Drinks by the pool (D34)

Queensland is the sunshine state. One day it's beautiful, and the next it's perfect. The rain is only liquid sunshine. That's what Julian says.

Brisbane is it's main city and is huge. It straddles the river Brisbane. I've added a more detailed history in a separate blog. Over looking the city is Mt Coot Tha. From here you see the whole city, and at night the stars are so clear that an observatory was established to study the firmament. This is where went in the morning. Worth a visit at night and I definitely would if I was spending more time here. As it is this is my only day, and I'm sorry about that. Julian and Heather are lovely and hospitable.

Julian is ex-army and that's why they settled here, and the weather of course. Over coffee at Mt Coot Tha he tells me about the dangers of the bush all over again. He is used to camping out as part of army stuff. As well as all the other ones I already know about, there are the red back spiders. These are highly dangerous. So before settling down for the night you would check the site for these and snakes.

So then we had a good look around the city, especially the fashionable south bank. New bars and restaurants. There is also a marvellous open air artificial stream and pool including a beach. Brisbanites flock here to bask in the red hot heat, soak up the atmosphere and generally have family fun time.It saves spending an hour on the freeway to reach the nearest real beach.

Then it's back to their fabulous house to sink into their pool, a couple of beers, chat about our upbringing, and generally chill. What can I say?

At about 6.30 Trent and his new wife Sophie arrive and we have pizza and a chat. Then I get to see their wedding video. This is a very touching and sweet sight and I feel as though I was there. They are a lovely couple and make each other laugh. A recipe for success if ever there was one.