Mordor tour: Brisbane City Day 1

Day 1 Brisbane city

I am counting the day I travel to Brisbane as day one as it seems right to being part of my trip away. It is after all the first leg of my trip and the gateway to catching the plane on the 1^st of November for Wellington. The day was pretty warm and why I was flying from Brisbane was simple. I was going to meet up with some friends Ali and Taz to see the Doug Anthony All Stars or DAAS for short. I have not seen them in person and it seemed simpler to organise my trip around the show.

The morning I was to leave saw me mowing the lawn and sorting out the small things for my trip to the city. I usually flew from the Gold Coast and had only done Brisbane once before and that was a rush when supposedly the flight from Gold Coast to Christchurch had been overbooked. It was the same day that Helen Clarke had been reelected as Prime Minister of New Zealand. I was pretty nervous waiting or mum to pick me up for the drive to Varsity Lakes for the train. I was hoping I had no forgotten anything at all. I don’t think I had when I left. I was again very lucky to get onto a train and it left within 10 mins of boarding when the board said I had 30 mins to wait.

Once at Roma Street I had to walk to the hostel and I was starting to feel the heat as it is summery weather. I did think it could have been 30C plus, but I kept going. I was again lucky to checkin quickly without any hassles and in a 3 bed room with an open window. On the way back to Roma Street station I had a sudden thought while watching a police lady walk into the police station from her car. Her partner was there and I wondered if anyone had ever sat in the passenger seat just so they could enjoy the aircon. That would startle the driver and he might love the explanation before I got a seat in the back. I did have lunch before going to my first stop and that was the museum of course.

The museum had changed its displays around, but the permanent ones were there as usual. The place was full of kids chattering on a Friday in school uniform. I wandered amongst the fossils of beasts of the past thinking that I could pronounce dinosaur names, but had problems with place names like Otorohanga. There was another new display about kids in institutions and what had happened to then along with barbaric treatment. Those were not caring places and were also known as the forgotten generation. Some didn’t thing the sorry didn’t go far enough. There were even reports of vaccination trials that  failed by using kids as guinea pigs. There was plenty more and a little upsetting. The museum is still a nice place and the same old same old as it never really changes other than a travelling display about underwear. I never seen it, but you pay to look.

Southbank had not changed at all, but they are getting ready for the G20 with all sorts of things going on. I soon realised it had gotten pretty hot out and I was planning to walk to the foot bridge next to the maritime museum. The pool was full of people sunbaking and in the water. It was like the beach but in the city. The Marter Hospital had my attention and I nearly walked to the cliffs of kangaroo point, but thought better of it. I walked over the bridge taking my time before heading into the Botanical gardens then off towards the partliament house. Its a nice area and I was feeling out of sorts and knew I had to head home to the hostel very soon. I learnt one thing though I could walk right past Central station to Roma Street station. It was a great walk and near King George park I found an old windmill from the days of the Morton Bay penal colony. I had read about it, but wondered where it was. The Roma Street Parklands had me lost and confused as to how to cross the train lines until I found the walkway. I needed  a shower before heading to the show, but the shower did little good as I had sweat pouring off me.

From Roma Street I trained to Fortitude Valley station that I realised was also called Brunswick street. I have no idea why and the maps say that outside. The train says Fortitude Valley. I was planning to walk to New Farm where the Powerhouse theatre was. The was was pretty long and the sun was going down, which suited me perfectly. I couldn’t believe how long the walk took and I had an hour to wait until I could go in. I sat outside with my tickets and dinner of Subway watching dogs being walked. One dog that didn’t want to go further lay down. The owner rested and then they were off. I was happy to enjoy the breeze and the cool down. Ali and Taz arrived right on time though their taxi did get lost.

The show was excellent and a laugh a minute. There are things that were about social issues and people would be offended if they had heard some of what was said. They were really off the cuff and not as energetic as they were on youtube in their younger days. Still it was funny when they mentioned Prime Minister Doug Anthony being assassinated by Nationalists. A Times reported did report that as truth and never did research. Tracey Grimshaw got a beating and apparently Bronwyn B is a man. The crowd was wild at times and the boys did payout the crowd too. Tim Ferg was doing jokes about being in a wheelchair because of his MS and they were hilarious. Its good to see that he is in good spirits. The show I think went on for more than two and half hours, though we were up high on the balcony where you could be a little sick in the nose bleed seats. After the show we had drinks and I got a shocked bartender who after serving me Steamy ale by Goat mountain asked if I had that beer before. I said no, but I seen goat and had to try it. He asked if I did goats to my roaring laughter. Think he was a little embarrassed. After some drinks the trio headed to a taxi where the grumpy driver didn’t talk other saying no to my question about it being a busy night. I swear the guy was speeding through town, but to beat walking at nearly midnight and getting a ferry might have had problem too.

After seeing the apartment Taz and Ali were staying  in, they escorted me to Roma street though lost in the dark we found Central station instead and I knew where I was even though lost giving a tour guide view of the war memorial area. Sadly I knew it in the dark though I have no idea how I was doing that and was amusing to everyone. There were some drunks around, but was not like being in the city during the day. I took the train from central to Roma and off to the hostel. The room had a sleeper and an open window so not touching the aircon I tried to sleep while sweating away. I had to use a towel to dry off literally. I knew I might be shattered the next day, but all for a good cause and then I can have a decent night sleep in New Zealand. I am looking forward to having dry clothes and not sopping wet from sweat. I do wonder if the people on the plane are thinking there is a smelly bogan that is wafting.

Currumbin to Nimbin: Spyder wars

I had decided I wanted to go for a ride after visiting someone in Elanora though this plan didnt go to exact plan though. Still I was wanting a ride and the idea was to head to Uki and Clarrie Hall dam. That was the plan and then go home.

On my way to the appointment I wanted to make, I spotted a red Spyder that looked more expensive than my little green beast. He had seen me and we both waved as we were on the roundabout. I thought it was pretty cool as I had not seen another one since I had my bike and it had been just over one year since I had gotten it. He passed me again when I stopped at my appointment that I needed to make. I didnt think I would see the bike again at all.

The ride officially began when I ride out towards the Currumbin rockpools where I was going to head into Murwillumbah from the back way via the border crossing. I had been the other way down to Currumbin before, but never been to Murwillumbah. It was a nice day and the views were amazing. I did pass a cyclist pushing his way up the hill. I only stopped at the border, but on the way down I would have loved to stop somewhere to take pictures of the view towards Murwillumbah. Once I had gotten off the hill and towards the town, I seen the Red Rattler cafe, which is some railway carriages that are now a cafe. I took some pictures as I was going to keep going. Then I changed my mind and went inside for a coffee. There were artworks from local artists and other memorabilia especially from The Rabbitos as someone was a fan. Once I had my long black I was ready to take off and met the Spyder rider from earlier in Elanora. He did tell me there was another guy in the same area with a limited edition bike. Makes mine look really ordinary when you are looking at both.

Two Spyders

Still wanting to ride to Uki, I rode through Murwillumbah and was starting to feel the heat. The weather was really getting warmer and I knew it, I could feel it as I had my wet weather insert on still though it was not worrying me yet. I was following the signs to take for Uki and was hoping I would not miss any through the main part of Murwillumbah. The Catholic cemetery was one place I wanted to stop at that I had found several years ago and a headstone I wanted pictures of and then I would be back on the road again after the quick visit. Before entering Uki there was one small detour that jumped in my way and that was the Mount Warning turn off. I decided the trip would not take very long and took the ride, which like all my bright ideas wasn’t exactly true.

The narrow one way road Mount Warning

 I soon found just after the caravan park that the road became very narrow and I was getting worried as I had not seen any signs for the walk up the hill and wondered if I could get stuck with other drivers coming to me. The weird part was I never had cars follow me and I heard them when I stopped for the loo that was a long drop. I was wondering about the truck I could hear rattling down the hill. I found the end of the road and the entry to the 5 hour summit walk. 1130am was not the time to decide a wander up the hill and there were plenty of people who were actually doing that. My thoughts were to get downhill before anything happened even though I did have several stops including at a sign for Hidden Valley and at the caravan park basically to say I had been there. I was surprised to see a garbage truck up at Hidden Valley collecting rubbish, but someone has to do it. One guy stopped and asked about getting a wheel alignment and I thought it was something that the bike did automatically. I think I showed I had no idea.

Once I was back on track heading to Uki again I was wondering if I had missed the turn off for the dam somewhere. Uki was where I had to stop for lunch as I was getting hungry and I knew my body needed food or else. I did have pie and chips though the chips took longer and I was wandering around the town too. There was some really nice artwork on the buildings and something to do with a guy called Poppie as there was a memorial with a garden rake. The supermarket did have some nice paintings outside and I think there was a steampunk type place next door to the takeaway shop.  Some girls were wondering about my bike and one told her friends that it was a spyder not that I said anything as I was more amused than anything else. I did find a book for $3 that was A Christmas Carol and I want to read about Humbugs. Think you can tell what I am going to read. The butter factory was a nice building, but I knew it wouldnt be long before I was on the run again. I did find a pie shop that I never knew to be there so maybe next time I will take a ride and chomp. Time was getting away from me, but I was going to the dam just to see what it was like.

The ride out to the dam was a little further than I thought it was and once there all I really did see was the dam fort the Tweed water supply. I used to know someone who lived out that way, but I am not sure if they actually did anymore as I had not seen them for several years. The thought that occurred to me while parked looking at the water was I could visit Nimbin. My phone told me the town was half hour away and I thought why not head out that way. By this time I felt like I was slowly cooking in the heat. Once back on the road I found I was having some trouble with parts of the road especially since I was unfamiliar. One car that was following me was still behind me when I turned off for Nimbin, but soon over took me like he didn’t like being behind me at all. Another two vehicles appeared behind me and I knew I needed to pull over as I was starting to flag and needed a breather. I did find a shady spot to pull over and actually took my wet weather insert out of my jacket and it was wet. I did bring water with me so had plenty in the bottle.

Once I was back on the road again, some random man just walks out in front of me around 200 metres away and crosses the road. I thought this was really random and weird. No houses anywhere that I could see. The road I was not too impressed with as it did not seem even and I had a fright earlier before I had pulled off as my bike had hit a bump or uneven part of the road, which moved the bike sideways. I was contemplating getting onto the highway and heading home that way, but I might end up going through Lismore instead. I do think the heat was getting to me. Once I made it into Nimbin I seen lots of colour and life. People looked at my bike and I was looking for a carpark. I found one out front of the medical clinic and nearly across the road from the police station. I went for a walk from one end of the main street to where the war memorial was located. I didn’t enter any of the shops including the Hemp Embassy, but there was a quote from a judge in the 1980s. The town seems to have a thing for chalk. 

I was in awe of the artwork and I do think I fitted in with my sideburns. None of the locals bothered me in any way though last time I was with family and they had been scared. I was specifically looking for the locations to the two buildings that had burnt down. The vacant museum block now had chooks doing their thing. I thought it was a great use for the site and the music wasn’t too bad either. The whole town seemed to have a relaxed festive atmosphere. I want to return to try the coffee and maybe have a meal, but I think it would be organic something. The buildings were full of colour and cheery for something that could have a bad rep for drugs. I never seen any or was offered at all.

Once I was back on the road and rested. I hope I was rested as I headed back the way I had come though I did ride to the Nimbin school on a random turn I made. I couldn’t believe they actually had a school and I wondered what they teach in a hippie village. I do want to go back and explore more maybe with other people. I stopped outside the candle factory as I wanted a picture with the sign before going home. I didn’t seem to be as vitalised as I thought I would be, but the road seemed better from the other side. I did seem to hug the white line and I was wanting to make a pitstop at the dam again. I knew some cars were following me and suddenly one vanished. The vehicle had tried to do something in the slow lane and then tailgated me until I came to the turn off for the Clarrie hall dam. I was happy once I had peeled off and think the driver was trying to intimidate me. I did stay at the dam for around 20 or so minutes and I was loving the shade, while laughing to myself about one of the walks called Dam Lookout. I didn’t want to leave my bike alone for far too long.

My thoughts to riding home were not to take the main highway as I didn’t think I had the concentration for that and took the back road home via Tumbulgum. The heat was something I knew that had gotten to me especially when I never realised just how warm a day it had gotten to be. At the end of the day I made it home. I had left around 830am and came home just after 430pm. I had ridden around 200kms and not expected to be out that long. At least I had made it home before dark. I seem to now have a thing for taking photos of my bike with the town signage so that could now be my thing if it was to begin with.