Madama Butterfly

Live Simulcast from Melbourne State Theatre
Opera Qld and QPAC

Gounod's Solemn Mass of St Cecilia

Toowoomba Choral Society
I was only in U3A Chamber Singers in 2012 but Carl Gerritsma encouraged me to go along to TCS for this and I enjoyed it and was made feel welcome.
Egbert Guichard conducted us, Andrew Doecke on organ.
Rosalie Nevell, Ian Kammholz and Robert Williams were soloists.

Lorna Doone

I picked up my old copy of Lorna Doone from the bookshelf recently, and having been to Exmoor in May this year, and in fact staying at the Lorna Doone Hotel in Porlock for 3 nights, in Gwenny Carfax room no less - and indeed a short square room - I decided to read it. This meant that I have not got as much done in the past week or two, but I have tried to alternate it with bursts of activity.
After a slow start, I did enjoy it and I am glad that I read it again at this end of my life as he had some good reflections on life, as well as some good descriptions of Exmoor.
Although published in 1869, it is a tale set in the late seventeenth century.

Thursday activities

I have been thinking of changing my Thursday activities.
When I first came to Toowoomba, it was a stay-at-home day, then in 2006 I started going to Tai Chi with Michael at the RSL. We went to Oxygen Cafe after this for morning tea together and it was a pleasant morning out.
I think it was mid 2008 when Ann asked me to come to Energise Fitball class at USQ which commenced at 11 am, so this cut into the morning tea section of my Tai chi activity. I found the fitball class with Natasha very enjoyable.
After visiting Andrew in Sydney in July 2009, I decided to get back into lap swimming and joined U3A to go to Harristown High pool with Ann at 7.45 am. It was a bit of a rush to go to Tai Chi after it, and now being a member of U3A, I decided to change to Scottish County Dancing in Hume Street at 9.30. From this I would rush off to USQ at 11, getting home around 12.30.
Eventually the council funding for Fitball ran out and classes stopped in mid 2010?
In May 2010,  I hurt my knee while bushwalking and had a couple of months break while I had it refurbished and regained my fitness, so dancing was put on hold. I was ready for a break anyway, so I was back to just swimming from 7.45 to 8.45 am on Thursdays.
My friends at Fitball and dancing had convinced me to try Energise yoga at the PCYC on Wednesdays until it also ran out in September 2011.
In February this year, my friend Neil offered a class in bird identification at U3A so I again deferred dancing while I did this for a term. I went back in term 3, having been away for much of term 2, and now feel that they do not need me to support numbers as the group is going well.
Judy and Graham have been going out to Crows Nest Nursery for the past couple of years as volunteers on Thursday mornings and she asked me if I could come as it is in need of more support. While I have always been interested in learning more of nursery work, it always seemed a long way to go and I had all the above activities, but in my current frame of mind, I decided to drop even my swimming [which would be more pleasant out of doors at this time of year] and go out, getting a lift with them this week.
I really enjoyed it. And I can bring home some plants for my efforts at potting and maintenance. So I will continue.
Now to find an alternate time for swimming.

Cleaning day

It is now several years since Margaret Viney gave me her outdoor tables and chairs, with assurances from me that I had just the right paint to do them up.
So it was with relief that I found the paint still viable and even more when I had finished painting the first piece, the round metal table.
As a result of this achievement, I was keen to install it on the Feez patio/conservatory/outdoor area, but this was not ready to take such a smart piece, having not been cleaned by the previous owners, who had it fully furnished with plants, daybed and dogs.
We set out early with our load and the first object was the top of the airconditioning unit, which looked very rusty and in need of refurbishment. I commenced with nylon scourer and sugar soap and found over an hour or so, that this, combined with liberal elbow grease, was sufficient to remove most of the discoloration and make a coat of paint unnecessary. Some furniture polish restored the shine and we are making a cypress pine top for it, to provide a useful surface in the small area that is the above glassed in patio.
Next I took to the scourer, cloth and bucket, over several hours, removing dirt from window frames, glass and tiles. Many trips were made to the kitchen to empty and rinse, but eventually we got to a cleaned area with just the tiled floor to be done. Small areas showed that these were not cleaning up to any brightness, so we purchased some tile cleaner which promised shine and took to them with the scrubbing brush then a mop for a satisfactory conclusion to the day's effort - being seated at the table when the new owner returned from work.
The wine tasting, which had determined this visit, was then enjoyed to the full, followed by Indian takeaway from Yeronga.

Moving Day

After much anticipation, the day arrived to move into Feez Street. We loaded the Lavender and set out at 7.15, meeting Emily there with her first load soon after 9 am. After taking stuff upstairs, we then collected the Pintara and vacuum cleaner and set off to Clyde Road, to load up in a most organised manner commencing with the large items: recliner, TV, dining table, chairs, desk - distributed between the 3 cars and gradually filling the gaps with smaller items. Then an organised cleanup - leaving the place beyond reproach.
Actually we started with morning tea with lime slice which was very civilised and perhaps explains the very successful operation we conducted.
We then drove back with the loaded vehicles, unloaded upstairs, and walked down to Hyde Road for lunch by 2pm. It was a glorious Brisbane jacaranda day. We then drove to the uni to collect a table and chair and Em rode her bike back, arriving shortly before us. After coffee we eventually headed back into the traffic on Ipswich Road around 5 pm and were home in time for the news.

Bizet Carmen

We went to some Operas in Brisbane in 2012 with Ian Titmarsh and Jen. Our seats were well back but it was OK.
Opera Qld and Qld Symphony

Ravensbourne Falls

I thought the plan to walk to Ravensbourne Falls on a Tuesday was a bit ambitious but we started at the car park down Wellers Road which reduced it. It is 2 km from there to the gate and top of the fire trail which descends steeply and quite rough and loosely to Buaraba Creek. Last time I tried to lead this walk, we missed the turnoff as it comes right after some nice logs which beckoned us for smoko - was it an hour from the top car park?
I was surprised and pleased to glimpse rocks and creek instead of lantana as we approached the bottom and the sound of water revealed a nice waterfall with a good drop. In the past we descended into a tunnel in thick lantana at the creek and climbed out on the track on other side, ascending some distance before striking downstream above the creek. This time we sat on the rocks beside pools and had smoko then scrambled somewhat down to below the falls, 4 of the group opting to return up the hill to the cars.

below the first falls

The creek was delightful and easy walking and in almost no time we came to the top of the falls where we enjoyed the views below for some time before striking up the spur on the southern side. To the left it dropped sharply down to the valley below the falls but it was only moderately steep and we soon came to more gentle contour and joined the track only 100 or so metres from the turnoff we had gone down. We were back at the cars by midday and had lunch at Beutel's Lookout. It was great to find another way to the falls and we look forward to exploring the creek further.

looking down from Ravensbourne Falls

looking across the top of the falls to the group and ascending spur

Spear Lilies

It's spear lily time at Mt Cordeaux so we headed down to see how they were. We had a good group and the place was looking green and vibrant after the bleak drought years. After smoko at the picnic area, we had a further snack at Mt Cordeaux lookout before heading on to Bare Rock for lunch. This makes for quite a long walk of around 12 km on graded tracks and with the trip home into the afternoon sun, it was a tiring day.

Last day

We checked out fairly early and headed down to the ferry to Devonport. It was a sleepy place but we got a map from the information centre to walk up Mt Victoria. As we passed the library we were tempted to use their internet access to check-in for our flight home. This was a mistake. Not only was it incredibly slow, but it suggested that the flight was fully allocated unless you paid for an exit aisle. We headed on up the hill, took in the views and found an alternate path down, wandering across to the gun emplacements on ?, then back to the ferry by 11.15. Here we found a bargain french croissants for $1 [a demain] which satisfied our hunger for the trip back. We collected our bags from the hotel and caught the airport express bus by 12.30. We checked in without incident with good seats and we enjoyed the Qantas flight back, arriving in good time and out to our car very quickly, to get home to Toowoomba in time for the news probably.

Exploring the city

With two nights in the city we set out to explore on foot, commencing with Albert Park and the art gallery. It was nice to be out early on a spring morning with the flowers. There was plenty to see in the gallery although we moved quickly past the modern stuff. There is a nice connection of old and new architecture and we stopped to look out at the wind and rain in the street below, then had a coffee overlooking a large floral mobile in the foyer.
We then headed across the park again, wandering through student accommodation areas, across the Grafton Bridge, past a hospital and smokers, to another park where we descended to lakes and then up to some glass houses with interesting plants and a fernery before heading across the grass to the large white edifice which is the museum. Here we were assisted to the restaurant area at the rear for lunch before wandering around the exhibits for quite a long time. It is a very interesting place. The top floor is a war memorial with very good exhibits from the Boer War as well as later wars and two fighter planes; a Zero and a Spitfire.
We then walked back across the Domain, through the university, Albert Park and back to the supermarket for Central Otago Pinot Noirs and further sustenance.

Back to Auckland

On Wednesday morning, we called in to see Carol and Peter who have just moved up to Whangarei, then took the old road back through Orewa, where we called in briefly on Catherine and children to drop in spare copies of the family histories. We collected El Cheapo from the retirement village where Margaret and Peter live and said farewell to Allan and Heather. The trip into the city was uneventful apart from missing the turnoff due to change of exit number. We found a handy spot to park near the hotel while I left the bags, then returned the car by 2 pm, walking back through the city to the hotel. It was wet and blustery but by then we had learned that things changed regularly.
We found the supermarket next door to the hotel provided us with all we needed in sustenance after the previous days of plenty and settled back to rest before a day of exploration.

Russell and Waitangi

On Tuesday morning we started with a walk at Whangarei Falls, a lovely spot close to the city centre, before heading north to Russell where we caught a ferry and took in the sights from the lookout. It was a lovely sunny clear day for this. We then drove around to Waitangi where we met Diane, Doug, Robin, Margaret and Peter in a minibus, and had lunch together before visiting the museum and wandering around learning about the Treaty and spending time together. They were taking Robin further north for the night.
We took a scenic drive back to Whangarei and another enjoyable evening with Allan and Heather.

North to Whangarei

Allan and Heather came to collect us on Monday morning and we drove north, calling in at Sandspit to see the old Wellington bach which is not longer in the family, then stopping for lunch before visiting the Kauri Museum at Matakohe. This was a very interesting and well presented collection and we enjoyed quite some time there before continuing on to Whangarei and their new home just north of the city.

The Wellington Gathering

Margaret, the eldest child Keith and Thelma, expressed a desire for all their descendants to meet and have some knowledge of each other. We were pleased to be invited and that Robin was also coming from Victoria, so that three branches were represented. In all, there were 55 expected and the party was held at Jan and Lester Smith's home, with plenty of room for small children, regardless of weather.
It turned out to be a perfect sunny day starting to set up mid morning with a light lunch and a sit down dinner later. We all received a parcel containing nametags, contact list and family histories of both Wellington/Vail and Thelma's family. These came in glossy publications: a new concept for my histories. Lots of photos of family groups were taken, to be added to the impressive slide show already assembled of old photos. It was a great success.

To Auckland via the Firth of Thames

Saturday morning started again with a large breakfast, but in the lower dining room, watching birds in the vegetation outside the window. We then wandered about the grounds which are nicely planted with natives between the buildings, before heading off in the car mid morning. We drove south initially to follow the river upstream below our walks of the previous day. Heading north on back roads, we skirted Lake Waikare and emerged on the western shore of the Firth of Thames to lunch among the tourist vans on the edge of seabird habitat. Driving north we found the perfect icecream shop in a quiet seaside village. For a perfect sunny Saturday, it was very quiet, so close to Auckland.
Back on the motorway through the city, it rained a bit but had cleared by the time we reached Stanmore Bay on the north side. Being ahead of our expected arrival time, we had a look at the beach and area that two of the cousins have retired to, then headed to meet Margaret and Peter. What a pleasure, with familiar smiles and features which don't come out in photos, although I was recognising them from old photos, in fact.
Diane and Doug collected Robin from the airport and we all had dinner together with their son Steven who had come up from New Plymouth. It was quite a reunion of 4 cousins who had not seen each other in half a century.

Walking in Waikato

Our day at Hillside resort commenced with a large breakfast, again served in the top lounge with morning views. Our hostess was most helpful with bird books and vegetation list and we headed out along the ridge which we looked out at from our room. It promised to be a wet day, but we were prepared and it held off while we followed the fenceline with pasture to one side, nice native vegetation on the other and views all around. We had smoko while out there but returned in time for late morning tea and some lunch before heading out again, on the advice of our hostess, along the southern fenceline which undulated along another ridge and provided more views. It was a most enjoyable walk, with the rain only arriving as we ascended the last couple of kilometres on the farm track. Back at our room we settled into books, with views and afternoon tea, followed by smoko then dinner in the lower dining room as there were now three other guests that we could determine. It was a relief that El Cheapo did not stand out among more fancy vehicles in the car park, but then, perhaps they had turned away?
NZ TV being what it is, the hotel has a large collection of DVDs so, on the advice of our hostess, we settled into some kiwi culture with a movie about Samoans in South Auckland, followed by Martin Clune in a movie, The Man that lost his Head, about Maori culture.

Bluey

While we were away we believe we had a guest in our garage as there was a smell which needed to be sorted. On Friday morning while Dick was out, I went to the letter box via the open garage and discovered Bluey on the driveway just outside. He was gone when I turned back to the house, but we discovered him later under the shoe rack and directed him outside.

Next day he wandered along the wall of the verandah where we spotted him and annoyed him with cameras. He was then seen heading to the lower bank so I wonder if he has found the hollow log?

Carnival of Flowers

We did a family outing to see the floral displays at Laurel Bank and Queens Park this year. The timing of some displays had not quite worked but it was still a nice way to spend Sunday morning. On the way home we drove by Ian's house and were spotted so we had a look at his almost finished renovations and caught up with Jen, Gary and Ann as well.

Bingara to Toowoomba

There was no rush to get up at Bingara as we could not leave before the office opened at 8 am and it was also very foggy when we looked out of the tent. While eating breakfast, the fog was burning off with the sun and we heard music Always look on the bright side of life which was coming from a yellow van heading out of town and along beside the river. Behind it trailed about 30-40 bikes with riders of an older age group, including one tandem. Stragglers continued to appear then the follow vehicle with a bike trailer. Ride for the Chopper seems to have been the motive and it promised to be a lovely morning for them.
We had smoko at Texas and were home just before 1pm. It was a lovely drive with spring crops, especially as there was a good storm the previous night.

Tuesday

It was windy when we woke at Lake Cargelligo so we drove the car across to a nearby hedge to shelter for breakfast before packing the tent and heading off to Coonambel and Parkes. This was another new route for us, passing through nice country on the Lachlan River. Coonambel is a large town and we also went through Bogan Gate - an enigmatic name. Smoko was in a nice park in Parkes although we did not find a lot to choose from. A minibus of primary school kids descended on the amenities block soon after us so we enjoyed the moment, watching them study the fountain as the stragglers emerged.
On to Dubbo to refuel, then we grabbed lunch in the car beside their Japanese garden as it was windy with threatening storms which caused us to study the radar using our smart phone data and decided to travel on the western option via Gilgandra as a band was moving NE. Along the way we found it hard to see the line markings on the road as well as finding it slippery, and realised the road was covered with hail which we had fortunately missed. Later we did pull over for some hail as it was distracting, but did not get damaged.
At Narrabri we had some challenging moments working between James the GPS, confusing information and common sense as we thought we were going to camp at Mt Kaputar NP but both camp grounds are to the south while we wanted to take the road to Bingara on the northern end - another new route for us.
It turned out to be a lovely drive, now fully sealed with some steep and narrow sections and very scenic.
We arrived in Bingara at 6pm and went straight to the caravan park, looking forward to a hot shower. It is a lovely spot on the Gwydir River beside the swimming pool. The office was closed until 8am the next day, but the neighbouring caravan was very friendly, having arrived back with their dogs from a walk as we turned in. They lent us their key and told us to set up.
As I was cleaning my teeth, I heard a few spots of rain, but we went to bed on dark without any rush, but, almost as soon as we settled, a furious electrical storm hit and we lay wondering if we would be frizzled in burnt nylon to be found by the managers, unpaid, next morning. We survived and the tent prevailed.

Monday

By Monday morning I was pretty stuffed, with a sore throat. We decided to miss the morning walk although we had not done the Walnut avenue, Mansell reserve circuit, and after some quick shopping for supplies, got away mid morning.
We had smoko again at the same place in Balranald, but made a detour via Maude on the way to Hay. It has an impressive weir on the Murrumbidgee and the road went through wetlands in contrast to the saltbush. In Hay, we had lunch at a park beside the old gaol.

Our next variation was from Rankine Springs north to Lake Cargelligo which was another interesting road with spring crops and nice rolling hills.

Sunday

Our morning walk took us up to the hospital, through Henderson Park, Deakin Avenue to 12th street and the pool, then ?
We went out to the school where we wandered around, talked to a few people but found it too noisy so we grabbed a hamburger then drove out to Merbein and Wentworth returning along the river by 2pm. We parked the car at Olive Avenue then walked into town to meet Jan for a coffee.
Then it was back to our highlight happy hour and dinner with Ron and Bronwen.

Paddlesteamer Gem

Wentworth Wharf

The Junction - river gums drowned by the weir downstream

Saturday

We started Saturday with the Farmers Market down near the wharf. It is a nice grassy location under trees and a good place to meet and mix.
After lunch we walked back down for the 2 hour cruise on PS Melbourne. I really enjoyed this 25 years ago at the 75th celebrations, but this time we did not mingle as much and I only saw one person I recognised, but I enjoyed sitting with Dick and Bronwen. It was interesting with the visiting paddle steamers which had come for the centenary of the Melbourne the previous weekend, and also the high river with the weir pulled out.

We enjoyed another great happy hour at Olive Avenue before driving out to Club Da Vinci 

Friday in Mildura

We started the day with a walk along eighth street to the new marina then back along the river, where the visiting paddle steamers were loading wood on the wharf.
After breakfast we headed out to the school by 10 am for registration on the front lawn, a tour of the buildings with a senior student, then Community Singing in the school hall which is now a dance studio. I met up with Janice Hill, Heather Marshman and Joanne Facey so it was nice to sit with old classmates. There was a great roll up and enthusiastic singing for over an hour. I had taken my old songbook but they provided new ones which was nice.

In the afternoon we went for a walk, and called in at the Bowls Club to see if our fathers were recorded on any honour boards, but some had been taken down for renovations.
The evening event was drinks at the Brewery which is the old picture theatre. It was noisy, crowded and very little food which came infrequently later, but I caught up with quite a lot of people who had just arrived for the weekend. It was bad luck that the venue was not sufficient as many people missed out because they did not book early, although it turned out that they did not miss much.

Hay to Mildura

We woke to a windy morning so we drove into town looking for a spot to have breakfast and opted for the bought version at the hot bread shop. It was noisy with bread making but the coffee scrolls were good although the cappuccino I ordered came as a tea bag in a cup, having asked if they had coffee.
We had a look at the old gaol and the railway station with references to the Dunera boys from 1941 who were dumped at Hay until they replaced them with POWs.
Across the one tree plain to Balranald where we called in at Yanga Station which was sold to National Parks in 2005. It overlooks a large lake and is made of logs and is quite impressive. We then had smoko in town beside the river - again high before driving on through Euston to the Murray where we found the Marion just below the Gol Gol pub so we stopped to take it all in, being a lovely day.

We had intended to go on to Wentworth for lunch to avoid arriving at that time but got a message that lunch was waiting us in Mildura which was most welcome.
We went for a walk down to Rio Vista and Loch 11 with the weir lifted out, then back along the riverbank before settling in to happy hour prior to our first event at 6pm: the opening of the art exhibition at Gallery 25 at the end of Deakin Avenue. This was followed by a quick walk up to the old Carnegie Library for the  launch of Glen Miller's history of the school where we caught up with Ron.
It was nice to be able to walk to these things - a similar distance to when we lived there.

Binnaway to Hay

It was great to be back camping with breakfast by the river, then south to Dubbo with smoko in the park again at Peak Hill and lunch in the park at West Wyalong. We stopped to have a look at the sheoaks in the park at Rankin Springs, then on past roadside wildflowers and Salvation Jane to the Murrumbidgee at Hay. The caravan parks were not attractive on the highway so we opted for Sandy Point  where the mosquitoes convinced us to drive across to the picnic area by the river for a quick and invigorating dip [with beach shower] followed by happy hour and dinner, before retreating to our tent at dark. We had the locals with a speedboat and waterski to entertain us. The river was very high.

On the road again

We headed off around 8 am, stopping at the Botanic garden at Goondiwindi for coffee, then at Moree for lunch. En route to Narrabri we were pulled over because we were driving a Mercedes. The policeman had heard that there was one driving erratically and overtaking but all he found was two grey nomads hanging  behind a truck. We got to Binnaway in good time and tried to find a level patch. Last time it was hard, this time it was not so level as well as hard, but we slept well beside the Castlereagh, after enjoying an evening stroll along it to the bridge.

The Pumphouse campground at Binnaway

The Castlereagh River at Binnaway

 

Paddle Wheels Away

I have just enjoyed reading Paddle Wheels Away by Will Lawson. Published in 1947, this is a fictionalised history of the rivers in the 1880-90s.
I also have two books with lots of old photographs  to enjoy: River Boat Days [1972] and Riverboat Ways [1983] by Peter Phillips.

Mildura Calling

This time next week we will be in Mildura for the centenary of Mildura High School which started as an agricultural college. I have gathered my relevant books and started with Mildura Calling by Alice Lapthorne. It is nice to revisit the history of the irrigation settlement and the Chaffey brothers, especially as I was house captain of Chaffey in 1966 - the girls were not the best house in my time, although the boys were. Next reading will be on the riverboats. I am looking forward to going on the Melbourne again after 25 years. It has an impressive steam driven engine. I just read about all the firewood which was cut to fire the steam driven pumps for the irrigation until they were replaced by electric pumps. Somewhere further down the track I will get to salinity.

Perseverance Heights

With Barry confined to bed with flu, I was asked to lead this walk and came up with 3 ideas, consulted Bill then Rosalie, and woke up yesterday to a clear day which promised a lovely walk on Perseverance Heights. The other 3 ideas can wait.
Dick decided to support me which made a grand total of 3 when we picked up Rosalie at Hampton.It is actually very nice to have all that scenery in a very small group. The dam looked wonderful in the sun with the water up to the spillway in the distance. 

The cliffs were golden yellow and vibrant and we passed orchids on our descent to see them.

We then climbed up and went out to the northern rocky outlook where we enjoyed a second smoko of fruit before wandering around the eastern edge on a nice pad, then descending the spur to the SE to Perseverance creek where there are large waterholes. The track back along the creek is nicely overhung with flowering wattles and we enjoyed the walk back to the car by 12.30, with lunch under a tree on soft grass before heading home.

Tunnel vision

We got up early and headed out to the airport from Annerley, opting for the riverside motorway and inner city bypass, then plunging into the new airport link tunnel while it was still free. We had decided to spend an extra $10 to park at the airport instead of using the courtesy bus options and the trip took only about 20 minutes. This left us quite a bit of time to wait for our flight to Auckland, including our picnic breakfast - bananas and yoghurt?
It was our first time on Emirates which did not excite us. It seemed to be a noisy flight and the food was ordinary. At Auckland we gathered our thoughts, called the car rental people and changed pounds to kiwi dollars. Jucy rentals were nice to deal with and we headed south in our El Cheapo - conspicuously labelled on each side but really quite comfortable, airconditioned and automatic. We found the Hillside Hotel an hour south, high on a hill overlooking industrial Huntly with its coalmines and power station. It also overlooks an impressive Waikato river and plains.
It seems likely that there were only two other guests in a large establishment but the staff were friendly and the room large, comfortable and with lovely views - where to walk tomorrow.
We took a quick excursion into the supermarket in Huntly to gather some supplies, then settled into happy hour in our room. Dinner was served in the upper lounge with wonderful views and smart food which we enjoyed in moderation.

Goomburra

It has been a while since we last walked at Goomburra and this one was Ann's first with us since her illness this year. We had a good group of 10 and it was nice to be back in real rainforest, hopping across all the creek crossings with a couple of breaks, the second being at Cascade Falls.

We then continued up and up, descending on the ridge trail which was quite steep and loose.

History of mulch

When we moved here in October 2004, the garden beds were mulched with a cypress woodchip.
Our first mulch purchase was a single trailer load from Toowoomba Landscapes on Bridge Street, near Mort. It probably went on the extension of the top bed behind the new shed.
A year later, when Steve got 2 semi-trailer loads of expensive hoop pine [?] mulch for his banks, we were influenced to order a truckload 14 cu metres from Garden City Landscape Centre on McDougall Street in November 2005. We got cypress woodchip, similar to what was originally on the garden. [$357 plus $15 delivery]
In September 2006  we got 2 cubic metres of forest mulch from Garden City @ $25.50 per cm then a week later we got 3 cubic metres more from them.
After that, perhaps 2007, I found that I could get a load from tree loppers and got some twice from Rob Habben, at $50 then $70 [ September 2008] cash.
The next source was the Ergon community pile in McDougall street, where I shovelled it into the back of the car  perhaps 3 or 4 times, then they closed that as people dumped rubbish there.

Fortunately by this time we were producing more of our own mulch.
In March 2009 I got a pack of lucerne mulch from Bunnings, then 2 bales from Garden City landscapes for $20. This led to about 3 car loads of lucerne bales from Vicki Bataglia over the next couple of years for the fruit trees and vegie garden.
We then put it off for quite a while before ordering recycled stuff from the concrete recyclers for $180 in August 2012. It seems quite dusty as well as lumps of wood and stuff. We will see how it goes. Maybe our next purchase will be a bit more up market, but this might just get covered with natural litter from our garden.

Mulch

In recent years we have been making our own mulch from prunings. This has been quite productive but over time the mulch layer has almost disappeared in some places on the upper and lower banks.
I called for quotes 6-18 months ago - I can't remember when. Nor can I find the 'piece of paper' that I wrote my research on. I thought it was in my notebook.
Eventually I called the concrete recyclers that I had visited at the start of that exercise, when I thought their cheap coarse product might not be suitable. This time we went together to look and found them very friendly and helpful, recommending the cheap coarse product this time. It is different to what I remembered a couple of years ago, being recycled builders rubbish I think, but we will see how it goes. We got a 12 cu m truckload which is not as intimidating as I expected.

Contouring the escarpment

We dropped a car at Harvey St near Mt Lofty then drove down to Picnic Point at 8 am on Sunday morning, leaving the second car at Tobruk Drive. The Firetail path down to the bridle path may still be officially closed as it has had a lot of land slips over the old bitumen surface. We then walked along the bridle path to Stevenson st which is a nice narrow bitumen road past a few houses to the highway. It was not difficult to cross the highway to the Redwood park section of the bridle trail which is a lot more undulating and quite a steep climb to regain altitude at Prince Henry Heights. We next chose to take the bridle trail along the western edge of Jubilee Park to Harvey St. It was a total of 7.9 km and almost 2 hours on a lovely sunny morning. Back at home the cool westerly wind was coming in but we had been sheltered from that. Next time we might park at Harvey street and walk a loop on the trails in that section. It would also be nice to commence the walk on the Firetail track on the northern side of Picnic Point park.

cheap mulch

We have been gradually getting cheaper with mulch. Although we produce quite a bit from our block, with regular pruning, we find we need to top up the mulch on the garden every couple of years.
We started with expensive cypress chip mulch, similar to the existing mulch, then moved down to forest mulch from the Landscape Centre. After this we got a couple of loads from Rob Habben, a tree pruner who gave us a load for cash - $50 then more the next time.
I then found the Ergon mulch pile in Boundary St/Hursley Road and loaded mulch a few times in the back of the Forester, before they closed that due to rubbish dumping.
By September 2012, the need was great on our banks and we decided to try 12 m of cheap mulch delivered by the Concrete Recyclers in Griffith St $184.80. It appears to have a lot of building rubble in it but it is turning out well, although we have been slow to move it all.

Vinegar Hill

It's nearly wildflower time but we are wary of leaving it too late into bushfire time for our walk at Vinegar Hill. We made the mistake this time of trying to drive further along the fenceline, instead of parking at the intersection where Waller road turns downhill. This is a 20 minute walk to the start of the ridge track out to Vinegar Hill. This time we descended from the cars through some mud puddles, then made a further mistake of taking the first fork left which took us out onto a spur NW of Vinegar Hill. It was fortuitous as the plants were lovely out there. After smoko on some rocks we descended into the creek and up the right spur past orchids in flower, flannel flowers in bud, wattles and other bright flowers. We decided not to go on to Vinegar Hill, wondering if it could match the delights we had seen as our memories tend to a more drab scene out there apart from the views. We had lunch on some grass at the intersection before heading home. Apparently it was overcast at home but we had a nice morning out.

Don Quixote

The Dancers Company from the Australian Ballet performed Don Quixote at the Empire Theatre last night. The music was recorded but the sets, costumes and dancing were great. We really enjoyed it. I bought the music a couple of weeks ago so we warmed up with a couple of hours before we went. It took a while to get to sleep later.

Queen Mab

For a break from rock hopping up creeks, we went out past Crows Nest to old favourite Queen Mab. It was a lovely sunny day for a pleasant walk, a bit of a climb up to the top for smoko then wandering down some cattle pads, across the paddocks and back to the cars. We met up with Bill's group at Bullocky's Rest for lunch.

Camping weekend

It was our first time to camp at Mt Barney Lodge and the situation is spectacular, if rather expensive. We arrived mid Saturday morning and headed up Mt Gillies behind the Lodge. It was a good climb and we enjoyed the views. After lunch on top we descended into a lovely sheltered gully to clamber down over some rocks before returning to set up camp at 3 pm. It was pleasant with 9 of us and a good campfire.
Next morning we packed up and headed for Mt Maroon for our climb which was challenging on well marked track with a number of other walkers on the day. Lunch on top with expansive views made the effort well worthwhile and we made the descent without incident and by 3pm so we got home just after 6 after dropping Keith at home.

Wife after Death

Toowoomba Repertory Theatre 3-18 August 2012
Wife after Death by Eric Chappell
This was quite enjoyable, apart from the fellow next to Dick who had failed to wash or change before coming out for the evening.

Mikado

Queensland Opera's Mikado was really good. We had seats upstairs, second row, in the Empire Theatre and really enjoyed it. Next morning I thought our recording was not as good as their chorus. It convinced us that we should go to Carmen in Brisbane with Em in early November.

Red Rock

Neil took us up fifteen mile creek from the junction with Murphy's Creek. It is a lovely stretch with rock pools, cliffs, hoveas starting to flower. We climbed up to Red Rock from the downstream side, for a change, and sat watching the falcons over smoko, then wandered down the track to the junction and retraced our steps out a nice bit of washed out side creek, to the cars. We arrived at Jessie's cottage for lunch at the same time as Bill and his group.

out to lunch

Ann and Keith invited us out to Thai Royal at Southtown to celebrate her birthday and recovery. It was a lovely group with Barry and Donna, Adrian and Denise and Rosalie and Ian and everyone enjoyed it.

Mt Prosper

An old favourite, the National trail down MaMa creek is closed but we are able to walk on this property with permission. It was quite cool in the creek in shade and we wandered down past the cattle yards after smoko, then headed up hill in the direction of the house and cars which was quite hot in the sun. We had lunch at Hodgson vale Rotary Park.

Perseverance Dam to Koonin lookout

I have wanted to do this walk for a long time. We used to go down from near the dam with Bill but not a through walk. It had been badly overrun with lantana but is now cleaned out by floods and has some lovely waterholes. It was quite strenuous in parts and I was glad of the rest on rocks at the junction with Cressbrook for lunch before a steep but straightforward climb out to the lookout and return to the cars at the National Park car park where we chatted while the drivers, who had walked on ahead, retrieved cars from the start. We took Gary and Chris from Highfields, but they got a lift directly home so we were able to make it home by 5 pm for a nice soaking bath.

Brisbane and Mullum

Lee was up for a few days, interviewing for Treasury grads. It coincided with Jim's birthday so we went down on Wednesday afternoon and we all walked up to the Thai place at Annerley for a nice meal, after some happy hour at Jim's while waiting for him to run home from uni. He is in training for Brisbane half marathon in early August. We stayed overnight then had a look at some places with Em next morning when she returned Jim's car, before heading down to Mullum to have lunch with Mum. It was a nice day and she was looking well.

Perseverance Creek

We started at Clive road and headed out on the old track NE towards the creek which is nicely washed out. We wandered up it until we came to a fence across, where we had smoko before climbing up along the cliffs and back to the cars by 11.30. This turned out to be a short walk, reaching lunch at Hampton well in advance of Bill's group who delayed their arrival in anticipation of ours being later.

Mt Matheson

This is a really nice day out. It takes 2 hours from Toowoomba to the Spicers Gap campground then it is a lovely varied walk along below Mt Mitchell and above the Cunningham Hwy, then across to the old convict road over Spicers Gap. We stopped for lunch at Governors Chair with lovely views and all to ourselves, especially as Dick and Barry had to walk on to collect cars and most people's lunches. So we missed the walk down the road back to the cars this time.

Vale Margaret

We were sorry to receive a message from Richard Bell while at Mullum on 10 June, that Margaret had passed away at her unit that morning. We had only been back from France a week and had not had time to visit her, but it sounds like she went in a way that she would have preferred, living independently to the end.
On Saturday 23rd, we called in to see Maureen at the unit and help with the clear out. Andrew, Richard and Marguerite came up for a final visit and small gathering of friends at Bally Cara on Friday 29th and we removed the remaining small things after they left for the airport. Maureen and Harry completed the last larger things next day.

No walk today

A bit of rain overnight but it was clearing to the west when I got up so I was in 2 minds about walking. The forecast was rain and 14 degrees and Barry was not keen either. By 9 am it was quite wet and seems to have become more so as the day has gone on. It is also cold with heaters required to keep warm. Time to get on with holiday photos and blog.

Twist

We went to see Rep Theatre's Twist by Miles Tredinnick. It turned out that we had booked the same night as the bushwalkers so we caught up with quite a few old friends.

Perseverance walk

This week we walked in the Perseverance area descending into a nice little creek/gully north of the second buddha. We then climbed up to that ridge at a lower, more easterly point than previous walks, then up the road where we met Bill, Heidi, Gisela, Ursula and Ilena who had just stopped for smoko. We then went down a bit and followed around the cliffs to look at a cave or two, but were below the buddha cave when we dropped down to the track and returned to the car, again dropping into a creek which we followed a fair way before a short steep climb back up to the track. Emily came with me.

Redwood walk

It was good to catch up with several old friends on the Toowoomba Bushwalkers walk in Redwood Park on Saturday morning. The creek was interesting to walk up to the old bridges which were washed out in the floods. We then climbed up to the bridle trail and descended the next ridge before another creek walk back to the picnic ground and a nice cup of coffee before heading home for lunch.

Redwood Park

 It has been a while since we were training for Nepal on Sunday mornings in Redwood Park. I went down with Ann and Keith on our first Tuesday of the year and found it quite overgrown. Barry was leading a short walk from the picnic area up the creek to the bridges and ridges so we decided to go along. It was nice to find many of our bushwalking friends there, rather than new walkers as these were intended for, but we know that it is a good time to walk creeks which were previously overgrown. We had smoko near the bridge crossing, now washed out, then climbed up the trail, along the bridle path, down the next trail with a smoko at the bottom, then back into another bit of creek to the picnic area. Dick and I stayed for a cup of coffee while the others went off to find a cafe. It may be less sociable but the venue is preferable and the quality of coffee more predictable.

The Choristers of St John's Cathedral Brisbane at St James

nice church but I don't go for the Mortons of Brisbane
I am guessing it was 2012 as the program does not have a datte

Deongwar walk

Wet weekend, ready for a walk by Monday night, started getting things ready, and map out for ideas. Barry called to say no walk this week due to weather. The weather pattern had moved through and the stars were coming out at Cotswold Hills, so I decided to do a walk I had thought of for quite a while.
Tuesday morning dawned at its best so I called Rosalie and Gary, probably waking both of them. Dick came and we started walking at 9 am. The track was a bit muddy at first but the plan was to walk the ridge between Bull and Diggings/Little Oakey Creeks, down to the junction. It took 2 hours with a leisurely smoko on a log before the steep descent at the end. We stopped at the log again for lunch at midday on the way out and were back at the car by 1.30.

Yum Cha

We had a family lunch at Sunnybank Yum Cha which was an experience on a public holiday - very busy- but, once seated, we enjoyed the experience. Clearly there are a lot more dishes to explore sometime.

Mullum

Andrew and Steven were up for the June long weekend so we went down on the Sunday for lunch and to celebrate Andrew's birthday. It was quite cold down there with wet weather so we were glad it was a flying visit. Em and Lee had been up to Toowoomba on the Friday and Saturday nights so we left Jim's car at Beenleigh at a shopping centre and did the rest of the trip south in one vehicle.

Hi ho hi ho

it's off to Paris we go.

The Gospel Hour

We went to St Stephens Cathedral in Brisbane with Emily for an afternoon concert with Ashley Lewis Band; a jazz ensemble with Ashley Lewis trombone/vocals, Dale Rabic Hammond organ and Aaron West on drums. I found the acoustics poor with a bass echo and unclear talk on their mikes so I wandered around finding a better spot for that but poorer for the brass. At interval I noticed another girl had changed seats and had a chat in case she understood the acoustic space. We moved and it was better but I suspect the band was also trying to improve things. Perhaps they had not rehearsed there before their performance to sort this out. I don't know why anyone would persist with the sound of the Hammond organ.

Australian Youth Orchestra

In the Armitage Centre which is good for a young orchestra playing copland Fanfare for the Common Man, Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture and Ssculthorpe's Kakadu, then Sibelius Symphony 1 after interval.

The Hilliard Ensemble

While we were in Canberra, I was fortunate to go with Lee to hear the Hilliard Ensemble from England and the Australian Chamber Orchestra at Llewellyn Hall. The programme commenced with Elgar Serenade for Strings in E minor Op. 20, then 15th century Sheryngham Ah Gentle Jesu, followed by contemporary Russian Raskatove's Obikhod and Estonian composer  Arvo Part - Most Holy Mother of God.
After interval we started with 9th century Gregorian chant Veni, Creator Spiritus, interwoven with a medieval French version and a work of the same title by Australian composer Ross Edwards. The concert concluded with Arensky's Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky Op 35a.

Conversations with George

These are not available on podcast.

Learning about birds

This term, I am learning about birds at U3A with my bushwalking friend Neil.
It is a great opportunity to look at our collection of bird books and CDs which have been largely neglected over the years.
We have a notebook with bird entries commencing on 20 Dec 1973, January, May, August, September and October 1974, then jumping to November 1999.
Some things have continuing interest, especially in our current retired situation with extended native garden, bushwalking and travel.
Today we move to our next piece of technology with a phone app. - the first purchased app.
Last Thursday we visited the waterbird habitat, and today we went to Webb Park, on the escarpment above Redwood Park.