This and That 2020

More than 50,000 take-offs and landings during COVID-19! - 16 October

In present times you cannot cross state borders without going into quarantine or having a special dispensation. But there is one family who openly flaunt these restrictions and get away with it! They are wearing the most amazingly beautiful colours: blood red, juicy green, azure blue, the whitest of white, stark black and a yellow, ranging from the palest lemon to burnt orange. Their designs encompass art nouveau, gothic, and the starkness of film director FW Murnau’s expressionism. Their outfits can be a mixture of spotted, diagonal, and symmetrical patterns.

To escape the cold climate of Canada the Monarch of this family flies up to 4,000 kms, crossing borders without hindrance or quarantine, to the warmer region of Mexico. 

Yes, you guessed it, I am talking about butterflies. 

My daughter and I visited the Bribie Island Butterfly House, where on a sunny day you can see 50,000 to 100,000 take-offs and landings without border controls.

 

After entering the Butterfly House, you can see the four parts of the butterfly’s life cycle behind glass windows, as depicted in their brochure’s illustration below.

The first window shows the egg which has a hard-outer layer that is lined with wax coating to provide moisture. 

The second shows the caterpillar which hatches within a week. During its life, the caterpillar eats its own weight in leaf material and grows every day. 

The third window shows the caterpillar discarding its skin, to reveal a chrysalis underneath. This chrysalis has a hardened shell. Depending on the outside environmental conditions, it can take weeks, months and even years before the butterfly will complete its metamorphosis to its final stage. 

The last window shows the newly hatched butterfly. It sucks in the air and the fluid in its body is then pumped into its tiny wings until they expand to its full size. Once the wings have dried and hardened, which usually takes between one to two hours, the butterfly is ready to fly.

And as you enter the butterfly terrain, fly they do, onto your clothes, onto anything that is colourful or resembles their image as depicted below.

 

In my case, the black and white Varied Eggfly flew onto my same tinted hat, revealing perfect colour coordination. 

The Bribie Island Butterfly House, which is run by friendly and helpful volunteers, provides some interesting facts and information about these inhabitants. 

You might know that butterflies have four wings and feed mainly on the nectar from flowers. But did you know that these beautiful beings taste with their feet? Or that their brightly coloured wings are made up of tiny scales? Some live for only two weeks, others may live for up to nine months. Butterflies have two large compound eyes with extreme colour vision, which explains why they are attracted to colourful clothes. They have two antennae, which they use for navigation and the detection of host plants and prospective mates. Up to 1912 butterflies were thought to have no ears, then scientists discovered that they do. A female butterfly can lay between 100 and 200 eggs. 

Until my daughter’s urging to visit the Butterfly House I was, despite my frequent visits to the island, unaware of the House’s existence. I am happy that we have visited and that I was able to experience the delight in watching those beautiful insects flying around. I also enjoyed observing the reaction and interaction of little children coming so close to these gentle creatures in such a nurturing and protective environment.

A Day on the Bay - 8 August

You wake up to another beautiful day in Brisbane and you just want to get out of the city. Fortunately, we have a choice to travel to bays which are located north, south, and east. On Thursday Geoff and I decided to drive north, to the Bayside of Redcliffe. It only took thirty minutes travelling from the Royal Brisbane Hospital through the airport tunnel and along the M1 Highway to arrive at Suttons Beach.

A continuous row of pine trees provides shade and character next to a path that stretches for many kilometres beside the green foreshore. Tables and benches invite the visitor to sit and enjoy the azure seascape. There is so much activity: people walk, jog, exercise, sunbake, eat, drink, push wheelchairs and prams, carry children and drag dogs. Some very hardy individuals swim marathons while others just dip their toes into the water. One person traverses the water standing up paddle boarding. If the borders were not closed, I would be inclined to think they are from Victoria but given the current restrictions they must be locals.

There is never a dull moment and much to observe. I once had gone to Suttons Beach for the purpose of gathering my thoughts about a narrative I was working on. This did not eventuate as I was too busy observing all the activities around me. Add to this the friendly mien of the locals “isn’t it a lovely day?” or “what a pleasant way to while the time away!” and you understand why no productive thought was forthcoming. Hence, I now go there for the specific purpose of just enjoying the day and the surroundings.

setting the tone

Of course, when in Redcliffe you must visit Bee Gees Way, which honours the eponymous group with statues, photos, and their songs. Along the wall of the Way you can follow their rise to fame from the humble beginnings in Redcliffe to international stardom. On a few occasions, I have seen young musicians nearby strumming their guitar hoping perhaps for similar recognition. Redcliffe Parade offers a choice of restaurants, cafes, shops, and a noteworthy art gallery, indeed you could easily spend hours of leisure looking at interesting objects.

We decided to walk past the outdoor swimming pool area back to Suttons Beach, where in one of our favourite restaurants, The Pavilion, we decided to have lunch. We love looking at the water while being served food and wine, in our case Atlantic Salmon and a glass of bubbly. The ever-present pine trees enhance the relaxed ambience of being at the seaside. I can almost envisage myself being somewhere in the Mediterranean and am thrilled not to suffer from jet lag.

The Rotunda in front of us adds an old worldly charm and in my imagination, I can just about perceive the sounds of a small band emanating towards us. I close my eyes and find myself in one of the typical seaside resorts of Northern Germany. Who would have thought that a place so close to Brisbane can transpose me all over Europe without having to pack one suitcase?

Magic locations in present times - 16 July

Another beautiful day beckoned in the Sunshine State on Wednesday morning. I said to my husband Geoff, let’s go for a walk. Something we did on Monday, to the cinema and back that was. With slightly sore legs from that excursion we now left home at Kelvin Grove and headed for Enoggera Creek. This stream drains from the D’Aguilar Range to become Breakfast Creek (Aboriginal: Barrambin) near Herston to then flow into the Brisbane River where the same named iconic hotel is located. The water is clean enough to be the habitat for fish and ducks.

We took the path towards Ashgrove. I had forgotten how beautiful the parklands along the Creek are. At times I felt myself to be near the streams of the Bregenzer forest in Austria. Though this time I was not suffering jet lag just leg lag. The air was crisp and clear, inviting walkers, joggers and parents pushing prams with babies. Some mothers set themselves up in the park on blankets to play games with the kids. Yes, it is possible to be close to the gifts that nature gives so freely and generously within a mere three to four kms of the CBD.

As we meandered along the path we passed a group of Council workmen who were busy planting trees and shrubs and generally contributing to the maintenance of these beautiful surrounds. Bird houses up in the trees attracted rainbow lorikeets inside to do whatever lorikeets do. 

We passed a few signs inviting interested citizens to become part of the parkland working bees. While this is to be encouraged I had my mind set on something else, that is something of a culinary delight. You see Ashgrove is the suburb in which my favourite Italian pasticceria is located. And it just so happened, would you believe it, that Gerbino’s was reachable from the edge of the parklands.

So delicious, so decadent, and so well deserved after the long walk of about, well - two kilometres, may be? It matters not the metres; it matters more the calories. Fortunately, we had to walk back again thus justifying this luscious halfway indulgence.
I feel quite optimistic that this kind of walk might become a regular habit of ours. All the more since it combines flora, fauna and a healthy walk with indulgence in walking distance to home.

Nature at its best, serenity, soothing waters, inviting for a dip perhaps? Where do you suppose this is? Paradise? Kakadu? Just how far do you have to travel to get there? Not far at all, in fact, I walked to it. Before telling you the secret, let me set the scene.

Well, it did take no persuation at all for Geoff to accompany me into the establishment that had supplied us with tortes and gateaux for special celebrations in the past. Still remembering the delicious taste of the Italian Torte I had bought a few months ago, I now ordered the miniature version with a cappuchino.

Refreshing the batteries in times of travel restrictions - 19 June

As I am writing this, I would be, sans COVID-19 pandemic, arriving in Brisbane from a wonderful trip to Rome, Malta, Milan, and Berlin. I would be jet lagged, faced with the task of sorting out a suitcase stuffed with meaningful paraphernalia, getting out the winter wardrobe, and generally adjusting back to life in Ausland. Alas, even though you don't know me personally, you know why this journey did not take place.

Reading Michelle Beesley's article in she society about her recent stay at her favourite get away place close to home and during the current travel restrictions, inspired me to follow in her footsteps.

view from the verandah

My husband Geoff and I love to stay at 'On the Beach Resort' on Bribie Island. You would know that Bribie is only a fifty minutes' drive from Brisbane. Over the years we have stayed on numerous occasions at the Resort including one week over New Year. The Resort complex is, as the name suggests, on the beach. From your self-contained unit the sea is virtually lapping at your verandah. The higher the floor, the closer the lapping. The roar of the ocean wakes you up in the morning and lulls you to sleep at night. Convinced by Michelle's example I decided to have a break, after all we deserved it since the originally planned trip had never eventuated.

So here I am, sitting in the living room, the huge wrap around deck in front of me, absorbing a spectacular view of the Coral Sea and Moreton Bay, cleansing air, the sound of crushing waves and a totally relaxing atmosphere.

container ship on the horizon

Ever now and again a huge container ship traverses across my vision as it glides across the horizon. If I gaze long enough, I might see some dolphins frolicking around. While Geoff commutes to Brisbane during the day to attend to his business, I can immerse myself in doing research for my projects or pen this account of my fantastic break. For me this is the retreat writers go to and I know if I am in need of inspiration, in these surroundings it will come to me. In the afternoon, when the sun has lessened its burn, I just go to the beach for a long mind purifying walk. When Geoff returns in the evening, we go to dinner at the pub across the road. Or we buy something from the IGA next to it.

my shadow

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, several shops have ceased to exist. I always found something interesting in the dress shop opposite, which is now for lease. Likewise, the Surfclub has not opened its doors yet, nor is there the choice of coffee shops that used to be open. Sadly, these are the signs of the times we are now living in. If I wanted to go to the major shopping centre on the island, I could just get the bus that leaves from the front entrance. But since that is not the purpose of my stay, I will briefly watch the brave swimmer who is paddling away from the shore in front of me, acknowledge another container ship that is now heading into the opposite direction, which is Brisbane, and go back to my research.

view from the deck towards the life savers lookout

What I heard today - 31 March

Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, the Pope, Angela Merkel and a 10-year-old kid are in a plane that is about to crash. There are only 4 parachutes. President Trump jumps out first: ‘Because I am the most smartest person in the world I have to jump first.’ Boris Johnson follows: ‘Because I need to look after the nation, I have to be next.’ The Pope takes the third parachute: ‘Because the faithful need my spiritual guidance, I have to go.’  Angela Merkel looks at the kid: ‘I have lived my life, you are young, you take the last parachute and jump.’ To which the kid replies: ‘Don’t worry, there are two parachutes left. The most smartest person in the world took my school bag!’

Small pleasures in life at the moment - 30 March

I found myself at the local shopping centre in Newmarket last week, one of the last still permissible outings then. As I casually perused the display window of Adrift I caught sight of a woman with, not a six, but an eight pack of toilet paper coming out of the direction of Coles. Well, discarding the black and white porcelain head in the shop, which I had imaged with herbs growing out of her scalp, I hastened my step and veered into the supermarket, straight to the isle with paper merchandise. Yes, a man was stacking the shelves! Controlling my impulse, I took a deep breath, slowed my step and nonchalantly reached for a pack. Forgetting about the porcelain head, I walked straight to my car and drove home.

On the way I rang Geoff: 'meet me at the car, I've got a surprise for you!' Geoff met me: 'close your eyes, hold out your hands!' 

Who would have thought some weeks' ago that a few rolls of toilet paper would create such excitement and sense of achievement?!

Life in the time of Corona

It’s times like these when you are restricted in your movements and social gatherings, that you either catch up on phone calls and correspondence, clean your house, indulge in reading, listen to your favourite CD, or reflect on when you were able to attend movies, concerts, plays and live entertainment.

A few weeks ago, in February, I went with my daughter to see The Australian Ballet’s world-premiere of The Happy Prince at QPAC. Choreographed by national living treasure Graeme Murphy, ably assisted by Janet Vernon, this most spectacular production was inspired by Oscar Wilde’s eponymous story. Built on the themes of war and peace, poverty and wealth, loss and love, and, pertinently in current times - sharing and caring, the Happy Prince and the Little Swallow develop an enduring friendship. It’s a lovely story that collectively speaks to a young and mature audience alike.

The soloists and corps de ballet skilfully performed their roles with the utmost grace and humour. I was enchanted. I think we are very lucky to have dancers of such high calibre in Australia.

Kim Carpenter’s set and costume design was a visual feast. The statue of the Happy Prince ingeniously removed itself from the backdrop of the town square’s darkened apartment blocks. I was reminded of Fritz Lang’s iconic expressionist movie Metropolis. Set against this monochrome background the dancer’s autumn hued costumes stood out captivatingly. The wings and big eyes of the dragon flies’ attire cleverly enhanced their polished flight through the air.

As if on cue my daughter’s dress matched this production’s colour scheme.

Christopher Gordon’s musical score and Damian Cooper’s lighting design complemented this amazing production.

I fondly reflect on the magic of that night and look forward to the day when, what I had in the past taken for granted, will be able to dazzle me again. And, not only me, but all of us.