REGIONAL FLAVOURS, SOUTH BANK, BRISBANE. AUSTRALIA with Jimmy Bee

South Bank outlined in blue

Every city in the world has a pearl within it's oyster and so it is with Brisbane's South Bank. It is the place where locals and tourists mingle. In some cities this takes the form of a square or plaza, in others it is the bank of a river but wherever it is, it draws crowds. Perhaps it is the entertainment or maybe the atmosphere, never the less it radiates a certain vibrancy and people gather.

 

On this particular day, my wife and I were riding through South Bank, unaware that a  special event was taking place here, so we decided to lock up the bikes and take a stroll to investigate.

 

We were pleasantly surprised to come across the annual "Regional Flavours" which is a showcase of approximately 100 food and lifestyle providers from across Queensland. Whilst browsing the myriad of tents, we were able to sample a diverse amount of the most incredible food  as well as finding out about some of the lifestyle alternatives that exist in this great state.

A sample of  some of the various providers at Regional Flavours

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I always find attending a country fair or a regional expo exciting as it gives me an opportunity to have some fun using my camera where, with a little bit of thought, can enhance the storyline.

 

 

 

We ended up sitting on the sidewalk outside a little cafe with an ice cream and a cup of coffee and just people watched, which is a great way to pass the time at an event such as this. 

 

Cheers and safe riding,

 

 

Jimmy Bee

 

CYCLING COOCHIEMUDLO ISLAND, QLD. AUS.

Boats off Coochiemudlo Island

Coochiemudlo Island is a small island only 5 square kilometres in size but having 4 kilometres of beautiful safe beaches and situated only a short ferry ride from Victoria Point in Queensland. I feel embarrassed to tell you that I have resided in the Redlands shire for 30 years and although I have walked around the island and also kayaked around it, I have never attempted to ride around it.
 

 

 



The Isle of Coochie as it is sometimes referred to.



 

 A short while ago, a group of us dedicated recreational cyclists decided it was time to transport our bikes across to the island and explore it. Normally cycling around such a short distance wouldn't take long, however, in this instance, there is so much to see that it was well worth the trip and I hope that my photography will do it enough justice that you the reader will enjoy it as much as we did.
 

 

 

 

 



 



 

 

The island has quite an historical standing as well with the famous explorer and navigator, Matthew Flinders whom most Australians would remember from their early childhood history lessons, actually landed on this island in 1799. There is no evidence to say that there was ever any aboriginal settlement on the island but we do know that the Koobinpul Klan visited the island regularly due to a number of stone artifacts and middens being located on the island. The island also held some importance during the 2nd World War with the beaches being used by the 43rd Landing Craft Company.

 

 



Morton's Steps



When I come across old steps seemingly leading to no where, I tend to become curious, like, who built them, when and why? In this particular case, my questions were easily answered by a sign nearby.

 

 

 

 

An awful lot of time can be wasted musing over such things but I have found in the past that sometimes digging a little further into the history of the object often pays dividends and if nothing else, keeps the imagination fertile.
 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever dreamed of escaping the city madness and heading to a deserted island? The isle of Coochie may well be what you are looking for.....not exactly deserted....but .....look at those beaches. if you can't find peace and solitude here, you won't find it anywhere. One pointer though.......don't come on a weekend when the sun is blazing because that water and sand is like the Genie that offers that one wish.....the only problem.......she offers it to everyone and they all accept. Hundreds of the buggers.
 

 

 

 

It would appear that the locals use bicycles to commute from home to the ferry and that to me makes a whole lot of sense. The roads, in the main, are in good order and it is easy cycling. It costs far less to replace a bike than it does a car when the inevitable rust sets in and it's good for the environment. It's a win, win, win situation.

It's obvious that some people think it's a pretty cool place to live.




Coochiemudlo Kiosk

I can honestly say that everyone enjoyed this ride immensely and before we departed we sat outside the
Coochiemudlo kiosk and ate some very impressive homemade apple pies with our mandatory coffee.


Surface: A combo. of bitumen and dirt tracks.

Difficulty: Easy

Bike: Any type

Family friendly: Absolutely


Cheers and safe riding,

Jimmy Bee



CLEVELAND TO VICTORIA POINT, QLD. AUS. and return

The U3A Peddling for Pleasure Cycling Group of which I am an active member, recently conducted a ride from Cleveland to Victoria Point and return. Conditions were perfect, sunshine, no wind and a high tide, making it a very pleasant ride. The weather this season has been extremely unpredictable with four seasons in a day experienced. This is more akin to our southern cousins in Victoria, however, there have been pockets of absolutely delightful weather and I have been lucky to have been riding these occasions.



Cleveland Harbour

The Railway Station, the starting point of this ride is adjacent to Cleveland Harbour and provides a most satisfying spot to gaze at the moored boats whilst waiting for the other members of the group to turn up.

A natural freshwater pond to the side of the shared path in Cleveland

A shared path on this ride

This view was taken from a quiet suburban Street in Thornlands

 

I love riding from  Cleveland to Victoria Point because it involves riding on a variety of paths, bush tracks, quiet suburban streets and a short stint on a busy main road but one with a wide dedicated cycling lane.  Riding on busy roads has the nasty habit of bringing one back to reality, where full concentration is required and this is pure anathema to the recreational cyclist whose whole existence is about enjoying one's surroundings.

 

 



Melaleuca forest at Point Halloran



This is one of those beautiful rides where one minute you are travelling through natural dry eucalypt and melaleuca forest and the next riding beside the sea. It was a Saturday morning and there were walkers and cyclists everywhere enjoying themselves. Sailing boats and kayaks making the most of the pleasant conditions on the bay and lots of seabirds soaring and diving for a meal. Each corner turned revealed another amazing view to take in. It was great to be alive.

 

 

We arrived at Victoria Point and the group opted for a takeaway coffee sitting down by the sparkling water to enjoy it whilst relaxing and taking in the views.

 

On our way back to Cleveland we took an alternative route along bush trails and paths which lead us back to Cleveland Railway Station.

 

 

Distance: 41 km.

Surface: Varies from cement paths to bitumen surface to bush track. All of which are in good order.

Type of bike required: Suitable for most bikes.

Difficulty: Easy.

Family friendly: Suitable for older children under supervision because of the main road (1 km). The earlier the start, the less traffic.

 

Cheers and safe riding,

Jimmy Bee