Housesitting Again

We have now started our housesit just outside Hamilton. We are on a small lifestyle block (hobby farm) with some cattle and sheep. Very similar to our housesit last year but sheep this year instead of alpacas. Really enjoying the time with our homeowners to learn about the property, such a lovely couple and even though this is the first time we have met, it seems like we have known each other forever.

Also in our care are 2 little dogs, 2 cats and about 40 goldfish. The dogs are real little cuties and love a cuddle but the cats are very wary of us at this stage. Hopefully, that may change! 

                          

                          

                          

Auckland New Zealand

We left Brisbane on an early morning flight yesterday, hoping we would arrive in Auckland ahead of Cyclone Pam which had earlier devastated the usually peaceful islands of Vanuatu. Such a beautiful country and wonderful people, my heart goes out to them.

We had plenty of rain and wind last night and woke to a slightly wet morning which has turned into a warm sunny afternoon. The cyclone has gone further south.

We headed for the Auckland Art Gallery this morning to get out of the rain, what a lovely gallery it turned out to be and we spent several hours wandering around it.

                         

I found this lovely looking circular stairwell.

                         

After the gallery we headed for the waterfront.

                         

Tomorrow, we head south on a bus to Hamilton where we will be met by our homeowners to start our housesit.

Brisbane Greeters

I have mentioned before in my blog that I am a volunteer Brisbane Greeter which is part of the Global Greeter network offering 'greets' in almost 100 cities around the world. Greeters are volunteers who are happy to take visitors and locals on a walking tour around the city, not like a professional tour guide, but more like a newly met friend! 
This past week has been a busy week for me as I have completed 4 walks in 7 days. Usually, I might only do one or two greets per month.

My husband Rob (also a Greeter) and I were asked to train other Greeters in walks around South Bank, so I did two training walks. This is the first group of Brisbane Greeters in front of the lovely Nepalese Pagoda.

                                                    

I then had my usual rostered greet with a couple from Malaysia and also a Brazilian man who is currently living in New Zealand. Here are my visitors at our inner city beach South Bank.

                             

Then today Rob and I were asked to show a group of interstate travel agents around, here he is telling them about our Anzac Square.

                            

Usually, I would walk anywhere between 13 to 22 kilometres each greet but today it was about 19 km. It is a good way to keep fit! We were then invited to have a scrumptious lunch with the group after our walk. Then they were off to visit a local winery, where hopefully the afternoon will be at a slower pace for them.

Rob and I are off to New Zealand next week where we have another housesit to do. On the North Island again but in a different place to last years. Sadly, no alpacas this time!

   

     

Amigurumi Toyland

Last weekend we visited Burnett Lane as we had read it was taking part in the BrisAsia Festival in Brisbane.

Burnett Lane which is the oldest laneway in Brisbane has quite a history. Back in the 1840s, this site was the rear of Brisbane's Queen St convict barracks where convicts were housed and also the yard where punishment was handed out. That punishment was often floggings, but hangings have also occurred here. 

But on the weekend, nothing quite so sinister was happening as it was the site for Amigurumi Toyland. Apparently amigurumi is the Japanese term for crochet or knitted stuffed dolls, usually animals. So we walked down the laneway and here is what we saw.

                          

                          

                                                       

                             

We then spotted two little girls enjoying the toyland and having great fun!

                            

Epicurious Garden

There is so much to see and do for free at South Bank in Brisbane. Last year, a new attraction was added, the Epicurious Garden and everything grown here is edible, the herbs, fruits and vegetables. It's all seasonal produce and locals and visitors can benefit from this free garden. There is a little wagon where each day the volunteer gardeners leave bunches of herbs for the taking and I imagine in time, the fruit too when it has developed.

Apparently, 'epicurious' refers to someone who is in constant pursuit of great food, drink and adventure and South Bank is the place for that! 

                            

                            

                            

I have written about our fabulous inner city beach at South Bank in an earlier post but there is another free attraction and that is the Cityhopper ferry, it's always a nice way to get around to view the city and the river. I'm so lucky to have South Bank as my backyard!

                            

Brisbane Public Art

In my Brisbane Greeter role, I like to show our visitors some of our public art works and we have a lot! You just need to know where they are. Two of my favourites are in the courts complex in George Street. This one called 'Eyes are Singing Out' by Yayoi Kusama from Japan is outside the Brisbane Supreme and District Courts. She is in her 80s and has lived voluntarily in a mental hospital since the 1970s but still continues to work from her studio close by the hospital. It's 90 metres long with a coffee shop in the middle. I find it quite an appropriate piece of art for the courts, as the unblinking eyes are forever watching the process of justice.

                            

                            

Outside the Brisbane Magistrates Court is 'Confluence' by Daniel Templeman a Brisbane born artist. The artist states....that the work begins with a sense of calm, building up intensity towards the 'obstacle' before penetrating it and returning to a 'resolved' state. I like the lines of this sculpture, like a rolling wave!