More Good Memories: - Mount Coot-tha, And Changed Riverwalk Access
We made the most of the rest of our stay in Brisbane, visiting Mount Coot-Tha; it's not far from Brisbane, and is not all that high! but it does enjoy extensive views over the city.
We also saw more of the "Bin Chickens" - also known as "Tip Turkeys" - they are really unafraid of people, and fly up on to the tables, to see what food they can nick!
Keith also invited us to have dinner with him at the Boatshed, a well-known restaurant, with a feature two-metre long flame grill.
It is part of the iconic Regatta Hotel, one of the most elegant establishments in Brisbane; built in 1874, it was established as a modest, single-storey building, with iron-laced verandahs, and over the years has witnessed some of Australia's most memorable moments in its history. It is home to legendary sporting achievements and one of the first feminist insurgencies; it has withstood 150 years of change, withstanding flood and fire, and is still a place where the folk in Brisbane meet and create memories.
When we arrived at the hotel, finding parking was an interesting experience! but Wendy is never discouraged. She dropped Keith and me off by The Regatta, before driving off to find somewhere suitable (and legal!) to leave the car.
It was a lovely venue, and the building was very atmospheric, but when we got there, the Boatshed Restaurant was fully booked, and we would have had to wait an hour or two for a table to be free. However, there was seating available in the bar dining area; the menu was good, so we settled down there, enjoying a great meal, and a good natter about all we had achieved with Keith's help. He is certainly a great gentleman to know, when you need to find out things that are hard to establish!
A wall of photographs from the Regatta Hotel's past
Wendy and I were also treated to a wonderful cream tea in the Keri Craig Fashion Emporium; it, too, is situated in the Brisbane Arcade, and we enjoyed a champagne celebration easily comparable to those presented at The Ritz.
Keri Craig is a fashion designer and model and, apart from providing memorable cream teas, her Emporium is a treasure trove of delicate clothes and beautiful ornaments, reminiscent of elegant items available at Fortnum and Mason. It is a place where we could easily get lost for hours in an imaginative shopping spree; a hidden gem.
We also met up with Keith for morning snacks at Jimmy's on the Mall - when you know someone who has been brought up in the city, you will definitely find all the best places to go!
One evening, Wendy went on a solo stroll; the last time we were in Brisbane, in 2019, we had been able to take a river cruise from the Eagle Street Pier. The ferries were free, provided courtesy of the City of Brisbane, and she hoped the service was still available.
Sadly, it was not; but she did come back with some more pictures!
The Kitty Kat Ferry
A couple of random photographs of central Brisbane
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