Antipodean Update

Well since I last blogged - not long after returning from India - a fair bit has happened.

I ended up in hospital - my first experience of the Oz health system. I had my Gall Bladderremoved, so I am not quite the man I used to be.

It was actually a fairly minor op, all done by keyhole surgery and all I have to show for it is a reconstructed belly button and some triangular entry points!

Beyond that we survived a harsh Brisbane winter - it went down to about 8 degrees at night - and we had to have the duvet out for 5 months. It has been packed away now as Spring takes hold and leads us on the march through to Summer.

On that note it is expected that Summer will be a hot stinky one. Temperatures for today are expected to be up to 31 degrees reaching a high of 33 tomorrow before a possible thunderstorm kicks in and reduces temperatures to the mid-low 20's. The temperatures are OK, it is when the humidity kicks in that it will become a bit unpleasant.

In the winter we had our first royal visit - Em's folks. It was lovely to see them and it afforded us the opportunity to show them around Brisbane a bit and hopefully a chance for them to see why we like it here so much. We also took a long weekend break up to the Whitsunday's, spending 3 nights on Hamilton Island and then two nights on Airlie Beach. It was the first time I had been up there and I can clearly see why it is raved about so much.

We said goodbye to the old folks in mid-September and the weekend after they departed, Em and I went away for a weekend down to an area known as the Scenic Rim. This was in honour of Em's birthday. It was a beautiful relaxing weekend and the place where we stayed also made its own wines - which were surprisingly good. Anyway, in true Big Brother style here are its best bits.

One real change in lifestyle for me has been the purchase of a bike and the fact that I now cycle in to work. I have been cycling for around three weeks. What makes it a great ride is that it is flat and also for the most part avoids roads. There is a cycle path that runs the length of the majestic Brisbane River from Toowong into the city - called the Bicentennial Bikeway. I have yet to experience cycling in the rain, which may - to use a pun - put a dampener on things, but for now I am thoroughly enjoying my rides.

Yesterday I took the opportunity to go out for a ride in the glorious weather. I went out West toward the University of Queensland campus and across the 'Green Bridge', through West End and into the City via the South Bank and the 'Goodwill Bridge'.

One of the many things I love about Brisbane is the installation of a range of public art works. Civic and commercial bodies alike have commissioned works - predominantly sculpture - which lie in various locations around Brisbane. I have longed for a while to take the time to capture some of these works and during my cycle ride yesterday, took such an opportunity.

I share some of the photos here: