We waved good bye to Ballerina and The Buffon in Bundaberg bright and early and drove back to Brisbane. We pulled into Whippers and Pinkyfluffs garage just as the mileage clicked over to 1500…officially we had driven their new vehicle more than they had and it was now time for a service…and a clean….sorry to dump this on you guys. YakYak was waiting for the elevator to open and gave both Rosie and The Operator a huge hug and a kiss on our return.
The Famz were kneading dough and homemade pizzas were on the menu for an early lunch. YakYak makes her own special little ones and mighty tasty they were too.
We all ate on the rooftop in the mild weather and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Great Famz time!
After lunch we were going for an outing on the river, we had a ferry to catch so scooted off to the Southbank under grey skies.
The CityCat public transport ferries zig zag across the river from bank to bank, it is a very quick way to get around the city and quite inexpensive too. We caught the ferry from the Southbank Pier, 2 mins walk from The Famz apartment and followed the bendy river getting off at New Farm Park Park.
Being at river level gives you a totally different perspective of the city, the riverside apartments tower over you and those lucky enough to own homes on the riverside…well, the private jetties with boats moored alongside speaks volumes for the wealth here in the city. River spray was mingling with a slight drizzle that had begun to fall. We sheltered inside the Cat and hoped it would pass.
We sailed under the Story Bridge, it is the longest of its kind in Australia stretching 777 metres, it also reaches as high as a 22 story building. The bridge was designed by the same engineer that designed the Sydney harbour bridge. It was built in 1935 and construction took 5 years, 12,000 tonnes of steel were used and 17,500 litres of paint. If you are feeling adventurous you can bridge walk over the top and abseil a pylon…..apparently Rosie is going to bike over the bridge tomorrow….that will be adventure enough. At night-time this bridge is lit up like a Xmas Tree and is really quite special.
We hopped off the ferry at New Farm Park and did a quick march to the cover of the band rotunda below, it had just started to rain. Rosie could not believe it, rain on her Queensland holiday! It only lasted a couple of minuets and was actually quite refreshing. YakYak knows these parks like the back of her hand…there is always a children’s playground nearby and she has explored them all.
PinkyFluff, Chubbycheeks and Rosie went for a walk around the old Brisbane Powerhouse. It has been tastefully converted into a live performing arts centre and art gallery.
We headed back the way we had come, the gentle drone of the engine and slap of the hull coupled with the brisk breeze of being outside on the deck was very invigorating. The iron grey sky reflected in the river and the colours of the buildings and was really beautiful.
We are now all headed for the city and a tour of the shopping precinct, the newly refurbished city hall and clock tower….just you wait….ChubbyCheeks leaves her mark…permanently, in the City Hall….and, do you smell that Operator? Oh Oh….ChubbyCheeks…what did you have on your Pizza that now smells so ripe……The rest of the day revealed tomorrow!
