MMDown Under

Pet Hates - Brissy Brisvegas Brisbane pronounced Brisbane (like train) rather than Brisbin, mainly by foreigners.

In Brisbane we had one venue - Festival Hall. It was used for everything from the Roller Derby to the Beatles. I liked the seats on the side for viewing, rather than the flat floor. Brisbane had a lot of little amateur theatres and I went to them all. We all loved Barry Otto before he went on to grander things interstate. I gave my girls birthday parties at the Brisbane Arts Theatre and gave them sample bags at interval.

Our family repaired our shoes ourselves with a kit. The girls wore sandals to school and the boys went bare foot, so guess that saved on shoe leather. We only had to walk up our street to the back entrance to the school. The lady at the top of the street used to put Queensland Nuts in her letterbox for me. No Queensland Nuts were called Macadamia Nuts back then.

Brisbane is a beautiful place to live, great for families. We used to smile when we were teased that Brisbane was like a big country town. We knew, at that time, it was the biggest city in area in the world. We all had big yards where we played footie in the back yard. We had big wide gutters where we caught tadpoles. Where I lived, a lot had big tennis courts in big yards, chooks in the back yard with mulberry trees in the chook pen for the chooks. Most people had fruit and vegs growing in back yards. If you lived near Italians, you were lucky, as they had green fingers and shared their cooking with neighbours. Most people had stables and horses in their back yard. Most people started in tiny garages, which they built, until they had enough money to build the big house. Every so often a horse would get away. I used to be terrified, drop the bike, with shopping falling on the road from the basket. I used to give the shopkeeper a note and he would putting the potatoes, pumpkin, and tomatoes etc. in brown paper bags. He knew not to give me inferior produce or I'd be back with another note! I loved the treat of selecting so many lollies for a penny! Shopkeepers never seemed impatient waiting for a small child to make his selection. I used to dawdle watched the blacksmith. I used to buy fresh bread from the bakery. I used to like the half a loaf with a small hill of bread at the end. I would aim to make it look like I got the half a loaf with the dint at the end. My uncle used to pay for an extra gift for me from Santa at the PMG. What a wonderful day that was. We used to go to Sunday School Picnics where we did all the favourite races (egg on a spoon, in sacks, etc.) We walked a mile to and from Sunday School. My biggest sin was joining the Anglicans at school because their class was more fun. When I was found out, I was sent back to the Methodists. I got a lecture about how the tutor was a volunteer giving of his own time. I'll always remember how ashamed I felt. My grandmother thought that was rubbish. In the bush, you went to whatever protestant church was the nearest. When I thought about it, the Methodists were boring with no dancing, etc., but we sang hymns like angels. I love Italians to this day. Italians picked up my daughter from school and minded the baby, whilst I worked. There were always relatives from overseas visiting who were happy to nurse the baby. I was blessed to be part of an extended family, I used to park my car in the yard of an Italian in the City, who watered his garden around the edge whilst he collected the car money. Because I had a small car, I got to park under the stairs of the tall house. He had tenants, who had seen better days, upstairs. They were nice to my children and gave them money to spend at the Ekka. But, when they thought I wasn't listening, I'd hear them say "I don't know how she got a licence." Parts of "old Brisbane" still exist. In our culdesac, we use plastic tape, left behind by Council Workers, to tie across the street. Everyone brings a plate to share and the couple who have been there the longest cook sausages on a BBQ. I always took hot cheerios which the children love. Everyone brings their own alcohol. Most decorate their yard with coloured lights except me, as I can't reach. I give my nearest neighbour a carton of Old Northern Beer. My grandmother used to give the nightsoil man a couple of bottles of beer, even though we didn't drink. My FIL gave his former boss a carton of beer, even though he put him off before Christmas. It was just what you did! The Brisbane City Council puts on three free Christmas parties a day for Seniors, at the beautiful Brisbane City Hall. They put on Concerts in the same City Hall on Tuesdays for Seniors. Then there is the GOLD Programme. No-one should be bored living in Brisbane! Brisbane is like a big country town and we are blessed.

Me too! The best value I've gotten from Qantas was business class around Aust for 30,000 points. Plus one way business class from NY home. I have enough Virgin points to receive the 50% off offer.

No it is not cheap but looks good value to me. 50% off in January school holidays is a good start. I'll know more after my first cruise in January. So far. I'm very impressed. with the on line staff.

Yes that one took the cake! What value do you put on shock, disappointment. When it is the other way around there is no sympathy and understanding. I got sick unexpectedly and lost all the money I'd paid for cruise and flights. I understood but it doesn't make it less disappointing. They offered me OBC for next cruise. There will be no next cruise on that line which I had cruised the most on!

When I first did my two half world cruises, you could take as much as you wanted. I remember i had ten suitcases when I came home. I shared with three other women in a four berth cabin. When you unpacked what you wanted for the cruise, they took the ports away to store.

At one stage Brisbane used to be the largest city in the World in area. I can't remember who superseded us.

Oh I could live in Melbourne on a tram line. I visit a Jewish area, Glicks Bakery Balaclava where i stock up i love going there on a FRIDAY, when locals are preparing for the weekend. I love how it is a tram ride to St Kilda, where there is an old bakery shop which sells delicious cakes. i often have breakfast there. It reminds me of NY and Brook

My younger daughter said she'd like a red wine for Christmas. Are these red? If not, any recommendations My eldest daughter said she doesn't want any wine. She said she just takes them as gifts when she has a meal with friends.

Airlie Beach is the hub for ferries to the island resorts, boat hires, fishing trips, etc. There is no beach as such, but there is a beautiful big lagoon. Nice walk around the hill on the waterfront. We used to stay a fortnight and were never bored. It is a party town, but many backpackers, who work on the islands, prefer to stay on the mainland y hue

I have embarked in Melbourne on the ferry to Tassie and disembarked on the return. I'll be disembarking from a cruise ship in January.n Note in Peak Season book return ferry. My daughter couldn't get a booking for a fortnight. I was lucky I could get a refund on her ticket to Aust Open because it was sold out.

I saw one who had three different cabins on the voyage. Some had two different cabins. I think the staff shift belongings for other cruise lines.

What is the name? I think I may have stayed there.

There is so much I love about Melbourne, I don't understand why I don't have a love affair with Melbourne. Just for starters- Aust Open Tennis Live theatre (Big and little some of the best shows I saw first in Melbourne) Art Galleries Museums Laneways Shops Wonderful parks and gardens with big trees Free trams Strange Traffic rules where you pull over to left lane to turn right Food (multicultural and coffee) Markets Queen Victoria Markets which I love in( inner city. (Our Govt pulled ours down.) Maybe it is because Melbourne people are more reserved so appear less friendly.

Oops I don't know how I got that. Miami is tropical like our Gold Coast, where I live. I stayed in Miami last time and went especially to this famous place which sold tiny yummy crab claws. I'd go back again just for them. joe's stone crab

I liked the method of conversion when Big Macs were used, eg what would locals pay? When I first went to the US, I got $US1.45 for $Aus1. That was when the Aussie dollar didn't float. Can someone please explain to me why the US$ is so high. I've never seen so many working poor as I saw in the US. Is that the reason? If Americans travelled like Aussies, they'd be rich in Australia.

Oops I'm new at this site for a number of ships. Im cruising on Resilient Lady which is on its inaugural cruise to Australia, arriving in Sydney on 4th Dec.

Bon Voyage! How come it is so cold in Miami? I know it is snowing in NY. My daughter had to buy warmer clothes as our Tassie winter clothes weren't warm enough. When she walked in Central Park she had to undo her warm jacket as she Was melting. She forgot our friends wear "nothing underneath". Love your name. I'm cruising from Auckland on 10/1/24.

I'm spending four nights in Melbourne CBD after my cruise. I used to stay at the CWA in Toorak. What a beautiful street full of very posh houses. Close to tram and bus. You could walk along the river in to the tennis/CBD. I love Melbourne's Australia Day festivities.

I did hear it had. Maybe because so many Sydney people have shifted to Qld. My new neighbours, who paid Sydney prices, come from Sydney,

I did because one website said that, However I later learnt it was going to Airlie Beach. On reflection how could it not as Airlie Beach is a party town. Departure late at night!

I had "relatives" who lived on a farm at Penrith. I used to love riding on their big truck when they took their cattle on agistment to Forbes, My BIL lived at Winston Hills, with glorious views until they built a big ring road at the back. I couldn't believe they lived so far from the beach. I loved the river at Windsor with its sandy beach.

So true. It helps if you are very rich in Sydney so you can afford to live on the harbour or on one of the beautiful beaches. Blue Mountains is glorious but too far to travel to work in CBD Sydey