Ella at KinderBallet Graduation

 

 This was pretty enjoyable. Wonderful old church in Paddignton and a pretty much full house of parents and their technology filming the graduate day ceremonies. All the girls - no males for some reason (possibly as they were playing footie) did really well and it is fascinating to watch these folks learn to move and control their bodies as well as feel comfortable and confident to perform in front of a large group. I saw this as well at her school for the Seasonal celebrations.

Not sure what is next on the agenda for Ella and her experiences with Michelle in Australia but will try to keep you posted and up to date. We are off to Sydney next week so might try to get some shots up here of Australia in the near future.

 TREE

This is the second largest solar powered (at least the lights are solar powred) Xmas tree in the world (largest in Australia). I would bet the largest is in Dubai or China but then again it might be more a nation that contains a majority of Christians?

Anyway. After we saw the one in King George Square on Friday Ell and I decided to put up our own. It is not quite so large; however, should be ok. I will post some photos when we get it up and decorated.

Spring in the City

 Went to the GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) this weekend - pretty amazing what Brisbane has in terms of culture and environment. They (important people in positions of power) make the South side of the River in the downtown core really pedestrian and family friendly.

 
We do not get to see or run around in much grass here - different from back home so this proved a pretty enjoyable experience for all.

We should replicate this space back home. Not this silly blog but the physical built environment.

A Few Pictures of Recent

I should probably do a course in both how to taker good photos as well as to encourage me to actually take a few photos. Here are a few of the Pool in Cairns, Koala holding, the summers rains in BrisVegas as well as the Jacaranda trees - a pretty vibrant bloom this year (or so I have been told).

Byron Bay NSW

Google Map to Byron Bay

We took a road - actually interstate - trip this past week to Byron Bay. It is the most easterly location in Australia and only 2 hrs drive or less south from Brisbane. It was great. Wonderful Beach community - lots of combi's - good places to explore, nice food, friendly people and relaxation and respite (not that we need it too much as we do live in Queensland).

Ella and Michelle had a good time - they ate lots of ice-cream (and coconuts).

Spring has Arrived (according to both Australia (i.e., Sept 1st) and the Autumnal equinox).

We have been busy enjoying the Brisbane Festival. A celebration for??? Brisbane just kind of likes celebrating stuff. The Brisbane Festival runs 8 – 29 September 2012. Sunsuper Riverfire is on Saturday 29 September 2012.

Her we are at the outdoor symphony. Ella rather enjoyed the experience as did the people who were fortunate enough to sit next to us

Brisbane is really wonderful for outdoor experiences and makes these things really family friendly. We are having a nice time here and now that the warmer season is upon us - but not quite all the rain yet - we are up for lots of adventures. Byron Bay this week, then Anna comes and we are off to Cairns, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.

All is Good.

End of Winter

Working on action shots - UQ campus

First winter has almost concluded (aka we made it) ~ spring begins here on Sept 1st. Not sure why but Fathers Day is Sept 2nd so everything is and continues to be just a little bit different. Here are a few photos of recent adventures ~ Riding on Public Transit in Brisbane, Hanging out at University of Queensland (now that is a nice campus), Lone Pine Koala (not bear!!!) Sanctuary, and just general Brisbane activities.

Swing Hangers

Things are good here, term is almost over, looking at a few trips to NSW, Northern Queensland and perhaps Melbourne again in the coming moths. Anna is coming to visit as might Mina.

Dingos can be pets we have learned ~ just not in Queensland

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is one of our monthly outings - we seem to see the same things each time (not that anything can actually escape so this seems expected). However, we are planning on trying to see more of the Cassowaries and less of the Kangaroos and Wallabies.

But, when in Rome.

These can't be pets

All is good on this end. Hope anyone who reads this is also well.

July in Brisbane

Michelle and Ella's B-Day Cake

Sunny winter day at the Botanical Gardens

The weather has been wonderful but with a few illnesses - it is cold season here - as well as the start for a new term these posts have not been as regular. I have put up a few random shots of our various activities in the past few weeks that might be of interest. Botanical Garners, Brisbane Museum, Birthday Cake, et al.

South Australia and Victoria

Adelaide South Australia

Ella, Michelle and Todd took some time off to explore bits of Australia this past week. We went on a road trip this past week - Adelaide for a conference and then on to Melbourne. Ella had her third birthday here and seemed to enjoy the books and puzzles.

Adelaide was pretty impressive and the number of Universities as well as cultural sites to visit such as the Art Gallery, Museum and Botanical Gardens were great.

South Bank of Melbourne

Melbourne Victoria

I really liked Melbourne and hope to get back there before the end of the year - we got to see Simone and Sally and Ella met Chloe. They seemed to have fun together and shared a passion for ice-cream.

The Gentoos

Ella liked the Gentoos

Both wonderful places and so different from each other as well as different from Queensland and Brisbane. Beginning to get a better perspective on the Australian culture and mentality. Was also happy to get back home to the relative warmth and familiarity of the East Coast (despite a full email inbox). Here are some photos that capture a bit of the trip.

THE (NOT SO) SUNSHINY COAST

This past weekend we went to he Sunshine Coast - North of us but still in South East Queensland on the Pacific Ocean coastline. We rented a car - a little Hyundai Micra - and it was standard. So picture driving down the wrong side of the road while working a manual transmission. Pretty cognitively taxing for a 'bear of very little brain.'

Anyway, the Glass House Mountains, Mooloolaba and Maroochydore are places we will need to go back to visit most certainly. We also went to see Dora the Explorer.

OOTB

Michelle and Ella spend that last week at the OOTB festival in Brisbane. It was an amazing Children's festival situated in the Cultural Center of South Bank. Although it was winter, the days were bright and sunny ~ top of 21. Pretty good time had by all. Here are a few simple photos of what we - or more so Ella-  got up to.

Ella can now say

Didgeridoo

WINTER

Winter has arrived and we being first time folks in Brisbane did not really pack all that well for the cool nights and ample rain. However, we are managing with the help of a few select purchases of rain boots from K-Mart, umbrellas that are left in my maths lab and layering. Amazing how it can go from being damp and chilly to t-shirt and sweating weather in the space of a few minutes. Here are some pictures of the shipment that arrived from Canada - Ella only has many things due to the kindness of others. Something we are working to help her recognize.

Next week is the OUT of THE BOX (OOTB) children's festival that should be pretty enjoyable.

Relaxed Weekend in Brisbane

The big plan for this weekend was the Greek Festival - 37 years and still going strong. We even got a preview on the Queen Street Mall Friday night where Ella and Michelle partook in a little Greek dancing.

Ella and Michelle with ?Zorba

This actually might have been the highlight of the festival as when the real things started it turned out to be mostly Greek food (cooked meat) and mostly rides - kind of a PNE type experience without the benefit of Squire Barnes or Tamara Taggart. There was to be some Greek Cultural experiences but they did not quite meet our schedule.

However we did spend some time in the West End of Brisbane exploring many of the shops and street vendors. This is certainly a place that we will return to many times over our stay here.

Here are a few photos of our West End afternoon.