Day 2!

New project, new post!

So it has been rather a while and to say things have changed since my last post would be an understatement (!!!!!!!!!). To avoid time consuming tales let me just catch you up by saying these next posts will be about the cleaner-uppering that will be happening with the grand old gal- a new HOUSE that my HUSBAND and I just bought at woolloongabba. There. You're up to date!
Anyhow, I thought it might be nice to jump on the blog bandwagon again so we have some way of seeing how far we (hopefully!) go with our new home which definitely has good bones but has copped a bit of wear and tear in her time.
So... Day 1. Friday 22 august
The day dawned rainy and grey in brisbane yesterday (we do need the rain). My first thought was that perhaps the moisture would help with the wallpaper removal this weekend- look at me, thinking like a home renovator already!
Today mum and I worked half days in the morning so we could get over to the house and spend the afternoon 'preparing' for the weekend working bee. Really, we just both wanted to get inside after a month of looking longingly from the outside waiting for keys and settlement day!
With only a few hours up our sleeve we decided to tackle the smallest, some would say most necessary, and definitely the sows ear of the house. Yep, the bathroom. In our inspections before buying the house one of the discoveries we made was that there was an extra window on the western side of the house from the outside. Low and behold the bathroom window had been COMPLETELY sheeted over! Let me just say. Airless, windowless bathrooms in old houses are a perfect Petrie dish for mould and I let out quite a few expletives at the sense of anyone who would do such a thing while sugarsoaping my way around the bathroom and toilet!
That said mum and I made awesome inroads and she gets star of the day for cleaning our toilet... Not a pretty job but so much appreciated! Most of the mould has been scrubbed and oil-of-cloved, the old silicone joint was dug out and replaced (another delightful job that mum took on) and everything got a thorough washing. Hopefully when we return it will be ready for lashings of fresh sparkly white mould inhibitor paint!

Here are a few piccies to help get a picture... Rear elevation showing extra window!

Sunny days

Ride to conquer cancer

This weekends 220 odd km ride or the Brisbane Rode to Conquer Cancer was challenging, emotional, exhilarating, beautiful and delicious! I rode with some amazing people and we camped at Wivenhoe Dam on Saturday night. Apart from the obvious awareness around cancer research and health and fitness it also definitely raised my awareness of some of Brisbane's wonderful spaces- its time for me to get planning some more camping/riding/hiking adventures I think - this place is pretty grand!

Little moments

Little moments make you value a place, connect you to it and draw you back. Like this moment when I finished a morning river run, gasping for breath and then these stairs were there caught in the light, waiting for me to snap them- and then dash up them- a much stronger finish to a morning workout and an awesome start to the day!

Urban girls

There is something that really delights me about urban chickens! The allusions of self sufficiency, the potential that we are more than just a concrete jungle of hard edges. I've walked past this neighbour hundreds of times but today at a walk not a run (there is a lesson in that too I am sure!) and as I paused, these girls ran straight over to me to check me out. Behold the guard chooks of Highgate Hill!

Eungella

Eungella

Eungella

I must keep exploring. I must keep exploring. I am back from a long weekend of freezing weather but glorious scenery in our 'sub-tropical' north. Eungella is part of the mountain ranges behind Mackay and is one of the most beautiful spots I've been in a while. Hiking, waterfalls, plunge pools, mountains... And platypus!!! I keep a list of special Aussie animals I want to see and platypus has always been on there. My mum has always said I would never see one because I'm too loud- thank you Eungella for proving her wrong, it was such a treat to see your platypus playing for us in the river! (echidnas and wombats, kindly show yourselves!)

West of Dulbydilla

Free fruit!

There is so much to love about this photo! In the same vein as posts about s-l-o-w food, growing your own and community farms, one of the results is when things are in season, they really come on in a hurry. I have been lucky enough to make pesto when the basil is in its peak, to receive marmalade and various jams when the citrus is in season. This photo, taken while down in Byron this weekend is also great. Rather than making and baking to use it all up, why not just celebrate our communal wealth and share our produce when you have too much to consume.

Night art on the bridge!

As part of the Brisbane City Council's creative cities plans they have created this new way of promoting some of our local artists as well as highlighting some of he cities classic iconic structures. I love the idea of living with more art in our lives, taking back the nights and engaging with our local emerging creatives- plus, plus, plus!

Pecan parcels

I never knew this was where pecans came from! I love the black and tan colours of this inner shell!

Pecan parcels

Reflecting on the rain

Sometimes when it rains and rains all I want to do is stay in doors. What I need to remember though is how great it feels to get out in the post-rain freshness, to smell the damp but feel the earth drying out again- and catch glimpses of awesome reflections like this one on the Torbreck rooftop!

Brick detail

There are lots of wonderful details to love about my home in the clouds at Torbreck- here is one little shot of the pop out brick detail of the tower block looking from the garden block balcony.

I'm the king (queen) of the mountain!

Ok, I am officially addicted to the endorphin high of cycling. Exhilarating downhills, exhausting uphills, gorgeous scenery and being able to see it all from 2 wheels powered by you!! This pic was taken on the descent from Mt Mee after our ride out + up the mountain- so beautiful and so close to the city!

just something lovely

On friday after a wee drink at the new cove oyster bar at southbank I was wandering home and to my absolute suprise and delight turned a corner to come across these.
I love that someone(s?) had taken ownership of the council bikes, decorating them with these shiny balloons. It was also a fortuitous break in the weather, with lovely moody clouds behind but a beautiful summer sunset as well... before the rain that was saturday morning!
I'm so please to see more and more people out riding these bikes lately- I rode the velo's in montreal as a touristand absolutely loved the freedom and flexibility it gave to explore. Hurrah to more bicycle goodness! Ps. a massive thanks to lucent imagery for reaching out to me about my blog- it's so exciting to connect with people in real life or on the inter-web. If anyone is looking for a little something something to brighten their day, check her website for some wonderful, inspiring images...
L :)

Spots to sit a while

While in a job at Mooloolaba this week I strolled past this planter box, bordering one if the cafes along the esplanade up there. Although I'd love to see the planters made in recycled timber I think they are such a great idea- the tops are wide enough to provide a sitting ledge for the casual passers-by (and there are lots around there, strolling in off the beach) to perch and chat and people watch- how great?! As someone who loves greenery + plant life but who doesn't necessarily have a green thumb, the ability to interchange the inner boxes with standard sized planter pots that are readily available at garden centres makes rejuvenation a far easier task. Greening our cities and providing spots for socializing at the same time- happy days!!! :)

summer. coming.

This morning run pic indicates I am justified in feeling hot + bothered post-run and wanting nothing more than to plunge into any kind of cold water body upon finishing. Yup- the frangipani says it all- summer is on its way to Brisbane!