The Silk Story

The Silk Adventures

When I first went to China in 2008, I had little knowledge of the history of silk in China.  My knowledge of this wonderful fabric was limited.  I knew about it – I can’t recall being very interested in it, though I do recall having silkworms as a child.  Some how we were given silkworm eggs, and when they hatched we watched them grow bigger, and eat the mulberry leaves that we fed them.

We watched them hatch from the eggs, grow into fat white caterpillars – you can read about the life of silkworms here.

When we were children, they were our first pets!

But it was in China that I was able to see hundreds of them, and the results of their silk creation.

Only a while later did I learn more about the amazing history of silk, and how once only emperors were allowed to wear this wonderful fabric created by the silk of the cocoons.

Of course, there is a lot written about the history of silk, and I suggest that there is great information here.

Feeding time

Dinner Time for the visitors to see

 

 

The Silk Story 1

Cocoons – waiting

We visited a couple of Silk Museums – but the one in  Hangzhou stands out.  I recollect that it was at this museum that we saw demonstrations of the way that four ladies holding one  cocoon – each one then holding tight as they backed away and a whole sheet of silk – big enough to cover the bed.  Then layer upon layer, and they had the filling for a duvet.(You have to see it to comprehend.)

There are so many places to see or buy silk – and the prices are quite good too.

Silk Town in Hangzhou

This part of Hangzhou was a favourite of the Australian’s who taught at the college/university in Shaoxing for several reasons.  Every few months we had to go to Hangzhou for medical tests.  Not far from the medical centre, was the Silk Town or Market.

It was a relatively small market, but awesome fabrics and items of silk to observe or buy, but not only that, it was near a book shop that sold books in English! You can imagine it was a popular spot for us to visit.  But it got better.  There was a cafe beside it with a menu in English, and it gets even better.  There were western  toilets!!!

Always the appointments at the medical centre were in the morning, and if we did not wish to return on the university minibus, we could find our own way to either the train station or the bus station on our own.

So, it was always a big day for us!

 

 

 

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Visit to the Yangmei Village

Learning about Yangmei

It was February 2008 that my adventures to and in China started.  I had signed a contract to teach English at a college in Shaoxing China, and with little time to research the place that I was to live and work for almost a year.  There was plenty to learn about this country, and on this occasion, we were to learn about Yangmei.

It happened a few weeks after I arrived. Someone invited me on a bus tour to an area where the villagers grew a fruit which I had never heard about.   There were seven of us in the minibus, which made its way from the city, out through farming areas and villages and into a hilly area when the bus stopped in a tiny village.

For some of us, it was our first tour out of the city, and the scenery fascinating us as we drove to our destination.

We were welcomed by one local and we followed him along a pathway up among some trees on the side of a hill.  There were a couple of people there, standing on ladders picking fruit.  One was a little girl – I think the daughter of man from the village who did not speak English and spoke with one of the college staff who was there as our interpreter.

Visit to the Yangmei Village 2

The little girl picking Yangmei

There were many trees across the hills.  The fruit was Yangmei – a small fruit, looking somewhat like a mulberry.

We were there for about an hour, and were heading back to the bus, when there was something happening as we were told to wait. Three of us had already climbed into the bus, and we waited, not comprehending what was happening.

Then, before the driver had got into the bus, it took off slowly down the hill. It all happened so quickly.  Suddenly we were heading for disaster. One of the ladies on the bus jumped into the driver’s seat and hit the brakes. The other folk who were with us on the tour had started running behind the bus and all us were greatly relieved that the bus had stopped.  I hate to think what would have happened if the lady had not quickly reacted and halted the bus – saving our lives.

Visit to the Yangmei Village 3

The reason we were asked to delay our departure was that the villagers decided to give each of us a small container of Yangmei. We had to wait because they were packing the boxes for us.

After a short wait, we were all gifted our fruit – which we all enjoyed over the next few days.

Our bus tour was interesting, and we will never forget how it nearly came to a crashing end!!

Visit to the Yangmei Village 4

More Yangmei

 

 

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Train trip to Landsborough

The Fifty Cent Train Ride to Landsborough

Landsborough here we come.  With a state election this year, our government announced a program of having public transport at only 50c around Brisbane and some other regions.  It means that we can catch a train or a bus within a wide range of areas, for this measly amount.  It was expected that it would help the then government to get back into power at the state elections but it didn’t.  With the new government, we are still enjoying this discount, which may end at the end of January, 2025, unless the new government extends it.

I must say it has been useful for many, though not without some challenges.  Where I normally catch a train, it is difficult to get a parking spot – I have to drive to a station, park, and then catch the train, but with so many people giving car transport away due to the very low cost of public transport, it has seen an increase in cars at the bus or train stations. I have to drive a longer distance to find a park.

Train trip to Landsborough 5

Landsborough station – across from the pub.

Over the last three months I have just done my normal trips, that is until this week when I had to go out west to Ipswich.  I usually drive, but on this occasion I was meeting near the centre of the city so it was a lot cheaper than driving the 70 kms each way.  It worked wonderfully, though drama on the return trip (broken down train and more) dulled it a little.

A few days later  I went with three friends to Landsborough (known as Mellem Creek in early history) around 85 kms away – and all for 50 cents each way!  And it was a glorious trip.

Train trip to Landsborough 6

In the town of Landsborough

The Journey

The four of us talked a lot, but I managed to keep my eyes on the scenery as the train travelled through territory that I was quite familiar with, as I had lived in the region a few years ago.

The area was and still is famous for its fruit growing – a big strawberry growing area, pineapples, bananas and now more unfamiliar fruits.  However, it is not the very rural area of the past and the population is increasing with housing projects, making it almost suburban.  Around 100 years ago it was a big area for tobacco – and I have good memories of driving past the tobacco farms, which of course are no more.

 Landsborough and History

I had driven through Landsborough on many occasions, on my way to Montville, Maleny and other towns high on the mountains overlooking the Sunshine Coast, but apart from visiting the Museum, I had not stopped in the town before.

Train trip to Landsborough 7

In the Vinnies Op Shop

 

Train trip to Landsborough 8

In front of the old E S and A Bank building

Do you remember the E S and A Bank?  It was started way back in 1852, as the English, Scottish and Australian Bank, and in 1970 it merged with the ANZ Bank.  Some of the old bank buildings remain dotted around Australia.

I was impressed.  It is such a pretty little town.  We had coffee, then visited a wonderful plant shop, then the Vinnies Op Shop, and then crossed the road to the Museum (which was lovely – certainly updated since my last visit) before heading back to the Landsborough Hotel for lunch.  When all was done we headed across the road/park to the train station for the trip back home.

Train trip to Landsborough 9

A must see special boat in the Museum

We had a wonderful day, and enjoyed learning more about this lovely little town.  Next time though that we take such a trip we might try and pick a cooler day – fortunately the trains are air conditioned these days.

History of Landsborough

The Cart with Red Wheels in the wonderful Museum

I may just go there again for there is more to see than we managed to do.

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Business Cards and More

Business Cards and NetWorking

Years ago I was an enthusiastic networker – not in “Network Marketing” but I was a great advocate for having business cards, and attending events to meet others who may be potential clients, customers or supporters.  I had a small business that held mainly breakfast functions where we met others keen to network or even just meet and learn from others in business.  It was doing well until my father’s pending death when I had to stop doing the events (a challenge of being the solo operator of a business).

I did attend a range of other networking events and met Robyn Henderson whose book “Networking to Win” inspired me and others to continue networking.  When our family moved to a bayside suburb, I started a group for women – mainly because I knew no one and it seemed like a good idea.  It was!  The group continues today, over 20 years since it started, and a few years ago I was gifted a Life Membership.

Recently I was asked to speak at one of their events about Networking, which I did.  It is not a topic that I have spoken about in public like this in recent time, and I was pleased that many attendees came to chat with me afterwards.  I collected a few business cards and some of the ladies expressed interest in connecting with me.  A few days after the event I sent emails to a few who had shown interest in me and my subject.  Strangely, none have replied.  I’m not sure why – especially as one I had discussed doing business with her.  I know people are busy, but I did expect some response.

Business Cards

I have always been a great supporter of business cards, the paper kind.  I know that it is common now for negative comments about paper and issues with the death of so many trees to create these cards – many of which of course end up in trash.  As a great supporter of bamboo, I am pleased to see that these days business cards are available made of bamboo – one of the fastest-growing plants on earth.  They do cost more though.

Electronic Business cards are apparently popular too – though I have my own thoughts about this concept.  I think it is very innovative, but I feel that it is “the top end of town” that this idea would be most popular with.  If you are a small business operator, doing business with local folk, something more “personal” I think would be best.  I am open to comments though.

People like to do business with people they know and trust, and while the electronic cards may be a great innovative idea, it does rely on technology.  Handing a paper/bamboo card to someone as you introduce yourself in person, I believe would be much more personal and successful.

I am not really “in business” now – but I am busy in the community and still like to use my business card – and yes, sorry, it is made from trees, though I will get bamboo ones in the new year.  I promise – 2025 I will have bamboo cards!

Name Cards

How many times does someone ask for your phone number or email address while you are “out and about” – and if you don’t have a card with your details, it is written on a scrap of paper.  Not for me!

 

Firstly I always carry business cards/name cards – in fact I have three (a) my personal one and (b) two that recognise me and my position with other organisations.  So sometimes people get two cards – one with my personal details.  Now I am not going to reveal my phone number and email address here, nor my residential address (which is NOT on my cards), but this is what is on my cards.

 

Di Hill

M.A., B.A.V.T.

Writer, Traveller, Camera Addict, Bamboo Fan, Workshop Presenter

 

With green bamboo on the card.  I’ve used them for several years and find that often, the words on the card stimulate conversation with the person I have given the card to.  Questions like “What do you write?”,  What do you like taking photos of?  Why do you like bamboo?, but rarely any comment about the last item.

 

 

I have created my own fabric business card holders, and I also carry blank cards (and a pen!) so that if I meet someone and would like their contact details I can ask them to write their name and phone/email address on the blank card.

 

So having a name card (or business card if you want to call it that) is very helpful – especially if you want to meet and get to know other folk.  It makes it so much easier to make these connections!!!

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The Big Bag of Bags

Downsizing

I’ve spent much of today clearing out my bedroom.   I live in a small unit and it is so easy to get too much stuff – but it is bags that annoyed me today.  I’ve had a big striped bag in the storage cupboard and it is filled with too many bags of all shapes and sizes.

There are some from the supermarkets I shop at – several large paper ones that I purchased on the days that I arrived to do some shopping having left my bags in the car or home.  But a lot of them are bags from events that I have attended, and been given a “goodie bag” with sheets of information, booklets and perhaps some lollies.  The lollies are long gone and most of the paperwork too, but I note I have kept a few brochures etc – to follow up later, which I haven’t.

A couple of bags

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I do have some lovely fabric bags – a couple are very special to me as they were gifted to me by a special person, or have a special message, but it’s time to pass them on to someone else.

Special Chinese Bags

I do have some special bags that I am not keen to part with.  These are the large and beautiful bags I used when shopping for groceries etc when I lived and worked in China.  These mean much to me, much more than some of the locally acquired bags!  Memories!  I rarely use them – but they are bigger and more attractive than anything I have seen locally.

The Big Bag of Bags 10

It says “You are Special to me”

Special Promotional Bags

These days it seems to be the norm to be given a goodie bag full of stuff – be it a political even (plenty of stuff to try to persuade you to vote for the candidate or party),  and shows and displays, and so many events.

I was at a Seniors Event a few days ago – yes, October is Senior’s Month – where some 40 or so organisations had tables displaying their wares and many had fabric or paper bags to give away.  I watched as these elderly folk walked past me, carrying many bags.  I shook my head.  More stuff to throw away.  And more bags that will probably be kept until the folk have too many.

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     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

 

The Big Bag of Bags 11

Great bags – but I have enough!

Why are some of these bags fabric or plastic?

I ponder how many of them would end up in landfill – it doesn’t make sense!! Don’t we have enough c..p already filling our bins and our rubbish tips?  Surely paper bags would work better and should be easy to recycle.

It just doesn’t make sense.

We really must do more to reduce the stuff that only goes to landfill!!!

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Keep Moving

Keep Moving!

This is a story of a man who was not very active – in fact, he seldom moved. And now in his 70s, his movement is more restricted.  I will call him “Don”.

I have known Don since he was born.  He had three sisters and he was the only boy in the family.  I suspect his childhood was very lonely as the girls shared a bedroom and he was alone in his room, and the girls just enjoyed each other’s company.

The girls were very outgoing, and the two older girls went on to have great academic careers, and the youngest girl also had a great career but was not academic and outgoing as her sisters.  The family had a quality tennis court in the back yard, but he was never interested.  I don’t recall ever seeing him even on the court.

Don was not interested in higher education, or sport, and spent most of his time alone.  As an adult he went to live in another state, working as a tradie in the building sector for his working years.

He never married, and it is believed that he never had any relationships with women or men.  He was always a loner.

When he retired he returned to his home state, where he bought a unit and yes, again lived alone.  He did not join any organisations, and kept to himself, watching television all day and barely doing any exercise.

In his later life, he did attend rare family events, but really did nothing much more than attend.  It was hard to instigate any conversation with him.  If you asked a question his response was usually a one or two-word answer.  He never instigated any conversation with others and would join family activities and sit and watch everything that was going on.

His sisters and other family members tried to get him to be more active and join groups, but he was not interested.  Perhaps he never learned any good relationship skills  – and by his 70’s it was too late to re-educate him. At least he wasn’t interested.

His youngest sisters kept in touch with him, but like everyone he knew there was frustration for he never wanted to get involved or do anything.  I don’t recall that he has ever travelled – he was just a stay-at-home watch tv man.

In his 70’s he started to have circulation problems with his lower limbs. And things got progressively worse. I am not aware of the details of his medical treatment, and I’d think he never followed any directions to exercise more.  Eventually, though, circulation in his left resulted in a diagnosis of gangrene, and he had his lower leg amputated.

His mobility is now reduced even further.  He needs daily care, and can’t move without crutches or a wheelchair.

My recommendation is that everyone try and keep their mobility going.  The recommendation that 70-year-olds should walk 5000 to 10000 steps each day.  Mmmm.  I aim for 5000 each day, but don’t always reach it.

Message to me??  Walk more.

 

So, get up and move and if you need any further information, go to Google and/or speak with your doctor.

Any comments?

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Two Crimes in a Week

I have witnessed two crimes in a week!

Did I witness two crimes in less than a week?

Last week, in the afternoon I was driving to my home after visiting my daughter when I witnessed what I thought was a kidnapping of a child.  It all happened quickly –  as I was passing I saw a car drive at a boy who was walking beside a bike.  The car stopped and a man jumped out and dragged the boy who did get away briefly, before he was bundled into the back of the car, and the man quickly got in the car and drove off.

I was shocked and stopped my car a short distance away and phoned 000 and informed the Police of what had happened.  I knew I may have had some of the event on my dash cam, too and they told me what to do.

The bicycle was left on the side of the road, and I reversed back to take a photo of it with my phone.  As I did three people crossed the road.  They had witnessed it all, and also had a photo of the car with the registration number.  I explained that phoning 000 was something that they could have done, but since I had reported it, and the information by then would have been with Policelink – so I suggested they phone them to tell them of the information they had.  We were all distressed by what we witnessed.  Was it a kidnapping?

Later I went to the local police station to see if they wanted to check on the dash cam recording.  It did show some of the event, but as I was driving and the camera was focussed on the road in front, I did not record the whole event.

Eventually, a police officer came to the desk to tell me that it was a domestic issue, and it was a family member driving the car, and the child had apparently stolen the bike.

Today I took my car to the service centre as it was booked in for a service.  I was walking towards the bus stop to return to my home, when there was screaming, smashing of glass and a black car raced away.

 

It turns out that there was a robbery at a nearby bottle shop – quite a collection of expensive bottles had been stolen and the people that had done so, dropped some of the bottles on the road before the car took off.

There were probably half a dozen bottles smashed on the road, and I picked up one of the now empty bottles and took it to two staff/security who had just appeared. They told me what had happened and that they had rushed out, but were not able to stop the thieves.

We are all aware of the increase in crime – especially juvenile crime – but the fact that I had witnessed two events within a week is quite disturbing.

How can we stop it?  How can we make life safer for all?  A BIG problem!!

Any comments?

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Our Old House

Old House on Google Maps

Our Old House 12

I have always kept memories of our “old” house built post war.

A few weeks ago, I just happened to think of my old house back in Adelaide, that we moved into in 1948.  And there it was on Google Maps.   It was looking very close to what it looked like in the early days.  I found on the map that I could go back in history to see changes to the property, and learned that the front fence that my father built around 1949 was still there, until some time after May 2017, when it was removed and a new fence installed.

The address changed – just the name of the suburb.  I am not going to name either of the suburbs here, though some person may find it out.

Post-World War II

My memories of the first few years of my life are very vague, but I do recall living with my parents, my mother’s parents, and my mother’s sister and her husband and three of the children.  It was a big house, but it was very busy.  My parents had been in the Military, though of course my mother left when she married, but Dad “soldiered on” for a bit longer.

This is when I started being lonely as most days I wandered around on my own.  My cousins were at school, and Mum, Aunt and Nanna were busy with housework – cleaning, cooking etc.  It was here that I had my imaginary friend, whom I have never forgotten.

I recall my father was working as a signwriter when we lived at the busy house, just near the old Woodlands Castle (built in 1925 but now a shopping centre).  It was during this time that my father and brothers-in-law and friends started building the house that we moved into in 1949 at the time of my sister’s birth.

Several things that I do recall that were part of life at Woodlands, were the searchlights scanning the night sky searching for enemy aircraft (of which there were none found that I am aware) having no electricity and having the evening meal by lamplight, to make it harder for the enemy to see the city?

I also recall my grandmother killing the chickens so that we could eat them, the shortage of food, and eating liver, brains and tripe (which was sheep stomach lining.)  There were food vouchers too around that time.

The laundry and bathroom were in a separate building not far from the back door.  I still recall the old washing machine and the copper to boil water.

I can’t remember anything of the bathroom but I do recall that there were chamber pots under every bed in the house, that were emptied each morning.  There’s history of chamber pots video here.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seVHNdytm4o

Neighbours in the new house.

I recall that some of the funding for the house or land came from a War Service Homes project by the government, but I may be wrong.  It was never discussed in the family.

There were neighbours next door on one side and paddocks on the other side.  Over the years the whole area was built on but I can recall those early days.  Our neighbours were great and our parents kept in touch right until the end of their lives. In fact I am still friends with one of the girls that lived there.  Yes, a friend lasting from 1948!!!

School

My first school was about 2,3 kms (or 1.4 miles) away and I walked alone often, though sometimes with a neighbour, young Roger.  It was along roads and through the bushland if we chose to take that route.

After 3 or 4 years at that school another one was built closer to home and I went to that one. I don’t think Roger did, but again I walked to school.  Often alone, though the population grew and there more kids making their way to the closer school.

Many memories.

For the first years we lived there our street was a dirt track, which after rains became muddy holes and challenging road way for the few cars and the horses and carts.

I remember the milkman with his horse and cart delivering milk and putting it in the metal billy can waiting at the front gate.  I remember the ice man delivering large blocks of ice for the ice cream, for there was no refrigerators at the time.

My mother walked to the local corner store to buy groceries – sugar, flour etc, weighed and put in paper bags.  There were not great supermarkets in those days.  The butcher was next door, with a sawdust-covered floor (to mop up the blood from the meat) and a huge wooden chopping block where they cut and carved the meat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Old School Days

Memories of Old School Days

I was inspired to write this after a discussion with school friends about school days many years ago.  Things were so different to what students experience now, and students now cannot believe what we had to endure.

In primary school we had no official uniforms in those days, but girls often wore navy or black tunics with a white blouse underneath.  The only shoes available were brown laceups which we cleaned daily.

School Milk

One thing that often comes up in conversations about school in the “olden days” is the school milk program, which started in 1951 by the Menzie’s government, and went on until Gough Whitlam was Prime Minister and it was stopped in 1973, due to the high cost of the program at the tie.

Milk in glass bottles with silver foil caps was delivered to schools in crates, with enough for all the students.  There was limited or no refrigeration available in those days, so many students of that time remember the warm milk, especially in summer. It was initially about providing good nutrition to young people after World War II, which saw a shortage of quality healthy foods. (There is discussion about bringing a similar program back to schools for the nutritional value for young people and to assist the dairy industry.)

Thanks to Victoria Museum

Old School Days

School Rules

Discipline was rather scary in those days as teachers were able to hit students with “the cane”.  Girls would get a sting from it on their hands, while boys would get slapped on their bums.  (This was still part of discipline in some schools until around 1979.)

Teachers were addressed as Mr, Mrs, or Miss in those days, and many strict teachers were almost feared.

Most mornings we would stand in the school “quadrangle” for assembly when we would start with the national anthem which was “God Save the King” until the death of King George VI in 1952, and “God Save the Queen” when Queen Elizabeth was crowned shortly after the King’s passing.

Getting to School

There were few cars in those days, so most students walked to school or rode bikes.  I caught a steam train to the first school I attended – Hopetoun at Brighton in Adelaide – I was 4 years old.  The next school was Brighton Primary School which I attended for about four years – I would walk, often with another student Roger, around 2 kms through bushland to get to school.  When Oaklands Primary School started, it was closer to home so I went there.  Usually, I walked with my sister or friends.

After primary school, I attended what was then called Brighton High School for three years, and I rode my bicycle to and from school.  My last year of high school was Adelaide Girls High school right in the centre of the city of Adelaide and it was a steam train ride, and a walk to the school through the city streets.

Writing, Arithmetic and Spelling

What was referred to as “The three R’s” was the focus of school in those days. We used lead pencils to write and learned how to write cursive writing, mostly with our pens with inik.  There was a hole in the timber desks, where the ink was, and we would dip our pens (with a wooden handle with metal nib) to refresh the ink.

We also studied geography, history, English and the girls did “domestic science” – sewing, cooking and skills for housework, and the boys did “woodwork” at Primary School, and at high school, other subjects were on the list of subjects – Latin, French, Anatomy and physiology, Typing, Shorthand, and Bookkeeping and more.

Mental as anything

Most mornings in primary school we would have a session of “mental arithmetic) and spelling.  The teacher would give us verbally a calculation to work out – usually about 10, and we would mark the work of the student sitting beside us, and then would be spelling – the teacher would say 10 words, one at a time, and we would have to get them corrected by the other student.  That is the way we learned how to spell and work out calculations (without help from tools.)

School Excursions

The only excursions I experienced were two visits to the Coca-Cola factory near the city.  I do recall a bus trip to Anzac Highway in 1954, when Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Australia after the Queen’s coronation. We stood at the side of the highway with thousands of people until they passed in a motor vehicle, waving at everyone.

Guy Fawkes

The story of Guy Fawkes goes back to 1605, and was celebrated every year on November 5th, until the 1980’s.  A huge bonfire would be lit up in a park and people would come with fireworks and crackers, and there would be great displays of the fireworks going off.  It was ceased in the 1980’s as too many people were being injured by the fireworks.  Some of us remember the exciting nights of celebrations.

The School Bell

Schools had a large brass bell that was rung at the beginning and end of every lesson.  A student who was the bell monitor or a teacher would ring the bell.  It was a demanding task!

Cooling and Heating the Classroom

Air conditioning was certainly non-existent in our schools, and fans were not inuse, during my school days.  We opened the windows and hoped for a cool breeze in the hot summer days of South Australia. When winter came we had a fire in a “fireplace” – an enclosed metal and glass contraption with a small door where someone would add pieces of wood to keep the fire going and keep the room warm.

No, there was no reverse-cycle air conditioning in those days.

 

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TheWetlands

The Wetlands

Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, Australia, is near the mouth of the Brisbane River, which flows into Moreton Bay, which has over 350 islands.  There are quite a few wetlands areas along the coast, and the Wynnum Wetlands, just south of the mouth of the Brisbane River is a great place to visit.

I confess I have not been able to explore it until this day, April 2024. The area near the wetlands was once a huge rubbish tip for Brisbane City, but a few years ago, it was deemed full and the area was recreated into a public park and wetland area, with access to a Bird Hide, Walks through the mangrove and other trees, and a great boardwalk to explore the sea.

I have been before but not walked the whole track – but so glad that I have at last done soon.  I am sure I will sleep well tonight! There are several ways to access it, but I went to the northern entrance which has a good parking area.

On the Walking Track

Taken with Olympus EM10

Near the entrance to the park.

With all the rain that Queensland has experienced over the last few months, everything green is very green.  The walking path is easy but slopes up and down around the property.

The views are great – especially from the higher slopes.  All sorts of trees, and birds abound in the area, and it is a place where migratory birds come each year, usually between March and September.  I didn’t see any on this occasion.

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Bushland

Olympus EX10 Camera

Swampy creek where many of the birds like to rest.

The Bird Hide in the Wetlands

There’s a great bird hide, made with many recycled items from the old rubbish dump.  It’s a good idea to have binoculars to get a good view of the birds.  I could see some in the distance.

There’s seating, spaces to “hide” to watch the birds and plenty of information about the feathery visitors from overseas.

Taken with my Olympus EM 10

The Bird Hide

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Taken with my Olymp-us EM 10.

The wetlands

I’d like to see a little more information about the route around the wetlands, as it is a long walk and a little confusing at times.

Taken with Olympus EM 10

Heading to the Boardwalk

Queenslanders are very familiar with mangrove trees as they grow pretty much all along there cost and as we have tidal changes every day, the mangroves grow well with their roots in mainly water – salt water.

Crabs and Fish

It is also a habitat for some fish to breed and various crabs.  The muddy tides are a popular spot for the wonderful mud crabs too, and it is not surprising to see a few crabpots nearby.

TheWetlands 14

On the Boardwalk

Olympus EM 10

On the Boardwalk looking out onto Moreton Bay

There is a reminder on one of the signs to look up and down.  Some of the birds will not be on the ground or water, but high overhead in the trees.  There are things to see above and below.  Sometimes it is good to stand or sit quietly for a while and listen.  You will hear strange sounds from the water and the trees above.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Spoonbills in the Swamp

Words of  Advice

You can do a short walk or a long walk.  Wear comfortable shoes, and make sure you have your phone with you – just in case.  A hat may be a good idea – and as mosquitos love the wetlands, it is a good idea to take a repellant too.  There are not a lot of places to rest, but do so if you are feeling stressed or tired.

As I was walking alone, I also carried a personal alarm, which I have with me all the time.  (I’ve never had to use it – but I am comforted by having it with me!

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