow, we were able to weave our way through the mangroves for quite a way. Cara pointed out a majestic Brahminy Kite, a reddish brown bird of pray with a white head and breast which nests in the mangrove trees.  The area is a marine reserve and there’s plenty of wildlife. She often sees turtles popping their heads up and has even seen dugongs – sadly we didn’t spot any. We emerged out of the mangroves and out into the bay, facing views across the sea to Stradbrooke Island  – or “Straddie” as the locals call it! Gotta practice my “Aussie” English!

After our kayak trip, we returned to the house feeling sun scorched and ready for a cooling dip in Cara’s pool! Cara kindly offered to feed us, so after a delicious lunch, she suggested a drive over to see a bit more of the area. We drove up to Cleveland Point and ambled about taking in the seasidey atmosphere, with distant views of Brisbane Harbour. Apparently, it was used as a location for Pirates of the Caribbean. No sign of Captain Jack Sparrow today, but we did spot an icecream shop and gave into temptation. Then it was back in the car and over to Wellington Point. The tide was out and so we took off our shoes and walked along a sand bar, right out to sea. Here the bay was shallow with a constant onshore breeze and it was no surprise to discover it’s a hotspot for kitesurfers.

Then it was back to Cara’s house for a quick cup of tea (after all, we ARE English!) and then sadly it was time to say goodbye and jump back on the train. It was a real joy to see her and to be given a chance to see Brisbane through the eyes of a local. Thank you, Cara!

It was after 6 pm and the train was starting to fill up with people heading into town for a night out. After all our exhertions, David and I were happy to have a quiet night in, sitting out on the balcony, watching the lights of “Brissie” come on as it fell dark.