#26 Pavement Art

I’m joining Becky in her February Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Odd, referencing one of these definitions: different to what is usual or expected, or strange; a number of items, with one left over as a remainder when divided by two; happening or occurring infrequently and irregularly, or occasionally; separated from a usual pair or set and therefore out of place or mismatched. Look for #SquareOdds.

While we didn’t travel as much as usual in 2021, we were fortunate to enjoy several holidays in our home state of Queensland and one short trip over the border into New South Wales. Join me this month in a retrospective look at the very odd year of 2021. 

 Queens Park, Toowoomba QLD, September 2021

The beautiful floral displays at Queens Park during the Carnival of Flowers were complemented by some clever and colourful drawings on the footpaths.

This quirky creature was one of many fantastical characters decorating the walkways.

#20 Winter Trees

I’m joining Becky in her February Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Odd, referencing one of these definitions: different to what is usual or expected, or strange; a number of items, with one left over as a remainder when divided by two; happening or occurring infrequently and irregularly, or occasionally; separated from a usual pair or set and therefore out of place or mismatched. Look for #SquareOdds.

While we didn’t travel as much as usual in 2021, we were fortunate to enjoy several holidays in our home state of Queensland and one short trip over the border in New South Wales. Join me this month in a retrospective look at the very odd year of 2021. 

 Warwick QLD, July 2021

As part of Warwick’s Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival, these trees were decorated by children from local kindergartens.

The children used recycled materials, creating quirky ornaments to hang from the bare branches of the winter trees.

#3 Dinner at the “Brekky Creek”

I’m joining Becky in her February Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Odd, referencing one of these definitions: different to what is usual or expected, or strange; a number of items, with one left over as a remainder when divided by two; happening or occurring infrequently and irregularly, or occasionally; separated from a usual pair or set and therefore out of place or mismatched. Look for #OddSquare.

While we didn’t travel as much as usual in 2021, we were fortunate to enjoy several holidays in our home state of Queensland and one short trip over the border in New South Wales. Join me this month in a retrospective look at the very odd year of 2021. 

Brisbane, January 2021

The iconic Breakfast Creek Hotel at Albion was built by William MacNaughton Galloway in 1889. It was successful from the beginning and is still a popular dining destination.

It seems fitting that a sign for Queensland’s most famous beer sits atop Queensland’s most famous hotel, although its neon brilliance contrasts with the hotel’s classic French Renaissance façade.

While the flashy neon sign atop the Brekky Creek hotel may seem a little out of place, there was nothing odd about our delicious anniversary dinner. We chose a tender wagyu beef burger and a huge chicken parmi.

You can’t get a more traditional Aussie pub meal than that!

#2 Going Our Own Way

I’m joining Becky in her February Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Odd, referencing one of these definitions: different to what is usual or expected, or strange; a number of items, with one left over as a remainder when divided by two; happening or occurring infrequently and irregularly, or occasionally; separated from a usual pair or set and therefore out of place or mismatched. Look for #OddSquare.

While we didn’t travel as much as usual in 2021, we were fortunate to enjoy several holidays in our home state of Queensland and one short trip just over the border in New South Wales. Join me this month in a retrospective look at the very odd year of 2021. 

Brisbane, January 2021

It would be a reasonable expectation that a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary with a few days away would spend their special day together. But when the Queensland Cultural Centre at Southbank was hosting two exhibitions on completely different themes, it was an easy decision to go our own way for the morning.

For him, at The Gallery of Modern Art: The Motorcycle. Design, Art, Desire – an exhibition of 100 motorcycles, spanning 120 years of development and design. The exhibits came from Australian and international collections.

For her, at The Queensland Museum: I do! wedding stories from Queensland – a collection of 43 wedding ensembles spanning more than 100 years. The display included family memorabilia and personal items on loan from Queenslanders and garments and accessories from the State Collection.

While our decision to go our separate ways on our anniversary might seem strange, it shows how well we knew each other after 38 years.

And we did meet up afterwards for lunch!

#1 River Views

I’m joining Becky in her February Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Odd, referencing one of these definitions: different to what is usual or expected, or strange; a number of items, with one left over as a remainder when divided by two; happening or occurring infrequently and irregularly, or occasionally; separated from a usual pair or set and therefore out of place or mismatched. Look for #SquareOdds.

While we didn’t travel as much as usual in 2021, we were fortunate to enjoy several holidays in our home state of Queensland and one short trip over the border in New South Wales. Join me this month in a retrospective look at the very odd year of 2021. 

Brisbane, January 2021

We started the year with a few days in Brisbane to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Our hotel, located at Hamilton on a bend of the Brisbane River, was aptly named View Brisbane. And our river views didn’t disappoint – downstream in an easterly direction towards the Gateway Bridge and upstream towards the CBD.

While there is nothing odd about these gorgeous late afternoon river views, my panorama shot looks a little unusual. In an effort to capture the broad expanse of the river, my camera gave this straight stretch of Kingsford Smith Drive a distinct curve.

It doesn’t really look like that!

Living in a Tree House

Jumpers and Jazz in July, Warwick Queensland

Of the more than 100 decorated trees in this year’s Tree Jumper competition, our favourite was the Tree House. Inspired by the Tree House series of books by children’s author Andy Griffiths, the creators of this work of art incorporated many details from his stories.

Life in this tree house would definitely be an adventure.

Bird Life

Warwick,Queensland

Birds flocked to Warwick for the annual Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival.

Flamingos sunbathed in the Yarntopians garden

and played funky music in the Art Gallery.

Other birds gathered at the yarn bombed trees on Palmerin Street.

These Australian magpies, usually intent in nesting season on swooping at pedestrians, seemed oblivious to any spectators. 

And this ibis lived up to his reputation by foraging in the rubbish bin. Ibis are not known as “bin chickens” for nothing!

Jumpers and Jazz

Warwick, Queensland

In 2004 a group of citizens in Warwick who shared a passion for yarn had a bright idea. They decided to decorate the bare winter trees in the main street of their southern Queensland town. The keen crafters probably never imagined that their yarnbombing project would be the catalyst for an annual festival which now attracts thousands of visitors.

That first year, staff at the Warwick Art Gallery assembled a group of knitters, crocheters and weavers who worked together to create “tree jumpers” for every tree in the main shopping area. A program of jazz performances was planned to accompany the yarnbombing and Jumpers and Jazz in July was born!

Now decorating the trees is competitive, with cash prizes offered in several sections including excellence in knitting and/or crochet and best community and school groups.

One popular section in the competition is the theme challenge, with this year’s theme being Crackers – from Christmas bonbons

to firecrackers and fireworks

and even cheese and crackers!

While the trees take centre stage, public buildings undergo a yarnbombing transformation too. The sandstone pillars of Warwick Town Hall  and the bollards on the pedestrian crossings wear their own colourful jumpers.

In July, Warwick comes alive with Jumpers and Jazz.

The Streets of San Francisco

During Becky’s April Bright Square photo challenge I opened the archives to December 2019 and January 2020. Now I’m sharing more of our pre-pandemic holiday in California and Nevada with stories that just couldn’t be squared!

Postcards from America

One day we rugged up against the cold and spent a few hours exploring the streets of San Francisco.

We started on Steiner Street at the beautiful “Painted Ladies”

before making our way along avenues lined with winter trees.

We walked down the stairs beside the hairpin turns of Lombard Street.

At the bottom we made an exciting discovery. We weren’t far away from the warming treats at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. A second visit was very welcome after a chilly day of walking!

A Different Perspective

During Becky’s April Bright Square photo challenge I opened the archives to December 2019 and January 2020. Now I’m sharing more of our pre-pandemic holiday in California and Nevada with stories that just couldn’t be squared!

Postcards from America

We descended from the lofty heights of Twin Peaks and made our way to sea level for our next view of San Francisco. A cruise around the bay on a Red and White Fleet boat showed us the city from a completely different perspective.

We took the green route on the Bridge2Bridge tour. Leaving from Pier 43½ in the city, we sailed east to the Golden Gate Bridge before looping back past Alcatraz towards to the multiple spans of the Bay Bridge.

As it sank low in the sky the afternoon sun glowed, embellishing the bridges and the city skyline with a gilded trim.