Isn't it always something when you discover a place that hasn't had too much promotion (yet), is relatively brand new and quiet...a place that allows you to breathe in the big city, even though it is in the big city...a special place you can tuck inside your heart and treasure and know that for, at least a little while, not too many know about it and so you can enjoy it even more. One day, you know for sure, more and more people will come (as it should be)...because this is a place to be shared...enjoyed by many...but, for now...I want to relish in my secret place
I went there today...to this special place and it was good.
To the ordinary, it may not have been the best day to venture to this hideaway. Threatening dark clouds continuously rolled across the blue hue of the sky and to the unadventurous, it could have put a spanner in the works, if it had been allowed...but not me, nor my companions. We tripped the light fandango with flowers in our hair and led a merry dance across the span. We arrived between showers and explored the new and tidy gardens, rockeries and sculptured environmental art works...a friendly space for all.
Thoughtful planning has seeded the beginnings of a sanctuary along Brisbane's old man river and made use of strong timbers once used in a yesteryear's wharf. The concrete is stamped with words from a bygone era...accident reports, wartime notes and interesting anecdotes. History is revived in this place of those who have gone before us. Those who have marked this place like initials scratched out in the trunk of an old eucalypt.
Preservation has such an important place in our society. We must do all we can to protect our culture and show the newer generations where we have come from. What is special about this place? The peacefulness and its links to our history and importantly, the story of one aspect of Brisbane.
This area of nostalgia is framed by a contemporary modern look and is topped off by a delightfully fresh cafe...where the food is decidedly delicious. My companions and I were delighted with our culinary choice and polished off our food - fully satisfied.
Do I want to share my secret with those who happen to stumble onto this site? Okay, I will as I think it is safe to say that this site is tucked away and hidden in cyberspace...and how can I not share this spot with my friends?
This new-found favourite place of mine, here in Brisbane, is Northshore Port Parklands Reserve (near Hamilton and the wharf where the cruise ships dock). I highly recommend it...great bbqs, shelters, play equipment, lushious lawns...it's got it all...and the cafe is fabulous and friendly.
I am blessed to live on Willow Pond, our family home, where I get the chance to experience the closeness of the city, but with all the creature comforts of the bush. Willow Pond is my little piece of heaven and it is where I like to create my stories, write about life and read, read, read! It is also the place where I am happiest, spending precious time with my beautiful family.
Showing posts with label cafes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cafes. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
We went over the Mountain
We were up bright and early today. My husband slipped off to the airport in his ute, loaded up with Jelly Beanz and Mitzi (our two Old English Sheepdogs) to pick up his brother-in-law who was due to arrive from WA.
In the meantime, I decided to harvest some fresh herbs from the garden and make some savoury muffins and some apple, cinnamon and blueberry muffins. When the guys returned home, they put in an order for some porridge and once everything was prepared, we sat down and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and catch-up.
What do you do with a relly who is only here for a couple of days before heading off to the southern states? You take him to the mountain...Mt Tamborine, that is.
We headed out after the boys set about mapping a new and different way to go. Hubby wanted a new and fresh experience. We drove along the Mt Lindsay Hwy and headed off toward Canungra...the back way. We passed through some truly beautiful country that we don't often get to see. It is amazing where people decide to build.
On a previous trip out that way, we stumbled upon a little settlement called Wonglepong and found ourselves really drawn to the area. It is very peaceful and beautiful out there. The natives are doing an awesome job keeping their places in immaculate condition (well, most of them are). There is one place in particular that we both really love. We can visualize ourselves living there...one day...everyone has to have a dream...don't they?
After we exhausted most of the streets we began our assent of the mountain. Going up this back way presents itself with a slight challenge (very narrow road...too narrow for caravans, etc. Lucky for us we didn't bring our caravan...oh that's right, we don't have a caravan...well if we did...it would have been a challenge).
This was our third assent of the mount and we had to wait at 'base camp' for the lights to go green. Have you ever been in a car with an 'enthusiastic' driver who uses both hands (and arms) to express themselves and point out things of interest? My husband likes everyone to check out the scenery. He says there's no point having everyone watching the road. But I think it's so they can't see that he doesn't have his eyes on the road either.
What is it with men, machines and narrow hairpin turn roads? Mountain roads are like a magnet for dubious road etiquette. How close to the edge of a mountain road can a wheel can go before it slides off down the embankment? How many k's can you do around a hairpin corner? "Brockie ran into a tree honey, probably on a road just like this one", I tell him. "Slow down, don't go too close to the edge, watch for falling rocks (well, we have had a lot of rain these days)"...and so it goes...
We reach the top and I can begin to breathe again. Once again normality returns and hubby appears to be in control - almost. Our guest brother-in-law has never been up the mountain and the plan is to take him to the main centre of the Gallery Walk, have lunch and explore...except for one minor detail...we have never been up the mountain this back way and it soon becomes very clear to all in the car that we have no idea where we are going. Hubby turns this way and that way, backtracks and does it all again...it's a big mountain I tell our brother-in-law (who now has the refidex opened up on his lap, suspicious that there is a chance we may be lost). There were many moments where we thought we were heading back down the mountain after not even finding Mt Tamborine. Finally, though, we were saved from further embarrassment when we stumbled upon a tourist map on the side of the road...and how helpful that proved to be. I was very impressed that my mere male (MM) stopped to check.
We enjoyed a lovely afternoon of dining and checking out the local shops. We were 'fortunately' saved from a sure drowning during a passing shower of rain when we escaped into the Mt Tamborine Winery. Here we were offered wine tasting of their exclusive wines. The boys left the premises (after the weather cleared) brandishing two bottles of awarded labels. Next door we ducked in and sampled some interesting dukkahs. We finished off our trip to the mountain by visiting with some friends who live up there. At least we were able to find them without too much trouble once we got our bearings.
Spending the day up on the mountain was very enjoyable and our brother-in-law assured us he enjoyed himself too. There's always lots to do and see. We missed the craft markets today, however, we can always go back another day...we need the practice.
In the meantime, I decided to harvest some fresh herbs from the garden and make some savoury muffins and some apple, cinnamon and blueberry muffins. When the guys returned home, they put in an order for some porridge and once everything was prepared, we sat down and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and catch-up.
What do you do with a relly who is only here for a couple of days before heading off to the southern states? You take him to the mountain...Mt Tamborine, that is.
We headed out after the boys set about mapping a new and different way to go. Hubby wanted a new and fresh experience. We drove along the Mt Lindsay Hwy and headed off toward Canungra...the back way. We passed through some truly beautiful country that we don't often get to see. It is amazing where people decide to build.
On a previous trip out that way, we stumbled upon a little settlement called Wonglepong and found ourselves really drawn to the area. It is very peaceful and beautiful out there. The natives are doing an awesome job keeping their places in immaculate condition (well, most of them are). There is one place in particular that we both really love. We can visualize ourselves living there...one day...everyone has to have a dream...don't they?
After we exhausted most of the streets we began our assent of the mountain. Going up this back way presents itself with a slight challenge (very narrow road...too narrow for caravans, etc. Lucky for us we didn't bring our caravan...oh that's right, we don't have a caravan...well if we did...it would have been a challenge).
This was our third assent of the mount and we had to wait at 'base camp' for the lights to go green. Have you ever been in a car with an 'enthusiastic' driver who uses both hands (and arms) to express themselves and point out things of interest? My husband likes everyone to check out the scenery. He says there's no point having everyone watching the road. But I think it's so they can't see that he doesn't have his eyes on the road either.
What is it with men, machines and narrow hairpin turn roads? Mountain roads are like a magnet for dubious road etiquette. How close to the edge of a mountain road can a wheel can go before it slides off down the embankment? How many k's can you do around a hairpin corner? "Brockie ran into a tree honey, probably on a road just like this one", I tell him. "Slow down, don't go too close to the edge, watch for falling rocks (well, we have had a lot of rain these days)"...and so it goes...
We reach the top and I can begin to breathe again. Once again normality returns and hubby appears to be in control - almost. Our guest brother-in-law has never been up the mountain and the plan is to take him to the main centre of the Gallery Walk, have lunch and explore...except for one minor detail...we have never been up the mountain this back way and it soon becomes very clear to all in the car that we have no idea where we are going. Hubby turns this way and that way, backtracks and does it all again...it's a big mountain I tell our brother-in-law (who now has the refidex opened up on his lap, suspicious that there is a chance we may be lost). There were many moments where we thought we were heading back down the mountain after not even finding Mt Tamborine. Finally, though, we were saved from further embarrassment when we stumbled upon a tourist map on the side of the road...and how helpful that proved to be. I was very impressed that my mere male (MM) stopped to check.
We enjoyed a lovely afternoon of dining and checking out the local shops. We were 'fortunately' saved from a sure drowning during a passing shower of rain when we escaped into the Mt Tamborine Winery. Here we were offered wine tasting of their exclusive wines. The boys left the premises (after the weather cleared) brandishing two bottles of awarded labels. Next door we ducked in and sampled some interesting dukkahs. We finished off our trip to the mountain by visiting with some friends who live up there. At least we were able to find them without too much trouble once we got our bearings.
Spending the day up on the mountain was very enjoyable and our brother-in-law assured us he enjoyed himself too. There's always lots to do and see. We missed the craft markets today, however, we can always go back another day...we need the practice.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Miscellaneous Manners
I wasn't sure I would make it onto my blog today...having all sorts of wireless problems. The trouble is I can never tell if it's me or the computer or the network. My son assures me that because we are 'crossing over' (virtually speaking) from our old system to this wireless stuff, we have to wait patiently as everything revolves around the 'billing' side of things. He tells me our speed and internet service at the present time is the equivalent to the old 'dial up' and that in a few short days, we will convert over to high speed wireless broadband...I hope this is true because it is very frustrating.
But onto other things...I saw on one of the current affair shows aired on telly last night where a couple of restaurants and shop keepers are taking a stand on the lack of manners in today's society.
Good on them - I say.
And it is none too soon...
It is music to the soul to hear someone pay their respects or show their gratitude after you have gone out of your way to help them (no matter how small). Common courtesy should be automatic and not something we hold back on. It doesn't cost us anything and sometimes when I witness a lack of manners in someone, I take particular note of their body language and attitude. It's their lack of common courtesy I notice about them - not in a positive way, nor a judgmental way, just a 'duly noticed' flag. I begin to ask myself questions about that person...it makes me take a deeper look at that person's character and I begin to wonder about them.
It is the small things in a person's character that adds colour and life to them. Saying thank you and genuinely meaning it, is gracious and builds upon relationship. There are degrees of relationships stemming from a brief encounter with a total stranger who perhaps holds open the door, to the sales assistant who helps with a transaction, to business acquaintances dealt with on a daily, weekly, monthly or annually basis, to friends and family who know us well.
Showing manners is a strength of character and there is no excuse for not using them. It is like a smile ... costs us nothing, but instantly instills and extends warmth and friendliness to a fellow human being.
Why do people withhold their manners? Is it because they just want to be rude? Does their generation mean they find themselves exclusive and therefore have no need to do it anymore? Is it a display of passive/aggressive behaviour...a power trip, or that the person who should be thanked is totally unworthy of acknowledgment? Do we simply undervalue the worth of a service? Is something so menial that it doesn't initiate even a few small words from our mouths?
It is interesting and I agree with the cafe proprietor for refusing to hand over the salad he had just made a rude customer. I'm glad he made a stand. He is a change maker. As he said, I can't change the world, but I can change my world (local area)...good on him. If we all did that, the world would be a far better place.
For many years I have been a primary school teacher and now work as a supply teacher (by choice). Almost every teaching day I am confronted with children and their manners, or their lack of manners...depending on the children and the situation. Hats off to the parents who have made manners a priority in their child/ren's life...and thankfully, there are a high number of them. Sadly though, there are many who don't seem to care.
At the end of the day or week, when I am handing out 'treats' or small awards for positive behaviour that has been displayed in the classroom, it is interesting to note just who says thank you. Amazingly, a high of students number don't exercise their manners when receiving their gift. Is this self absorbed behaviour or an attitude that dictates 'I deserved it so I shouldn't have to thank anybody'? They forget that it was my choice to implement the treat, just as it is a choice for someone to help us or perform a service (even if they get paid to do so), we should still have the good manners to thank them.
'Be thankful in all circumstances...' 1 Thess:18
But onto other things...I saw on one of the current affair shows aired on telly last night where a couple of restaurants and shop keepers are taking a stand on the lack of manners in today's society.
Good on them - I say.
And it is none too soon...
It is music to the soul to hear someone pay their respects or show their gratitude after you have gone out of your way to help them (no matter how small). Common courtesy should be automatic and not something we hold back on. It doesn't cost us anything and sometimes when I witness a lack of manners in someone, I take particular note of their body language and attitude. It's their lack of common courtesy I notice about them - not in a positive way, nor a judgmental way, just a 'duly noticed' flag. I begin to ask myself questions about that person...it makes me take a deeper look at that person's character and I begin to wonder about them.
It is the small things in a person's character that adds colour and life to them. Saying thank you and genuinely meaning it, is gracious and builds upon relationship. There are degrees of relationships stemming from a brief encounter with a total stranger who perhaps holds open the door, to the sales assistant who helps with a transaction, to business acquaintances dealt with on a daily, weekly, monthly or annually basis, to friends and family who know us well.
Showing manners is a strength of character and there is no excuse for not using them. It is like a smile ... costs us nothing, but instantly instills and extends warmth and friendliness to a fellow human being.
Why do people withhold their manners? Is it because they just want to be rude? Does their generation mean they find themselves exclusive and therefore have no need to do it anymore? Is it a display of passive/aggressive behaviour...a power trip, or that the person who should be thanked is totally unworthy of acknowledgment? Do we simply undervalue the worth of a service? Is something so menial that it doesn't initiate even a few small words from our mouths?
It is interesting and I agree with the cafe proprietor for refusing to hand over the salad he had just made a rude customer. I'm glad he made a stand. He is a change maker. As he said, I can't change the world, but I can change my world (local area)...good on him. If we all did that, the world would be a far better place.
For many years I have been a primary school teacher and now work as a supply teacher (by choice). Almost every teaching day I am confronted with children and their manners, or their lack of manners...depending on the children and the situation. Hats off to the parents who have made manners a priority in their child/ren's life...and thankfully, there are a high number of them. Sadly though, there are many who don't seem to care.
At the end of the day or week, when I am handing out 'treats' or small awards for positive behaviour that has been displayed in the classroom, it is interesting to note just who says thank you. Amazingly, a high of students number don't exercise their manners when receiving their gift. Is this self absorbed behaviour or an attitude that dictates 'I deserved it so I shouldn't have to thank anybody'? They forget that it was my choice to implement the treat, just as it is a choice for someone to help us or perform a service (even if they get paid to do so), we should still have the good manners to thank them.
'Be thankful in all circumstances...' 1 Thess:18
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